One of the things that
is often talked about is being “Home Sick.” We’re hitting the almost 6month
mark here in Japan, but reality is that we’ve officially been on the missionary
calling for a year now.
A year ago, we sat down
with A2 President Joe Handley and VP of Missions Mary Jo Wilson, and over a
meal at Green Street Café, figured out this calling. Thank you to all our loyal family and
supporters, we are super excited and privileged to have your prayers, financial
blessings, and friendships.
However, one of the hard
parts for me (Sterling) is not just missing family traditions,food,or holidays
(I could really go for a legit WI bratwurst!) – it’s also missing saying
Good-Bye’s.
Recently we sat down for
a lunch with Paul & Carol Suzuki. Carol’s father, Rev. Ken Murakami, passed
away recently in Chicago. As we won’t be able to travel to Chicago for his
memorial and life celebration, it is hard to miss those moments. Indulge me for
a moment as I process his passing aloud, please.
P. Ken Murakami was a
gentle pastoral presence who was one of the first pastors I can remember having
big conversations with. He was the
pastor at Lakeside Church of Chicago, and thus was one of the leaders at the
church camp Emi and I attended as kids in Lake Geneva, WI every summer. He also knew my grandfather, Rev. Andrew
Oyama, and many of my cousins, aunts, uncles and extended family. Even though
my family was a so called DCJC family (my grandfather's church), he always spoke
to me as if I was part of his flock.
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| P. Ken Murakami baptizing a young Christian in Lake Geneva, WI. |
When I got baptized in
the waters of Lake Geneva, he was the pastor who “dunked me”. (sidenote: most
people were intimidated by Rev. Hibino dunking them, as he was “all-business”
with a fast whirlwind dunk motion! “NEXT!”) In my 1:1 time with him, he didn’t
talk to me about my grandfather, as he understood that submission to God is a
personal thing, and not a family legacy.
That time as young
disciple showed me a pastor who stopped and listened, and then shared his
wisdom. Really a pastor who listens first? Imagine that! What a confidence in calling to have a
teacher who didn’t need to talk down to me, or anyone. I think that’s the type
of faith we need expressed more often. A friend said “we need leaders who want
to be shepherds and not people looking to steal sheep.” P. Ken Murakami was definitely a good shepherd,
and I would not be here in Japan without his speaking into my life at that time
in my faith journey.
The old Lakeside Church
of Chicago was built basically under the L-tracks. It wasn’t on the good side
of the tracks or the bad side. It was under the tracks! So when Rev. Murakami was giving a Sunday
Sermon, he’d have to stop mid-sentence sometimes until the train passed.
Granted sometimes he’d talk too soon, and we couldn’t hear what he was saying.
Sometimes his pulpit joke may get lost by the disrupted timing. But the truth is that Jesus stopped, Jesus
listened, and Jesus served. Those trains may have taught P. Ken to stop, and
listen more often, before speaking.
(Later in life, I
realized, there a many preachers who could use an L-Train to drown out some of
what they are saying.)
In his retirement, P.
Murakami stayed faithful in serving. He was a good friend to many people who mean a
lot to me. Some friends in particular went through a falling out with a church leader,that
ultimately caused a rift in the church.
P. Murakami was a good friend and a good pastor through
that hard time. He didn’t need to be, he was retired...but pastors never really retire do they? Isn’t it amazing to hear how people who know
a true calling never stop trying to be peacemakers?
So, I will miss saying
good-bye to P. Ken Murakami and joining the Lakeside Family, and Camp Lake
Chi-KO family in honoring his warmth, his leadership, and his heart to
serve. Many thanks to the Murakami Family
and the extended Lakeside Family for sharing your dear Pastor with us. We mourn
his passing, but we are ever grateful to have had him as a shepherd.
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| Camp Lake Chi-KO composite (thanks Wally Osakada for not sending me home!) P. Ken Murakami is in the upper right corner. Emi is third row on the right. I'm behind the SNOOPY sign) |
