Month: August 2020

2020-08-31 JCFN Info

EC20 Beyond Registration is open now!

 

Hello! I hope you are doing well. My name is Yuki Hata, I have the privilege of serving as the PR Director for EC20 Beyond. This email is to notify you about Equipper Conference 20 Beyond this year.

 

How has the year of 2020 been for you all? In the midst of many canceled events on top of feelings of fear and disappointment throughout the world, we have decided to host EC20 ONLINE! Each one of us committee members have been praying and working to construct this brand new kind of EC.

 

For those of you who have attended equipper conference would know that equipper conference (EC) is a five night conference which “equips” (Ephesians 4:12) Japanese Christians who met Jesus overseas for their eventual return to their home country as ambassadors of Christ. This year, we have adjusted the program to be 4 days from 12/27~30 (US time) instead of the usual 5.

 

We welcome…

– Japanese Christians who plan to go back home
– Japanese Christians in North America who serve the Lord
– Non-Japanese Christians (English speakers) who are serving such Japanese Christians
– Christians in Japan who want to receive and help returnee Christians
– Non-Christian who are interested in learning the Bible and God.
– Middle/high school students (youth program)
(For details about each program, please visit the website homepage)

[Registration has opened!] Click HERE

[Equipper Conference 20 Beyond]
“Listen… ~So you may live~”

Date: December 27, 2020 (Sun) to December 30, 2020 (US time)
Speakers: Pastor Sho Ichikawa, Kuni Onishi, Saku Kuroda, Satoru Nakanishi, Manabu Nishikori
[Speaker introductions] Click HERE.
Registration： Click HERE.

  • Super early bird: $30 (deadline 9/28)
  • Early bird: $40 (deadline 11/2; also deadline to order T-shirts)
  • Regular: $45 (deadline 12/7; T-shirt order unavailable)
  • Fee for Youth & Seekers is $20 (deadline 12/7)

*We have SUPER EARLY REGISTRATION, which you can get a discount of $15! The deadline for super early bird is September 28th (11:59pm. EST).  If you already know that you are attending EC20, register now before you forget it!

Let’s all build a new kind of EC together this year by overcoming borders, distance, and time zones!

Hopeful in the Lord,

 

PR Director for EC20 Beyond

Yuki Hata

2020-08-26 JCFN Info, Returning/Testimony

God Planned a Blessing though BBWIT20

God Planned a Blessing though BBWIT20

Ayako Seto

 

If it’s a regular year, BBWIT is held in person for three days & two nights. This year BBWIT20 was postponed and then rescheduled to be held online for less days with a smaller program. From our perspective that flow might seem like a “bummer,” the Lord’s plan is larger than our tiny ideas, and in a good way gave us an unexpected blessed time.

 

It was my first time to try this online. From two weeks before the event the connections started from introducing myself in the event Facebook group. I was excited about everyone’s self-introductions as they were slowly added every day. In the two days of the event everything was online, entire lessons, small groups, panel discussions, devotional times, messages. Not just learning, but also games too. Wow!

 

Chiba・Tokyo・Saitama・Kanagawa・Aichi・Hyogo・Tottori・Okinawa・even overcoming the time difference we had with someone who attended from California. Brothers and sisters gathering together, in an environment where we could only be together online, I enjoyed the blessing of learning together.

 

The main theme was “Self Care”

While working as a leader, I tend to forget about myself because I’m a leader, I learned how to focus on self care.

 

I think that there are lots of people who are in the position of leaders and serve others even if they are not assigned that role. I think that such people may prefer to use their time for serving rather than caring for their own state of mind and not preserving their own time. Also, saying, “I have to be strong” why do you have to be strong?.

 

What I personally thought while learning at BBWIT was that, even though I grow up as a Christian, I’ll always be “God’s child.”

 

It’s also important to protect personal time with God and rest in the peace that God is with us. I remembered that I’m a human being created by God, acknowledging that I have limitations; I also learned the importance of knowing that God is always present.

 

As the BBWIT20 theme verse Ephesians 4:16 says, our path on earth is not alone, but “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” with our brothers and sisters. I want to encourage each other, rely upon each other, and support each other.

 

I’m glad I participated. I’m grateful to the Lord for giving me this opportunity.

 

I’m presently in uncharted waters, but no matter what happens, it’s okay because the Lord is with me. Whatever happens on this earth, Christian brothers and sisters can be connected because God prepares the way. I saw this on a small scale at BBWIT20.

 

“I’ve had a special time.” I think I will look back with a smile.

“I finally met you!” I look forward to the joy of being able to meet face to face.

 

I’d also like to thank all the committee members who planned, prepared and ran everything with flexibility and creativity.

2020-08-12 JCFN Info

Current Status of JCFN Staff Candidates

Good Afternoon everyone!

I pray for the quick healing of those who have been infected with COVID19, also remember the healthcare professionals in my prayers.

By the way, JCFN has staff candidates whom I’d like everyone to remember and support!

One is Miss Shiori Furuya and the other is Daisuke Tsuchida (family).

God has given and led these two wonderful people, for that I’m truly grateful. (T_T)

This time, I’d like to talk about how staff candidate Daisuke Tsuchida is doing. I interviewed him remotely!

Actually, our conversation was nearly 4 hours, including talking about things other than support raising, so it’s messed up. It was a long time, but the support raising part of our conversation was about 15 minutes, please understand (laughs).

＊＊＊＊

JCFN Reporter: With the influence of COVID19, how is your support raising going?

Daisuke: With the situation of churches and people not meeting together, currently it’s difficult to go to a church somewhere to explain our ministry or raise support.

JCFN Reporter: For sure. In some churches, the offerings are down and the situation is difficult.

Daisuke: At first, the situation was one where I couldn’t actively fundraise, and I felt an urgency just looking at the money, but now I think it’s time to wait. If you look at a situation in front of you, you feel you have to do something! I’d like to think that, but rather than a human plan, I’m praying to see when God says GO and live in the peace that God gives in the meantime.

JCFN Reporter: How can we best pray for you?

Daisuke: First, please pray for the health of my family. Especially my wife (Hiromu) works at a nursery school and is in an environment where not only COVID19 but also various viruses can come in.

Second, for our needs to be met. There are few things I can do right now, but I want to see God at work.

Pray that I can follow God’s way in any situation, especially because I often think I have to do anything by myself.

And don’t forget about us! ! !

 

 

 

 

＊＊＊＊

Daisuke san and Hiromu san, thank you for taking the time to talk to me!

Due to the influence of COVID19, I think it’s been a time for many people to stop and think about lots of things. Some have to be more patient, for some a path has closed, and in contrast for some new paths have opened up. In any situation to be able to live in peace, undistracted focusing on God, receiving his wisdom.

Although it’s unfortunate we can’t meet JCFN staff candidates face-to-face, God’s work continues!

We are grateful for you continued prayers, and support.

(This is just the JCFN Reporter speaking on my own, but Daisuke-san’s computer is super old!!!)

Here is the latest Tsuchida Family Newsletter (in Japanese)!

Here is the latest Shiori Furuya Newsletter (in Japanese) ! She is selling lovely handmade jewelry to raise her support.

If you wish to receive either newsletter regularly please contact JCFN.

If you which to contribute to their support please click here.

There are various ways to contribute:
(Tsuchida Family Support), (Furuya Shiori Support), (Administration)

It would be helpful if you would make your designation clear when you send your contribution.

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