For the last 150 years Christians have been laboring in Japan and seen very little fruit; Christians comprise less than 1% of the Japanese population. This means that the vast majority of people in Japan do not know a single Christian who can tell them about Jesus, or even the location of a single Christian church. However, over the last decade there have been little signs here and there that many pastors and missionaries have been picking up on, which lead them to think that God may be about to bring about a harvest in Japan. Then, last year the coast of the Tohoku region of Japan was struck by a massive tsunami that laid waste to hundreds of miles of coast. In the aftermath of that devestation, thousands of Christians from Japan and around the world flooded into the region, and demonstrated the love of Christ in the most practical ways. In the wake of this tradjedy, God has opened a door for the people of Tohoku to hear about His love for them, and the promise of an eternal hope, secure in heaven that can never be destroyed.
This is an unprecedented event in Japanese church history, one which we beleive God may be using to establish a a foothold in Japan. We pray that many new churches will be planted in the towns and villages struck by last year’s tsunami, that these churches will minister in love to the hundreds of thousands who are suffering and in despair. But this open door will not last forever. If the church does not come along side to help meet the spiritual and emotional needs of the survivors, they will look elsewhere for healing and satisfaction, and miss the opportunity to find a new life in Christ. As the short term Christian aide workers begin to withdraw from the region, it is crucial that long term Christian missionaries move in to fill that gap, partner with Japanese churches and believers, and plant new, reproducing churches that will have an impact for the gospel for years after the cities have been rebuilt.
It is to this mission that we believe God is directing us. We are seeking to find the remaining monthly financial partners who will send us to Tohoku to partner with Japanese churches and pastors to plant these churches. But we must get over there before it is too late. Our goal is to be in Japan by the end of this year, or early next year at the latest. We are currently coming up on another deadline, in order to attend SEND’s Member Orientation Program, we need to be at 50% of our monthly support by May 31, just one week away. Currently we are at 38%. We ask that you prayerfully consider comitting to becoming a regular financial partner so that we can remain on target for a departure within the next 7 – 10 months.
If God is calling you to join us in this unprecedented ministry opportunity, please click here, or reply to this email. If you would like to learn more, we’d love to come share with you. Just reply, or give me a call and we’ll set up a time.