Japan’s churches prepare to serve earthquake survivors.

Japan (MNN) — Severe summer heat continues to threaten earthquake survivors in southern Japan. A3’s Robert Adair says, “Many are still without running water or electricity,” one week after a pair of high-magnitude earthquakes rocked Kyushu.

At last report, nearly 40 people have died, and more than 100 others were injured. Earthquakes destroyed an estimated 700 homes, while more than 11,000 buildings sustained damage. Roughly 8,500 people remain in evacuation shelters, and more than 46,000 households are still without running water.

Clean water, electricity, cooling, sanitation, and safe shelter are among the most urgent needs as extreme heat complicates recovery efforts. The Body of Christ in Japan is ready – but waiting – to respond.

“The government’s still doing the initial relief work and clearing up damage, so the Church doesn’t want to get in the way of that. But the Church wants to come in and help meet felt and spiritual needs as quickly as possible,” Adair says.

	Image provided by MNN (AI photo)

“Several of our alumni are in the middle of that conversation.”

Churches prepare

A3 nurtures intentional learning communities to build and sustain Christian leadership around the world. More about that here.

In Japan, community outreach and relationship development often involve disaster response.

Immediately following last week’s earthquakes, some pastors in A3’s network made quick trips to the epicenter.

“They’ve been delivering drinks and small supplies, but also trying to better understand the situation on the ground,” Adair says

Now, believers are working across denominational lines to coordinate a response that puts Jesus’ love into action.

“Over the next days and weeks, churches and organizations will be coming together to try to figure out a plan: what are their (survivors’) actual needs, and then how can those needs be met without overwhelming the local responders or becoming a burden to them?” Adair says.

	Image provided by MNN (AI photo)

The earthquakes hit “a relatively rural or isolated part of Japan,” he continues.

“People are starting to get down there and actually see with their own eyes what the needs are, how big the scale of this disaster is."

As church leaders coordinate their efforts, prayer is the most important way to help. Pray for unity and discernment for the Body of Christ in Japan.

“Pray for the people being impacted by this heat wave. Pray that people would not have heat stroke; that they’d get the water they need; that the electricity would come back online quickly,” Adair requests.

“Pray for the people near the epicenter of this earthquake who are still at a relatively high level of risk, just due to the lack of resources.”

Listen to the broadcast (story begins at 2:50)

Direct Link: https://a3-media.s3.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Aug05-2026.mp3

Call to Action

• As church leaders coordinate their efforts, prayer is the most important way to help. Pray for unity and discernment for the Body of Christ in Japan.
• Pray for earthquake survivors facing extreme heat, especially those without clean water, electricity, or safe shelter.
• Pray that believers will meet physical and spiritual needs in ways that clearly demonstrate the love of Jesus.

More Information

• This story by Katey Hearth was originally published on 05-Aug-2026 by Mission Network News:
  https://www.mnnonline.org/news/churches-coordinate-relief-after-deadly-kyushu-earthquakes/
  
• Image credits:
  
  • Inset image of Kyushu map provided by MNN (AI photo)
  • Inset image "Pray for Japan" provided by MNN (AI photo)
  • Header and story images are representative AI photos generated by ChatGPT.

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