Helping Japanese Christians follow God’s “Calling”

The Japanese church is well-known for being small, but an even smaller demographic is Japanese Christians who respond to a call to ministry. Many believers lack a framework for discerning a call, while others are unsure what steps they could take to discern such a call. To help address this situation, Christ Bible Seminary (CBS) is hosting several events this fall geared toward broadening and clarifying Christians’ understanding of a call to ministry.

On September 7, the CBS faculty traveled to Tokyo and taught an all-day symposium exploring the question, “What is God’s Call?” 70 people gathered for the event. Here are some comments from our participants:

“‘Calling’...what is God asking of me, and how should I consider both my passions and God's will? This symposium was an incredible learning opportunity to process my own sense of calling!”

“The presenters approached the topic of calling from various biblical viewpoints.

I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on my calling once again, as well as to deepen my understanding of how the bible speaks to the topic.”

Our prayer is that this event provided clarity and encouragement for those wrestling with a call to ministry.

On October 12, we will host our annual Open Campus in the CBI building. Potential seminary students are invited to Open Campus where we’ll share our vision and mission, explain our academic programs, give a sample lecture, and enjoy a time of food and fellowship. Our hope is that this event will remove the mystery of what seminary study is like and encourage those considering a call to take the next step and enroll.

Lastly, later this fall we plan to release our first virtual seminary course to a wider audience. For many considering a call to ministry, the idea of quitting their job and studying full-time is an intimidating obstacle–especially here in Japan. Seminary instruction in video format enables one to begin taking courses in their current location and on their own schedule. Lord-willing this will provide a stepping stone for those interested in ministry to then take the next step and pursue further theological training.

We can only fulfill our mission of equipping Christians for gospel ministry if Christians are first awakened to their call to gospel ministry. All of these endeavors seek to do both.

Update on the CBI Press Ministry Expansion Project

Praise the Lord! The CBI Press Ministry Expansion Project is now fully funded. Thank you so much for your partnership in prayer and giving. These funds will make it possible to complete the following CBI Press gospel resource projects and grow as a ministry:

Uchi-Soto Project ($28,294)
Understanding the Big Picture of the Bible ($25,000)
CBI Press Staff ($30,000)
CBI Press new location ($15,000)
Translators Conference – to train and recruit gifted translators ($20,000)

We will continue to receive gifts for this project until the end of September. Any gifts exceeding our fundraising goal will be used for similar CBI Press projects.

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Ways to Pray

CBI Overall - Thank the Lord with us that He has provided two new Japanese staff for CBI! Pray for their transition to serving with the CBI team.
Christ Bible Seminary - Pray that those who participated in the Symposium on “Calling” would grow in their love for the Lord and obedience to His leading in their life.
Joy of Japan Center - Praise God that JOJC Director, Taka Oba, came back from a wonderful Sabbatical.
CBI Counseling - Pray for the nearly 20 men and women who are participating in STEPS, our lay counseling ministry.
CBI Media - Praise for provision of lots of helpful content for Japanese Christians. Prayer for strength as our team creates and distributes these resources.
CBI Press - Praise God for the successful publication of the Japanese translation of A Biblical Counseling Process. Praise God for a fully funded Ministry Expansion Project! Pray that we would be faithful stewards of those funds.

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