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Thank you for your prayers!
How are you?
Spring has arrived in Japan and the cherry blossoms are so beautiful!
 I would like to report to you that All Nations Returnees Conference (ANRC) was held and God DID it!This conference was prayerfully prepared so that those returnees who have been away from the fellowship with other Christians or with God would RETURN to it, and that many would be RAISED UP to be involved with follow up ministries, and that many SMALL GROUPS would start all around Japan for follow up and discipleship purposes.
On March 19th, about 200 church leaders, pastors and missionaries had gathered for a special forum. One of the many blessings of the conference was those participants from around the world. Some came from European countries, others from North America, Oceania, Asia and so on. They are the ones who are sending back Japanese Christians from overseas. We also had participants from churches in Japan. It was a great network building place for both ‘SENDING’ parties as well as for ‘RECEIVING’ parties.
In the forum, we took time to observe God’s ministries, not only in and among returnee ministries, but in businessmen’s ministries. It was our hope to identify some shared issues and common principles in which God is showing to us. It is the time and era of ‘networking’. When we develop wider and deeper network, it creates partnership. Everyone who is in the network has ownership. That is something we have identified in both returnees and businessmen’s ministries. These two ministries have ownership, network and partnership.During the group discussion time, we shared how God had sued ‘partnership’ in our ministry experiences and how we need to be intentionally seeking partnership and what we need in order to work together. I hope to share with you what had been discussed in the next month’s newsletter.
ANRC
We had about 600 people attended the conference. We also had children’s program and in it, some children made significant decision in regards to their faith. Wonderful! It is so exciting to see how God works not only in the lives of returnees, but to their children as well. Many participants not only enjoyed their reunion, but were challenged by God’s word, encouraged by fellowship, and confirmed their faith in Christ. As we read the questionnaire, we can only confess how powerful and wonderful our God is! This is my own information, but at least 3 people had accepted Christ during the conference. (Above photo is the reunion for U.K. There were more than 20 different reunions.)
“I was able to spend a blessed time in such a liberated atmosphere. The Lord has touched and encouraged me. Fellowship with old and new friends had given me power. I have witnessed some of the returnees facing cultural difficulties were discouraged, but during the conference, I saw them filled with joy of Jesus and that really touched my spirit.” “I knew that my faith was weakened since I have been back. This conference has given me the opportunities to return to God. I know there will be other ups and downs. However, I know that there are reasons for Jesus to send me to rural parts of Japan. I don’t want to try on my own strength, but just to be faithful.” “This conference was the best! It really encouraged me to meet with my old friends as well as old self!”
Since I am so used to a long conference like ec, I felt this conference was too short, only 2 days and 3 nights. However, this was just right for a busy country such as Japan, especially for those with children. There were four main sessions and three speakers spoke from the Bible. We had ‘reunion’ and fellowship time according to their overseas regions to enjoy ‘old’ days. We also had opportunities to meet new friends who reside close by in Japan, to build the new network. As for the seminars, we were able to learn from the speakers about some practical issues such as evangelism to family members and so on.
There were so many people just enjoying each other. People sharing and praying together were seen everywhere.One of the participants had said that ANRC is a new chapter for revival in Japan. What is God doing to do next?
ANRC 2010!
On the second night, the speaker had challenged the participants whether they would like to see ANRC next year. The answer was YES! We actually began ANRC without knowing if there will be another one, but God’s guidance was clear to many and we will have ANRC next year.
This is a very important ministry for JCFN as well. As you know, it takes a lot of work! We need to consider about ec and other ministries and it seems like spring time after Urbana year would be the best. That means, it is next year, 2010, or 2013. Considering the momentum God has given to us, we felt sooner is better and had decided to have it next year in March 20-22nd (same dates!), 2010.
I just wanted to make it clear that this was indeed God who was pushing this. God had moved hearts of so many participants and they were the ones who rose up and committed themselves to do ANRC once again. They are the returnees from all around the world. We saw many from ec and JCFN related ministries, but our new brothers and sisters in Christ from all around the world are joining the hands together! Something new, great, exciting are happening! We are eager to find out where God is taking us. 
JCFN from now.
To prepare and participate ANRC, all of us from the US headquarters, Yuko, Chihiro and myself, had come to Japan. I am looking so forward to returning to home but at the same time a bit afraid of finding out what I had left undone. We will be entering into a planning season. We will be having planning staff meeting and considering what God had begun at ANRC, we need to focus on where God is taking us. In it, WIT, the leadership camp, Central Conference, and itinerant ministries are very important.Also, as for the office, Machiko who had served at our headquarters as a part-time administrator (who is actually sending this letter out) will be going back to Japan for good at the end of April. Machiko was a God-sent. The timing she was sent to us at the office and the gifts God has given to her were just perfect match for JCFN needs. So, to send her back to Japan is actually a HUGE loss to us. As you remember her in the upcoming transition, we need your prayers for workers for our office. Please pray that God will send us a helper. Please also pray that God will meet all of our needs!We thank God for Machiko and all the blessings He gives to us.May God bless you richly, today. Setsu Kuroda, JCFN International Director
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