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Ladies' Seminar
20th Anniversary |
feature
It seems that the longevity of a ministry can either strengthen or
weaken as years pass. By God’s grace, and the prayers of many Alliance
believers in the greater Tokyo area, and their willing participation,
“The Annual Alliance Ladies’ Seminar” celebrated it’s 20th year on
October 7th with the theme of “Thanks” and “Hope”. Looking back over the
20 years, it is clear to see God’s yearly hand on this day of training,
worship and fellowship for Alliance women. Focusing on themes pertinent
to women, each year has been planned in cooperation by National pastor’s
wives, women from the churches and missionary wives.
Because this year’s Ladies’ Seminar was a 20-year milestone, it was a
year worthy of corporate celebration for women from the 23 Greater
Tokyo-area churches. Commemorative “Ladies’ Seminar” cloth bags were
made for the day by the Alliance relief agency (CAMA) women from Laos to
present to each attendee. The yearly “Feature Time” was the showing of a
15-minute commemorative DVD of
pictures submitted by all 23 churches hallmarking the 20 years of growth
of each church. Emotions of great joy and quiet amazement and tears were
ours as we all viewed God’s blessings on the churches in a visual way.
The day began with praise in our hearts as we were led in a time of
musical worship by the “Debra” singing group from Kotesashi Alliance
Church. Then, in a spirit of celebration of thanks for God’s
faithfulness, and hope for our ongoing spiritual journey found only in
Jesus, Ken and Bola Taylor spoke and sang in both morning and afternoon
sessions. Calling themselves “musicianaries”, they proclaimed their
thanks to God for saving them from the night club scene in the
Philippines and calling them to serve Him as missionaries in Japan. They
now lead a Japanese nation-wide evangelistic outreach through Gospel
Music Communities. They continue to see seekers come to Jesus through
the tool of Gospel Music. For the first time in the 20-year history, we
were honored by a “Hallelujah Gospel Concert” presented by the Taylors
in the second session. God touched hearts as the Taylors’ transparency
and total dependence on God were springboards for challenging us all to
live for Jesus Only and share His Light.
As is the yearly custom, an offering was taken and the group of over 100
in attendance gave over $1,000.00 (in U.S. dollars) with half of the
offering being designated for ministry to those in the devastated areas
of northeastern Japan.
Please pray for Alliance Women in Japan as they continue to serve God in
their homes, neighborhoods and at church. Pray for the continuing
ministry of the Annual Ladies’ Seminar and for the scheduled seminar
next year on October 5, 2012.
photos and videos of the day
here >>>
contributed by Jane Landaw
11/11/2011
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