Author: RCCM

In January 2017, church members and relatives of the departed attended back-to-back services. One was a Christian funeral, and the other a Buddhist funeral. At the Christian service, stories of personal faith were shared along with photographs of the departed and her relatives, as well as expressions of love towards her family members. On the other hand, at the Buddhist funeral, no message about the Resurrection was shared; however, it was a family-centred event that overflowed with love and gratitude towards the departed. Regardless of religious beliefs, we were each reminded of the importance of living a life full of love. “As in life, so in death.” These are the

An IBF member was suddenly called home to heaven on January 14th after a heart attack. Since her family desired a Christian funeral, on the day I paid a visit to comfort them, we made arrangements for a funeral to be held at a nearby assembly hall. We also drew up a program which consisted of Scripture passages and hymns that the deceased loved. I asked various IBF members what passages and hymns they thought fitting to include. In addition, it was also important that I prepared well to speak from Romans 10:9-10. The passage, I hoped, would guide the faith of those who attended the funeral. My hope is

The Sixth Japan Congress on Evangelism was held in Kobe from Sept 27 to Sept 30, 2016. The main speaker, Dr. Christopher Wright, gave 4 keynote addresses at the congress. Over 1,000 participants from all over Japan came together for a time of learning and sharing about evangelistic efforts. You can listen to Dr. Wright’s talks, which are available at the CGNTV web-link below. Personally, it was a pleasure for me to have met missionaries working in Hokkaido and those serving that area by performing wedding ceremonies. http://japan.cgntv.net/detail.php?number=2980&category=829

This summer, together with friends from church, I visited the families of American missionaries who had served many years in Minami-Nagareyama. That is, Otto and Pat who now live in Lewiston, Idaho, and Steve and Sheila who live 3 hours away in Walla Walla, Washington. We visited for only a week but had a chance to renew old friendships and were encouraged to see our friends doing well, still lively as ever. Pat threw an international reunion party at River City Church, and we had a great time with many people – dearly-missed old friends, exchange students, and others. Otto, on the other hand, borrowed a huge van from the

In September 2016, I was asked to conduct a groundbreaking ceremony for a new building. The Church’s ongoing role is to help people live by the Word of God. Accordingly, during a groundbreaking ceremony, we pray for the safety of people involved in the construction, for God’s Word to be shared, and for God to use the building for His purposes. As a symbol of Christ’s redemption, we pour wine on the four corners and pray for Christ’s redemptive work to protect the land. At times, a Bible is wrapped up and buried in the foundation as well. (Pastor Shoichi Ino, IBF)

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

A short sharing by Mrs. Kua (mother of an IBF member), who visited from Malaysia.