June 27, 2007
Reaching Japanese via multifaceted ministries
Of the 127 million people in Japan, less than half of 1 percent are evangelical Christians, according to the Joshua Project, a missions research organization. “Eight million gods are worshipped by the Japanese, and most follow Buddhism and Shinto,” said C&MA missionaries David and Vangi Kindervater. “Ancestor worship is part of daily life.” Along with the Bengali people, the Japanese are the largest Unreached People Group in the world. “Most have never heard a basic presentation of the gospel,” said the Kindervaters.
Persevering against great odds, Alliance missionaries are using a multifaceted approach to minister God’s love in this spiritually needy country. Practical outreaches to the community, camping ministries, and cultural events are just a few ways our workers are reaching the Japanese people with the good news of Jesus.
C&MA missionary Pauline Black is starting a moms and tots program called “Mommy and Me” at a community center. Her husband, Joel, teaches English classes and hosts an English-speaking club at a nearby university. The Blacks praise God for all the mothers, families, and young men they have met who are interested in knowing more about Christ.
On June 30, David and Vangi Kindervater will hold a concert and afternoon tea as a means for believers to reach out to their unsaved daughters and friends. The Kindervaters also have been holding gospel music workshops. “Gospel music is very popular here, and we are praying that many community people will join with our church members in singing praises to God and through this accept Him as Savior,” said the Kindervaters.
Harry Landaw praises God that three members of his sports evangelism group came to church Easter Sunday for the fourth time. Landaw’s wife, Jane, ministers to young mothers, mostly unsaved, who want to read the Bible.
Dale and Heidi Lemke, who are involved in youth work, are thankful for connections they have made through English/international clubs on university campuses. A Christian student at one university is starting a campus club to reach her friends. “We look forward to being guests at these clubs and hosting parties in our home,” said the Lemkes. “Pray that these students will find Christ and join a Bible study on campus, in our home, or elsewhere.”
“There is a spiritual battle being waged for the millions of Japan,” David and Vangi Kindervater said. Despite centuries of resistance, inroads are being made to reach them with the good news of salvation. “It is not an easy struggle, but it is a winnable one,” the Kindervaters said. “Even the gates of hell cannot withstand the will of God.”