[NOTE] We have been made aware that the giving link in the original email is not working. We apologize for the inconvenience and are resending the newsletter with the correct link that works properly now. Thank you for your understanding and interest in this new project! |
An Evangelistic Resource for the Japanese Heart |
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When the Apostle Paul went to Athens, he presented the claims of Christ to his audience of idolaters with creativity and persuasion. Referring to the Athenians’ immediate context and even quoting their own poets back to them, Paul preached a message of good news that came with profound challenge (Acts 17).
In Japan, as in Athens, it is important to communicate the Gospel in categories and ideas that connect. Often, the connections already exist in the culture due to both common grace and our common human predicament apart from Jesus. This is the thinking behind our latest initiative at CBI Press: the Uchi-Soto Evangelism Project.
One of the most fundamental realities of life in Japan’s collectivistic culture is that society functions in circles. Everyone must belong to a circle, and it is from those circles that one gains their identity and measures their value. One of the deepest longings of the Japanese heart is to become part of the best circles and to fully belong, without being a burden within those circles. The Japanese words uchi (inside) and soto (outside) describe this dynamic.
Given this situation, one of the greatest obstacles to Japanese becoming Christians is the well-grounded fear that in doing so, they will become disqualified from their circles. Instead of being uchi, they will become soto. At the same time, even those who belong to the best circles must admit that they long for a greater experience of uchi, and live in constant fear of being cast out to the soto. As such, Japanese are sensitive to experiences of inclusion and exclusion, acceptance and rejection, belonging and estrangement. The Uchi-Soto Evangelism Project will develop a tool to help Japanese hear the Gospel in context of these deeply familiar concepts, connecting their heartcry to the heart of God.
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Phase 1: Develop the “Uchi-soto Approach” and foundational resources including a 10-page booklet for large-scale free distribution with an accompanying workbook Bible study - $46,000
Phase 2: Create supplementary videos and an app to access the same materials in an easily accessible digital format (included equipment upgrades and set design) - $33,000
Phase 3: Training Seminar Program Creation and Execution pioneered by CBI team members to ensure that these new resources are used as widely as possible. - $8,000
Total Need: $87,000
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Will you consider giving towards this project, so that many more Japanese may receive and respond to the Gospel? |
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*All gifts to CBI are considered charitable donations and are therefore tax deductible in the United States of America. |
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Launch of the New Counseling Website
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CBI is excited to share that the new Counseling Website was launched last month! CBI Counseling focuses on resource development, counseling training, and counseling support. One particularly exciting aspect of the new website is that it showcases the counseling-focused discipleship program called STEPS. Originally developed by The Village Church, after years of preparation to translate and contextualize the content, CBI began offering STEPS in 2020 fully led by local leaders in Japanese. Please join us in praying that God would use this website and the work of CBI Counseling to help the church in Japan shine brightly!
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From Left: Masakuni Hotta (Internship Program Coordinator), Coleman Baker, Ethan Cope, Karis Kreiger (Assistant Program Coordinator), Olivia Cunningham, Vladimir Zhelezny, Tanner Yager. |
God has brought five fantastic summer interns to serve with us for eight weeks. We are so grateful for the ways that they have plugged in, served faithfully and are building relationships with Japanese Non-Christians. We asked all of our interns, “What is the most surprising thing you have experienced since coming to Japan?” Here are their answers: Coleman: The most surprising thing for me is just how kind everyone is, from service workers to people on the train, and how accommodating the Japanese culture is to foreigners.
Ethan: Same as Coleman, I've been surprised at how kind people are. After asking if a certain train was going to my stop, I had a Japanese guy ride with me to ensure I got there ok!
Olivia: It has been surprising to experience the accepted contradictions of Nagoya. For example, the contrast of busy city life to the slowness I have felt here and the culture of keeping to yourself while also being very kind and helpful. And there are many others I could think of if given the time!
Vlad: God's power to create and save made especially obvious by the difference in language and culture. It's beautiful and so different, and yet to see the unity in the Spirit of God among believers both those from here and not from here makes it even more surprising.
Tanner: The most surprising thing for me has been how much I have enjoyed living in a large city. Especially because I grew up in the suburbs in America and had little experience in cities. |
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Uchi/Soto Evangelism Project - Please pray that God would provide all of the skills, personnel and funding for the success of this project. May the final product speak into Japanese culture in profound ways so that many Japanese people may recognize the truth and beauty of the Gospel of Christ.
Website - Praise God for the successful launch of the new CBI Counseling website. May it be used to connect people in need of counseling resources, training, and services with the ministry of CBI.
Summer Interns - Praise God for the safe arrival of Coleman Baker, Olivia Cunningham, Ethan Cope, Tanner Yager, and Vladimir Zhelezny. Please pray for the Lord to continue to work in and through them for the remainder of their stay.
CBS - Please pray for our seminary students as they have wrapped up their Spring Term and now started with Summer Term intensive courses. May God give them joy and endurance during this busy season.
CBI Team Members - Please pray for our team as many of our team members will be doing some traveling during the summer months. Would God grant good rest, family time, networking opportunities, and support raising efforts for them.
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