Last week John met with a Japanese church planter. He told us that he was able in 18 months to gather 50 people in worship! As the average church in Japan is only 36, and if churches are able to break the 50 and 80 barrier fairly rapidly they will become large healthy churches. Another Japanese leader reported they have 17 church planting parenting networks throughout Japan and they plan to have 20 by the…
Over 9 days Levi and Diane Velasco visited Japan. Levi is the Director of Recruiting for Converge Worldwide and they wanted to sense the needs here so they can better recruit people to come to Japan. This is from their newsletter sent from Japan. What pictures do you conjure when you hear the word “unreached”? In my mind, I see huts, muddy, potholed roads, crowded housing, slums, favelas and civil mayhem. What if I told…
The other day I received an emergency bulletin from the US embassy indicating that there were severe tsunami warnings along the coast. They were expecting 30 waves to hit sometime in mid-afternoon on Sunday. The tsunami – incidentally a Japanese word – would be a result of the huge 8.8 earthquake in Chile. That afternoon I was rushing to the airport by train escorting visitors who were leaving that day. I noticed several train lines…
Three people shared stories at the JEMA meetings how Japanese who attended years ago are using our CPI training materials in their ministries. One missionary between last November and last month has received from God a new vision for church planting and Japanese partners. What a turn around. CPI is playing a part in helping people on the frontlines of ministry. We had a great but short visit with Dan and Sandi Peterson, district executive…
I just found out I was on Christian Television here in Japan. I was working with one of their staff on getting a list of names of church planters that they could interview for a weekly show on church planting. They sent me a web link to see about the program. When I was at the home page I noticed something about the Rengo. It was about the Coming of Age celebration on 1/12 where…
One Japanese pastor would like someone to come for over 3 months or more to build relationships with Japanese. Through these relationships they can share their Christian experience. This would be with church activities, their interests, English classes and other activities to connect with people. Depending on gifts and interests an outreach plan can be determined in discussion with the pastor and church. The pastor along with Church ministry has an NGO (Non-government Organization [Charity…