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Lardner Charles Moore, Sr. was born in Kurume Japan, a fourth generation missionary in Japan on his mother's side and third generation on his father's side. Lardner's family line dates back nearly 150 years to 1861 when his great-grandparents arrived in Yokohama as some of the early pioneer missionaries. They helped found the first Protestant Japanese Church in Yokohama in 1873. Both of Lardner's parents had also been born in Japan, but the family had to return to the US at the beginning of World War ll.
Following high school graduation Lardner served in the Occupation of Japan. Later, during his college years at University of Southern California, Lardner was active in the First Presbyterian Church, Hollywood, CA, and was privileged to serve two summers on teams from that congregation engaging in youth evangelistic work camps in Europe and in building Agape, a retreat center in Italy.
After completing his work at Columbia Theological Seminary, Lardner served for one year in a pastorate in Wilmington, NC, before returning to Japan to begin a missionary career. In 1953 Lardner was ordained by Wilmington Presbytery and is still a member of that (Coastal Carolina) Presbytery.
Mollie Anne Boney Moore was born in Wallace, NC, and served during high school years as Youth Council President of Wilmington Presbytery, and as a member of the NC Synod Youth Council. Mollie is a member of the Wallace Presbyterian Church. After graduation from Peace College and Flora MacDonald College she served as Director of Youth Work in Rock Spring Presbyterian Church, where they were married in 1953.
Following the commissioning service at the World Missions Conference in Montreat in the summer of 1954, Mollie and Lardner sailed to Japan by freighter. After two years of language study they were appointed for evangelistic work at Yodogawa Christian Hospital (YCH) in Osaka. Built originally by the 1955 Presbyterian Women’s Birthday Offering, the hospital has grown by the grace of God in an amazing way. Now it has over 700 beds, with a model Hospice unit, and an Elder Health Care Facility. There are over 1000 on the hospital staff.Lardner spent 44 years as a Missionary Chaplain, working with a team of Japanese chaplains in the Evangelistic Department of the Yodogawa Christian Hospital. He served on the Boards of several Christian colleges and institutions in Japan and also as a liaison between YCH and the local churches, later becoming affiliated with the Reformed Church of Japan.
Music was an important part of Lardner’s ministry, and he frequently sang and spoke at the hospital for services, at the bedside of patients, in many churches and meetings all over Japan, and occasionally in Christian concerts. Lardner's “He Touched Me” is a solo cassette recording made by Shalom Company which was circulated widely throughout Japan.
Mollie worked with hospital and hospice patients and families with special needs, and served on the YCH Hospital Board of Councilors. She taught various classes for hospital staff and assisted doctors and nurses with research papers and speeches in English. She also helped with women’s meetings and retreats, and served on various boards and committees for many years.
The Moores have three children who were all born in Yodogawa Christian Hospital and who through the years were helpful as a family in their ministry in Japan. The Moores entertained frequently in their home for classes and church groups, and worked together in Christian outreach and witness. They were also involved in helping the Kobe Chinese Presbyterian Church and other churches, especially after the Kobe Earthquake of 1995.
In 1991 the time came for retirement as Mission Co-workers. The hospital staff and Board of Directors of Yodogawa Christian Hospital, together with their partner congregation, asked the Moores to continue in the same type of work. Their terms were then extended several times as PC(USA) Mission Associates.
After 46 years of service in Japan, Lardner and Mollie now live in Black Mountain, NC. However, they have returned to Japan each year since retirement and are grateful that they are able to continue contacts with Yodogawa Christian Hospital and with congregations in Japan.
Through the blessing of email Mollie had the opportunity to assist with the editing of some of the English research papers for the 5th Asia Pacific Hospice Conference held in Osaka in 2003. In 2005 Mollie and Lardner, and their children and spouses, rejoiced in being invited back for the 50th anniversary celebration of Yodogawa Christian Hospital.In 2009 the Moores represented the PC(USA) as guests of the Japan Bible Society at the 150th anniversary celebration of Protestant Missions in Japan. God willing, they plan to return again in July of this year.
So much remains to be done in the proclamation of the Gospel in Japan. But thanks be to God for the vitally important message of salvation and abundant life available in Christ and for the presence of the Holy Spirit that can transform and strengthen and encourage people in all circumstances in Japan and around the world.
The Bell-Mackay Prize is a recognition of a lifetime of distinguished mission that is presented by Presbyterians for Renewal. The Moores will receive their award July 5th during PFR’s Christian Life Conference in Montreat, NC, and will be recognized at the PFR Breakfast, July 7th, 2010, during the 219th General Assembly in Minneapolis, MN.