March Japan Teaching Trip

I just returned from my eleven day trip to Japan.  I arrived Haneda Airport on late Saturday, February 28th, and was blessed on the way by a Delta One complimentary upgrade, so I was well rested when I arrived.  Last time I was in japan was in 2019 with a team from CC Perris Valley. Those of you who had traveled on previous mission teams will remember staying at Team Center in Mitaka.

Spent the first weekend in Tokyo to visit friends pastor Talo and his wife Nori at New Hope Church in Ochanomizu, for Sunday Service and a lunch fellowship.  Pastor Talo and Nori were YWAM missionaries when my wife and I served in Japan, 1989-1990.  He planted New Hope over seven years ago and has sent out new pastors to start several churches in Japan.  Talo is also a gifted worship leader and led worship on this Sunday since one of assistant pastors was teaching.

Later on Sunday I met up with another good friend, Pastor Santo of Calvary Chapel West Tokyo. I have taught at his fellowship many times in the past but not on this trip since he had a guest pastor already scheduled.  Still great to connect with him in Mitaka.  His is one of many Calvary Chapels in Japan.  He and I go way back to my short term trips in the 90’s.

On Monday, March 2nd, I took a domestic flight over to the island of Okinawa for three days of teaching students at Calvary Bible Institute.  There I reunited with pastor Tommy Ruiz.  Pastor Tommy and first connect when he joined one of our teams to New York responding after 9/11.  He was pastoring Calvary Chapel Living Waters in Corona.  This is the 20th year that Tommy has been in Japan with most of that time planting Calvary Chapel Ginowan and starting the Bible Institute.

I taught a “Block Class.” A class on one book over the 3 days.  I took the students through Paul’s  Epistle to the Romans. I so love connecting with young people and revisiting one of my favorite epistles.  On Wednesday night I was asked to teach their evening Bible Study.  Jesse, an American missionary translated for me.

On Friday, the 6th I returned to Tokyo and reunited with pastor Tora.  We first met in Ishinomaki on a post tsunami relief mission trip.  He was not a pastor then but since has taken over Ashima Church in west Tokyo.  Here he is with his wife Miyuki and sweet little girl Monica. Besides teaching Sunday it was a full 2 days of personal encouragement to Tora and Miyuki on leadership and pastoring. We hope to meet online regularly and for me to return in the near future.  I am so grateful for your prayers and support.  It was a very productive trip.

...Adventure! 2022

In the 1983 moving Never Cry Wolf (based on a true story) an inexperienced government researcher named Farley Mowat was being transported by a bush pilot named Rosie to the Alaskan wilderness. In flight the frozen cold is causing the engine to falter and stall. Rosie startsreaching for a tool box, finding a wrench, begins to open the door of the failing plane. As he dos Rosie looks at Farley and says, “You know what the answer is to boredom?…ADVENTURE!. He tells Fowley to take the wheel and proceeds to hang out the door while hammering on the sputtering engine until it returns to full power. Farley stares in amazement and fear.

Well I am on a new adventure. For some pastors reaching their 60’s comes thoughts and planning of requirement. Or they are happy pastoring where they are at and never pay any mind that there is more for them. Not for this pastor. Over the past few years there has been steps taken to raise up a young man and staff that are mature and capable to lead their ministries. This now has allowed me to begin a new chapter of service to the Lord that has opened to me.

Churches and pastors. This new door includes more travel. I am already assisting a church out of state to get re-established as it has been without a pastor for some time. I am advising and teaching as well as involved in the search for a new pastor. I continue to minister out of the country to pastors and leaders in other lands. but even more and with a purpose to encourage discipleship of their church members for the work of the ministry. I am sure I will be coming along side the missionaries of CC Perris Valley but also supporting others.

Publications; An added focus is the publication of discipleship materials for churches in the USA and those in foreign lands. Presently editing is in the works for my first book that will be translated in Vietnamese, Haitian and Spanish. I have established discipleship classes at CC Perris Valley and previously at CC Moreno Valley that will soon become a workbook for churches and mission teams. I have already had contact with some missionaries who are seeking such a book to send to teams in preparation for short-term mission trips to their country.

So there is a lot going on. It is an adventure. Your prayers are appreciated. If you want to know more Contact Me. If you want to support me in my travel and publication expenses you can Support Me.