Bibles & Literature Ministry:

Many Bibles, Gospels of John and thousands of pieces of Christian literature are distributed monthly by members of the Japan Mission. It is estimated that over 20 million pieces of literature have been distributed by the Mission thus far.

Fountain of Joy Tract - Yorokobi No Izumi

One exciting outreach that JM continues to be involved in is the publication of a Japanese evangelistic leaflet (tract) called the Yorokobi no Izumi (Fountain of Joy). A team of writers, illustrators and office personnel continue to be busily at work to make this monthly publication possible. About 24,000 of these attractive and colorful tracts are printed and distributed to about 1,000 locations across Japan, as well as overseas.

Select the following links to read the inspiring testimonies of those who help us publish this tract each month:
Mr. Tamada – Writer
Mrs. Tamada – Contributor & Editor (PDF)
Mr. Kodama – Writer (PDF)

Because these tracts are sent throughout Japan, it enables JM workers to make contact with many. As JM workers arrived in Kumamoto (500 km or 300 miles away), they were able to visit some who receive this monthly tract. One non-Christian lady Alex Verwey was able to visit was Mrs. Yamada, whose relatives had arranged for her to receive this tract for many years. She welcomed him with big smiles. They were able to pray with her and urged her to attend a local church. Alex was encouraged, saying, “Immediately after I had prayed with her she said, ‘Thank you, I received your prayer in my heart.’” Pray for Mrs. Yamada as we continue to make contact with her and send her this Gospel tract.

Give a copy of this tract to a Japanese friend.
Click here to view a sample of the Yorokobi No Izumi.
E-mail us with your address for a free sample:  jm@japanmission.org

Evangelistic Series of Books – Ikirutowa

The Japan Mission has published and made available to the Christian community an evangelistic series of books called ‘Ikirutowa’. These books feature testimonies of individuals who have found the Lord as Savior. These books have been very instrumental in the salvation of people who are seeking the Lord.

Give a copy of this book to a Japanese friend.
E-mail us to find out more about this publication:  jm@japanmission.org

Bibles For China

One of the ministries Japan Mission is involved in is the printing and distribution of Bibles in China. We recently received a number of updates about the situation in China.

There are millions of believers who do not have access to God’s Word. Our brothers and sisters in the world’s most populous nation are experiencing an increasing level of control and of harsh consequences if they don’t yield to the control by the authorities. Yes, persecution now is the worst since the cultural revolution in the seventies. High-tech equipment, including cameras and facial recognition, heightens the risks for those who want to obey God more than man.

In the midst of these circumstances, God is at work. He is in control and molding His church in China. No one knows how many come to Christ daily, but beyond doubt the figure is much higher than the number of Bibles we and others combined are able to provide. God is indeed doing a marvelous work in China.

In spite of stricter control, we praise God for being able to deliver Scriptures. This ministry is, however, totally dependent upon the help of many dedicated Christians. We first and foremost need prayer — prayer for wisdom and discernment to take the right steps at the right time. We need prayers for the safe delivery of Bibles and for protection both for couriers and recipients on the inside.

Secondly, we need hands and feet to help us deliver the precious cargo across the border. Thirdly, we need financial assistance. We are able to print and deliver Bibles for only $2.50 each. Please pray that the Lord would provide the necessary finances. $25 would provide 10 Chinese believers with their own copy of God’s Word. One Bible is most likely read by a number of believers and each copy is often instrumental in leading several new people to Christ.

A well-known China researcher recently said the following:  “In the past year, the need for Bibles has become greater than at any time in our history. The massive persecution that is underway has made it even more difficult for Christians to access the Scriptures, as the government cracks down tightly on every aspect of Christian life.”

Some say that the government allows Bibles to be printed, so there is no need to deliver them from the outside. This is unfortunately not the case. Even today, Chinese Bibles can only be legally printed at one printing plant, and this is for 1.4 billion people! The government decides the amount that can be produced as well as how they are distributed. They are only for sale in selected, registered churches and not in bookstores.

A reputable Christian, who knows China better than most, recently wrote the following: “While the economy is growing in many parts of China, all Bibles printed outside the control of the government-approved church are considered illegal. Those involved with their production or distribution, continue to risk arrest and imprisonment without trial. Despite the economic boom in other parts of China, people in rural farming communities remain extremely poor, and their plight has been exacerbated by the soaring cost of living. Millions of house-church Christians remain unable to afford Bibles, even if they were able to access them. These factors have resulted in millions of believers being starved of God’s Word. They are forced to survive on the few crumbs they are able to gather from beneath the table of the registered churches.”

One of our affiliates recently wrote: “We continue to receive more requests for Bibles than what we are able to meet and continue to hear of the tremendous value of each and every copy of God’s Word being sent to those who need it. We have recently completed the printing of 50,000 regular Bibles and need to order paper and print another 100,000 copies. One full Bible costs US$2.50.”

Pray for the necessary funds to make Bibles available to the many that hunger for the Word of God in China. Pray for wisdom and protection for the intricate network of printers, distributors and couriers who are involved in a process, which is at times very dangerous. Pray for those who are being persecuted for their faith.

CHINA – TESTIMONIES OF THOSE WHO RECEIVED A BIBLE

Stories abound of those who have been thrilled to receive their first copy of God’s Word. A 23-year-old man in China had been a Christian for eight years, but did not have a Bible. The church would occasionally receive Bibles, but there were never enough. After eight years of waiting, he finally received his own Bible and his heart was filled with joy.

Ten students of a Bible school in China were without Bibles, so they prayed earnestly and rejoiced when Bibles arrived for them six months later.

Supplying Bibles inevitably generates a need for even more. It is common for one Bible to result in several converts within months, as it is shared. There was a case in the early 1990s, where a single Bible in China resulted in 10,000 conversions within three years of its arrival!