Editing Okinawa Christian Gospel

The {{Nihongo|'''Okinawa Christian Gospel'''|沖縄キリスト教福音|Okinawa Kirisutokyō Fukuin}} is an independent [[Japanese people|Japanese]] church founded by [[Nakahara Masao]] (仲原正夫) in 1977. Nakahara Masao was born in the town of [[Itoman]] on the main island of [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]] in 1948. His father died when he was still a young child and he grew up in very difficult circumstances. Following high school he moved to [[Kyoto]] and enrolled in a professional school in order to obtain credentials as a [[radiologist]]. It was while he was in Kyoto that he began to attend services at a [[Plymouth Brethren]] Church. Within three months he converted to the Christian faith and received [[baptism]]. Nakahara returned to Okinawa to work as a radiologist in a local hospital. In 1977 an experience of divine [[healing]] and revelation from God led him to resign from his position as a [[radiographer]] to devote the remainder of his life to evangelistic work. His independent Christian fellowship grew rapidly and in less than twenty years had six branch churches, two mission outreach centers, and a membership of approximately 1,500.<ref>Ikegami Yoshimasa 池上良正, 悪霊と聖霊の舞台：沖縄の密民衆キリスト教に見る救済世界 (A stage for demons and the Holy Spirit: The world of salvation as seen in popular Okinawan Christianity), 1991</ref> The movement also maintains several residences to care for individuals who are troubled by various spiritual and psychological problems. This is a [[charismatic movement]] in which the practices of [[speaking in tongues]], [[prophecy]], [[healing]], and [[exorcism]] play a central role.

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.church-japan.com/html/okinawa/okinawa.html Okinawa Christian Gospel]

{{Christianity in Japan}}
{{Japanese Churches}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Christian denominations founded in Japan]]
[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1977]]
[[Category:1977 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:Christian new religious movements]]
[[Category:Pentecostal denominations in Asia]]