“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
John 20:21

As many of you know, I recently returned from eight days in Japan. For the past four years I have been part of a team representing Presbyterian / Reformed Ministries, International (PRMI) sharing the Dunamis Project with Japanese church pastors and leaders. The purpose of Dunamis is to train and equip leaders so that the church may be effective in its call to advance the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. In addition to general teaching of the person and work of the Holy Spirit, the Dunamis training includes such subjects as spiritual gifts, prayer, healing, spiritual warfare and evangelism.

This year was the final installment of the Dunamis teaching: Listening Evangelism. The focus was on how to be guided by the Holy Spirit in sharing Jesus Christ. Christians make up a small minority in Japan, representing somewhere around 1% of the population. Cultural barriers and spiritual strongholds have impeded the advance of the Gospel. Yet in the midst of this, there is a passion to see family, friends and ultimately the nation itself brought to a knowledge of Jesus Christ.

The teaching was well received, and people entered to the practice sessions with enthusiasm. During one session, the group experienced a profound move of the Holy Spirit. During a time of deep stillness, one team member gave a word (I believe from God) proclaiming that God was raising up a “new church,” moved by the heart of the Father, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit to reach multitudes in Japan for Jesus Christ. Many attendees left the event with a renewed commitment and anointing to share Jesus.

My primary responsibility was to work with a team of on-site intercessors to “cover” the event in prayer. On Sunday I was able to preach on the Spirit’s work in conversion and, later in the week, to teach on “Prayer: The First Step In Evangelism.” I also had the opportunity to lead a large-group gathering in praying for people in our “circles of influence” beginning with family and culminating in a time of powerful and moving intercession for the nation of Japan.

In spending time with these folks over the last four years (it has been a fairly consistent group), I’ve been impressed by a number of things. The first was a passion for worship. Although I understood virtually none of what was sung or prayed, it was apparent that this worship was from the heart. Sometimes I would simply close my eyes and allow it to simply wash over me – the Lord was truly present.

The second is the dedication to advance the Gospel. I think of Kozo & Hitomi, who with their two young sons will leave for Myanmar in December to work with an unreached tribal group. They are part of a movement (primarily Asian) with a vision to see the Gospel move east along the old trading routes from China to Jerusalem — taking the Good News through some of the most unevangelized (and dangerous) areas in the world. There is Andrew and Ema, who after living in the US for many years, felt the call to return to Japan to establish a center for family counseling and ministry. The Rev. Paul Ariga, our translator, has a passion for evangelism and church growth in Japan and all of Asia. Through decades of dedicated prayer, he has seen over 70% of his extended family become Christians. He has founded two seminaries in Japan, is the head of “All Japan Revival Mission” and developed a church growth institute which has a presence in many Asian countries. At the age of 81 he has a travel and ministry schedule that few of us would be able to sustain.

Although I have gone on these trips to share in ministry, what I’ve gained far exceeds what I have given. I have shared ministry with a great team from PRMI and to come to know sisters and brothers in Christ on the other side of the world. I have been inspired by their passion and uplifted by their joy in our Lord. This track of the Dunamis Course is finished and it is uncertain whether there will be future opportunities to return. But I am grateful to have been part of this work. It has been a great privilege.

I thank the staff, leaders and members of Calvary Church who have encouraged, prayed, and filled in the gaps while I was away. Know that you have had a part in God’s great work.

Grace & Peace,
Steve