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.
The school year started last week in Japan. On Tuesday we were out and all the schools had their entrance ceremonies, kindergartens, grade schools, junior high, high schools and universities. Then the parade in front of our house started on Weds. We live along the prescribed route to the local grade school. But things are different for the imperial household this year. Those in line to the Chrysanthemum throne have elected to go to more…
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…