JEMS 2018 Short-Term Mission Teams

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1 SEPT DEC 2018 VOL. 69 NO. 4 JEMS 2018 Short-Term Mission Teams Pastor Yu Kohatsu, Kawasaki Christ Church (excerpts from Pr. Kohatsu s letter) Our Kawasaki Christ Church had the privilege to have a short-term mission team consisting of six members from South Bay Community Church (SBCC) and five members from the Nichigo JEMS staff from July Although it was the very first time for our church to receive short-term mission teams from the USA, God blessed it abundantly, far more than what we had expected. The US and the Japan staff working together as one team to serve Christ When I was first informed a short-term mission team was coming to our church, I was pleased and unsure at the same time because my English was limited. However, I was relieved when all the pre-preparation was completed through the internet by the Nichigo staff from JEMS. In the process, I realized that the mission could not be completed solely by US team members passion and dedication. It takes the US team members plus the dedication of the host church to become a united team to serve Christ. Through the planning process, we were inspired to plan a one-week outreach program for mothers in the community to enhance the children s program. Delivering the Gospel to the Community SBCC mission team arrived on Sunday. On Tuesday through Friday, we had Mom s class in the morning and VBS in the afternoon. On Saturday, we had VBS in the afternoon. On the following Sunday, we served in Sunday school and three worship services. Many parents have high expectations having their children learn English from native speakers. As a result, parents signed up their children, many of whom would not otherwise have come to the church, for English VBS. In other words, we were able to reach far more people using English as a tool. The VBS program was high-quality. It used the same theme for a week, and it had many brilliant ideas to help children memorize the Bible verse for the day. They toured four stations, one after another: Game, Singing/Bible lesson, Craft and experiment. Some children who were initially signed up for only a few days ended up attending the entire week because it was so much fun! New Challenge to Churches in Japan The short-term mission team consisted of seven members ranging from a teenager to seniors in their sixties. SBCC mission team leader was in her sixties. When we first heard about shortterm mission for children, what came to our mind was a team of young adults, so we were truly surprised to know that wasn t the case. Five out of seven US mission members have families to care for, including three members who have young/small children at home. They chose to take three weeks off from work, and/or to leave home. Much sacrifice was paid on their part to come to Japan to show Christ s love to us. I was so overwhelmed by the thought. Their attitude was certainly a big encouragement to church members of Kawasaki Christ Church. It left us a challenge as well. We now realize how much American Christians love us even if it meant going out his/her way and are praying for Japan. We are deeply touched by the love of each member of the short-term mission team. Their love revitalized us with passion to reach out and the strength to continue our mission for the cause of Christ. 1

2 For Whose Kingdom? JAPAN MISSIONS Charlie and Yumiko Chen Missionaries in Chiba How is it that a married couple in their 60 s looking forward to retirement ends up selling their home and moving to Japan to become career missionaries? God works in mysterious ways. It wasn t that long ago that my dreams for retirement were to move to Costa Rica, live on the beach and surf everyday. Something happened between then and now. Between serving in prison ministry, reading the Bible and John Piper s Don t Waste Your Life, the Holy Spirit convicted me. What was God s will for our lives? Should we spend our remaining years on this earth working for our own kingdom, which will end as soon as we do, or should we serve God s Kingdom which lasts forever? My wife and I have been blessed to heed the call while we are still physically and mentally able to. In April 2017 we started serving on an MTW (Mission to the World) team in Chiba, which is about an hour s train ride east of Tokyo. We are serving at Oyumino Christ Church which was planted by PCA missionaries in By God s grace it has grown slowly but steadily and now includes three chapel locations and a 1 through 12 Christian school. Although we serve at all three locations we work most closely with Pastor Nagata at Toke Chapel. Serving has been a rewarding and humbling experience. I had learned to speak Japanese when I lived in Tokyo in my twenties. But that was 40 years ago and since then I ve forgotten most of it. Not being able to express myself and not being able to read grade school Kanji (Chinese characters) as I once did has humbled me. With much effort the language is slowly coming back. My wife, Yumiko, however, is a native speaker, having spent her first 27 years in Japan. But after marrying me, she lived 36 years in Southern California. When she returned last year she experienced reverse culture shock. At a family get-together Yumiko s nephew s wife commented, Auntie, you re not Japanese, you re American. My wife then realized how much living in the US and becoming a Christian had changed her; how she thinks, how she acts, and what she values. What was God s will for our lives? Should we spend our remaining years on this earth working for our own kingdom, which will end as soon as we do, or should we serve God s Kingdom which lasts forever? Yumiko leads two adult Bible study classes, teaches Biblical parenting to young mothers and translates Bible Time for elementary school age children. My primary job is to teach English conversation at Open House English School. We have an hour s English lesson followed by 30 minutes of Bible Time. For many students it s their only exposure to the Bible. Together we lead an English Bible study and do a home ministry inviting people over for coffee and conversation. Our goal is to build relationships, earn trust, and share the Gospel. We are thankful for all JEMS partners for their prayers, encouragement, and sacrifice in sending and supporting missionaries. God bless you. 2

3 Spanning the Gulf SOUTH AMERICA MISSIONS South America: It s not easy. It s hot and grimy. So why go? Rev John Katagi, Director of South America Missions I recently had the privilege of hearing a pastor friend speak on Ephesians 3. I was struck in particular by the Apostle Paul s words in verses 17 and 18: And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. He spoke of the immense span that Jesus crossed in order to reach a humanity desperately in need of salvation and forgiveness. We are privileged to be the carriers of that good news. JEMS in particular has had many years of focus upon Japan, South America and the USA. There are still many who have not responded God s invitation. While we ve heard statistics that one percent or less of Japan s population is Christian, a far less known stat is that while twenty-two percent of Brazil s general population identifies as evangelical Christian, less than four percent of Brazil s Nikkei (ethnically Japanese) population are churched. While Brazil is outside of the so-called window, an area of greatest resistance to the gospel; and while Brazil is perhaps one of the most evangelized nations in the world, the Japanese community there is still unreached. PJ TEACHING SUNDAY SCHOOL Brazil isn t easy. It s big. It s hot. It s dirty. They don t speak English. It presents a less than pleasant picture with daily news about crime, disease, political instability and poverty. It s easy to choose somewhere easier if we choose anywhere at all. But those who have served there will unanimously agree that the people are warm and open to our teams and ministries. And our partnering churches there have provided a safe haven for our work. South America as a mission field is hard. But if I may borrow a line from the movie, A League of their Own that was uttered when a player was leaving the game because it got too hard. The manager replied, It s supposed to be hard. If it wasn t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great. Missions is hard work, but the delight in seeing lives transformed is one that you will carry with you into eternity. As we come to year-end, we look ahead to our calendars for What choices are we making that reflect our commitment to make disciples of all nations. What percentage of our time and material resources demonstrate that we are seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness? January and February mark our application deadlines for our July summer missions program. Won t you consider South America? JEMS TEAM WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN SÃO PAULO As we reflect upon God s purpose that first Christmas in sending Jesus Christ as a gift to us, consider the privilege of sharing that gift with those who have not yet heard that God loves them. 3

4 Is it too soon to say it s the most wonderful time of the year? AACF Jon Liu, Director of AACF (College Ministries) Fall signaled the start of a new school year. Freshmen excitedly pack while parents anxiously pray. Sophomores celebrate the resuming friendships and academic advancement while parents emotionally ready themselves for another year away from their kids. Juniors ready themselves for grad school and beyond while parents celebrate another year away from their kids. Seniors anxiously decide their future while parents excitedly pray for the future: career and grandchildren. The new school year also launched our new core teams: student leadership and servant teams. Coming from a summer of training and preparations, these young Christian leaders first attended our annual Leadership Training Conference (LTC). With Pastor Kyle Shimazaki from Seeds of Life as our speaker, students gained a vision for their AACF and a conviction for reaching the lost on their campus. They are now ministering on their campus: reaching those excited freshmen and anyone else who needs the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. This has become a model for starting AACF chapters: recruit a campus minister, partner with a local church, recruit a small group of students, and launch as a bible study. We will be using this model for our newest endeavor: CSU Fresno. Praise God! God is growing the ministry of AACF to reach young people on the college campus. Pray for our AACF chapters and our new endeavors. May the AACF leadership and AACF chapters seek first the kingdom of God. And may we courageously preach the Gospel to all campuses and nations. Praise God! God is growing the ministry of AACF to reach young people on the college campus. In the school year, we are recognized on 18 college campuses. CSU Northridge is our newest AACF chapter. It is a budding chapter that is coming together as a Christian community. In partnership with CCAC, a local church, we are reaching the CSUN campus and beyond: there are students from Junior Colleges attending the meetings as well. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. The gospel is reaching the campus. Young leaders are pursuing their Godgiven calling. And we will soon celebrate and remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope it s not too soon to give season s greetings: AACF wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 4

5 Warm Beach Conference PACIFIC NORTHWEST MINISTRIES Rev. Carolyn Shimabukuro And this is the way to have eternal life to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth John 17:3 NLT Praise God for the wonderful works of the Spirit at this year s 32nd Warm Beach Conference. All seven divisions gathered together under the theme of This is eternal life.the gospel was shared in word and deed and we experienced the things that are eternal. God provided loving and faithful servant leaders and speakers: Kid s Director/Bible leader Bryan Lee, Directors: Yumi Niiyama and Jennifer Tsuji who led the Jr. High and Sr. Highers with speakers: Clara Kim and Jay Morgan; Adult Point person Keith Igarashi and Young Adult Director Cam Iseri with speaker: Victor Quon; Special Camp was co-directed by Joan Hirata and Christine Ito Castillo. We thank Joan for her service as team lead since Evelyn Higashi s (1991 Founder/Director) passing in 2004, with speaker: Kristen Shimabukuro. After ten years of JxJ leadership (Jesus X Japanese), we have a new Nichigo core team represented by five churches: Faith Bible, Horizon, Japanese Baptist, Lighthouse and Newport Covenant with speaker: Setsu Kuroda Shimizu. The Nichigo outreach has expanded to include all ages. We were graced by pianist/evangelist Julie Lowe who traveled from Canada to present a special piano concert. Saturday night we gathered as a whole camp to give God glory and praise through song and testimony. We commissioned new staff: Ben Higashi, JEMS PNW Youth Director and Thomas Chen, AACF Campus Minister. We invited all to pray and support them as they build their team of prayer and financial support with the goal of starting by the end of this year. Please learn more about them at jems.org donate. During our closing communion service two individuals put their faith in Christ. Tears of joy and peace with God was experienced by a young college age man and a mother who had two sons in the youth camp! We joined in with the angels who were rejoicing in heaven with us on earth. What a privilege to share life together in a Christ-centered community. The Lord gathered us at Warm Beach and now He has scattered us back to our homes and communities in Canada, Washington, Oregon, California and Japan to share the love of Christ so that all may come to know Him! Begin to pray to the Lord of the Harvest, and be used by God to reach out and invite others to Warm Beach August 15-18, 2019 Be Still and know that I am God Ps. 46:10 NLT Mount Hermon: Special Camp Nadine Yamamoto God met me in so many ways and with every person during Special Camp. He provided me with physical strength and endurance to serve as an aide with an alert mind and a patient heart regardless of the long days and short nights. Through the Special Camp family I learned how to put a joyful servant s heart into action. The campers showed me how to live abundantly and to praise Him without restraint. I walked away humbled, thankful and with a deeper love for our Lord. 5

6 4:30pm, Saturday, Dec 1 NICHIGO CHRISTMAS WORSHIP CONCERT Co-sponsored by Japanese Christian Church Federation of Southern California and JEMS Faith United Methodist Church 2115 West 182nd St. Torrance, CA Featuring: WLA United Methodist Church, Gospel Shalom Church Worship Teams. Gospel Venture Church, Jamir Christian Church, and Bethany Congregational Church Choirs. Faith United Methodist Church (children) and Union Church Handbell Choirs. Joy and All Generation Bands, Love of Hula Troupe, Celesta Gospel Singers, and Oratorial Chorus 2019 Spring JEMS HOOPS BASKETBALL LEAGUE Stevenson Park Lysander Dr, Carson Application will be available at: jems.org/general-events JEMS Event Calendar ROCKY MOUNTAIN BUS TOUR: NATIONAL PARKS, CANADA, AND INTERNMENT CAMPS Includes Yellowstone (Wyoming) Glacier and Banff National Park (Canada). Interested? Contact Rev. Sam Tonomura at samt@jems.org or call Saturday, April 6 8am: Check in, 11am: Raffle, 4:30pm: Prizes JEMS CO-ED VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT Long Beach City College Gymnasium 4901 E. Carson Street, Long Beach, CA Registration forms will be available on Feb 4th, Monday 2019 SOUTH AMERICA MISSION TEAMS Only 1.09% of the population is Asian in South America Team composition may be made of church teams, campus ministries, or assembling a team of interested individuals. Interested? Contact Rev. John Katagi: john_ken_po@yahoo.com 2019 JAPAN MISSION TEAMS We are already receiving requests from churches in Japan. In 2018, we formed five teams (AACF, Nichigo and English-speaking teams) to provide programs for churches. There were 45 individuals from hi-sku to Seniors. Interested? Contact Roy Toma: royt@jems.org. Extend the life of your automobile! Is it... Not in running condition and you don t need it? Attached to many fond memories and occupying space? A car you wanted to restore, but you haven't had time? When you donate your vehicle to JEMS, you choose which ministry or fund to donate to. Includes free towing and processing of DMV paperwork! Vehicles donated and sold on or before Dec. 31 may be claimed in 2018 taxes! An easy way to support our ministries! info@jems.org Join Our Elite Group! (and save a tree) The mailing of 10,000 JEMS Journal is very expensive. Partner with us to save trees and postage costs! JEMS is also asking those on our international mailing lists to join our family for JEMS newsletters, prayer letters and event notifications. Thank you very much, JEMS your information to: Info@JEMS.org

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8 Happy Thanksgiving to you from all of us at JEMS! Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. PSALM 100:4 8