For the last several weeks, we have had first time visitors come to the church. I’d like to share one of those episodes with you.
“Can you give me the abbreviated version?”
While participating in a weeknight city run through central Nagoya, one of the other participants and I started talking. When I shared that my job is teaching the bible, his next words caught me off guard.
“I’m interested. Can you give me the abbreviated version of what you guys believe?”
We had just met, and people here do not often express spiritual interest so directly. Still, he had opened the door, so I shared the Gospel with him as we ran down the city sidewalk.
When I invited him to church, he followed up with:
“Is it okay for someone like me who doesn’t believe anything to come to church?”
Most people have no idea.
Not only did he come, but we have also met a few times since then. He has a lot of questions.
For example, he was curious about how a small church like ours operates. What is the motive? Is there some kind of catch?
I explained that churches and individuals give because they want people in Japan to have the opportunity to hear about Jesus. In other words, part of the answer was you!
He is not starting with disagreements about theology. He is starting much further back: Can a Christian church can be trusted?
Though he says he does not believe in God, other questions like “how does you get to the point where you believe” reveal something deeper going on.
You Prayed. God Opened Doors.
Last month, we asked you to pray for several summer outreach efforts. Thank you for praying.
Our English & Life Talks brought in two more first-time participants in August, and four people are already signed up for our September gathering.
Our summer family events also gave us more time to interact with parents and children. Four families joined our first LEGO play day, while five different families attended our Book & Board event. One of those families then signed up for our regular monthly Kids Club!
These are still small beginnings, but that is exactly what we are looking for: opportunities to meet people, build trust, and continue relationships beyond a single event.
What about you?
Thank you again for standing with us so we can continue meeting people, building relationships, and watching God open doors one conversation at a time.
Has God given you and opportunities for good gospel conversations lately? We’d love to hear about them. Please write back and let us know!
Yours for Japan,
The Miyashita Family