Relationship Ministry – The basic concept of Tokyo 13 is “Relationship Ministry.” Ellen White in her Ministry of Healing, p.143, wrote, “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The savior (1) mingled with men, (2) as one who desired their good. (3) He showed His sympathy for them, (4) ministered to their needs, and won their confidence, then told them “Follow me.” There is need of coming close to the people by personal effort.・・・Accompanied by the power of persuasion, power of prayer, the power of the love of God, this work will not, cannot, be without fruit.” So we decided to make His “Relationship Ministry” our method for the project.
To do that, we tried to re-discover our networks that we had. For example, Hiroshima Saniku Academy (grade 7-12) has sent out 4000 graduates in last 35 years. But unfortunately most of them don’t attend the church anymore. The fact is that their graduation is also a graduation from the church. And about 1000 out of 4000 are said to be in Tokyo area. Of course, they once have heard Gospel of the Bible. We wanted to reach them again, so in August, 2013, at Tokyo, with the Academy presidents, principals, and deans of dormitories, we had the biggest alumni in our history. 450 attended the meeting!
Also, there is a special group called “Ekklesia” whose purpose is to save young people from “the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity” whose headquarter is in Korea, and to take care of their families. An earnest effort by this group for last 40 years had resulted 200 baptisms at the SDA Church. On the other hand, there are many who left the Association, but have attended no church. There are more than 1500 such people. They also have heard Gospel once. In order to reach them, a special issue of newsletter was printed, and the group had a retreat especially for them.
In the past, there was a youth activity called “Beehive Ministry.” Through this, many church workers were born and raised. On the other hand, there are many who once were active in the Ministry, but don’t attend the church today. Many are married and have children. In order to reach them once again, Koganei SDA Church has begun “Tokyo Worship” with a contemporary style, once in a while.
The department of Colporteur Ministry in the JUC and the Japan Publishing House together had a special meeting at one of the hotels in Tokyo, trying to reach the “Signs of the Times” subscribers. About 100 people attended that meeting
In addition to such efforts, each local church did their best to reach long absent church members, those who have attended evangelistic meetings, the VBS, and the PFC in the past.
These activities brought about a big change in many church members, for now they saw themselves as an evangelist, and began working towards their loved ones and the neighbors.
Kenoyama church in Tokyo where one of the Tokyo 13 meetings was held
Peopel participating the Tokyo 13 in the Kenoyama church, Tokyo
Tachikawa church in Tokyo where one of the Tokyo 13 meetings was held
Pr. Shimada, JUC president speaks as one the speakers for Tokyo 13 at the Tachikawa church
Support
We are grateful for much support from foreign counties financially and manpower too. The GC offered us a big amount of money, and showed a deep interest in the project.. We had a TV conference with the GC leaders including Ted Wilson, the president. G.T.Ng, the executive secretary, and Michael L.Ryan, the general vice president have visited Japan twice to have meetings not only with the JUC leaders, but also with local church pastors. Also other leaders in the field of Adventist Mission came to have seminars here in Japan.
We also feel a great appreciation to the support from the NSD. Coming to Japan, the president Lee gave us the pre-meetings. Pastor洪光義 had revival meetings. Pastor 権政行visited Japan several times to help the ministry for the Korean and Chinese people, and conducted the preparatory seminars for Tokyo 13. Drs.プーンconducted the family ministry seminars.
Not only that, but also we greatly appreciate the support from Korea and Germany. The Golden Angels from the NSD made Japan tour in May, 2013, and during the evangelistic meetings in this summer to autumn, they have sung at almost all the meetings for Tokyo 13. Their music has done something pastors cannot do by his spoken words only.
Much appreciation also goes to missionaries of “One Year in Mission.” One missionary was sent to Tokyo Central SDA Church starting from August, 2013, and from September, 2013, four other young missionaries have begun their works mainly at Tokyo Central Church and Tokyo Korean Church. They will stay here in Tokyo until the end of this year, December, 2013. There may be a language barrier, but they are trying to give disciple-making training especially for young people.
To be continued…