Category: JCFN Info

2023-12-01 Event Info, JCFN Info

Event Info Useful for Returnees December, 2023

Event Info Useful for Returnees

December, 2023

◎ANRK Women’s Small Group (Japan. online)
Basically 2nd & 4th Thursdays 20:30〜22:00 (Zoom)
About 3-6 people gather each time and encourage each other through updates, Bible study (M28), and prayer. If you are interested, please contact us!
If you are interested in joining, please contact JCFN Japan Office: nihon@jcfn.org

◎WINGS Youth Ministry (CA, USA)
We have three gatherings! (All bilingual! Hours are California time.)
◯Weekly online devotions every Monday at 8 pm. (Japan: Tuesdays at noon)
◯Weekly online bible study every Friday at 5:00 p.m. (Japan: Saturday at 9:00 a.m.)
◯Monthly in-person WINGS event: December 2th Christmas event in CA. Contact goyouthla@gmail.com for the details:
It’s all bilingual youth ministry! Middle and high school students, come on out!
https://www.instagram.com/goyouthwings/

◎APU Friday (North America, CA)
Every Friday at 7 pm, At Azusa Pacific University. (December: 1st, 8th)
https://www.facebook.com/fridaynight.apu
Games, dinner, warmful praise and sharing time. Those who are not Christians are welcomed. Come and join us!

◎JCFN Japan Online Prayer Meeting V.OCHAHOP〜 (Japan, online)
Time: Saturday, December 9th 10:00〜11:00
Time for praying for EC
Facebook Event page
Zoom link

◎Re-Conn: Returnee Cefe (Japan, Tokyo)
Time: Saturday, December 9th 14:00〜17:00
Location: Double O Cross Church (OO＋) Kichijoji G Bldg B1 (東京都武蔵野市吉祥寺東町1-6-27)
https://www.re-conn.jp/
More events such as Christmas party and Bible study are organized by Re-Conn. Please check the website for the details.

◎Inspa prayer meeting (Japan, online)
Sunday, December 10th, 20:00~20:30 (30 minutes only) (every 2nd Sunday evening for August)
At Zoom (Meeting ID: 979 2868 4925　Passcode: 144507)
＊Let’s remember and pray together about the returnee ministry, INSPA, and returnees in the Tokai area.
＊The prayer meeting is open to those who have participated in INSPA before, or are from or reside in the Tokai area.
facebook group link
Instagram link
Contact: facebook or inspire-union@hotmail.co.jp.

◎JxJ (North America, Seattle, WA)
Saturday, December 16th, 4:30〜8:00pm
Location: at ISI House in Seattle (5207 16th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105)
Instagram
jjseattle210@gmail.com

◎Chugoku Kyushu group prayer meeting (Japan. online)
Saturday, December 23rd 19:00〜20:30
Sharing the blessings on the year 2023.
Contact: JCFN Japan Office: nihon@jcfn.org

◎Equipper Conference 23 (North America)
Time: December 27th- January 1st
Registration has been already closed. But Plenary Sessions are planned to be broadcasted on Youtube. Please note that broadcasting may not be available due to internet connection.
YouTube

2023-11-01 Event Info, JCFN Info

Event Info Useful for Returnees November, 2023

Event Info Useful for Returnees

November, 2023

◎ANRK Women’s Small Group (Japan. online)
Basically 2nd & 4th Thursdays 20:30〜22:00 (Zoom)
About 3-6 people gather each time and encourage each other through updates, Bible study (M28), and prayer. If you are interested, please contact us!
If you are interested in joining, please contact JCFN Japan Office: nihon@jcfn.org

◎WINGS Youth Ministry (CA, USA)
We have three gatherings! (All bilingual! Hours are California time.)
◯Weekly online devotions every Monday at 8 pm. (Japan: Tuesdays at noon)
◯Weekly online bible study every Friday at 5:00 p.m. (Japan: Saturday at 9:00 a.m.)
◯Monthly in-person WINGS event: November 4th at 5 pm at Rise OC Church in CA. Contact goyouthla@gmail.com for the details:
It’s all bilingual youth ministry! Middle and high school students, come on out!
https://www.instagram.com/goyouthwings/

◎APU Friday (North America, CA)
Every Friday at 7 pm, At Azusa Pacific University. (November: 3rd, 17th)
https://www.facebook.com/fridaynight.apu
Games, dinner, warmful praise and sharing time. Those who are not Christians are welcomed. Come and join us!

◎Picnic in Yokohama (Japan, Kanagawa)
Date: Saturday, November 3rd (Cancelled if case of rain)
Time: 12:00-15:00
Location: Yamashita Park (12:00 at Motomachi, Chukagai 1st exit)
Target: Returnee Christians, returnees who are interested in gospel
Things to bring: lunch, picnic sheet
Activities: Praise, games, fellowship, and sharing
It will be gathering for returnees in Kanagawa. Currently there is no returnee fellowship in Kanagawa. Hoping that it will become the opportunity to start Kanagawa gathering.
Contact: JCFN staff Shiori Kisangala at skisangala@jcfn.org
Registration form

◎GiFT〜Growing in Fellowship Tokyo “Let’s Go Mt. Takao” (Japan, Tokyo)
Time: Saturday, November 4th 13:00〜17:00 (Montain), 17:00〜 (Dinner)
Instagram
Facebook Event Page
Registration Form

◎JCFN Re-entry Celebration Gathering (Japan, online)
Time: Saturday, November 11th 9:30〜11:30
November is the month to celebrate the re-entry to Japan, so we will have an online gathering. The program is as follows
Praise, testimonies (by several returnees), small group (prayer & sharing)
Zoom
Facebook Event Page

◎ERF (European Returnees’ Fellowship) One day Bible Word Tea Time (Japan, Tokyo)
Time: Saturday, November 11th 13:30〜16:30
Location: Tokyo Free Methodist Koganei Church
Sharing of God’s word, testimonies, and tea time
Gathering for returnees from Europe
Facebook Event Page
Registration Form

◎Double O Cross Church: Fall Event for Returnees (Japan, Tokyo)
Time: Saturday, November 11th 14:00〜17:00
Location: Double O Cross Church (OO＋) Kichijoji G Bldg B1 (東京都武蔵野市吉祥寺東町1-6-27)
Contact: lizjeggo@gmail.com
Games, coffee time with cookies, sharing and discussion time.
Free admission and donation for coffee

◎Chugoku Kyushu group prayer meeting (Japan. online)
Saturday, November 11th 19:00〜20:30
Worship, Inductive Bible Study, and Prayer time
Contact: JCFN Japan Office: nihon@jcfn.org

◎Inspa prayer meeting (Japan, online)
Sunday, November 12th, 20:00~20:30 (30 minutes only) (every 2nd Sunday evening for August)
At Zoom (Meeting ID: 979 2868 4925　Passcode: 144507)
＊Let’s remember and pray together about the returnee ministry, INSPA, and returnees in the Tokai area.
＊The prayer meeting is open to those who have participated in INSPA before, or are from or reside in the Tokai area.
facebook group link
Instagram link
Contact: facebook or inspire-union@hotmail.co.jp.

◎JxJ (North America, Seattle, WA)
Saturday, November 18th, 4:30〜8:00pm
Location: at ISI House in Seattle (5207 16th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105)
Facebook
jjseattle210@gmail.com

◎WINGS Youth Ministry Autumn Special Event: Bible Camp (North America, CA)
Date: November 21st (Tuesday) ~ 22nd (Wednesday)
Location: Rise OC Church (Orange County, CA)
For this month, we will have Bible Camp in addition to 3 regular events.
https://www.instagram.com/goyouthwings/
Contact: goyouthla@gmail.com

◎Tokyo Life Church Connect Group (Tokyo, Japan)
Date: Saturday, November 25th , Every 4th Sunday
Location: Whistle Cafe in Nishi Waseda
Roberta Peabody (Leader): rpeabody@teamjapan.org
Homepage Link
We value the time to freely discuss what we experienced abroad and how we feel after coming back to Japan.
If you want to continue practicing your English or want to talk about your experiences abroad, please join us.

2023-10-17 JCFN Info, 地域集会

JxJ Testimony

Takuya Toma (Center in Pic)

I was raised in a Christian home, and my faith has been nurtured through church and KGK (Kirisuto sha Gakusei Kai) in Japan. For the international training program at the company I work for in Japan, I had the opportunity to live in Seattle from October 2022 for one year.

Amid the anxieties of my first experience living abroad, I was fortunate to be connected with fellow Japanese Christians who graciously provided me with a place to stay. Not only did they offer a fully furnished home, but they also assisted me in getting settled after my arrival. While hearing stories from colleagues who had struggled to find housing after arriving in the United States, I felt truly blessed to have a place to stay and acquaintances even before my departure. Along with this family, I have been greatly supported by the Christian community in Seattle through shared meals and fellowship. Each day, I have been overwhelmed by God’s provision, surpassing my imagination through the people of Seattle.

Wanting to give back some of the blessings I have received from God, I learned that a ministry called JxJ (Jesus x Japanese) had been suspended due to the pandemic in Seattle. JxJ is a ministry organized by Japanese Christians in Seattle. After several meetings with JxJ preparation team members during the winter, we decided to relaunch JxJ in February, focusing on outreach to Japanese students, fellowship among Japanese Christians, and praise in Japanese. It has been a privilege to continue JxJ on a monthly basis by coordinating with the team members, allowing us to connect with international students and those interested in Japan. The program includes sharing testimonies, praise, warm meals, delicious cakes, and various activities like games and table tennis.

I have been encouraged by hearing how individuals met Jesus and the impact of faith in their lives during these testimonies. In particular, the testimonies of students who found faith in Seattle were powerful. Amid the various concerns about returning to Japan, their confidence in living according to the principles of the Bible encouraged me. I hope to continue to communicate with them and support one another in living with Jesus.

Sharing meals is a valuable time to get to know each other. We talk about why students came to Seattle, how school is, what life is like in the United States, and many other topics. We have been inspired by each other’s stories, even though our life stages differ. While there have been fluctuations in attendance, God has provided rich moments at each gathering. I am truly thankful for the dedicated servants who prepare delicious Japanese food for this fellowship. However, we feel the need for financial support to continue providing meals. Currently, all the food is provided by the volunteers, but we would appreciate any donations to support the ministry of JxJ, which is essential for its continuity.

In JxJ, we place great emphasis on praise in Japanese. Initially, I had some reservations about singing praise songs in a space where there might be non-believers. I was concerned about whether people would feel uncomfortable listening to “unfamiliar religious songs.” However, I had a meeting with a student who changed my perspective before relaunching JxJ. She told me that during a few months of Bible study, she hadn’t felt inclined to believe, but while listening to worship songs, her feelings suddenly changed, becoming the turning point for her faith. Her story made me realize the need to trust the Holy Spirit’s work in moving people’s hearts through our praise. It was a significant experience for me to be able to praise, hoping that Jesus’ love would be conveyed to the hearts of the students.

During one of our team meetings, we decided to choose a specific song for each gathering. We selected the song “New Life.” The opening lyrics, “I have met you; your love is something that cannot be replaced,” bring tears to my eyes. Reflecting on how meeting Jesus has enriched and filled my life, I have an overwhelming desire for as many students as possible to receive this love. I hope to continue believing that the Holy Spirit will touch the hearts of students through praise in JxJ.

My time in Seattle is coming to an end, and I will be returning to Japan, leaving the remaining operation of JxJ to the other team members. I want to express my gratitude to each member for their service, which I couldn’t cover here. Many people from students to those with families have prayed and served for JxJ. Please pray that each JxJ gathering becomes a joyful place overflowing with Jesus’ love. Additionally, please pray that the team members can continue to serve JxJ with joy and unity.

*JxJ is one of JCFN’s regional gatherings. Donations should be sent to JCFN, specifying “JxJ.” For donation information, please refer to this link. Donation Link.

 

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