SoulFire Tenrikyo Faith Gathering 2026
We are looking forward to coming together for the SoulFire Gathering on November 14, 2026.
Our theme this year is: Fueling Our Faith, Strengthening Our Community
PLEASE REGISTER HERE:
Click Here for English Registration
日本語での登録はこちらをクリックしてください
*Registration will close on October 1, 2026.
SoulFire is a time to reconnect with one another, deepen our faith, and celebrate the community we share. Through inspiring workshops, meaningful conversations, and moments of fellowship, we hope to create space for reflection, connection, and spiritual renewal as we strengthen the bonds that unite us.
As you make plans to attend, we wanted to share a few details:
For Families
Shonenkai programming will be available for children ages 5–14. For children under 5, please make arrangements directly with Paul Tomizawa at tomizawa3@gmail.com.
Language Support
English/Japanese interpretation will be available for select sessions.
Lodging
Lodging will be available at Tenrikyo Mission Headquarters of America & Canada for those who would like to stay on site.
General Program & Dinner Gathering
The SoulFire program will start at 10:30 AM and conclude at 4:00 PM. At 7:00 PM, we invite everyone to join us for dinner and a social gathering. This will be a relaxed opportunity to meet and reconnect with fellow participants, share a meal, and enjoy time together with great music.
We hope you’ll make plans to be part of the SoulFire Gathering. Whether you are joining us for the first time or returning to familiar faces, we look forward to creating a space where we can fuel our faith and strengthen our community together.
Your support helps make this gathering possible. Donations directly support the SoulFire Tenrikyo Faith Gathering and help us create inclusive programs that benefit people of all generations in our community. If you would like to make a contribution, donations may be made in person or via Zelle® (3232613379).
Click Here to View SoulFire Playlist on YouTube
Click Here to View SoulFire Opening Message
Click Here to View Opening Keynote Address
Click Here to View English Single, Danceable Mikagura-Uta
Click Here to View 2023 Program Book
View/Download: SoulFire 2021 Program Book
“Our Faith as a Source of Inspiration and Hope to Create a Joyous Life World for All People”
Presenter: Rev. Tad Iwata, Head Minister, Tenrikyo Honolulu Ko Church
- Set the tone for the inaugural SoulFire Tenrikyo Faith Conference by emphasizing how our faith was presented to us by Oyasama so that all people can live the Joyous Life.
- How our faith is more important now than it has ever been to bring our global community together as children of God the Parent.
- The responsibility that each of us has to apply the teachings to address the challenges we confront both locally and globally.
Panelists: Julia Yuge ICU Registered Nurse
Dr. Reid Honda Medical Doctor
Rev. Audrey Suga-Nakagawa Advocacy Director AARP
Moderator: Etsuko Okui-Isada Consultant
- To share personal experiences of frontline workers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To discuss how faith in God the Parent enabled panelists to get through the daily physical, emotional, and spiritual toll when COVID-19 patients overwhelmed health facilities.
- To apply our teaching from this experience to help all of us be better members of our common humanity.
“How to Help People Dealing with Anxiety and Mental Health Challenges”
Presenters: Rev. Owen Nakao Head Minister Tenrikyo Pearl Church
Ben Tadokoro Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Facilitator: Rev. Michael Yuge Executive Director Tenri Cultural Institute
- To understand mental health issues and their impact on the lives of many people in society.
- To encourage Tenrikyo practitioners to learn how to identify signs of mental health issues and know of mental health resources.
- To learn how to apply practical and spiritual tools from our Teaching to help those in need.
“Nurturing Our Children and Families in Faith”
Presenters: Rev. Susumu Yuge Head Minister Tenrikyo Heritage Church
Rev. Lynn Nagata Head Minister Tenrikyo Waikiki Church
Masako Okui Board Member Tenrikyo Women’s Association of America
Christine Yukimoto Minister Broad Path Fellowship
Moderator: Erika Koyama-Hsu Early Interventionist
- To provide personal experiences of how Tenrikyo parents raise their children in the faith.
- To discuss how to continue the faith with children when one parent is not Tenrikyo.
- To provide strategies on how to explain Tenrikyo to children in general.
“Using Our Faith to Stay Joyful Through Life’s Challenges”
Presenters: Yumi Litke Intensive Behavioral Intervention Specialist
Alisha Herrick Executive Coach Lyft
Rev. Ray Tadokoro Head Minister Tenrikyo High Sacramento Church
Jimmy Do Yoboku
Moderator: Rev. Hiroko Okazaki Head Minister Tenrikyo Hollywood Church
- To discuss how we can find gratitude in challenging times (illness, job loss, financial instability, etc.).
- To review how we can face and overcome stress.
- To determine how to find strength from Oyasama’s Divine Model.
“Understanding and Applying Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as Followers of the Path”
Presenters: Dr. Lui Amador (Dean, Student Equity and Success, Cerritos College)
Rev. Koji Uesugi (Head Minister, Tenrikyo Pacific Valley Church)
- To provide a space for followers and friends of our faith community to reflect and engage in courageous conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
- To explore how our own implicit biases of others and lack of understanding of the importance of DEI negatively impacts our ability to be useful instruments of God the Parent.
- To discuss DEI-based strategies that we can incorporate into our faith-based practices to help create a world that values all people equally as our brothers and sisters
Presenters: Rev. Koji Uesugi (Head Minister, Tenrikyo Pacific Valley Church)
