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Pray for Tokyo

<TOKYO>

  • Population: 12,082,143
  • Towns/villages with no church: 5
  • Churches per person: 1: 12,192
  • Average worship attendance: 58

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is one of the largest cities in the world. There are many famous temples and shrines in the metropolitan and suburban areas, such as the historic Okunitama Shrine in Fuchu, Jindai Temple in Chofu, and Mitake Shrine. Meiji Jingu shrine always tops the list for being the most popular shrine during New Year’s. The first Protestant church in Tokyo was established in 1873 by the eight members of the Yokohama Church.

November 28: There are approximately 651 churches located in the wards of Tokyo. Pray for these churches to have an effective ministry for the gospel. The total number of members is decreasing, but worship attendance has been rising from an average of 52 per church in 1999 to 58 in 2004. Many of the smaller churches struggle especially because of the high cost of meeting places, and the busyness of the big city.

November 29: Pray for the Christian Diet members, and for groups dedicated to pray for the government and for politicians. Pray for the Tokyo and Hachioji Easter Rallies, the North Tokyo and West Tokyo Pastors Fellowships, and other groups throughout the area.

November 30: Pray for Christian book stores (CLC Ochanomizu Book Store, Oasis Book Center in Shinjuku, Kyobunkan in Ginza, Avaco Book Center at Waseda, and others). A number of Christian radio and TV programs are available, but usually they are broadcast during the early morning hours.

December 1: Intercede fore the more than 25 Christian schools with about 105,000 students – that they will always focus on the gospel truth. Several of the largest schools are: Aoyama Gakuin with 25,800 students, Rikkyo with 22,200 and Meiji Gakuin with 15,400. Pray that the schools will be able to hire Christian teachers and staff. There are at least 119 Protestan kindergartens and 50 day-care centers in Tokyo with 16,900 children hearing about Jesus every day.

December 2: Pray for the 57,000 people of Tokyo who attend Christian worship. What a powerful influence they are  when they become doers of the Word!

December 3: Remember the many Christian social welfare programs. Pray for the day laborers who sleep at rooming houses in the Sanya district and other ghetto areas. Pray that the close to 30,000 homeless will respond to the gospel. Remember those who share the gospel as they serve by offering food and shelter to the homeless.

December 4: The multi-faceted ministry of Ochanomizu Christian Center (OCC) serves as a hub for the evangelical movement. The 9-story building is located in a busy part of Tokyo, surrounded by many colleges and universities. Its rooms and halls provide facilities for many evangelistic outreaches, a language school ministry, and offices for a number of para-church organizations.

December 5: Four islands of the Izu island chain are without churches. Toshima, Kozushima, Mikurajima and Aogashima, with a total population of about 1,500.

*All information and prayer requests taken from “Operation Japan -Prayer Guide- Third Edition” -Japan Evangelical Missionary Association, 2005. To purchase a copy of “Operation Japan” book or the Interactive CD version, go to:http://www.jema.org/joomla15/index.php?option=com_banners&task=click&bid=10.

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Pray for Chiba

<Chiba>

  • Population: 6,001,032
  • Towns/villages with no church: 29
  • Churches: person: 1:18,240
  • Average worship attendance: 33

Chiba is located next to Tokyo and Narita International Airport is actually in this prefecture. The percent of farm land in Chiba ranks third in the nation and it also functions as a major hub for heavy and chemical industries. Narita Fudo Shrine is famous for its New Year’s worship and attracts many people every year. Protestant ministry started in Chiba in 1873, when one of the first Protestant missionaries to Japan held meetings in Yokaichiba.

November 21: Four TV programs share the gospel each week. Pray that many who are seeking help will tune in and receive God’s salvation.

November 22: The ministries at the HiBA (High school Born Againers) camp and the Agape no Sato. Ask the Lord to raise up more retreat and camp centers here that would also effectively minister to the millions in Tokyo.

November 23: Tokyo Christian Gakuen at Inzai is making a significant contribution to the evangelical movement by training believers for ministry. It is made up of Tokyo Christian University (160), Tokyo Christian Theological School (44), and Kyoritsu Christian Research Center (25).

November 24: Kujukuri Home Hospital with 189 beds providing clinical services, a nursing home and rehabilitation facilities. Pray that many will see Jesus in the loving ministry of each person working here.

November 25: A variety of ministries are reaching out to those who have been involved in prostitution, to needy women and children and the mentally disabled. Pray that all will clearly demonstrate God’s love.

November 26: Sanbu (20,176) is the largest of the 29 towns and villages in Chiba with no churches. Since population will continue its rapid increase, aggressive church planting is needed.

*All information and prayer requests taken from “Operation Japan -Prayer Guide- Third Edition” -Japan Evangelical Missionary Association, 2005. To purchase a copy of “Operation Japan” book or the Interactive CD version, go to:http://www.jema.org/joomla15/index.php?option=com_banners&task=click&bid=10.

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60% by January – November Newsletter

60% by January

In order to get to Japan by next summer, we set a mid-term goal of reaching 60% of our monthly support by the end of January. Once we reach 60%, SEND will permit us to begin taking a partial salary from the support that we have raised. This will allow us to dedicate far more time to partner development, and freedom to travel and visit friends and churches outside of Southern California, in order to raise the full amount of our support by July. … read more

Other Things…

David has been recently appointed one of the elders of Crossroad Church. He is thankful for this appointment not only as an opportunity to serve our church in the U.S., but also as a training to prepare for our future church-planting ministry in Japan. Tomo is enjoying working at a Japanese-speaking daycare three times a week. The joy of seeing children grow in different areas makes it a rewarding experience. … read more

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Christian Samurai -Part 2

(Continued from last week’s article)

Statue of Ukon Takayama at Takatsuki Church

Ukon was generally liked and trusted by other samurai lords. Shogun Hideyoshi even gave him promotion by granting him more land to own. Shortly after that, however, Hideyoshi issued a decree in 1587 placing restrictions on Christian activities. Missionaries were forced to leave the country within 20 days and it was stated that it was “inappropriate” to convert the Japanese to Christianity because Japan was a country of the gods. This was the first anti-Christian decree that was followed by more severe ones. Many Christian daimyo’s renounced their faith at this, but Ukon surprised others by choosing to abandon his status as a Daimyo and all his land and riches for his faith. Although he was forced to go into exile after that, there were sympathetic Daimyo’s who provided him with a decent living and protection. Some of them even made him a political and military advisor.

Ukon in his final years during exile in the Philippines

In 1614, with the persecution of Christians becoming as severe as ever, he was finally expelled from the country and boarded on a ship bound for the Philippines. He reached Manila in December and received a hearty welcome by Spanish priests and missionaries who had heard about his perseverance. Exhausted from the travel and the tropical climate he wasn’t used to, Ukon soon became ill in the foreign land and died at the age 64 in Manila the next year. Spanish governor Juan de Silva ordered a huge funeral for Ukon at Santa Ana Cathedral. His family went back to Japan after his death and three families directly descended from Ukon still live in three different parts of Japan today.

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Pray for Saitama

Saitama is a northern neighbor of Tokyo and much of the prefecture is being urbanized, creating the feeling that it is simply an extension of Tokyo.  Moutain farming villages still maintain religious beliefs deeplyrooted in folklore and superstition. On the other hand, many people in the urban areas participate in “new religion” activities.

In 1872, Kyuemon Kojima from Saitama visited Yokohama to sell his silk products and there he heard the gospel from missionary Hepburn. In 1875, he received baptism and brough a number of Bibles back home to open his own home for evangelism. In 1879, the Wato Church, the first church in Saitama, was formed.

<Saitama>

Towns/villages with no churches: 49

Churches/person: 1: 17,946

Average church attendance: 35

Sep 27: The planting of new churches is scarcely keeping up with the rapid population growth. Pray that Saitama churches will catch the vision for aggressive church planting. Pray that as the churches grow, their vision for evangelism will also increase.

Sep 28: Television Saitama broadcast Life Line (Sat. 8am), Harvest Time (Sat 8:30am), and Invitation to Happiness. Pray for salvation decisions and effective follow-up.

Sep 29: Oer 6,600 students are attending Seibo Gakuen, Urawa Lutheran Gakuin, Sei Gakuin ad Rikkyo Gakuin. May each student experience the meaning of grace and lordship.

Sep 30: Omiya Central General Hospital with 266 beds. The home page for the two Kiamoto City clinics, Gospel Clinic and the South Gospel Clinic shares a clear gospel testimony.

Oct 1: “I will obey your word” (Psalm 119:17). May the Christians of Saitama be revived and obey His Word today.

Oct 2: The cities of Hasuda and Hatogaya have only one church each. There are 27 towns and villages with no church. washimiya, Matsubushi, Kamisato, Kawajima, Menuma, and Yoshimi are the largest of these.

*All information and prayer requests taken from “Operation Japan -Prayer Guide- Third Edition” -Japan Evangelical Missionary Association, 2005. To purchase a copy of “Operation Japan” book or the Interactive CD version, go to: http://www.jema.org/joomla15/index.php?option=com_banners&task=click&bid=10.

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Christian Samurai -Part 1

Since Francis Xavier first arrived in Japan as a Jesuit missionary in 1549, more Catholic missionaries followed and many Japanese converted into Christianity. Among them were many Daimyo’s, or powerful Samurai lords. This is partly because Xavier and other missionaries strategically focused on first converting the Daimyo’s in order to pave a smooth path for further ministry. And many Daimyo’s felt that it was beneficial for them to be a convert in order to gain favor with the Portuguese and Spaniard merchants who brought guns. Many of those who converted for commercial benefits soon fell away from Christianity once persecution got severe, but there were a few samurai lords who adhered to their faith throughout the persecution.

One of these “hard-core” Christian samurai’s is Ukon Takayama. He was born to a high-class Samurai family in Osaka area in 1552. His father, touched by the gospel message he heard from a former Buddhist monk who converted to Christianity after being ministered by a Jesuit missionary, became a Christian and led everyone in his family to be baptized. Ukon was 12 years old when he got baptized. In 1573, in the midst of political turmoil that involved the Takayama family and the Daimyo that they served, Ukon and his father took over Takatsuki castle and became Daimyo themselves. Ukon was seriously injured during a sword fight with the former lord of the castle, but miraculously recovered. It is said that Ukon, who was not as fervent about his faith as his father, became a very dedicated follower since this incident. His father retired around the age 50 to pursue a Christian living and Ukon became Daimyo at Takatsuki castle…. (To be continued next Thursday)

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Music Ministry

The Sambika (hymnal) was published in 1954 and the Sambika 21 in 1997. These hymnals contain many of the high-church worship songs. The Seika was first published in 1958 and was recently updated as the New Seika. It includes more praise songs, as well as some newer Japanese hymns. In addition to these two standard hymnals, many praise and worship books are being published, with a growing number of original praise songs being written by Japanese.

Outside the church, Christian music has opened up two doors of opportunity. One is through the classics with Bach; the other is centered in a Black Gospel music boom. Classical music of the church, such as Handel’s Messiah and Beethoven’s Ninth Symhony, has always been popular in Japan, but recently there has been an increased interest in Bach and his Christian message. Also the popularity of Black Gospel music has birthed gospel choirs all over Japan. The Halleluja Gospel Family is a growing network of about 20 gospel choirs with over 500 members (80% non-Christian).

Sep 20: Pray for Christian musicians who serve as soloists and instrumentalists, and for the many groups, choirs, bands and orchestras. Pray that many more will dedicate themselves to music ministries. The Evangelium Cantrai serves churches through concerts they conduct throughout the country. They also seek to introduce biblically-based music in the churches.

Sep 21: The Euodia Ensemble seeks to spread the sweet aroma of Christ through their music ministry. Recording uses music as a tool for evangelism by sponsoring concerts, music seminars, music production and sales.

Sep 22: Tokyo Christian Choir is a Christian group that receives training and performs for special concerts, such as presentations of The Messiah at Christmas.

Sep 23: Word of Life Press Ministries’ Life Productions diision produces recordings by Japanese Christian musicians, administers the Living Praise song book and sponsers evangelistic concerts.

Sep 24: Pray for the many Japanese studying classical Christian music, and for those who are learning Black Gospel from Christian teachers. Pray that their eyes will be opened.

Sep 25: The purpose of Christians in the Arts Network (CAN) is to encourage, connect, equip and mobilize musicians (and artists of all genres) to be creative leaders of a moement turning people to the worship of Jesus Christ in Japan and beyond. CAN’s projects include an annual Worship Seminar, “Alleluia Seminars” for local churches and Cristian Leadership Training Center.

*All information and prayer requests taken from “Operation Japan -Prayer Guide- Third Edition” -Japan Evangelical Missionary Association, 2005. To purchase a copy of “Operation Japan” book or the Interactive CD version, go to: http://www.jema.org/joomla15/index.php?option=com_banners&task=click&bid=10.

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First missionary to Japan -Part 2

(Continued from the article on Sep. 9)

Francisco de Xavier, the first Christian missionary to Japan, encountered many difficulties including language barrier and cultural issues. Since Japanese culture didn’t have a concept of God who is the only God and the Creator, the language didn’t have a word for such a being. His interpreter Anjiro, who was still quite new to this foreign faith, translated the word “God” into “Dainichi”, which is a Buddhist figure. Because of this, Xavier was at first welcomed by some of the Buddhist monks who thought he was teaching about Dainichi. Xavier soon realized this and started using “Deusu” from the Latin “Deus (God)”, which made the monks less welcoming toward Christianity.

Another difficulty arose when Xavier met with one of the local lords in Yamaguchi area to ask for permission to evangelize in the area. He was unable to gain favor with the lord O’ouchi because Xavier criticized O’ouchi’s homosexual practices. This problem hindered his work of ministry elsewhere as well, because homosexuality or pederasty among high-class men was widely accepted in pre-modern Japan. The concept of hell and eternal damnation also presented a difficulty for Japanese people, who were deeply bothered by the idea that their ancestors were in hell.  

After Xavier first stepped on Japanese soil in 1549, many Catholic missionaries followed. However, the Japanese government started to regulate and limit Christian missionary activities from 1587 and the persecution gradually worsened. In 1613, all Christian activities were completely banned all over Japan. The persecution continued to a greater or lesser degree until 1899 when the government officially permitted Christianity.

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September Newsletter Posted!

In this edition Tomo’s church in Japan teams up with some high school students at our church (including Dave’s little brother Sam) to host a summer English camp, and fellow missionaries and family Jon (Dave’s brother) and his wife Maki (Tomo’s sister) come to the US for home service.

Joy English Club!

by David Robison
Sam helps run a VBS in Japan
One of the most difficult problems the Japanese church faces in growing is simply getting people through the front door. Japanese people tend to look at Christianity with suspicion, seeing it as a foreign or western institution. Very few would be comfortable visiting a church. However when Tomo’s church, and the team my younger brother was a part of partnered together to host a “Joy English Club” at the church, the result was that dozens of children and their parents came into the church and heard about Christ.Read more…

Jon, Maki and Baby Aquila

by Tomo Robison
The entire Robison Family in one place.
As many of you already know,David’s younger brother, Jon is married to Tomo’s older sister, Maki. We all met at the same time when David and Jon came to Japan for the first time in 2003 and stayed at Maki and Tomo’s house for 6 weeks. Jon and Maki got married about a year before we did. Now we’re all part of the Robison clan and we’re all very happy about it. Read More…

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Pray for Gumma

Gumma is a mountainous prefecture in north-west Kanto area. It is the nation’s highest producer of silk thread, and many towns in the southern section of the prefecture are becoming centers for electronic and chemical industries. In 1874, Jo Niijima, the founder of Doshisha University, returned from the USA and began teaching Christianity in his hometown, Annaka, in Gumma. The Annaka Church was established in 1878. Kanzo Uchimura, another Christian leader at the time, was born in Gumma as well.

<Gumma>

Towns/villages with no churches: 33

Churches/person: 1: 16,998

Average church attendance: 28

Sep 13: Both Life Line and Harvest Time TV programs are available here. Pray that whole families will become Christian through these ministries.

Sep 14: More than five camping and retreat centers are ministering here. Many churches from the surrounding prefectures and Tokyo benefit from these facilites. May the Holy Spirit refresh and fill each Christian who comes to these facilities.

Sep 15: Over 5000 children and young people are attending Christian schools and kindergartens. For most of them this is their first and primary contact with Christianity. Pray for open hearts.

Sep 16: “The Son is the radiance of God’s gloy and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3). Pray for the people of Gumma to recognize that Jesus is the Son of the living God.

Sep 17: Orphanages: Jomo Airin-sha Chigyo Home and Komochi Yama School with 56 children. Maebashi Home for Mothers & Children with 20 families. Pray for the several welfare facilities ministering to the elderly.

Sep 18: There are 33 towns and villages with no churches. Niita-gun has no churches and includes Kasakake with 27,461 people. What a needy area!

*All information and prayer requests taken from “Operation Japan -Prayer Guide- Third Edition” -Japan Evangelical Missionary Association, 2005. To purchase a copy of “Operation Japan” book or the Interactive CD version, go to: http://www.jema.org/joomla15/index.php?option=com_banners&task=click&bid=10.