Hello

pastor itsuo ueno

Senior Pastor of Vine International Fellowship, also known as the “Enka Pastor.”

He has taught for many years at Japanese schools in Southern California (Nishiyamato Academy of California) and at the Saturday Supplementary School (Nishiyamato Academy Supplementary School). He holds a junior high Level 1 and high school Level 2 teaching license in Social Studies. In addition to Social Studies, he has also taught Japanese language and Mathematics.

Special skill: Making everyone laugh with puns and jokes.

Hobbies: Reading, watching sports on YouTube—especially professional wrestling, sumo, and comedy shows (skits and stand-up). He is also deeply interested in documentaries, social issues, and international affairs.

Favorite foods: Natto, tofu, sushi.

Recent event: In September 2024, while pruning trees in his yard, he hung from a branch and landed on his heels, resulting in a severe compound fracture (tears 😹). After undergoing two surgeries, he is now faithfully working on rehabilitation by taking daily walks.

Photo (Celebrating my birthday with his beloved wife, Michiko)

greetings

Vine International Fellowship began in 1988, after I graduated from Biola University Graduate School (Talbot School of Theology), as an independent church. In the early years, many young people came to church, and on average 5–6 of them each year made a confession of faith and were baptized.

Later, Vine International Fellowship affiliated with the Baptist General Conference of America (now Converge Worldwide). As the mission expanded, branch churches were established in Zimbabwe (Africa), Hawaii, Nagoya, Hiroshima, and Nara.

Currently, four preachers take turns delivering the Sunday messages. Every Saturday evening, we hold a Hawaii service, and every Sunday at 2:00 pm we hold a Los Angeles service. People living in Japan and in other U.S. states also join through Zoom.

After each service, we have a sharing time where we reflect on the blessings received through that day’s message, followed by prayer meetings in small groups. Our messages are faithful expository sermons, explaining Scripture carefully. Together, we seek to apply God’s Word to our daily lives, praying for one another and encouraging one another to grow.

Please feel free to join us. You are warmly welcome!

Pastor Itsuo Ueno