Tokyo-area youth event | news September 18, 2006, Tokyo .jpg) On September 18th, the C&MA Youth from several churches in the Tokyo area came together for worship and fellowship. It was an incredible afternoon. It had been over two years since this kind of combined event had been held. In a land where youth groups are small (2-3 people), this kind of event provides much needed encouragement and a sense that we are a part of something bigger. Forty-six people packed into a room in central Tokyo and were led in worship by the Narita Gospel Church youth band. They learned how they could serve through Greatest Gift Ministry's Gift-box ministry, and heard from a young Japanese pastor about his faith journey. At the end of the day, I think the general feeling was "excitement" and "anticipation." Excitement for what we had just experienced and anticipation of what.jpg) lies ahead. In what way is God leading our mission and the Japanese national church to build up and mobilize young adults? One Japanese pastor indicated that he thought we needed to think bigger for the next event. A few of the youth said that they wanted to get involved in the gift-box ministry and maybe even go on a short-term missions trip in the near future. Some attending were not plugged into a local church and were able to find information about ongoing Christian fellowship. Maybe the best part was seeing Japanese youth step up to lead worship and to hear a Japanese pastor share his story. Let's pray that God's Spirit leads and empowers us all to do something really bold for the sake of His Kingdom in Japan!.jpg) contributed by Dale Lemke |
