Pioneering in Japan

No, it's not the Rapture... For the last couple of weeks we've been studying the first missionary journey of Barnabas and Paul. They go forth from Antioch, preaching the gospel, in each town leaving behind new converts in their wake. On their return to Antioch, they visit the same cities, laying hands on these disciples of barely 6 months or more, anointing them "elders" of these baby "churches". Wow! Now, I'm willing to bet that you and I might be thinking "Wow!" for different reasons. With no speculation as to your reason, I'll simply say that my "Wow!" is followed by "So what is taking me so long!?" I cannot presume to speak for all my fellow pioneers scattered across the globe. Granted, some are like Johnny Appleseed, dropping pips right and left, watching them burst into fruit trees before their very eyes. Others of us, well... So every time someone out there discovers "the revolutionary secre...

On Sunday there was a huge procession that passed right in front of our church building. Groups were carrying portable shrines on their shoulders. A shrine looks a bit like a pimped-out ark of the covenant from Raiders of the Lost Ark - One of the shrines, on display at the 100 Yen Store next door In our church we have young people in their 20s and 30s, some middle-aged adults... (and one 5 year old). Our people are open and excited (and some of them aren't even quite saved yet), but they're coming to church,  and they love handing out flyers! There were thousands of people, and shrines all over the place, so our guys were out in the middle of everything, inviting these parade-goers to church! Brother Hiro, looking happier than his paisanos Sister Mitos keeps an eye on Bernice (who loves "flyering") Wow! How can you compete with THIS? Takayoshi did ok for his first outreach! It may look like only a drop in the bucket, but we're not...

Maybe you know what I'm talking about: You're preaching, or sharing your testimony. Time is standing still. Or rather - somewhere between the ticks of the clock, you've shifted sideways into eternity. The air is different. If this were a movie, the music has transitioned into something stirringly intense. I don't have the words to explain it clearly. I've felt this before (I've felt this many times before, but this is the first time I've remembered it). All of a sudden, you KNOW. You know that what's about to happen - is eternal. Oh, I've talked to people, and witnessed to people, and had people repeat a prayer with me. But sometimes, just sometimes, something happens, and it's like, they're not even hearing YOU. Like when, in The Cross and the Switchblade, everybody becomes deathly quiet, and the Mau Maus start taking off their hats. Your voice sounds like it's coming from another room, and the presence of God is SO stro...

Mr. Nakamura has never sugar-coated the fact that he is an atheist. From the first email he sent me 14 months ago, to an outburst about "sin" last week (that started with the words "You Christians..."), Mr N has never claimed to be anything other than an atheist. Now an "atheist" here in Japan simply means someone who doesn't believe in God, or in any gods, or in anything spiritual. Often what passes for an atheist in some countries is, in reality, a God-hater , whose agenda is to mock, ridicule and undermine the beliefs of non-atheists (usually Christians for some reason. I've noticed that few atheists mock Islam or Buddhism with the same vehemency that they reserve for Christianity or Judaism). Mr N, on the other hand, has consistently professed a simple, but complete lack of knowledge regarding Christianity, Buddhism, Shintoism or any other religion. The first time we met, Mr N said to me - "I am 73 years old. I ran my own accountin...

It was barely over a year ago that I received an email -  A Happy New year! My name is Hiro. I am a member of Victory Chapel Saipan. I have a Father who lives in Sagamihara City who wishes to visit the church. But he is a very strong Atheist. I have been talking about Jesus to him, and I am very happy that he became interested. But I am sure his interest is still Christianity as Philosophy. I really want him to be saved but I am so worried that he might not be accepted by your church. And I know it will take a time for him to be saved. Pastor. Is it possible for my father to visit your church?  Thank you very much. I pray that my parents will be saved soon. Respectfully Yours, Hiro  Some of you are familiar with the story of Hiro's father ("Mr. N"). About a week later I met with Hiro's dad, and we began what has now become a year-long journey together, exploring the Word of God. So just this past November, Hiro got in touch with me again. Between his w...

Look how close we are to the subway/train station - God is good! 181-0013 東京都三鷹市下連雀3-37-38 城西三鷹ビル3F 

This morning I left some newly printed flyers on the back table. As her family took a stack of flyers and got on the elevator, Bernice told her mother: "I have a REAL job. I work for Pastor Gary..." (Yes, we reminded her she's working for JESUS!) Sister Mitos emailed me after church: "Hello pastor Gary!! Bernice sent out all the flyers today! She did everything. I did not even get a chance to send out not even one flyer!! Here is a picture of our little miracle worker." Bernice's mother emailed: "She never felt discourage if some people rejects her flyers. She told me her exact words... 'Its ok mom, I'm just being patient...'" Don't worry, her parents are right there (taking the photo).  This is a street only 3 blocks away from our building! After service, Bernice and her parents, John & Mitos, took a detour on their way to the train station, and passed out church invitations to the crowd! The mes...