Meet this year's graduates!
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Tomita Hayato
Plan after graduation: I will serve as a staff member of Nisshin Christ Church, Presbyterian Church of Japan, and am preparing for an exam to become a pastor in the future. I jumped into CBS at the age of 45. My life and residence changed completely—from being a working professional to a seminary student, from Tokyo to Nagoya. But more than anything, my spirituality was transformed into something entirely new through my enrollment at CBS.
Looking back on my seminary life, my first year was filled with disappointment as I struggled with my inability to study well. In my second year, I wrestled with envy and jealousy as I compared myself to others. However, even in the midst of my struggles, God was always with me. He spoke to me, saying, "You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased." (Mark 1:11). It was not until
my third year that I was finally able to lift my eyes and truly focus on God. At CBS, even our professors openly share their prayer requests with us, the students. They do not hide their weaknesses, but instead, together we practice a "gospel-centered life."
Before entering CBS, I constantly compare myself to those around me. I wanted to be more righteous, more impressive, and wiser than others. However, through practicing the "gospel-centered life" at CBS, I experienced what it means to love one another as those who have received the love of Jesus. I learned that people around me are not competitors or rivals with whom I must differentiate myself. Instead, we are called to love and serve one another through the love of Christ. My time at CBS was a period in which God taught me an entirely new identity. Now, I am in the process of training to become a pastor. Moving forward, I want to continue following Jesus Christ, practicing love, and walking as a witness of the Lord. |
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Oka Tanaka
Plan after graduation: Church planting staff in Saitama If I were to express the blessing God prepared for me at CBS in just one word, it would be "growth". Not just growth in theology and knowledge, but overall growth, including growth in my relationship with God, growth in my relationships with others, and growth in my self-understanding. Of course, growth did not come without challenges. Beyond academic assignments, God also placed before me life challenges, and opportunities to confront things I had avoided. Yet, through these trials, I came to realize that the greatest blessing is the growth that leads us closer to Christ.
At CBS, two key lessons stood out to me: how to read the Bible and the diversity and unity of the body of Christ. Learning biblical languages and interpretation deepened my engagement with God's Word. Through rich interactions, I witnessed the beautiful balance of diversity and unity within Christ’s body. I engaged with classmates and professors from different backgrounds, encountered various theological perspectives, and connected with Christians from different eras through historical writings.
I would be truly grateful if you would pray that this growth may not be for myself alone, but for the body of Christ, the church, and for the glory of Jesus Christ to be revealed through it. |
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Non Yoshihara Plan after graduation: <not specified>
All of my studies at seminary guided me toward spiritual growth. Though it was only a short year, every professor, with Christ at the center, wholeheartedly focused not only on teaching but also on my personal faith, praying for me and encouraging me—not for their own benefit, but truly for the spiritual growth of us seminarians. That meant more to me than anything. One of the key lessons I learned during my time at seminary was about "my own sense of righteousness."
I had many personal notions of righteousness, and in this world, they often seemed valid, so I held onto them dearly. However, in seminary, as I learned about Christ's righteousness through His atonement from various biblical passages, I realized that I do not need “my righteousness” in my life. Christ’s righteousness surpasses all, encompassing both mine and others’, leading to repentance and gratitude, and pouring equally on everyone. Even if I do not protect others or fight against evil with my own sense of justice, God’s love and grace remain unchanging for eternity, always providing for everyone at the right time.
I realized that my righteousness was not centered on Christ, but on the idol that is me. And, even now I struggle with my sense of righteousness. My sense of righteousness may never be completely removed. When I realize this, I sometimes feel fear, sadness, and the pain of living. But through the righteousness of Christ, I can pray to God and ask Him to shape me and use me. I can speak with him. My righteousness leads me to loneliness, but Christ's righteousness gives me hope to live. In the Lord.
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Meet our incoming students! |
MDiv Program
Aika Ōshima
Shōri Sunagawa
Kaori Seyama
MA Program
Hisayo Ishizuka
Shōta Ōtsuka
Saki Sunagawa
BTh Program
Motoki Fukuda |
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Deeper & Further Conference - Praise God for the speakers who have confirmed they will join us. Please pray for the planning of the breakout sessions and availability of those speakers as well. Deeper & Further Building Renovation - Construction will begin in May. Please pray for a smooth process
Christ Bible Seminary - Please pray for our graduates and incoming students as they adjust to a new season of life Joy of Japan Center - Please pray for wisdom and guidance in planning the next phase of Growing Fellowship CBI Counseling - Please pray for good rest and wisdom in planning as we prepare for the next STEPS session CBI Press - Please continue to pray for our ongoing book projects and the development of My UchiSoto
CBI Media - Please pray the Lord would guide us in developing an editing process that supports original content and developing translators
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