Ministry Updates and News from the Mehns
Thank God for Elaine’s Christmas team which was warm and significant. Her dear friend warmly shared the gospel of Jesus with all the women. We both enjoyed our time in the US for Christmas with our family and relatives. Elaine has started up her classes again for 2019. Grace Week English is February 4-8 in Nara Prefecture. Last time it sold out but we still now have room for 25. Pray that people would register.…
Hey get my church planting in Japan book at 25% off for a limited time. The kindle is 8.99 (or nook) and the paperback has been running 11.19 but with the discount you can get it for 8.39, cheaper than than Ebook! Merry Christmas! “We know that eBooks get a lot of hype, but some of us love the feel of paper, so CELEBRATE with us and enjoy the Paperback Sale. Additional 25% all other…
A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU! We both appreciate each of you so much. Thank you for your continuing desire to see the Christ of Christmas shared with everyone in Japan. We pray for you that during the busyness of this season the joy of knowing Christ would expand your hearts. May you have time to enjoy the decorations and reflect on the tremendous plan of God to reconcile us all to Him –…
WHAT DID GOD DO? November was an amazing month as John took part in key six events all over Japan and even into China. Some highlights were: one of the largest CPI seminars ever in the Osaka area. John left Macau with some bold plans for developing church multiplication vision in Japan. Times were filled with challenging messages and practical tools to move ahead in Japan ministry. It was awesome! WHAT CAN WE PRAY FOR?…
Since last month’s Church Multiplication Vision Festa I have been encouraging many people. A president from one mission organization was very inspired by my words “This was the best Vision Festa ever and I believe possibly a key watershed event.” Let me share with you my impressions, thoughts, and feelings about Vision Festa. The atmosphere was refreshingly extra-ordinary. Instead of workers discouraged or doubtful this event was full of faith, belief, and hope in God,…
In October 2018 about 100 Japanese leaders gathered in Nagoya Japan for the 5th Church Multiplication Vision Festival (Festa). I really feel that this meeting was a watershed event. What made this Vision Festa a defining moment in the church in Japan? I share with you my impressions. Centering on God and His Might Throughout Vision Festa the message was clear. What we want to see happen in multiplying the church in Japan is not…
At the 2018 Church Multiplication Vision Festa in Nagoya (October 16-17) three testimonies were shared during an evening session of prayer for Japan. These three concrete examples show how vision for church multiplication coupled with targeted outreach and training of people can lead to new churches and multiplication. 1. Kochi Prefecture Church Multiplication Kochi Grace Church due to mobilizing their lay people has multiplied to 3 houses churches and three outreach centers in their area…
Why Japan needs 50,000 churches Only God really knows exactly how many churches will be necessary to fulfill the Great Commission in Japan. But if we look to mission experience and put our thinking caps on we can determine an effective goal for saturating Japan with churches. The number 50,000 has emerged from several sources and I have written that it “is serving as a rule of thumb for the dream toward a national church…
Just last month John wrote you about his impressions in training people for church planting throughout 2018. God seems to be sending a new wave of people to Japan to plant vibrant churches. Vision seems to be expanding for a Japan national goal for planting churches. Some feel we have entered a new season of church planting in Japan. Well there is no doubt about it now! The 2018 Church Multiplication Vision Festa was a…
WHAT CAN WE PRAY FOR? November is probably the busiest month for John’s ministry ever. (And we are supposed to be pacing down as we get older 😊). In November, John has 6 out-of-town meetings, meaning 19 days away from home. These events are all strategic and important or he would drop them. Days at home now are spent in preparation, communication, project work, and resting. Prayer for the Month As John attends these events,…