Japan Update

We've had a lot going on since the last time we blogged. Sorry it's taken us so long to get back on here.

Here is an update regarding our path to ministry:

We had the opportunity about a month ago to meet with Jeff MacKay (a foursquare missionary in Osaka, Japan) during his visit to Hawaii to get an idea of what is going on in Japan and gain some perspective on how to prepare for Japan. It sounds like a lot of good things are happening right now. (You can go to this link to see a recent article published by Foursquare about what is going on with Jeff MacKay's church: http://www.foursquarechurch.org/missions_advance/articles.sd?iid=305&catid=6&isid=16&sec=5%20Questions )

(Here is a link to some of the church plants in Japan (Jeff MacKay's church is Hope Osaka): http://www.hccoalition.com/japanlinks/ )

Hope Chapel is taking several short term outreaches to Japan this summer. Even though we would LOVE to go, we haven't felt that the timing is right to go quite so soon. One reason is because Jesse will not have built up enough vacation days yet. We kind of felt like if we had the opportunity to take a trip closer to the end of the year, it would be more right. After we have considered all of this, Pastor Ralph Moore has asked us to join him on a trip to Japan the week following Thanksgiving for about 8-10 days. He will be teaching in local churches at several cities around the country. He said this would be a good opportunity for us to meet key leaders and to see what the country looks like first hand. One interesting aspect of the Japanese culture is that it takes a very long time to "get in" with Japanese people; but when someone of good standing introduces you to Japanese people, the door opens instantly. Pastor Ralph is a man of excellent standing and high honor in Japanese churches. This may be an opportunity to get a quick welcome by the Japanese leaders which could potentially save us several years. So we are praying about this opportunity to make sure the timing would be right for us to go that soon.

There is something else happening too. A few years ago, Jesse had stumbled upon a website of a ministry based out of Seattle that is geared to train people through their conferences to minister to Japanese people . He wondered whether it would be something he should look into, but it had never led to anything more, especially since it's in Washington. Well, last month we were invited to a meeting with a ministry called Reaching Japan for Christ (RJC). It was the same ministry and now it is coming to Hawaii! The vision of RJC is to connect with churches, ministries, and individuals who have a heart to reach the Japanese and to network them together, and to eventually hold conferences here as well. The leader of RJC, Don Wright, has come to Hawaii to develop this network of ministries/people who are already serving here and to help build a bridge (or a stronger bridge) with churches and ministries who are in Japan. This division is called RJC-Hawaii, and is being led by our friend, Greg Garner. (Greg and his wife are actually moving to Japan this summer to begin their ministry. It is a good friendship developing that we trust will grow even more when we get to Japan.) We have come in on the front end of this new development and are excited to see what God is going to do with it. You can read more about RJC at: http://www.rjcnetwork.org/.


RJC is also supporting the Hawaii Revival Mission crusade being held this October. This is a one-time evangelistic event to reach the Japanese on Oahu. Please pray that many Japanese will receive the truth of Jesus Christ, get saved, and become discipled into mature believers. To learn more about what the Hawaii Revival Mission, please click: http://www.hawaii-mission.com/

We have been taught well by previous leaders that God calls us to have bi-focal vision. What this means is we need to have vision for what God has in store for us ahead of us on the journey, but we also need to have a vision of the up-close part of the pathway. As we know God has brought us to Hawaii to prepare for Japan in the long-run, we are also seeking where the Lord would lead us be active in serving right now while preparing for Japan. It's obvious that the things above are upon us. But we are also feeling that there is more for us to serve in now. We are praying about several different options we see before us, and we want to make sure we step into the most appropriate one. We have good friends who are planting a new church called Christ Fellowship Hawaii. (The church Jesse grew up in is called Christ Fellowship Knightstown. How funny that the Lord is planting a Christ Fellowship here. I think Pastor Bill missed his chance and God sent Brent and Vikki instead. haha.) We also have friends who have planted a youth church full of teens who have come out of rough lifestyles including gang activity. Most don't even know what typical church looks like. (They meet in a garage.) We are inspired by both ministries and visit them sometimes to show support. We are also praying about leading a Mini-Church (small home group). But we just want to make sure we are walking in step with God and not getting ahead of Him. Please pray for us for clarity on God's guidance in this season, as well as God's will about whether or not to go to Japan with Pastor Ralph in November.

Thanks! God bless you all.