How are you all doing? We hope that 2010 will be a year the Lord unfolds His majestic works as we uplift, worship, and follow His ways.

Urbana 09

How was the start of your new year? As I mentioned in the previous report, we entered into the new year at Urbana 09, alongside 16,000 attendees. Urbana is where JCFN originated approximately 20 years ago. We met new people. We saw many things. We heard many things. The Lord spoke to each of us. The highlights of the conference can be found on http://www.urbana09.org/program.webcast.cfm

To Know the Facts

On the first day of Urbana, Japan was introduced as the second largest unreached people group in the world (Day 1, “The State of Christianity”). Whether this was what fueled the fire, we found that many people are interested in Japan as a mission field. Many gathered at Global Connexions (a location where approximately 200 mission organizations and schools setup booths for attendees). Also, there was an opportunity to meet up with those interested in both short-term and long-term missions to Japan. We were able to connect with them, share about what it is like to go to Japan as a missionary, and how they can be involved in international student ministries here. I offered up an earnest prayer that these students would rise up to really take on the challenge and make it their own.

International Student Track ~ An Opportunity for Reconciliation~

Students from 71 countries made up the International Student Track. I had an opportunity to share about JCFN’s work there (the testimony is in English and can be found on our website on the International Director’s Newsletter page). I got to share about how the Lord provides, leads, and works through students to fulfill His vision. As for the InterVarsity International Student Department, their prayer is that students will rise up and be prepared by movements like JCFN before their eventual return to their home country. JCFN has gotten this far because of the support from groups like InterVarsity and other organizations who prayed for and encouraged us. We hope to now be on the encouraging and serving end of this spectrum.

We gathered together, by country, every night of the five-day conference. About 100 people attended the Japanese gathering. On the night of the 30^th, students from about 10 countries joined the Japanese gathering. These countries included China, Taiwan, and Korea. We had a time of praise and prayer from around 11 o’clock at night. During that time, a prayer of reconciliation was offered up and we experienced unity in the name of the Lord. There is a type of unity that can only be experienced as an international student, learning the same language and culture, experiencing life outside of their own. I firmly believe that one of the privileges and role of international student ministries is to build-up reconciliation and partnership with the countries’ history at its foundation. On the last day of the conference, Michael Oh from Christ Bible Institute in Nagoya, Japan gave a powerful testimony. He witnessed to the 16,000 attendees about how he grew up as a Korean hating the Japanese and how he now serves as a missionary in the country that he so despised. Though he had received the cross of Christ as a sinner and was forgiven for his sins years earlier, his heart was hardened and that he could not find the heart to forgive Japan. He asked for forgiveness for such thoughts in front of the multitude: “My dear brothers and sisters, please forgive me.” He said this in Japanese. He challenged us to be Christ’s ambassadors as Christ has unconditionally forgiven us by His death on the cross and resurrection.

The World Missions Challenge and Answering the Call

We were challenged to face poverty and human tracking issues, reevaluate the wealthy society we live in, and to live a Christ-centered life. On the night of the 30^th, there was a time to reflect on what has been spoken into our hearts thus far, pray, and step forward before the Lord. Five thousand people decided to be involved in short-term missions while 2,610 people decided to give their life to long-term missions! How wonderful!

Because it was such a large conference, it felt like we were being engulfed by a large wave. On the afternoon of the 1st, we had a time of sharing and prayer with those that attended from Japan. We each shared about what God had spoken to us and what we decided in front of His presence. It was a great time. We plan to hold a reunion with Urbana attendees on February 13^th in the Kanto region, and the 27^th in Kansai region of Japan.

Please Pray for the Returnees

We held a returnee conference on January 9^th in Seattle, Washington. Over 10 students had become Christian in the past six months through a ministry called JxJ. Most of them are returning to Japan in February. For most of them, it is either their first time to go back as a Christian, the first Christian among their family and friends, and/or they do not have a church that they can call their “home.” They need consistent follow-up. Please pray that their faith would be strengthened, would hold the Word and prayer as their foundation, and would find Christian fellowship. Please also pray that Small Groups will be utilized and that new groups would start in areas of need.

Discipleship Training

Chihiro participated in Second Level Ministry’s first retreat from January 15^th to the 17^th. This is a ministry that focuses on discipleship training in Atlanta (http://secondlevel.org/). Thirty attendees from the United States learned about the importance of training disciples, confirmed their vision to be involved in this ministry, and experienced being specifically equipped. Please pray that each of the attendees may be used as Christ’s disciple to obediently nurture and train His disciples. Please also pray that the attendees may work together with other laborers of the Lord (Christ’s disciples).  Finally, please pray for Second Level Ministry.

The U.S. Office Move

It is almost six years since we moved from Denver to Los Angeles. Our current office is located within the church offices of a church called Grace Bretheren Long Beach Church. It was through Mr. O’Dell, a missionary for Japan through Grace Bretheren International Mission, that we were led to this location. We have been able to use this office free of charge. We currently share the office with the Long Beach Japanese Returnee Ministry Team. As each of our organization grows, we have decided to move our U.S. office by this summer. Though the move will be within the Southern California region, we must begin our search for a “home.” It feels as though we are beginning our search blindly, just like Abraham. Please pray for this. We will keep you updated!

Off to Japan

On January 27^th, I will be leaving for Japan for the preparation and attendance at the All Nations Returnees Conference (ANRC). The other U.S. staff will also be departing for Japan in the following months. Please pray for the U.S. Office as all of us will be absent. Also, please pray for the preparation of ANRC. We currently have about 200 attendees, but we are praying for at least 400 by January 31^st. Please pray that those that are led to come will be able to attend (www.allnations.jp). We are looking for people to join the prayer team. If you are interested or need more information, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

.           There will a conference for Reaching Japanese for Christ in Seattle. This conference is catered towards those that are host families for the Japanese and for those that serve them. It is an important conference to assist in preparing missionaries for Japanese missions and a great place to network. JCFN will be involved in training workers to disciple returnees before going back to their country and about evangelism to the Japanese. We also hope to serve as a network tool.

My new year’s resolution is to “Trust and Obey.” It is something that has been spoken to me since last month. I want to obey Him despite the circumstance or purpose. He is the Lord of Lords. I pray that this year will be a year to trust and allow the Lord to lead.

May blessings flow from above into your lives!