1. Praise God for the awesome open conversation about the Bible and Christ with Elaine’s Bible study group last month. Many talked about their highlights from studying the Book of Mark together. They had many questions about how relevant the Bible is to our daily life and our future. They are learning well. One learned not to be like a Pharisee, another liked the Parable of the Soils. One said everything is so new every time. Pray that someone would place their trust in Christ as their savior as they continue in Mark.
2. PTL there is answered prayer for a CPI director of the Children’s Ministry Program for the November conference. Dozens of children’s workers are being recruited, if you are interested in coming in November to volunteer please just let us know. This is a great chance to be involved. Visit the ministry team at their Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/JapanCPIUSTeam.
3. John last week met with Pastor Yukikazu Otomo who plans to plant over 1,000 house churches throughout Miyagi Prefecture in the wake of the disaster. Pastor Otomo will be sharing his story at the CPI National Conference along with other leaders with visions for church planting. Thank God many have bigger visions for the church, especially after the triple disaster, and they are eager to share that vision with others.
4. We are both very thankful to attend last month’s wedding of a ministry friend of John. And we both celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary at a church in Ishinomaki Tohoku on June 23rd.
5. We are off to the US from 7/17 to 8/7, for visiting family (esp. grandkids!), family business and doing some ministry. We would appreciate your prayers for rest, family time, and essential business to be completed. We will be visiting our partnering church Faith Church (Grayslake) on 7/21 and later possibly others in the Quad Cities area.
Accelerating Spiritual Renewal and Church Multiplication Movements