Unite in Prayer for Japan |
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In the hustle and bustle of modern day secular life in Japan, it is easy to forget that there are powerful spiritual forces at work that interfere with people's receptivity to the Gospel. The Japanese holiday of Obon takes place in August, and is one of the most spiritually significant seasons in Japan. For Japanese Christians, seasons such as Obon pose many challenges: interactions with unbelieving family members, visits to the family grave managed by a Buddhist temple, expectations to participate in ancestor veneration, considering the deceased who were not in Christ, etc. These all contribute to the fear, shame and loneliness of being deemed soto as a Christian in Japanese society (see the July Newsletter to learn about soto).
As difficult as it may be, we believe that Obon also provides an opportunity. That is, an invitation to be united in prayer and cry out to the living God for the sake of His name and His people in Japan.
Missionaries and Japanese staff at Christ Bible Institute (CBI) have created a prayer guide designed to focus your intercession on the spiritual dynamics at play during Obon. Each day from August 11-17 introduces an aspect of Japanese culture, a relevant passage of Scripture, and a prayer prompt. Your prayers will be guided to plead for God to work in the lives of non-Christians and to strengthen Japanese Christians who face these challenges head-on. We long to see the day when the name of Jesus is cherished and proclaimed all across Japan. To that end, we invite you to join for this focused season of prayer during the week of August 11-17.
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Uchi-Soto Evangelism Project |
In addition, last month you heard about the exciting new Uchi-Soto Evangelism Project aimed at developing a tool to help Japanese hear the Gospel in the context of deeply familiar cultural concepts. This includes the development of the “Uchi-Soto Approach”, a 10-page booklet for large-scale free distribution, a workbook Bible study, supplementary videos, an app, and training seminars to come. In order to accomplish all this, we need to raise $87,000. |
Will you consider giving towards this project, so that many more Japanese may receive and respond to the gospel? |
*All gifts to CBI are considered charitable donations and are therefore tax deductible in the United States of America. |
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Remembering the Legacy of the Pals Family |
This year marks seven years since the passing of Jamison (29) & Kathryne (29) Pals, along with their three children Ezra (3), Violet (23 mo.), and Calvin (2 mo.), who were incoming members of the CBI Team. In Japanese culture, it is common practice to take special time to remember the deceased in the seventh year after their passing. We have taken this moment to remember the Pals family and their legacy of joy in Christ.
Two years after the Pals family were called to their heavenly home, CBI launched the Joy of Japan Center for Church Planting and Development (JOJC). The name of JOJC, “Joy of Japan,” is dedicated to the Pals family. Jamison and Kathryne Pals had a great desire to share the joy of Christ in Japan and wrote about their calling and journey in a blog called “Joy of Japan”. Though several years have passed now since their homegoing, the Joy of Japan Center seeks to honor this family and steward their story well.
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Sending off our Summer Interns |
From Left: Ethan Cope, Vladimir Zhelezny, Coleman Baker, Olivia Cunningham, Tanner Yager, Karis Kreiger (Assistant Program Coordinator), Masakuni Hotta (Internship Program Coordinator). |
After 8 wonderful weeks of serving with CBI, the 2023 Summer Interns are heading back to America. Here are some of their takeaways from their time in Japan: Ethan ”Even though lots of things are different, it's crazy how much the church here has in common with the American church. The love of Christ is the same even if the locale is different.” Vlad ”God is always at work and His kingdom is showing through. It is clear that God has blessed the Japanese church so much already, and continues to keep it, despite the church having an uphill battle for a long time. There is the hope that He will continue to keep His people for that last day!” Coleman “The Japanese culture is so welcoming. The way I've experienced the Spirit at work here has been so eye opening and amazing as I continue to see the Gospel break down any cultural or language barrier. The love of Christ is certainly a light in this unreached land.”
Tanner “What a blessing it is to have Gospel conversations with non-Christians! And I’ve been reminded of how much we rely on God for those opportunities.”
Olivia “That God is working mightily. I think in Japan it can be hard to see the progress that is being made, but I’ve been reminded throughout this internship and through knowing that God is working in my own heart, that He IS working. God has blessed me with many sweet interactions with Christians and non-Christians and I am so thankful for all that God has done and is doing in Japan!” |
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Christians in Japan - Please pray that God would work mightily through them during the season of Obon.
Summer Interns - Praise God for 8 weeks of wonderful service at CBI and in local Japanese churches. Pray that the Lord would continue to grow them in grace and use them for His global mission.
CBS - Please pray for our seminary students who have finished a busy month of Summer intensive courses. August is a busy month for youth camps and youth events for many of them as well. Pray that they would continue to be equipped for the work of Gospel ministry.
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.
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