Roberta Stephens

1977-1979 After arriving in Tokyo in Sept. 1977, Roberta began two years of language study. She had incredible determination to learn the language but not with too much success. In spite of the fact that she studied more hours than she’d ever studied, including listening to language tapes in her sleep, she finished her two years without getting a graduation certificate.

1979-1997 She headed north in Sept. 1979 to be a missionary at Shokei Girls’ School where she stayed until 1997. It did not seem to her like they spoke the same language as was taught in the Tokyo language school! The adjustment was tremendous, not understanding the language as she thought she should and trying to be a “good” missionary!

Shokei Girls’ School was founded by American Baptist missionaries in 1892. She had replaced the previous missionary, Miss Beulah McCoy, but was about number 79 in the history of the school. There was a kindergarten, jr. high, high school and jr. college with about 2,000 students attending when I arrived. Now some 80 years later after its foundation, less than one-quarter of the teachers were Christians. But Christian ministry still continued.

Roberta’s duties over the years primarily included teaching English conversation classes to 7th through 12th grade, speaking monthly in chapel services held daily, sponsoring the English club. As time went on she developed two significant programs. One was a noon-time weekly fellowship for Christian and non-Christian high school students called Rose of Sharon. The second program provided the opportunity for students to stay in American homes during the Christmas season. The school continued this program until 2002.

During these eighteen years, Roberta worshiped at Shokei Baptist Church. She occasionally gave the message and taught Sunday school. This time was not only a place for her to worship and serve but it was also a training ground in using the Japanese language in her future ministry.

1997-2006 In 1997, the Lord led her into a ministry of wider scope, working with local churches in the North East of Japan, called the Tohoku Region. She is called the Tohoku Area Missionary. The 17 churches and Preaching Places are spread out over a wide area. Many of these churches are small. In addition to speaking at various churches when asked, she held English classes and Bible classes at the various locations. Through these classes, local Christians invite their friends who live in the surrounding area to join in.

These kinds of classes were also taught at Shichigahama Preaching Place which became the main focus of her ministry. This group of believers had been without a pastor for many years. Ministers in the area come to help the group out on Sunday afternoon at their 2 pm service. Roberta’s job is not that of a minister but more of an encourager and stimulator toward a more evangelistic presence in the community. She holds classes in Bible for members, friends of members and non-Christians in the community. There are classes in English also for those who want to improve their communication skills. The hope is that these people will also begin to desire to come to the Sunday afternoon services also. This proved a fruitful outreach

In December, 2002, this small congregation moved out of the dress shop where they had met since their inception (1958). With the help of many who had attended over the years, the six believers who attended bought a regular house and turned it into a church building. Because they still could not afford a pastor with such small numbers, they continued as a “Preaching Place.” Roberta assisted the group until their average Sunday attendance reached twelve people. In 2007, after Roberta resigned due to returning to the USA for home assignment, the church asked a retired pastor to become their pastor.

June 2007-present Living in Tokyo, Roberta has been developing a volunteer program for Americans. She processed applications for volunteer service, placed them in Japanese churches or other programs. She has been working with churches in the Tokyo area also. She taught two classes in the Suginami-Nakadori church in Tokyo and worked with the pastor in discipleship. She has been involved in encouraging believers from many walks of life, both locally and those living areas where she previously worked. She has been heavily involved in denominational and school administration, representing ABFMS in Japan. Her passion and skills are in the area of evangelism and discipleship. She desires that all come to know the Lord as their Savior.

Recently she has been receiving medical treatment in the Seattle area but expects to return to Japan shortly (summer of 2010) when her financial needs are met.