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Sarah grew up as the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, the
Reverend William Samuel McAliley, Sr. Her mother, Opal, died while
Sarah was young, and her father later married the Reverend Elizabeth
"Libby" Dunlap McAliley. Sarah can trace her call to
mission service to all three of these people: she vividly remembers
PC(USA) missionaries paying visits to her father’s churches
and his dedication to being an ecumenical presence in the community.
She has learned that her mother wanted to be a missionary in China
but never reached her goal. And her stepmother Libby served as
a PC(USA) missionary in Zaire for over 20 years and later worked
for the Worldwide Ministries Division of the PC(USA).
In 1986, when asked by a family friend if she would like to serve
as a missionary teacher in Japan, Sarah put off plans to attend
seminary and thought she would give the experience a two-year
try. "It has now been 14 years," writes Sarah, "with
a very positive experience in the Christian school, a monumental
decision to get married and start a family in Japan, a year in
the States at an ecumenical conference center, and the incredible
opportunity to serve in a rural leaders training center in Japan
(Asian Rural Institute) with participants from Africa and Asia,
and answering God’s call to serve as field treasurer in Japan."
Only about 1 percent of Japan is Christian. It is a relatively
young religion when compared to the more entrenched Buddhist and
Shinto traditions. Making a commitment to the Christian faith
could mean alienation from family and friends, so even though
students may be attracted to Christian ideals encountered at high
schools and colleges, many hesitate to make the commitment. "Global
partnerships in Christ with churches such as the PC(USA) encourage
this small community of its important place in the body of Christ,"
Sarah writes.
From 1987 to 1990, Sarah was a PC(USA) mission associate at Tokyo
Eiwa Girls’ Junior and Senior High School. In 1992 and 1993
she volunteered at Stony Point Center, in Stony Point, New York,
planning for the Ecumenical Missionary Re-entry Conference and
serving as a resource person. From 1993 to 1995, she was a PC(USA)
mission volunteer assigned to the library at the Asian Rural Institute.
Since October 1995, she has been serving in her current position
as field treasurer for PC(USA) with JNAC.
Sarah received a bachelor of arts in Christian education summa
cum laude from Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina,
in 1985.
She is married to Naoki Oba, and they have four children. In
Japan, Sarah attends Tokyo Union Church, Nishinasuno Church, and
Okusawa Church. She is an associate member at Stony Point Presbyterian
Church in Stony Point, New York, and in Kyodan congregations (United
Church of Christ in Japan). When in the United States, she sometimes
attends Macland Presbyterian Church with family in Atlanta and
also visits Tirzah Presbyterian Church in York, South Carolina,
where she grew up.
Birthdays:
Sarah - December 20
Naoki - November 4
Isaku - July 29, 1990
Fiona - December 28, 1992
Manna - April 2, 1996
Eden - January 11, 1999
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