scene of his early work for ten years, and later the family moved to Sasebo and Hirado for the next ten. In order to reach as many people as possible, Gordon began a radio ministry, a late night broadcast called ”Friend of the Heart,” aimed at students who were burning the midnight oil. Follow-up included correspondence Bible lessons and literature. He also walked to distribute 1200 “Friend of the Heart” evangelistic newspapers doorto-door each month. Gordon’s parish included Nagasaki, where the second atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. The epicenter of the bomb, ironically, was directly above the site of the brutal martyrdom of Japan’s first Christians that began in 1597. The bomb melted the stone angels on the cathedral built to commemorate those martyrs. A history of persecution and the site of nuclear devastation provided the context in which Gordon and Evon labored. In any mission endeavor, family is an important witness. Although a gifted missionary in her own right, Evon adopted the role of Gordon’s supporter and homemaker/ teacher for their three children, Tim, Lisa and Greg. Later Evon suffered debilitating illness, as well as the amputation of her leg. Through all of this, the courage and loving care the Lamans showed each other was an inspiration to all and a vital part of their Christian witness. When leaders in the United Church of Christ in Japan asked Gordon to consider a call to help train future ministers at Tokyo Union Theological Seminary, Gordon was reluctant but obedient. He had been prepared by earning a Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Theological Seminary, where Dr. Eugene Heideman and others helped him deepen his theological thinking. Love of scholarship, 22 years of experience on the front lines and dedication to future Japanese church leaders made him an ideal mentor and trainer at the seminary for the next 21 years. The Lamans retired in 2002, but being conscious of following in the footsteps of the pioneers of the RCA Japan mission and walking on soil hallowed with the blood of martyrs, Gordon was determined to give the world church a record of their achievement. His recently published book, Pioneers to Partners, is the outstanding fulfillment of that goal. In the resistant and frustrating field of Japan, I can think of no one who has been more faithful or effective serving Christ’s church than the Lamans. They are a credit to their Lord, to the seminary that equipped them, and to the church that sent them. It is no small honor for all of us to have been part of their company. by Rev. George Magee ‘62 RCA Missionary to Japan, 1963-2005
A PUBLICATION OF WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
The Laman family in front of the Hirado Preaching Station where Gordon was the pastor, 1973.
Tokyo Union Theological Seminary class, early 80s.
The Faculty of Tokyo Union Theological Seminary, 1981.
Presiding over convocation, Tokyo Union Theological Seminary, April, 1998.
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