What a month it has been! It started with Elaine’s Bible study on Genesis 1. After discussing how much the Japanese love nature, we looked at God’s creation of nature. At the end of the study one of the ladies (not a Christ believer as far as I know) said this year when she sits under the cherry blossoms to eat her obento (lunchbox), she will see them with new eyes. A week or so…
GOD ANSWERED We had probably the most relaxing Converge Japan Field Council ever. God’s presence was evident for us personally and for the entire team. Thanks for praying for all of us. We have been praying and waiting on God for our key speaker at this year’s CPI National Conference. I am so glad we got our first choice, Joshua Harris, church planter, network co-founder, and bestselling author who is of Japanese ancestry. Please pray…
“Grace Week has been an amazing tool that God has used to help me see my deceptive heart more, my tendency to rely on myself, my lack of living at the feet of Christ.” Thanks for praying for Grace Week in Tokyo and Nagoya. Grace Week was the most intensive training we have ever done in CPI, one week of presentations, small groups, and one-on-one with a spiritual mentor. We ended up with over 40…
There are several key projects with CPI that are ongoing. These include planning how to make Grace Week in Japanese and training those in Japan to lead Grace Week. We are gearing up for the next biennial CPI national conference and beyond. Registration, promotion, and website all need to be ready by the end of March. The theme of this year’s conference is Gospel & Mission. Ask God for his merciful help in accomplishing much…
What do the Mehns do? Our Roles and Ministries. Pray for Us. Evangelizing the Unreached Urban Masses in Japan. Elaine has outreach classes to women in our neighborhood like cooking and needlepoint classes and Bible studies to share Jesus with Japanese. John also has several contacts with men for evangelism. Less than 1% of Japanese are Christian. Directing the Japan Church Planting Institute (CPI). John conducts training, develops regional networks, and coaches…
GOD ANSWERED We have been back a month and have been adjusting to the culture, gearing up our ministries, starting classes, and reconnecting with people with Vision Festa, Rengo, CPI and our mission. Elaine and John were able to have a reunion with Midori Fujizaki who was attending the Niiza church 15 years ago. She is now attending another Rengo church. One key Japanese visionary leader suffered a stroke last year and was unable to…