TOKYO, JAPAN (March 17, 2011) – The Department of World Mission released a statement today describing the current situation of Covenant missionaries in Japan.

A brief video update of the situation involving missionaries in Japan also will be posted to the Evangelical Covenant Church website sometime after 3 p.m. (CST) today.

Following is the text of today’s message:

“Covenant missionaries are all safe and in constant communication with each other, their regional coordinators and Covenant offices. Communication is good and we are working with our missionaries to monitor the situation and decide appropriate movement in and around Japan. Covenant World Mission has offered to fund any short-term internal relocation that our Japan staff feels is needed.

“The Christian Academy in Japan has initiated an early Spring vacation until April 4. Several missionaries’ children attend this school. So some of our missionaries have decided to take advantage of this break and spend some time in Kobe, which is south of Tokyo.

“The media have spread the news that the U.S. government has offered to expedite travel for any U.S. citizen who wants to leave the country due to events at the heavily damaged nuclear power plant. This offer is limited to citizens living or working within the 50-mile radius of the plant. All our missionaries live in and around the Tokyo area, which is 230 miles south of the plant.

“The situation is still fluid, but at this time our missionaries feel comfortable remaining where they are and continuing to minister alongside their Japanese coworkers. We are working closely with our ministry partner, the Covenant Church of Japan, to respond to the great needs presented by the events of this past week.”

Those desiring to help financially can do so by donating to the online Japan Relief Fund administered by Covenant World Relief, or by sending a check made payable to Covenant World Relief and marked for the Japan Relief Fund to Covenant World Relief, Evangelical Covenant Church, 8303 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL, 60631.

Those desiring to help defray the increasing missionary staff costs generated by this emergency may send checks, made payable to Covenant World Mission and marked for Japan missionary help, to Covenant World Mission, Evangelical Covenant Church, 8303 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL, 60631.