Some of these messages still echo clearly in my heart.
The first was from the time Pastor Shunichi Miyamoto visited our Friday worship service and shared about the work of evangelism he was doing in Detroit. About 20 volunteer staff from Faith Covenant Church are involved in this ministry to the Japanese people. Some time ago, a Japanese housewife left all alone at home – and living not far from the church – suffered a nervous breakdown and committed suicide. After hearing about this tragic incident, the church opened its doors wide through English classes, cooking lessons, and a gym for housewives, to try and prevent such a tragedy from occurring again. At such a time, Pastor Miyamoto was invited to come. He opened his home and began a Japanese ministry of putting Christ’s love into practice.
The second matter was from the time I attended a Japan mission conference and heard about the disaster relief support for Kumamoto, which had been affected by the earthquake. To assist the overburdened churches in Kumamoto, a disaster relief centre was established in Fukuoka; volunteers and supplies were dispatched to support the work there. The staff were able to practice what they had learned from Tohoku and Kobe disaster relief work.
The third was when I watched a movie called “Resurrection” with my wife. In the movie, a centurion received news that the disciples of Jesus had stolen his body, and so he set out to find Jesus’ body. As it turned out, he himself witnessed Jesus’ resurrection, along with the disciples. Like the disciples, today we do not know what will happen in the future. Because Jesus told his disciples that they will receive the Holy Spirit, he said to them to stay in Jerusalem. “We do not know what to expect from the future.” It is like a glimpse of how it was like in the early Church.
The fourth came from Pastor Yoshinobu Katsumata, representative of the Japan Covenant Church denomination, who along with 11 others returned to Japan with a happy report from the Fire Conference in Taiwan. The churches of Taiwan have great love for the churches of Japan and are praying for them. Taiwanese churches wish to actively contribute to mission work in Japan. The thought of such a combined mission effort is moving and exciting.
Likewise, I pray that: first, the love of Christ may be magnified; second, that those who have gathered to work together may grow in unity and understanding; third, that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead this flock; fourth, that everyone will hope for such things to come in the future.
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” (Acts of the Apostles 1:4)
(Pastor Shoichi Ino, IBF)