Have you ever had one of those weeks that gave you a super charge? That's the type of week I had in Japan these past two weeks.
It began with a "Faith and Work" conference hosted by The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, The VIP Ministry for Executives and 7 Media. It was inspiring to share and hear from key business leaders how we can integrate our faith with our business ventures. I trust that our time proved catalytic for the many businessmen who came. My friends were astounded as they had rarely seen that many Christian business people show up for an event like this. It seems that God may be on the move with something in Japan... Perhaps a new day is dawning!
This new day dawning is certainly happening among our A3 missional partners. I spent a few days with Dan and Casi Brown in Rifu and it was thrilling to experience "a day in the life of the Brown family". Of course, being with their kids 24/7 for a few days helped quite a bit too. They hosted a BBQ for our staff in the region and it was so encouraging to be together, sharing life together and hearing stories of what God was doing. My highlight though was participating in their young men's group where each person shared his life story. Wow, what a joy it was to hear how these young men had come to Christ and how Dan and Casi were investing in them!
Things kept getting better... From Rifu, I made my way to Tokyo where I got to spend two days with Tim and Wakako Clark. Wow, was that fun... Was that inspiring! They shared stories of how in just over a year they have had great opportunities to share about Christ with their neighbors and how the Alpha Marriage Course and Relationship Central are making a difference for marriages in their community. I was so inspired, and I hope many in Japan will be able to experience the Alpha Marriage Course in the years to come. I too had fun with their kids: toy great boys who gave me great joy spending time with while I was with their family.
Finally, I spent a few days at our annual Spring Retreat. Again, wow, what an experience. We had powerful times of worship and learning: going deeper together with a blend of spiritual formation in community for mission. My former colleague, Tim Morey, from Life Covenant Church in Torrance CA did a superb job guiding us in the journey.
And throughout the week I heard inspiring stories of the life giving hope of Christ: a person who had just been baptized in Karuizawa where we were, another gentlemen heard the story of Christ from Eric Takamoto... How I wish I had time to share more about Eric and what his wife Sue shared about him! Then, a young church planting couple with a vision to start a new church, perhaps, in Shiogama. I could go on and on and on...
Let me simply say that A3 staff "Rock"! They are difference makers and without them, the whole of what you have seen happening in places like Nepal, Japan, etc. wouldn't be happening. Even those of us who are fresh on the field and feel like we have absolutely no idea what we're doing... Do you remember those days in ministry? I do! Even the young moms and dads who spend so much of their energy just surviving and raising those young ones. It is in those early days that trust is built with out neighbors and with the leaders that we work with that build enormous bridges for the future.
I'm so proud of our crew. If you support them, thank you! And, I trust that you'll reach out with a note saying "Well done! Keep up the good work. You're doing a great job!" We all need to hear those words, don't we!
Joe Handley
More Information
- The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
- The VIP Ministry for Executives
- 7 Media
- Alpha: The Marriage Course/Japan / Relationship Central
- Related story: "Reaching whole families for Christ"
