EBSCOhost: The Congregational Leadership Crisis Facing the Japanese Church

EBSCOhost: The Congregational Leadership Crisis Facing the Japanese Church

Asia Pacific Youth Alive Conference 2009

By Susan Ricketts and Joyce Kitano

NOTE: This article was written for the Japan A/G missions newsletter, The Works.

 

The Malaysian Assemblies of God Youth Department hosted the 3^rd Asia Pacific Youth Alive Conference at Glad Tidings Assembly of God in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia from December 10-12. Over 2,000 young people from 29 countries were represented.  Asian countries included Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam. Joyce, Yuri (Chi Alpha staff member), and I joined the 35-member group from Japan to participate in the conference.

 

The guest speakers from Malaysia, Singapore, and the UK spoke on the theme “Speak to the Nations” with the desire “to empower Asia Pacific youth with vision for their nation and for the nations beyond…John the Baptist was a voice in the wilderness crying out, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’ Our youth will declare, ‘Prepare the way of the Risen Lord!’ While the nations cry for truth and salvation, let the youth rise up and be a voice to the nations (taken from the conference flyer).”

 

At the last Asia Pacific Youth Alive conference two years ago, eight people went to represent Japan.  We were excited that this time 35 people from Japan were able to attend!. On the second day, after the session “Hearing the Voice of God,” there was a time to listen to what God is saying to the nations of Asia Pacific. We Japan delegates were greatly encouraged as we heard the following prophetic words that were given specifically for Japan.  There were more prophecies for Japan than for any other country.

 

#1 (Pastor Iris Lee, ministerial staff, Metro Tabernacle A/G, KL)

When I see Japan, when I talk to different ones, the impression that I see is that God is going to move Japan among the young people. The old is past. There is a new generation. It will be strong and a lion for Jesus. They will preach the gospel. The old culture will pass away. The new is coming. God is bringing a new season, new direction… to your country. A fresh new(ness) is coming to Japan. God, release newness to Japan.

 

Young people, take your position to rise up to respond. God hears your cries. God knows you’ve been crying for your nation. God is going to use you powerfully. Believe and trust God. God is going to bring revival to your generation. Be faithful...Your labor is not in vain because God sees your heart and God knows He will bring it to pass. Young people, set your vision and get ready to see the freedom of revival brought to your nation.

 

#2

I see a tsunami from Japan. Now, Japan, is your time. A tsunami for Japan…Revival… a tsunami from Japan will spread around the nations.

 

#3

The land of the rising sun, the Son of righteousness has not forgotten you. The Lord has not forgotten you because many people are praying around you and within you. There is a budding forth. I see a budding forth from the land of Japan, the land of the rising sun. There will come an awakening, a fresh awakening within the churches. Many churches will be planted. Many more churches will be planted. It has been a hard ground, but the Lord will say to the believers of Japan, “Do not be disheartened for your day will surely come. Do not give up for the Son of righteousness will rise upon you.”

 

#4

This word is for Japan also. God is not slow in keeping His promises. The kingdom of God is stronger than the kingdom of darkness. Your prayers can break the bondage of sin and unbelief.

 

#5 (Rev. Michael Lim, Youth Pastor at Charis Christian Centre, KL)

This word is for Japan. This picture kept coming to my mind. It’s the picture of the flag of Japan. The flag of Japan has a round red circle. What I sense the Lord is saying that this red portion represents that revival will come to Japan. God is going to pour out His holy fire. The red represents His holy fire that He is going to pour forth upon Japan. It is going to keep on falling upon the land of Japan. And I see the white portion (of the flag). God says the white is that He is going to do a cleansing, a cleansing before the holy fire comes. He’s going to do a cleansing. The old tradition shall pass away, and new things shall come and consume Japan. The men will rise up mightily for His glory.

 

#6 (Rev. Clement Wong, Pastor/Northern District Superintendent/Director of Youth Alive for Malaysia A/G)

During his message based on Ezekiel 37 that night, he prophesied the following to Japan:

 

The Lord says, “The old has passed away. All things have become new. God is raising a new generation who will take Japan for Jesus. God wants to bless Japan and as He has blessed Japan economically, He will bless you spiritually. Get ready, the Church in Japan, because there will be a great transfer of wealth from the secular to the Church. And when that happens, Japan, rise up, for you will lift up the nations of the world.  For too long you have looked within yourself. You have been inward-looking and you have said, “We’ve been too small. We are so few. How can we even touch other nations? We are interested in touching our nation first.”

 

But, Japan, I am asking you, “Lift up your eyes and see beyond the boundaries of your nation. For when you see beyond the boundaries of your nation and touch other nations around you, God will bless you. God will bring increase to your churches. God will bring increase and bring people into the kingdom of God. The church in Japan will grow.

 

There is a new generation. There are young people coming into the kingdom and into the church. Young people pastoring churches in Japan.  God says, “Rise up and bless other nations. You have sent your Toyotas and Mitsubishis. Now send your missionaries.  Now, send your finances.  Now, send your people. Do not say, “We are small, for you will do great things.”

 

…I will live to see the day when men of God from Japan start preaching in different nations of the world. Teach your young people English lessons. I’m serious. Teach them English. Force them to speak English.  We have a lot of Toyotas and Mitsubishis. We want missionaries…It’s time for the Church to rise up.

 

The Year in Review

This past year has been an amazingly filled year of ministry. This past winter our ministry team began planning for summer teams. In the spring we held a training seminar and began the new school year at Waseda University and at the University of Tokyo. In May the Japan Assemblies of God (the organization that I partner with as a U.S. Assemblies of God missionary) celebrated 60 years of Protestant missions and then the next day the first summer missions team arrived to help with ministry on campuses and in churches. The second team arrived right after the first team left to carry on the momentum. In June eight summer workers arrived for orientation training and then six were sent off to various churches to teach English while two worked directly with our Chi Alpha team in Tokyo. Three more teams arrived in succession and continued the momentum.

An amazing part of hosting all the teams is that several students sensed God solidifying a call to Japan. Anna Lightcap who came with the last team this summer returned this fall as a short-term missionary working with a church in Yokkaichi. This month the team from the University of South Alabama Chi Alpha led by Mason Corwin and a team from International House of Prayer University led by one of our summer workers Robert Monson returned to help with Christmas outreaches. A few others are contemplating returning to Japan to serve on a longer-term basis.

From December 9-14 our ministry team went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the Asia Pacific Youth Alive Conference with the Japan group. Twenty-nine nations were represented as we heard God's challenge to "speak to the nations." Six different prophetic words that were spoken directly concerning Japan has stirred great expectation for an unprecedented move of God among the young generation of Japan.

December is always a ministry-packed month of outreach because the people of Japan love the atmosphere of Christmas so much that they open their hearts more to the gospel than at any other time of the year. This past Sunday Tokyo Urban Church, the Japanese church that I attend and where I serve on the leadership team, had a Christmas service. Several non-Christians came to hear our Christmas Live Concert of a euphonium and a gospel singer. The gospel singer was me, by the way. This week my bilingual cell group will host a small Christmas party as an outreach to non-Christmas friends and co-workers.

On a personal note, I traveled to Thailand during the week of Thanksgiving to celebrate with my brother Jason and his family who serve in Thailand as missionaries. My dad took his second international trip and joined us. It was really wonderful to spend time with family since I will not be going home to Alabama for Christmas this year. Instead, I will be spending Christmas with my missionary family here in Tokyo so I will add the Southern flair to the meal with my grandmother’s cornbread dressing.

As I review the past year that has flown by so quickly, I believe that this year has been a time of preparation. God has been calling out new laborers from the summer teams to come partner together in the harvest of the youth of Japan. I so appreciate your steadfast prayers and sacrificial support during what has been a difficult financial year. You are part of the preparation for God's purposes in Japan. Thank you so much for believing with me and our ministry team as we look forward to what God has in store for 2010.

Have a Merry Christmas and a very blessed 2010!

CHANGES

October 2009

Life is filled with change, isn’t it? This summer was very busy with teams and workers. Soon after the last workers left on August 10, a MAPS construction team came to renovate missionary housing in Tokyo. For 3 weeks-from the end of August until mid-September- they worked on my kitchen and another missionary family’s home. I really appreciate their hard work to change my 82-year-old kitchen into a modern one. (It survived the bombing of Tokyo during World War II and various earthquakes.) Afterwards, I had my students and staff come for an American-style dinner of homemade pizza, chili with rice, a green salad, and banana pudding.


Campus ministry at the University of Tokyo and Waseda University started back up this fall. We are trying some new styles of teaching in the Bible studies. We are using a DVD discussion series called Liquid. We started with one called "Crossing" based on the book of Joshua.

Also, a local YWAM team is helping us at Waseda University. Our student president will graduate at the end of this semester, so we are focusing on the theme of "Transitions." The Old Testament is filled with the transitions in Israel's history, and there's much we can learn from Bible heroes like Abraham, Joshua, and Samuel. Along with our student president's graduation, we are considering what to do in continuing the ministry at Waseda.We really need wisdom and favor in meeting new students and connecting them to the campus groups. Would you pray for this?

October 13-16 was the Japan Assemblies of God annual missionary fellowship meeting held in Karuizawa, in the mountains outside Tokyo. It was refreshing to fellowship with the Lord and with other missionaries serving all over Japan in such a beautiful place. At the business meeting I was appointed the business manager for our missionary office in Tokyo for next year. From now until next February I will be in training. Transitioning into this new responsibility will mean adjusting my ministry schedule with Chi Alpha campus ministry, Global University, and Tokyo Urban Church. Please pray that I will have wisdom with this transition.

As always, I want to say how much I appreciate your prayers and giving. May God richly enrich you in every way during this fall season.

Summer Missions Teams

This summer has been the busiest I have ever had in Japan. From May 8 to July 7, our staff hosted five teams who came to serve at universities and churches.

The first team came from Trinity Bible College, an Assemblies of God college in Ellendale, South Dakota. They ministered at the University of Tokyo, Waseda University, ICA Tokyo and GAP Church (bilingual churches in Tokyo) and in Niigata prefecture.

The second team came from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. They ministered at our Chi Alpha ministries in Tokyo as well as at two Japanese churches. They did a powerful drama which impacted the seekers at one of the churches. Personally, it was great to host my first team from my home state and the university where I used to do ministry.

For several years the Japan’s Youth Committee has partnered to host American college students to teach summer English classes at various churches. This year’s group was the best ever! They came from churches and Chi Alpha groups in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and Hawaii to teach for 2 months. Robert and Amanda, 2 of the 8 students, are working directly with me ministering on campuses and at churches.

A team of Chi Alpha students from Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Washington, spent their first week in Tokyo reaching out to students from their sister university, Asia University. They spent the next 10 days working with a church in Yokohama teaching English classes and ministering at the campuses to which that church reaches out.

The next team came from my missionary colleague’s home church, First Assembly of God in Honolulu, Hawaii. They only spent 2 days with us but they ministered at our monthly Tokyo area prayer meeting. The next day they ministered at the University of Tokyo using Hawaiian dance and music, another popular way to reach out to Japanese youth.

The last team from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has been coming for the past six years. They made up the largest team which made logistics around Tokyo a little more challenging, but it was a great time of ministry.

This year we had a new ministry opportunity open up at Seikei University. A professor who is a Christian teaching at a secular college invited us to speak in his English classes all week. While there is freedom of religion in Japan, in practice that is not always true. Amazingly, we were allowed to openly share the gospel. The team shared stories, conversation, gospel music, and drama in the classes and passed out Gideon Bibles and 200 copies of Book of Hope.

Later in the week, the professor told me the following. One student had returned to class after having been absent. A high school friend had committed suicide the previous week and the student was still struggling with the tragic loss of his friend. As the team shared about hope in Jesus in class, the professor noted that the student was fighting back tears. It was apparent that God was speaking to him probably for the first time in his life.

In hosting all these teams, it's clear that the Lord of the harvest is raising up workers. Other missions organizations here have also been hosting many summer workers. God is pursing the Japanese with His relentless love to bring them to Himself. Japan may be less than 1% Christian, but God is busy planting seeds in the lives of the youth of Japan through these summer workers’ lives. Please pray that the Lord will show us how to better cultivate what has been planted.

God is good and what He does is good!

The past few months are now a blur with all the activity that took place. In March We started weekly prayer at the student center. We held a Chi Alpha Boot Camp for student leadership training on March 13-14. We tried to make it fun and practical.

At the end of March, I went to district youth camp. The guest speaker from Singapore challenged the youth to dedicate themselves to serve God wherever they go. I was most impressed during the testimony time that all GUYS boldly stood up and shared their vision of what God wants to do through them. God is raising up a new generation here in Japan!

On April 13, we kicked off the new school year with Power Praise Night at the student Center. Several Christian freshmen at secular colleges came and they seem really excited at how God will use them on their campuses this year.

Also, we started up weekly ministry again at the University of Tokyo and at Waseda University. Our group at the University of Tokyo has been reduced because of graduating students so we are looking forward to our summer teams coming to help us reach new students. Also, at Waseda we need to reach new students. We weren’t able to register as a formal group this year, so we have to be creative in how and where we meet.

This month (May) teams from Trinity Bible College and University of South Alabama will come right after the Japan Assemblies of God Missions Conference. In June teams from Central Washington University, 1st Assembly (Honolulu, Hawaii), and Southern Illinois University–Carbondale will come and help us minister on campuses. Please pray for us and these teams.

In addition, 8 summer workers will come to teach English at various churches or to do campus ministry in Tokyo. We will be doing an orientation with them from June 2-5 after which they will go to their 2-month assignments. Please pray that they will be able to adjust quickly to a new culture as they serve the Japanese people.

Lastly, I’d like to report an answer to prayer. Ayame, a staff member who has served with us for the past 8 years, resigned at the end of May. She was burned out due to taking care of both of her invalid parents. We’ve prayed that she could get them into nursing homes, but God not only answered that prayer but enabled her father to become a believer! “God is good and what He does is good (Psalms 119:68.”

Chi Alpha Boot Camp

The Chi Alpha Boot Camp went well. According to the registration list, there were 26 people who came. More students came on Friday night. Most who came were from Central Bible Church and were working people.

Although everything didn't go exactly as planned, we managed to be flexible and everything worked out okay. Sakai Sensei had a sudden problem with neighbors next door to the church come up and they wanted to talk with him that morning (the only time they could talk). So he had his wife speak in his place while he took care of the situation. Also, Uchimura Sensei called me early Saturday morning and said he didn't think he could come because of a meeting about the church's remodeling. He asked me to do the closing message. However, he called at lunchtime to say he could make it but still asked me to close the boot camp after he spoke.

I think the learning activities on Friday night went well. The schedule said we were starting at 6 PM but people didn't come until 7 PM. Mitsuru (PK from Hokkaido) and Izumi from Jujo came. We needed at least 8 people to do the scavenger hunt and we had exactly the right number of people. We did some communication activities using small balls and had a hilarious cross-cultural game called "Ho-hos and Bo-bos." Ayame was on the floor laughing as she watched the two groups act out the two different people groups. This game is like what we missionaries do at candidate missionary school for cross-cultural training, by the way.

We had lots of help with the workshops and they seemed to go well. Workshop 1 was Media Ministry. Nozomu san took time out of his busy schedule to come talk about the PA system. Shiraishi Sensei talked about the role of the bass player but a lot of what he said applied to any church musician--how to play with a worship team. Keiko Sugimoto talked about playing piano on a worship team. Akiko Sensei spoke about the heart of a worship leader.

The next workshop went well, too. I really wanted Yokosuka san to come but he was unable. However, Ayame and I made a video of his presentation and showed that. He did a really good job and Ryu chan (a church member) helped us with video direction by making a storyboard. I also made a video of Kei Hiramatsu since the CBC students had to go on a ministry trip that weekend. Hozue Shiraishi spoke and invited a friend Mori Sensei, a medical doctor, to come speak. Later, Joyce's father who was the afternoon speaker, told me that he goes to Mori Sensei's medical clinic. (Small world.) Inoue san, father of one of our student leaders, also came and talked. I managed to record his on video. (In taking care of another detail, I forgot to record Hozue san's and Mori Sensei's talks.)

Kitano Sensei talked about spiritual growth, and Ayame and Yuri said he was difficult to translate because of his content. I rather enjoyed it because I could follow his powerpoint.

We closed with prayer for graduates and for the working people. Yumiko Saito from Dokkyo University was the only graduate there so we asked her to represent all 6 graduates as we prayed for them all.

The purpose of the Boot Camp was to provide a bigger picture of how the Christian faith is to be integrated into all areas of life, and not just when students have think it is "cool" to be a Christian when they have free time. Our faith applies to every season of life and wherever we go. We need to know how to serve in the church and in the marketplace, too.

Southern Japanese?

Two Sundays ago I gave a message in Japanese at my former church, Windy Chapel. I didn't have a lot of time to prepare, but as I was praying about what to speak on, I felt really impressed to talk about a topic that I had recently taught from The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren. Chapter 21 talks about protecting the unity of the church in really practical ways. So, I got the Japanese version of the chapter and studied it. I had to look up many Japanese words, but from that I decided to add my own comments to the points and read quotes for my message. I then had a Japanese co-worker look over my message and correct it.

That Sunday I spoke in both morning services and basically read most of it. The last time (2 years ago) when I gave a message in Japanese I had to read ALL of it, but this time I felt a little more free to ad lib in Japanese. I was just so excited to see everyone whom I had not seen since last year, and because everyone was familiar to me, I felt like I was with family.

After the second service, a friend introduced me to a new church member. Sayaka studied in the U.S. for four years and since coming back to Japan, she goes to Windy Chapel and is in the gospel choir that I helped to start. She became a Christian just before going to the U.S. but really became committed to Jesus while she was in the U.S. What really surprised me was that she studied in Mississippi so she speaks English with a Southern accent! During lunch, she really made me laugh when she responded to one of my questions with, "Yes, ma'am."

The World Missions Summit 2

What happens when missionaries and college students meet with God for a 3-day get together? New missionaries are raised up! That’s what happened at the second World Missions Summit held at the Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio from December 30 – January 1. About 4,000 missionaries and Chi Alpha university students gathered to hear about missions needs around the world and to respond to God’s call to go. Bill and Carol Paris, Joyce Kitano, and I represented Japan.


In the Gatherings, the main speakers challenged students to “go for a year and pray about a lifetime.” Crystal Martin, national Chi Alpha staff, challenged students to overcome the roadblocks that prevent them from answering God’s call to go. In the next gathering that day, U.S. Missions Director Zollie Smith told the students, “It’s up to you to do something.” The next night, Dick Brogden, missionary to an African nation, challenged students to make the necessary sacrifices to go to the “inconvenient lost.” Scott Martin, national Chi Alpha staff, called students to come forward and announce where God is calling them. About 830 signed cards for overseas missions and about 200 more signed for U.S. based missions. The last night John Bueno spoke and then a national church leader in a closed country followed him. He talked about what is required to be Jesus’ disciple: consecration, commitment, and crucifixion. He told about being imprisoned.

We missionaries personally interacted with students in practical venues. During four meal times called Meal with a Missionary, we sat with groups of 8-10 students and got to know each other as we shared our stories. Also, the different AGWM regions set up Experience Rooms and Booths. Students could hear, see, touch, and even smell what different cultures are like in the experience rooms. (The Eurasia region featured a raw meat odor.). A sumo ring beckoned students do don wrestling suits and wrestle before entering our Asia Pacific Experience Room. They entered by taking off their shoes and sat on the tatami-looking mats. During this time, we Asia Pacific missionaries presented the different areas of ministry throughout our region--church planting, children, compassion ministries, campus ministry, and teaching opportunities. Although the presentation did not list countries, several students specifically asked about opportunities in Japan. In the AP booth area, we sat and talked with students about ministry in Asia Pacific. The AP office is in the midst of following up on 1,000+ students who expressed interest in coming to Asia Pacific.

Unforgettable Christmas

How's your Christmas season so far?

The "Unforgettable Christmas" outreach went well Friday night (December 12) at the Chi Alpha Student Center. We aimed for an interactive experience so as to make it memorable. Last month's guest speaker and his wife came and brought one of his wife's students plus their two little boys. (She teaches English on a part-time basis.) An American missionary couple, a guy from Jujo Church who's been coming the last two meetings, and a member from the University of Tokyo Chi Alpha read Bible passages about Christmas in Japanese. The student president of Waseda University's Chi Alpha was the emcee and she did a good first time job. She and I led in singing Christmas songs in English and in Japanese.

Shelley Carl, U.S. missionary, sang and played a couple of Christmas songs on the guitar and then spoke. She based her message on a new Christmas song "A Baby Changes Everything" by Faith Hill. You can hear it on YouTube here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2o1uxzI-hA&feature=related

At different times she had us get in small groups to discuss her points. We talked about unwanted pregnancy and what we would do if we knew someone in that situation. I think it was really good for Asian young people to openly talk about this. Sexuality is rarely discussed in a Christian setting in Asian churches.

Afterwards, we had a fellowship time. Yuri and I made plenty of cookies because we had leftovers. The apple cider went over well, too. One girl said it was the best she'd ever had. :)

Recent Encouragement

Over two weeks ago, my co-worker and our team leader Joyce returned to the States for her year-long furlough. I knew that I would step up as the team leader and I'd been somewhat dreading it. You see, I'm a reluctant leader and really identify with Moses in Exodus 3. God has always had a way of pushing me and I generally fall into line--eventually. Interestingly, at our last staff meeting, I was able to voice my hesitation and insecurity about stepping out and before the week was over, I realized that I had calmed down considerably. In the last two weeks, I've really sensed God's grace covering me.

Right now, Ayame has taken a ministry sabbatical as she is taking care of both her invalid parents. (Pray that she and her brother can finalize nursing home situations for both parents soon.) That said, our ministry team has been halved as Yuri and I are co-leading the ministry. Yuri works part-time at one of our campuses, the University of Tokyo, and so she is the ministry representative for us there. I've taken on the responsibilities at Waseda University .

Last night was the Tokyo area monthly prayer meeting at our Chi Alpha Student Center. I asked a young pastor who is on the Japan A/G youth committee to be our guest speaker. I was a bit concerned when he didn't show up at 6:30 PM as planned. Fortunately, a retired minister was already there and was willing to fill in if Shiraishi Sensei didn't come. Finally, at 6:50 Shiraishi Sensei arrived with his wife and two small boys. They had gotten lost and had been wandering around the neighborhood for almost 40 minutes. Anyway, I didn't panic but knew God would work out everything, and He did!

Last week I caught a bad cold which affected my voice, but I kept praying and asking for prayer so that I could lead worship last night. Ever since I went into ministry, I've had to deal with allergies and such things that affect my voice. Over the years, I've learned that I can sing with a head voice even though my speaking voice is rather husky. Last night God helped me to sing and lead in worship and I was even amazed at how much Japanese I was using. It wasn't perfect Japanese but the students seemed to understand and really began to worship God through singing, praying, greeting one another, etc.

One of mine and Yuri's goals is to incorporate more students in visible ministry. Last night both of our student presidents at the University of Tokyo and at Waseda University were there. Tracy is a 4th year student at the University of Tokyo and she was the emcee for the evening. Nonnchan is a 3rd year student at Waseda and she assisted me in singing on the worship team. They both did a great job. The worship team was made up of all students, too. Yumiko played the keyboard, Inoru kun played the acoustic guitar, and Yuuki kun played the drums.

Another bright spot was over a week ago Hide, a guy that I talked about while I was home on furlough, came to our meeting at Waseda University. He had spent 10 months at Columbia University in New York and had returned late this summer. He told us that the Mormons hounded him while he was in the States, but he said that because of his involvement with us at Waseda's Bible studies, he recognized that something was off about them. He said, "I'm really thankful for my time at WEBS (Waseda English Bible Society-our name on campus) because that prepared me." I was so encouraged to hear that. He recognizes that true Christianity is about simple faith in Jesus Christ. It's not about doing a step that leads to another step and so on.

These are just a few things that have really encouraged me. God has been reminding me that He just wants me to love Him and people and show that love in practical ways. That's real ministry!

Dedication Service for the Chi Alpha Student Center

In June I reported that a missions team from Carbondale, Illinois saw 4 people received salvation. I found out later that it was 7. That’s miraculous for Japan and demonstrates spiritual hunger in people’s hearts. As I ride the train and pass thousands of people in the stations, I’m always praying and asking God, “How do we introduce 126 million unreached people to Jesus Christ?”

God has provided a tool to help us reach young people. Remodeling of the Chi Alpha Student Center was finished at the end of May. Since then we cleaned, shopped for chairs, tables, sound equipment, musical instruments; and planned. On September 20 we held the dedication service.

We had a wonderful time and over 70 pastors, students, and friends came to help celebrate and dedicate the building to God! The Japan A/G General Superintendent, Samuel Uchimura Sensei, did the dedication ceremony and Makoto Hosoi Sensei, the guarantor for the building, was the emcee. Even though a typhoon was headed for Tokyo and heavy rain was predicted, God sent it out into the ocean and instead we had the bluest skies! Photos have been uploaded to the English website under Photo Gallery.

Our ministry team is so appreciative of all those who volunteered their time, talents, and help to make the student center a reality.

FINAL WEEK BEFORE THE STUDENT CENTER DEDICATION SERVICE

This past week was really busy with getting the Chi Alpha Student Center in Tokyo ready for our grand opening this coming Saturday, September 20. See the following website for pictures of volunteers working hard. Be sure to scroll down.

http://www.chialphajapan.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=35

This next week will be even busier.

Monday - The fusuma (Japanese wall paper for for sliding doors) upstairs will be completed. Direction signs will be made so that we can direct people from the train station to the center. We'll finalize last minute renovation details with our contractor. Also, everything in the kitchen will be organized.


Tuesday - The electrician will install more lights and wiring for the projector in the ceiling.

Wednesday - The sign man will add the letters for "Chi Alpha Student Center" to the outside and to our outdoor sign. (The letters will be English, not Japanese, because Japanese think English is stylish.)

Thursday - The new chairs that we ordered last Friday will arrive. Also, that evening we'll have a staff meeting to go over details for Saturday. I will finish fitting the upstairs curtains.

Friday - I will wait for the frozen custom made cakes (made by Costco' s bakery) to arrive that evening.

Saturday - The worship team will practice from 10 AM. The student choir rehearsal will be at 10:45 AM. The dedication service will start at 1 PM and the reception will immediately follow at 2 PM.

Parachute onto the Mission Field?!

Ever since arriving in Tokyo on May 8, I feel like I parachuted onto the field because the pace of ministry has been non-stop. The first two weeks were spent getting settled by unpacking, cleaning, buying new appliances, taking care of utilities, banking, etc. I think you get the picture.

This term I am working with a different church—Tokyo Urban Church. Pastor Sakai, two of his college student members, and I had already been doing campus ministry together. I will help the church with evangelistic outreaches such as teaching English and gospel music. I have already had my first experience in leading the worship service all in Japanese.

I am once again the national director for the Global University office which is called ICI here in Japan. That was the old name for International Correspondence Institute which came under the auspices of Global University in recent years.

Also, I am continuing campus ministry. This year I am ministering at the University of Tokyo each week. From May 29-June 4, our ministry team hosted a summer missions team from the Chi Alpha church at Southern Illinois University. This church has been sending teams to work with us for the last 6 years and this year’s team of 12 got to see fruit from their ministry. They ministered at 3 campuses and different churches and saw 7 people pray to receive salvation. Hallelujah!

In the midst of all of this, remodeling of the new Chi Alpha Student Center was going on and was finished at the end of May. September 14 is the projected dedication service. We still need to raise funds to finance this project. If you would like to give, let me know and I'll send you more details.

I would like to request pray for our staff—Ayame and Yuri. There is no support-raising structure available to them although we missionaries provide them a small monthly stipend for working with us. They help with planning, translating, teaching and discipling students, but they sometimes feel isolated. We missionaries have the prayer supporters and I thought it would be great to ask for prayer supporters to support them. If interested in praying for them on a regular basis, let me know and I’ll provide more specific details in how to pray for them.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I appreciate you all so much.

Singing in Chinese in 1992

Today as I was looking for some info online, I happened across this video posted by another University of Alabama Chi Alpha alumnus, Mike Wilhelm. Although this video is not directly related to Japan, it is indirectly related to my going to Japan. When I was a student and then later on staff at the University of Alabama with Chi Alpha, I met many students from around the world. I found that I was intrigued with Asians, in particular, and wondered if God might call me to Asia someday.

A Chinese student taught us the Chinese pronunciation and lyrics within two weeks for the Chinese New Year's celebration at The University of Alabama on February 8, 1992. I remember obsessively practicing so much that I picked up my guitar to help with singing an Asian melody. I also remember that afterwards folks thought that we all had been studying Chinese for a while. They were surprised to hear that we had learned the song in just two weeks.

Later, I sang this song to connect with university students when I visited China in 1999.

Interestingly, the guy introducing us in Chinese WAS studying Chinese and is now a seminary professor in Japan. His sister and her husband are missionaries in Japan. She was the one who introduced me to Chi Alpha when we were students at The University of Alabama.

Promotional Video for the Chi Alpha Student Center

As I've said in previous blogs, Chi Alpha Japan now has a student center. It is presently being renovated. Please watch the following video and let me know what you think.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Great news! As of February 25, I received financial clearance from my missions organization, AGWM. That means that my budget has been raised and that I can purchase airfare. Soon thereafter, I bought a one-way ticket with a departure date of May 7 from the Huntsville, Alabama airport to Tokyo on Continental Airlines. It will be an early departure (6 AM) so I don't envision anyone except family being there to see me off. Needless to say, I'm excited about returning.

God has been so faithful in the support-raising endeavors. In fact, I haven't felt any real pressure to meet the budget goal, but I've sensed Jehovah Jireh's incredible grace. I still have two months of scheduled services to go, but I plan to enjoy ministering and connecting with people here at home. It's actually amazing that I'm now having to say "no" to invitations. WOW!

Almost There

As of this month my support base is at the 95% level. That means that about $200 in monthly support remains to be met. Thank you to those of you who have either joined my support team or have stepped up your support during the past few months.

Join me in praying that I can finish up this month and get the financial clearance that I need before buying airfare. Due to the fact that a missionary co-worker will return to the U.S. in June, I need to return in early May so that we can transition ministry responsibilities.

You might remember in previous news that our ministry team was given a church building from the Japan Assemblies of God to use as the Japan Chi Alpha Student Center for discipleship/evangelism. The building is rent-free but needs renovation. In January we received an initial estimate of $200,000. After more consideration, we now have an estimate of $80,000 for:

* Soundproofing the sanctuary

* Putting in a new kitchen

* Dividing the bathroom into men's/women's

* Putting screens on all the windows (upstairs and down)

* Upgrading the electricity box from 30 amp to 60 amp

Our missionary fellowship has already given us a loan for $70,000 which will cover the upfront costs for the contractor which need to be paid in cash. We have to pay 1/3 in cash when we sign the contract, 1/3 in the middle, and 1/3 when the work is finished.

We also need equipment like drums, keyboard, mikes, etc. for the center. This would be a great project for youth groups.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is always a wonderful time for evangelism in Japan. People want to experience Christmas and thus are very open. About 130 people attended this year's Japan Chi Alpha Christmas event. This year it was a jazz concert with Steve Sacks, an American saxophone player who is also a Christian. Many people who were first-time visitors/non-Christians responded how touched they were during the evening.

Also, this year the Japanese version of "The Nativity" movie has been released in the theaters in Japan. According to one missionary, non-Christians have been very moved seeing this movie.

Yesterday I read an article from which I'd like to share an excerpt:

"Jesus Christ is all in all. This is the testimony of Scripture. Moses, by whom came the Law, testified that grace and truth would come by Christ. He is portrayed in Genesis as the Promised See, the Isaac who was not spared, the Joseph sold by his brethren and exalted as Savior and Prince.

"He is the sacrificial Lamb of Exodus, the Perfect Offering of Leviticus, the Sin-Bearer of Numbers, and the all-sufficient Guide of Deuteronomy.

"Throughout the Psalms, the Prophets, the four Gospels, the Acts, and the Epistles, Christ is all in all. Little wonder that the millions of the glory world join with loud voices in proclaiming, 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!' (Revelation 5:12)."

He is the One in whom we live, move, and have our being. As we go about our activities during the holidays, may we be mindful that we are preparing for that day when all the nations will come and worship Him not as a baby but as the King of kings and Lord of lords. May the Lord richly bless you and your family.

Have a blessed 2008!

"Building" Ministry

Praise God for a good first term as a career missionary in Japan. I miss Japan, but I am also enjoying being back home with family and friends. Since July, I've been on the road, reconnecting with supporters and sharing what God is doing.

Just before leaving Japan in June, it became official news that our ministry team had been given a church building to use as the national Chi Alpha Student Center. The church had closed, but national leaders donated the building to be used to reach the youth of Japan, the most open age-group in Japan.

While waiting for the news to become official, our ministry team had many vision-casting discussions. It will be utilized for evangelism and discipleship:

For evangelism purposes, we envision Alpha and Quest courses, fellowship meals, gospel music workshops and concerts, coffee house, music lessons, study sessions, computer access, etc.

For discipleship, we foresee small group leader training, classes for campus leaders, theological/training retreats, prayer meetings, discipleship training in live-in settings, counseling, etc.

Also, we will have an office and maintain a library of resources. Two apartments are available for staff and/or short-term workers, as well as a kitchen and fellowship room.

To attract young people who think "English is cool", the student center has an English name, Live House J.

While I'm in the U.S. until next summer, missionary housing in Japan is slated for renovations. In Tokyo I live on the 2nd floor of the first Japan Assembly of God church. It's 80 years old, and my apartment is in need of renovation. If any skilled workers would like to go help, let me know so that I can connect you with Marty Jesski, the contractor who is coordinating the renovations within the next few months.