Have you ever wondered what inspired and motivated our church’s founder, Takie Okumura, to come to Hawaii in 1894 and minister to the Japanese in Hawaii for 57 years? The following are some of the answers, in his own words, from his book, Seventy Years of Divine Blessings (Okumura, 1939).
Takie Okumura Before Baptism at 20 Years Old
“In 1887 when the Liberals assembled in Tokyo with their petition to the government for freedom of press, freedom of speech and for franchise, I also went to the capital. Kenkichi Kataoka and leaders of the moderates gathered at Kinko Kan Hotel in Shiba. Each morning and evening, I met Kataoka for instructions, and worked for the cause of the Liberal party.
One day, Mr. Kataoka said to me: “You are one of my relations, but still I cannot disclose my whole heart and speak with absolute confidence on matters of grave importance to our country with one who does not have faith in the same God. You ought to attend the Christian church on Sundays and learn about Christianity.
His words stunned me. I had been harassing the Christian churches all these months, and I felt as if I had been severely whipped. But in agony and with a feeling of shame, I went to Ichibancho Church on the following Sunday. Reverently I bowed my head in prayer and literally devoured every word of the minister. Strangely, from that moment, I began to feel a keen longing for church. It was truly the words of Mr. Kataoka, whom I had always respected, that led me to submit and turn a new page of my life.” (Okumura, 1939, pg. 103-104).
Okumura in His Early 20’s After Baptism
“While I was a student at the theological seminary of Doshisha University, I happened to read Sargent’s Life of Henry Martin, a young man, who, immediately after his graduation from Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, casting aside all honor and position, went as a missionary to India, and died very early in life in the service of the Kingdom of God. I was gripped by this young man’s devotion, heroism and unselfish service, and was so influenced that I decided to take up evangelistic work in some foreign land.
Just at the moment when I was searching for a suitable field of work, Rev. Jiro Okabe, at that time, pastor of the Nuuanu Church, visited Doshisha on his furlough in 1892 and appealed for volunteers, picturing in a glowing manner, the conditions and opportunities in Hawaii. I made up my mind to leave for Hawaii immediately after graduation, and asked Dr. J. D. Davis to make the necessary arrangements with the Hawaiian Board. Leaving behind my family in Kyoto, Japan, I finally left Yokohama on the SS Beldic, July 14, 1894.
On the following day, a fierce storm struck us. The wooden walls of our little steerage cabin, built on the stern of the boat, were shattered to pieces by the angry waves, and we were all hurled into the water. Fortunately the sailors who came rushing to our rescue, picked us up one by one, and moved us into the freight room. For five days, the storm lashed us with unabated fury, and we had to remain huddled together with the freight. Miraculously, the storm subsided, and soon, the sun began to shine in all its glory.” (Okumura, 1939, pg. 12-13).
Okumura’s Long-Term Vision for Hawaii
“Once having determined to settle in Hawaii permanently (and after bringing his whole family to Hawaii), I found that make-shift things would not do. I commenced to think and plan out projects with thoughts of ten or twenty years ahead.” (Okumura, 1939, pg. 4).
Founding Makiki Church: A Journey from Humble Beginnings
“In November, 1902, I commenced my work in the eastern section of Honolulu under the auspices of the Hawaiian Board. Gradually by making calls and holding outdoor meetings, I was able to gather a fair-sized group of ten eager listeners, and to open a little shack in the corner of a Japanese camp on Kinau Street. With only 24 members Makiki Church was organized in April, 1904.” (Okumura, 1939, pg. 20).
Navigating Misunderstanding and Criticism
“Another thing that helped me through all these years were the ridicule, sneers and vicious names heaped upon me. Perhaps, since the first company of Japanese came to Hawaii, no one has been more frightfully misunderstood, attacked, misrepresented and ridiculed than myself. During the past forty years, my ways of thinking and acting, my objectives and my plans, did not agree with the way of the masses of people. So I was cursed by men on the streets, and severely criticized by newspapers.
. . . I have never tried to explain or refute any of the charges made against me, for I stand exactly upon the words expressed by Paul: ‘With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by men : yea, I judge not my own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. The Lord bringeth forth dark secrets to the light and revealeth life’s inner aims and motives. Then each of us will get his meed of praise from him.’”
“Men resent it whenever they are unjustly or willfully criticized and slandered. Yet I have always thought of abuses as incentives, or nourishments.” (Okumura, 1939, pg. 7-9).
Helping Create the Japanese YMCA, Now Known as Nuuanu YMCA
“With a new building and equipment well provided, our association became in one leap an international institution. It became also a practical working organ not only for amity between American people and Japanese, but also for frank, intimate friendship between Japanese, Chinese, Koreans and Filipinos. It exemplified in an actual manner the ideal of ‘One in Christ.’” (Okumura, 1939, pg. 53-54)
A Lifelong Fascination
“. . . Of Lincoln, I have made it a habit to read two or three books on his life each year. During these forty odd years, I have read some 43 books about him. . . The more I read of him, the more I became fascinated with his greatness.
When I heard of Christianity at 20 years of age, I felt that it was Bushido refined into a world religion. The feeling grew within me, and finally changed my whole life, influencing me to enter into the service of Jesus. Similarly, as I came to understand more and more intimately the spirit and action of Lincoln, I saw in him the really ‘baptized Bushido’ at work, and became his ardent admirer.” (Okumura, 1939, pg. 105).
Cultivating Success in Hawaii
“Of all the projects that I have accomplished in Hawaii, the ones into which I had put most care and thought, and seen some success, and of which I am absolutely confident that they will bear good fruit in the years to come, are besides the church activities, the educational campaign among the Japanese and New American Conference.” (Okumura, 1939, pg. 85).
Writing His Memoirs at Age 70
“I am thankful above everything else to Almighty God. He led me to this land, gave me hope, and enabled me to face many a difficulty. I am grateful to my community. Without questioning my ability and lack of strength, it welcomed me.
While I regret that I have not yet fully repaid in my services any of these blessings from God and from my community, I wish that I may be permitted to spend the remainder of my life on this earth in such service as will be of real usefulness to God and my fellow men.” (Okumura, 1939, pg. 1,2).
A Journey of Faith and Perseverance
“I often recall my boyhood days and thank God for so graciously caring and leading an utterly worthless soul like myself through all these years. By the age of 23 or 24, I had ventured into industry, business, government and politics. I had tried everything, and failed miserably. Still I believe God had been working in me . . . . It is for this reason I have chosen as my favorite verse in the Bible,
‘You have not chosen me, it is I who have chosen you, appointing you to go and bear fruit – fruit that lasts, so that the Father may grant you whatever you ask in my name.’” (John 15:16)
(Okumura, 1939, pg. 108-109)
There is much to learn about our church from the writings of Rev. Okumura and others. If you would like to read a copy of “Seventy Years of Divine Blessings” or delve more deeply into our church’s history, you may make an appointment to visit the MCC Archives.
