Akinori Taguchi: A Model Partner in Japan

It’s a statement both imperative and timeless, particular and universal. It can be read as a direct request, one that compelled its contemporary audience to set the stage for the coming of God. It can be read in the light of the Gospels as a divine warning for those awaiting a Christ who would not appear for centuries. Or, it can be read in a more general and, for our purposes, more applicable sense. That anything good, anything of benefit to both God and God’s people, must be done with great faith. In short, if we see God in the eyes of the people with whom we minister, and if evidence of God is found in the work we do, then to prepare for this work is to prepare the way of the Lord.

Within this understanding of the text, the Rev. Akinori Taguchi, Pastor Emeritus of Kanazawa Baptist Church (KBC) in Japan, has been preparing the way of the Lord for nearly three decades. “I came to Kanazawa almost 30 years ago,” Taguchi said. “There were only about five church members who gathered at the church. And the kindergarten building was very old.”

In Taguchi’s Japan, a predominantly Buddhist country in which any Christian church exerts significant influence, Taguchi has done just that.

His work in revitalizing KBC has helped bolster the Japanese Baptist Convention (JBC), with whom the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has long partnered. It’s ministry on a global scale. But it began, as almost all faithful things do, with something profoundly local—the size of a mustard seed.

“All of our important things always start small,” he said. “I talked to these teachers all the time, and they worked hard. It made me want to rebuild this kindergarten at all costs. We started working on the dilapidated building, making small changes.”
 Over what would be his 26 years as the kindergarten principal and 24 years as pastor of the church, these small changes snowballed into significant growth. And, most importantly, into opportunities for community connection on both the local and international scale.

In 2009, Taguchi shared his vision for continually expanding the presence of Kanazawa Baptist Church—and, ultimately, that of Christianity in all of Japan—at the CBF General Assembly in Houston. It was here that his vision became realized. The partnership with the JBC was sparked, and another way was prepared—this time, for CBF field personnel Carson and Laura Foushee.

“Taguchi-sensei has been a constant presence for us,” Laura said. “He came to our commissioning in 2013 and he stood with us on the platform as the Fellowship commissioned us to go to Japan.” Fast forward 12 years, and the Foushees remain in Kanazawa today, working alongside Kanazawa Baptist Church to support the spiritual and material needs of international residents in the region. That shared ministry was one of the reasons Taguchi sought field personnel through CBF: so the church could be better equipped to welcome, serve and build community with internationals in Kanazawa.

In that partnership, Taguchi’s presence is not simply one of accompaniment, but of facilitation, collaboration and guidance. He has helped equip KBC for a common ministry and vision, offering support as a colleague and collaborator, and serving as a guide in language and culture when needed. While his work and the Foushees’ work each have distinct areas of focus, their ministry intersects in meaningful ways through their shared commitment to the church, the community and the international neighbors KBC is called to serve. “He was always more than willing to give me advice and give me assistance so that I could learn something new,” Laura said. “So, he’s been with us from the very beginning.”

The fruits of this good work are self-evident. What started as an effort simply to restore a dilapidated building, to renew a faltering congregation, has resulted in a thriving community and a beautiful church in which to house them. It started small—and has flourished since. And that’s thanks, in large part, to Taguchi.

“We have a new preschool building; we have a new church building; and we have growth—we’re seeing around 40 people come on a Sunday,” Carson said. “Taguchi is a community connector. He has planted himself here, and he is present in his community as a model for us for what it means to be present in our community.”

Having planted a mustard seed that has bloomed into a deeply rooted tree in Kanazawa, Taguchi, with great trust in the Foushees and in the Spirit, has set his sights elsewhere. The very same faith that led Taguchi to Kanazawa many years ago has now steered him to do “a little church work” in Fukuoka, a city about 10 hours away. It’s small, but Taguchi wouldn’t have it any other way. Even though the location is different, the work remains the same. To prepare the way of the Lord is to embrace our neighbors, wherever we find them.