When I listen to Tim Keller share his view on the importance of missions to Japan, I get excited! I get excited because of the 2 challenges he presents:
Challenge #1 – Contextualization
“Make sure that the gospel that you are bringing from the Word of God is really connecting to the hearts of the people, really connecting to where they are culturally and personally and so, contextualization is a huge challenge”
“We got this” was my first reaction. Why? Because God has been preparing and equipping us for years!
I first want to thank God for putting my wife and I in a position to overcome this huge challenge. Having lived in Japan for 8 years and interacting with the Japanese in various relationship settings for nearly 25 years gives me a unique advantage to contrast the two worldviews and initiate dialogue connecting God’s Story to their story.
Megumi, born and raised in Japan and having spent 18 years in the United States, also has a unique advantage in relating and sharing the two cultural worldviews and how God story connects. The conversations are fascinating and we have had many opportunities to “test the waters” and have witnessed great reactions, responses and a desire to go deeper.
Challenge #2 – Costs
“One of the most expensive places in the world to purchase or rent property to do ministry and to live…”
“God’s got this” was my first reaction. Why? Because we have witnessed God through the power of the Holy Spirit, not only challenge us to take bold steps, but also provide everything we have needed along this journey in preparation for our move in December and we know he will continue to do so.
Again, I want to start off by thanking God for opening the doors to a place we can call home in Japan. This is a huge blessing! This allows us to focus our remaining 4 months in the U.S. on ministry support where people have graciously opened their homes and their communities to let us share our story, God’s call on our family, and invite people to join us in making disciples in the nation of Japan.
We are thankful for the provision God has provided us through the financial support some of our friends in our community have already committed. We are in awe of your support and humbled by your generosity.
We have a ways to go in meeting our monthly budget ($6,000/mo). Our ask is simple. Would you prayerfully consider joining our community by committing a monthly amount enabling Meg and I to devote our lives in serving, loving and disciplining the nation of Japan?
What does hitting our monthly budget look like?
6 supporters contributing $1000/mo
12 supporters contributing $500/mo
24 supporters contributing $250/mo
60 supporters contributing $100/mo
120 supporters contributing $50/mo
240 supporters contributing $25/mo