This is a familiar piece of Scripture,
For God so loved the world that he sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3: 16
Familiar to us, but not so familiar to the people of Japan. The population of Japan is 125 million people, however only 1% of the population are Christian. Whilst that equates to 1.25 million Christians, it also means over 123 million know very little or nothing of Christ.
This is the context that Graham and Alison have to minister in every day. The main religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shintoism. Whilst there is religious freedom in Japan, Christianity has had very little impact. For the past five years OMF have sent a team from the U.K. and Ireland to work with children in two churches, Yotsukaido and the Chapel of Adoration in Ichikawa. This year the team will be sent from Glengormley Presbyterian Church. This is a great opportunity to express our support and love for the Orr family, to show them how much we appreciate the work they undertake in Ichikawa, Tokyo.
Team Japan
Front Row (left to right)
Julie Mullan, Suzanne Mullan, Elaine Baird & David McKinstry.
Back Row (Left to Right)
David Farrow, Rachel Marshall, Stuart Hacking, Louise Hacking & Peter McKinstry.
The Japanese like Gospel Music and they want their children to learn English. So the aim of the team is to present a holiday Bible Club in each of the churches, teaching English through Gospel Music. The children will learn the songs and then present a concert with the Team to their parents at the end of the week. In previous year approximately 50 children have attended in each church. Most of the children are not Christian. However after the previous Teams have completed their work some of the children have started attending Sunday school. The team will also have to stay with a family in each church. This is great opportunity for evangelism; some of the families will not be Christian. Last year in one of the family placements the father was a Buddhist monk. The families invite the team into their homes because they want the children to experience talking to a native English speaker.
It is very expensive to send a team to Japan, whilst the team members who are working intend to pay their own air fares, we have to raise approximately £16,000 to cover the team’s expenses. The team will leave Northern Ireland on 14th July and return on 8th August. There will be fundraising between now and July to help raise funds. We have held a car wash and a quiz night which have already raised £1,000 and would like to thank all the people who have given very generously.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask any of the team.
Points for Prayer.
- That the team will bond and grow together spiritually
- That we will choose the right Gospel songs that will communicate the need for Salvation through Christ to the children and their families
- That we will be able to raise the necessary funds
