As I mentioned in my previous blog, this past international trip I headed west and in less than half the time of traveling to Africa, I was in Asia ready to work with our ReachGlobal city team in Tokyo and the small church network they have there. Japan is a very unique culture and location. The most populated city in the world by far, and yet things run smoothly, people quietly live in tight quarters, narrow streets are punctuated by occasional cars, and there are many rules which it seems people are used to following. My colleague Matt and I offered two days of training for the team of expats and indigenous leaders, and then on the third day we worked with the small church network of four house churches. It seems that due to high cost of space in the city, small groups in homes is a more reasonable way to grow the church. The participants were subdued, sober minded, and industrious, eager to receive Pathways principles and grow in their handling of the Word. Shige and John, a couple of the small church leaders, were very encouraged by what we offered.
On top of this, I had the joy of seeing another ReachGlobal missionary, Kevin, with his wife Jane and their new baby Emma. I knew Kevin when he was a young boy and I was a youth pastor at a church in San Diego 25 years ago. Holly and I were good friends with his family, and it was so encouraging to now work with their youngest child who is a very gifted leader, fluent in Japanese, and serving as the city team leader.
Having completed our training time in Tokyo, Matt and I were off to Indonesia, but first I stopped in another Asian country to visit our home church’s former preaching pastor and his family. He is pastoring an international church, and they are doing very well, serving the Lord and growing His church. Although I was only there for a morning, I was able to grab a memorable workout with the kids, and then we went out for a fun meal together!
Next stop, the “most unreached island in the world!” Participants in this network are highly motivated to bring God’s Word to their neighbors, many of whom have never heard the name of Jesus Christ.
I was so encouraged both by the energetic passion with which this group embraced our training, and the intense motivation to strategically reach the millions of unreached on their island. The network absorbed our Pathways workshop #3, The Whole Story of the Bible, and there was a flurry of questions throughout the training as it was clear not only did they want to understand the principles but they would be using them to train others. One indigenous leader told me about the Rohingya people, hated by most Indonesians, nearly 0% Christian, and God has moved him to target this group with the Gospel by offering humanitarian aid. Another local leader trains, empowers, and then sends out dozens of indigenous ministry leaders to proclaim the Gospel to those who have never heard it. We had profitable and strategic discussions as I look toward advancing Pathways among the unreached people groups of the world. I anticipate working with these dear brothers and sisters in times to come.
It also just so happens that our daughter Alyssa is heading to this location for a six week short term trip, perhaps transitioning to long term there down the road. AND our oldest son Adam, his wife Sofia, and their almost born baby (due in a couple weeks) will be serving their long term in a few years. Exciting times. God continues to grant opportunities for us to watch His Word draw people to Himself as we equip leaders to study, understand, and teach His message.
Isaiah shared God’s heart as he wrote, “Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant people.” “Give glory to the Lord and proclaim His praise in the islands.” May God raise up more workers who will go to the “islands” and lead “distant people” to glorify and praise our great God!