Both of us spend m
uch time with leaders both Japanese and missionary. One of our key objectives is to help grow transformational leaders for Japan. We would like to take you to some scenes over the last several weeks that involved growing leaders.
Spiritual Renewal Mentoring
One couple attended the Church Planting Institute (CPI) Conference in 2013, their lives were changed there from performance-based Christianity to a more grace-based orientation. They approached us for more intensive personal mentoring. As a result, they have been experiencing inner transformation in their hearts as well as changes in their marriage and relationships. This refreshing renewal is spilling over into their ministry. They both blessed others with their gospel testimonies at last November’s seminars and are potential trainers within our CPI movement. Like this couple, each month we mentor leaders in spiritual formation, continual renewal, growing in repentance, and faith development. Right now we are mentoring several missionary couples and individuals and one pastor’s wife.
Church Planting Coaching
- A church planter from India recently began working in the area near our home. He approached John about mentoring him personally and with his new church plant. Recently they met to brainstorm about his vision to plant a gospel-centered church.
- John serves in the Rengo National Mission Department as one mission partner. Currently there are 9 Rengo church plants in progress throughout Japan. Last week John met at a Church Planters’ Summit with these church planters to encourage and hear updates on their ministry.
Leadership Consulting
- From time to time mission leaders ask John for some consultation on their overall strategy for planting churches. Just last week John met with a church planting couple working in Ishinomaki which was ravaged by the earthquake and tsunami 4 years ago. They wanted some feedback on their vision and strategy to plant churches in that hurting city.
- A few months ago a mission approached John about consulting with their mission. Their entire mission team was contemplating a move to new area with a far-reaching new church multiplication vision. To birth an entire new church network in this new area, John is working with them to develop their teams’ vision, core values, and strategy.
Growing as Leaders
- Continual mentoring others in spiritual renewal keeps both our hearts warm with the Gospel.
- Just a few weeks ago John retreated with his CPI Leadership Team. The purpose was to coach, pray, and stimulate each other in our ministry vision and personal lives.
- As we mentioned last month, we along with 4 others working in Japan, are involved in a Gospel Discipling Cohort learning how to disciple people in the gospel. We apply this to ourselves & others.
Continue to pray for us as we develop transformational leaders to multiply churches among the Japanese, the world’s second largest unreached people group.