Pastor Akira Sato of Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church recently shared his church's collective experience to several audiences in Southern California and Chicago. The presentation was called "Exodus Church" because the entire congregation was forced to evacuate as a result of the Fukushima nuclear power plant damaged by the tsunami on his 54th birthday—March 11, 2011. He has written a book by the same name, which is currently the best-selling Christian book in Japan.

Pastor Sato felt led to share with Christians all over the world what he and his church have learned over the past seven months. People listened intently to the pastor's honest reflections, and seemed to digest the spiritual insights garnered through the biggest trial of his life. As far as I observed, everyone was touched quite deeply by hearing his story. Presentations were often tear-filled, and that includes speaker, translator and audience members.

Pastor Akira Sato with wife Chieko.
Photo courtesy Sumi Sellon and Saddleback Church.

The Christian Post covered one of Pastor Sato's events, and it's an article well-worth reading. You can find that article here:

Fukushima Pastor Tells Story of Japan's 'Exodus Church'

 By Alex Murashko| Christian Post Reporter

Pastor Akira Sato with translator Takeshi Takazawa.
Photo courtesy Don Haynes and Saddleback Church.

Here are a few photos from various events in Southern California...

Evergreen Baptist Church - San Gabriel Valley

Community Baptist Church

Saddleback Church

• See more photos taken at these events...
• Other So. Cal. events included Renaissance Church of Norco, Fuller Theological Seminary, and First Baptist Church Oceanside.
• More on Pastor Sato and his church:
  • http://asianaccess.org/exoduschurch
  • http://f1church.com

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