平塚バプテスト教会

Hiratsuka Baptist Church traces its roots to October 1946, when Pastor Sanji Nagao began evangelistic work out of his own home. The congregation was formally organized as Hiratsuka Baptist Church in June 1950, its current building was dedicated in October 1951, and it was registered as a religious corporation in January 1954. The church belongs to the Japan Baptist Union, a fellowship that emphasizes freedom, equality, and democracy in church life. Since April 2019, it has been led by Pastor Kenji Hirano.

Locally, the church is especially active in community outreach: it runs a children's cafeteria called 'Kohitsuji Shokudo' (Little Lamb Cafeteria), along with family support and food bank efforts. Its website presents Sunday worship as welcoming to newcomers, with casual dress and no pressure to join. Efficient Church summarizes here a selection of its sermons available on its YouTube channel, with a link back to the original video for each message.