Dave and Tomo Robison

Japan Evangelical Mission Society

The country of Japan, unlike neighboring South Korea, has remained resistant to the gospel over the centuries. Yet a new generation is emerging that can be reached through their interest in learning English. David and Tomo are tapping into this interest through new ministry initiatives:   God is calling us to focus on evangelism as a new church plant. Simply put, we need to find ways of proclaiming the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. We have noticed quite a few people have expressed interest in learning English. So here are three things we’ve started this Summer with the goal of both proclaiming and demonstrating the truth of the gospel in this community. English Play Time We started the English Play Time program to invite our children’s friends and their families to come and practice English in a fun and natural way. This is proving to be a great way to build relationships with the parents of our kids’ friends so we’ve decided to continue the program twice a week with a goal of having about 20 kids attend. English Hour This month we’re starting a new monthly adult English Conversation time. Some of the parents of our kids’ friends have also expressed interest in learning English themselves. This Friday we’ve invited a small group of about five people, and if it goes well, we hope to do some advertising to reach even more people in the coming months. Tomodachi Reihai (Worship Service for Friends) The third Sunday of each month we’re preparing a special worship service that is aimed at non-believers. Our hope is that some of the people coming to our English events will be interested in coming to learn more about Christianity on a Sunday morning. This is also an opportunity for people from our church to invite their unsaved friends, family and neighbors to hear a gospel message connected to things they may be going through in life. Last month the Japanese celebrated Obon, a holiday honoring the dead, so we tied into that with a short message explaining the Christian hope of the resurrection, and how it contrasts with Japanese beliefs concerning the afterlife. Please be praying that through these outreach events God will help the Robisons build relationships and have opportunities to share the gospel. Pray that God will work in the hearts of some of the people who come to English classes to also be drawn to come to Toodachi Reihai and that God will open the hearts of those who hear, that they might be granted the faith that leads to eternal life.