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Read the most recent news and prayer requests here. Please continue to pray and support the work as we reach out to the lost. This news feed is from Facebook, but you do not need an account to view it.
MR. BIG HOUSE
While planning a visual for the next church video the inspiration came… “what if while church members shared about their community, pieces of stain-glass were placed together to form the church building!?”
Knowing nothing about stain-glass, we began to order pieces on amazon and build. Cutting and sanding bits of glass, we soon realized we were in over our head! 🙂
It just so happens that a local stain-glass craftsman who goes by the name “Mr. Big House” runs a workshop across the way, so we decided to pop in for advice. This veteran of the trade looked at our tools and laughed out loud! He generously talked us through a game-plan, showed us his machinery and offered to help us with this project at a discount.
Despite living very close, we never had a real relationship with Mr. Big House, but through this random idea the Lord has brought us into his world. Now we are consciously aware that the Lord may have bigger plans than a church video and are treading carefully on this “holy ground”…
Please pray with us for this video project, but also that the Lord would bless and work in the heart of Mr. Big House as we move forward with this project.
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Go Team JM! Sounds like an interesting project.
What an interesting door God is opening!
Very cool! God works in amazing ways🙏
CAYA HOMESTAY
We appreciate your continued prayers as the Thomas couple are in the beginning stages of the homestay ministry. The local community has embraced it with enthusiasm, and the news continues to ripple out into companies and schools beyond our friends here in Ikoma.
Through word of mouth and past relationships the Lord has already stirred in the hearts of leaders at two global Japanese companies and they will be sharing the program for employees and families interested in “English immersion”. Last month a local cram school also visited and asked if they could share the CAYA homestay information to their students studying English.
This month we will also be sharing about this new program with the many churches we partner with for English outreach in the Kansai region. (about 15 churches)
Please pray with us as things are just getting started and we can sense that the Lord is doing a great new thing! May the Lord use this program to bless all who come.
Previous post:
www.facebook.com/share/p/18qgCCFwJp/?mibextid=wwXIfr
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Amen.
Amen
Amazing!!
MEDIA MINISTRY:
Last week we went on a filming shoot for a another church video. Special thanks to the sponsorship of asialink.org who made this video possible!
Now editing begins…
There are many in Japan who are hesitant to come to church for fear that they might be shamed by those around them or that they may not be welcomed if they are not a christian.
We pray that this video would help draw local residents and clearly show that all are welcome to the Father’s house.
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THE MEDIA GAP:
There is a media gap between the Japanese church and society, where great work is being done in the church but it is not shared effectively online.
CHURCH- 70% of pastors approaching retirement age, average church at only 30 members, lacking the funding or talent needed to effectively use media in engaging the next generation for Christ.
SOCIETY- +94% of Japanese are connected to the internet, +90% of users actively browsing through mobile devices.
HELP US CLOSE THE GAP
There are churches that would like to create a promotional video for their church but don't have the funds to get the project rolling.
If you feel led to partner with us in this mission to close the media gap with the Japanese church, please contact us!
For more information:
japanmission.org/ministries/media-ministry/
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HOMESTAY MINISTRY
"English immersion" programs are very popular with the Japanese, and many spend a small fortune to travel overseas to just live with an English-speaking family for a time. Through the Thomas couple, the Lord has opened a door to serve the community in this way through a local “mini-homestay” program right here in Ikoma, Japan!
A couple months ago, Ed and Toby Thomas began opening their house to friends in the community to give them a taste of Texas without having to leave Japan.
Through doing life together over several days, the Thomas couple has the opportunity to invite their guests into their daily walk with the Lord. This happens in simple ways through visits to church together on a Sunday or prayer before meals, but also in more intimate ways as they share their lives with each other in deeper conversation.
Pray with us for Ed and Toby as they have finished their fourth homestay in just two months and begin plans for the next one! Please also pray that the Lord would soften the hearts of future “homestayers” and that He would use the time together to truly transform lives here in Ikoma.
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
How cool you guys!!
So good!
More grace to the family
CHILDREN
Many children are being introduced to the teachings of Christ through childcare and English outreach programs in partnership with local churches. Pray with us that seeds planted will bear fruit in the fullness of God’s time.
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
japanmission.org/ministries/english-outreach/
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GOLDEN WEEK
Last week was one of the most festive times of the year in Japan known as Golden Week. The period includes four national holidays and stretched from 29 April to May 6th.
It was one of the busiest times of year for travel as millions of people made the most of the extended time off and beautiful spring weather. Traffic all over the country was INCREDIBLE! After a week of hard play it’s back to work for Japan.
publicholidays.jp/golden-week/
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FLIP-SIDE
Experiencing Japan as a visitor can be remarkable because you are on the receiving end of some of the best service in the world. You often find the people are courteous, food tastes great and hospitality is fantastic!
The flip-side to this however, is a work environment and society with some of the highest expectations in the world. Although most Japanese learn to adapt to this way of life after entering the workforce, there are many who can’t handle the pressures of society and shut themselves off from the world.
JM staff have relationships with many Japanese who struggle this way, and they are often drawn to Churches as they find that they are accepted just as they are. Pray with us for deliverance from the lies that keep many in bondage, and wisdom for pastors and missionaries who deal with the complex issues that lie at the root of these problems.
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Praying for you!
We were just praying for the hikikomori in Japan at a church planting conference this week!
Amen! The pressures of society is also trickling all the way down to elementary age children with over 300,000 students not attending school (last reported).
PRAY, SHARE, GIVE, JOIN THE TEAM!
japanmission.org/partner-with-us/
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LONGING FOR EASTER
One mother told us they were not planning to join our Easter event but her child insisted so hard that she changed her mind. Only 5 kids were expected at that event but after inviting their friends, 11 kids showed up!
Deep down, every child longs to experience and hear about the love God has for them.
The Japan Mission team puts on many events throughout Kansai with small groups of students and friends during Easter. They put a lot of work into making it something people genuinely want to come to so they can hear Jesus’s message of love for them.
“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.””
Matthew 19:14
Thank you for your prayers during this Easter season!
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PRAY, SHARE, GIVE, JOIN THE TEAM!
japanmission.org/partner-with-us/
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
🙏 Amen
Powerful quote! Biblical command paraphrased!
I am praying for you 💕🙏 in all time's
VIDEO UPDATE
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Wonderful update, Alex, on this blessed Good Friday! ✝️
Awesome to see the growth! Miss yall!
Great to hear what God is doing.
Good Friday to you everyone...
Easter weekend changes everything for us.
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HALLELUJA!