Nagoya Castle, of the Owari Domain

Sharing about the impact of the Gospel with the entire Japanese Church

The largest gathering of Christians in Japan will take place from September 19-22—the 7th Japan Congress on Evangelism (JCE7). This year’s host is none other than Nagoya (known traditionally as Owari). Though numbers are limited due to residual pandemic restrictions, 1000 people will attend in person, along with over 1000 more joining online. The average church size in Japan is less than 40 people to offer perspective on the magnitude of this event!

At JCE7, Christ Bible Institute (CBI) has been blessed with the opportunity to teach a breakout session for over 200 participants. CBI leaders Brett Rayl, Matt Newkirk, Richard Brash, and Taka Oba will present on how “The Gospel Lifestyle (fukuin no seikatsu) Brings Spiritual Renewal”. It’s exciting to see this hunger for growing in a gospel lifestyle, especially when considering that many of these attendees are new relationships for CBI. Please pray often and fervently for the Lord to use this seminar and all of JCE7 to help revive the hearts of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Here is an excerpt about the theme for JCE7:

“Beginning from the end [owari/Owari]” - Working together in the Mission of the Church

What does the “end” mean?

First of all, the "end" [owari/終わり] refers to the seemingly “dead-end” of the current culture of the church. While the Corona Crisis has certainly highlighted the short-comings of the church, it is not the root cause of the crisis the church faces today. If we do not immediately make the adjustments necessary to circumvent the apparent social deadlock that this pandemic has only highlighted for us, this very well could be the end of the church as we know it. (emphasis added)

The second is to think “backwards” (in reverse) from the vision of the completion (the “end”) of the church planned by God as outlined in the Scripture.

Thirdly, the “end,” as we use the word here, is a play-on-words in Japanese. It refers to the actual name of the geographical area of Owari (尾張), where JCE7 will be held…which [is the same pronunciation as the word] the "end”).

So, let’s literally “be sent out from Owari to accomplish our tasks in fulfilling the Great Commission, to carry out the “end” (owari) goal of God’s plan.

As you can see from this statement, there is a real awareness amongst Christians in Japan of the dire situation that the Church here faces. Only the hope of the Gospel of Christ can breathe new life into this state of death. Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Give to Support CBI’s New Evangelistic Resource

CBI is launching a brand new project aimed at developing a tool to help Japanese hear the Gospel in the context of a deeply familiar concept, Uchi and Soto. We have received nearly $20,000 toward our Phase 1 goal of $46,000 and total goal of $87,000. Will you consider giving towards the Uchi-Soto Evangelistic Resource Project, so that many Japanese people may hear how the Gospel truly speaks to the cries of their heart?

Give today for the Uchi-Soto Evangelism Project

*All gifts to CBI are considered charitable donations and are therefore tax deductible in the United States of America.

Ways to Pray

Christians in Japan - Pray that the Spirit of God would move powerfully during the 7th Japan Congress on Evangelism. Pray especially for the CBI breakout session to be saturated with Gospel grace that would renew all who attend.
Japanese Church - Pray for church planting efforts to be strengthened, led in wisdom and boldness. Pray especially for the church plant in Tsu who CBI missionaries will get to serve with this month, joined by a short-term team from CBI partner church, Park Cities Presbyterian Church.
CBS - Pray for our seminary students as they start up the Fall Term. Pray also for the six students who will be going on a trip to Cambodia to serve with the MTW team there at the end of September.
Uchi-Soto Evangelism Project - Please pray that the project would be fully funded. May God continue to lead this project in order to make the Gospel of Jesus cherished and proclaimed in Japan.

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