Thanks to God we are doing well. These last few months have been far from normal. Living in a country where the largest natural disaster has occurred changes normal significantly. For many people here their lives and businesses are ruined and they have to start over. We have been doing our best to mobilize our Converge Worldwide family along with our Rengo partners to be engaged in this process of transforming Japan. This has led us to travel to the Tohoku region with Japanese and US Converge teams. We are seeing people helped in practical ways and also seeing God work in their lives leading to the planting of new churches.
A high school assistant principal, an artist, a business woman, and an engineering student made up the first Converge Worldwide disaster response team. Workers were based at the Samaritan’s Purse’s Tone base and worked with missionary Dean Bengston and Mr. Abe of the Ishinomaki House of Prayer in the Shintate neighborhood of Ishinomaki City. Team members have taken out walls, floors and removed mud from homes affected by the tsunami. Also the team cleaned yards, streets, and gardens throughout the neighborhood. The team also had an American Barbecue which fed nearly 100 in this neighborhood. Important supplies were also distributed to residents and also those in an evacuation shelter. The team worshipped at Mr. Abe’s church and also prayer walked though several areas in Ishinomaki.
The following video is from early work in the Shintate neighborhood working on the Mr. and Mrs. N’s house. There is an interview of Mr. Abe. The street that is shown in the video was cleared just a few weeks ago. John worked with Roger Olson in mid April, who interpreted for Mr. Abe in this video. Continue to pray that more volunteer work will result in people knowing Christ. The video is a bit long but Mr. Abe, an award winning Chemistry teacher, explains the affect of the earthquake and tsunami on the people of Ishinomaki and the role you can play in this neighborhood’s recovery.
Last week John was with four of our Tokyo pastors, a lay couple, and Phil Tsai, short-term missionary, serving with a team in Iwate Prefecture. In John’s previous trip with the Nerima church they worked with the Iwate 3.11 Church Network. This time they stayed at Pastor Kondo’s church where he outlined his vision for church ministry throughout this prefecture. Iwate presents several large challenges to mission ministry. There are only a few existing churches in the area, the prefecture is divided into several regions with their own culture, and there are many cities and towns with no gospel witness whatsoever.
In Yamada City we helped move valuable medical books and journals from a destroyed hospital to one protected from the tsunami. This city has no churches but over 20,000 in population. In Otsuchi City we visited one neighborhood hard-hit by the tsunami and flooding. The people were still trying to clean out their houses. John and Phil were part of a team pulling up floor boards. This is similar work John did a month earlier in another city. For this neighborhood the team prepared a hot Italian spaghetti lunch for 200 people and handed out supplies. This city has no churches. Please pray for Iwate Prefecture and the spiritual need there for disciples, leaders, and churches.
This is a video done by the Rengo about our trip. There is some Japanese narration but enough English titles to follow it closely.
This was the first short-term worker to arrive to work on teams. Phil has been to Japan about 7 times several working at the CPI Conferences. He will be returning with a work team to work August 9-18. Let us know if you would like to join that team. There is also a team forming in mid-June. http://www.convergeworldwide.org/reach-nations/japan-relief
Phil made several videos of our trip which are at YouTube.
There are many ways to help Japan right now
you can pray and specific requests are listed at this site
you can come to Japan to serve hands on. More information listed here.
you can give generously and compassionately.
Here is how you can give through Converge Worldwide.
Converge Worldwide has already given funds to CRASH Love-On-Japan. Any further gifts will go to organizations like CRASH that serve local churches and groups to give aid to people in their broken neighborhoods. Funds will also go for relief bases and for the distribution of vital supplies. Thank you for your prayerful and generous gifts. www.convergeworldwide.org/give/30292
We have several friends working in Black Gospel music ministry. This has been helpful in introducing the gospel of Jesus to Japanese. Recently they wed this with Japan Taiko Drums which have become popular in western music. Check out this short video excerpt of a 300 member choir singing “Ride On King Jesus” with Taiko drums.
PS Black Gospel music was first developed in Chicago.
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 I gave a short greeting to the young people who had just become adults. I would boast more about it but the video was all in Japanese and I was only in a few shots. Though I was glad Elaine picked out my tie that day. If you are interested this is the clip. http://japan.cgntv.net/_inc/player.asp?pid=2304&type=vod&player=8&bit=high&vid=45898&dreamon=Y;%20text/html;%20charset=UTF-8
Just released a new YouTube video to encourage prayer support for the CPI Conference Nov 3-6. This 1 minute 50 second video is designed to shown in churches. Please help us mobilize God’s people to pray for this important Japan National Conference by passing this along to whoever you can think about.
For public showings if you want a higher resolution file you can download
Please promote prayer for the CPI Conference! Just released a new YouTube video to encourage prayer support for the CPI Conference Nov 3-6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osumz4o9QR8&feature=email This 1 minute 50 second video is designed to shown in churches. Please help us mobilize God’s people to pray for this important Japan National Conference by passing this along to whoever you can think about. For public showings if you want a higher resolution file you can download at http://www.dhdentertainment.com/video/Mehn_Video_Prayer_CPI_2009.mp4
A pastor interviewed us a few weeks ago and asked, “How can we be involved with your ministry in Japan?” Just a few ideas. Please think of some more and let us know.
Connect with us
Surf this same website www.gospelrest.com (a well kept secret).
Shoot us email.
Drop us a note.
Visit with us on Facebook.
Subscribe to our email news updates at this website.
Watch for us on video. We will be producing several short (1-2 min.) videos each year. You can check this website for the latest release (07/09).
Pray for us – Key Tasks Ahead in 2009 & Beyond
Reestablishment of neighborhood outreaches and Bible studies in Machida, Tokyo. Elaine has aread had one not-yet-Christian join her Bible study!
Preparations for the CPI National Conference November 3-6 and regional seminars following. Registration has already begun.
Develop LEAD teams and LeadNet teams for Japanese leadership development for new churches.
Completion of John’s field research project on leadership for reproducing churches in Japan.
Work with us (Information at our website)
Develop direct partnerships with needy Japanese churches to help expand God’s Kingdom in Japan and beyond.
Come with a team or by yourself to carry on short-term ministry among the unreached Japanese.
If you missed our US Tour messages, well you can listen to them online (video also available).
To listen or download the audio sermon “Good News for a Distressed World” at West Hills Community Church just click on this link
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And back in February Elaine was on Moody Radio in Chicago. A recording of her sharing during a sermon was played as part of the show Chris Fabry Live! Here is a link to listen to a recording of this 54 minute program. Several people call in to the show to discuss the topic that Elaine introduces on spiritual renewal. There is also a description on Elaine and the program at the Chris Fabry Live! website. You can also get a free podcast (MP3) of the show via ITunes. Just search for Chris Fabry Live! at ITunes. And select the Feb 26, 2009 show.
In Otsuchi City we visited one neighborhood hard-hit by the tsunami and flooding. The people were still trying to clean out their houses. John and Phil were part of a team pulling up floor boards. This is similar work John did a month earlier in another city. For this neighborhood the team prepared a hot Italian spaghetti lunch for 200 people and handed out supplies. This city has no churches. Please pray for Iwate Prefecture and the spiritual need there for disciples, leaders, and churches. 