newsletter – December 2024, January & February 2025
newsletter – December 2024, January & February 2025
Praise the name of the Lord.
How are you all doing?
The ministry for 2024 is also coming to an end.
The weather is getting warmer, and we can feel that spring is approaching.
In this newsletter, I will be sharing about the latter half of the Mission Megumi, the National Spring Camp, my seminary admission, staff training, and the support-raising period.
I would be thankful if you could read through to the end.
1. Mission Megumi (Second Half)
Matthew 9:36
“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
A team from Australia was with us until December 20, serving in nagoya.
Through their ministry and the work of Japanese Christian students, many students had the opportunity to hear about Christianity this year as well.
We were able to enter Meijo University, which is usually difficult to access, with the cooperation of a university professor. We participated in two classes and built relationships with students through English lessons.
Since these students were from the international relations department, many of them were fluent in English, and we quickly became friends. While talking with the professor, I got to know that he teaches both religion and English. Although only a small number of students are interested in Christianity, he also hosts a Bible study on campus.
I am grateful that we could work together with a professor who has a heart for missions and share Christianity with Japanese students who have not yet heard the gospel.
At Nanzan University and Nagoya University, where we frequently visit, students from the Megumi team paired up with Nagoya students to do outreach on campus. Seeing their hearts and works was very encouraging.
Some students who connected through outreach continued to meet for lunch for about two weeks.
Another group met a non-Christian student on campus who expressed a desire to take an introductory course on Christianity. Although the mission period officially ended on December 20, I heard that they continued Bible studies afterward.
🙏 Prayer Requests
• Please pray that the students we connected with during this time will continue to engage with SI Nagoya and have opportunities to know Christ.
• Pray that the students of SI Nagoya will continue to engage with non chrisitian students with Christ’s heart.
• Three students from the Megumi team are considering returning to Japan as short-term missionaries. Please pray that their hearts for missions and Japan will continue to grow even after they return to their home country.
2. National Spring Camp
March 4–7, 2025
Hachioji, Tokyo
This year, 150 participants from 8 cities across Japan will join.
Theme: “Journey of Grace”
Please pray that through this camp, students will come to a deeper understanding of who they are and who God is.
Please pray that we may all be moved by God’s grace and respond to it.
Workshop
I will be leading a workshop on “The Daily Life of a Staff Member and Internship Opportunities.”
The goal of this workshop is to encourage participants to pray about becoming staff members or joining as interns.
Workshop Contents:
• Testimonies from those who became staff members
• A look into the daily ministry of young, single staff members
• Sharing about the joys, challenges, and reflections of working in ministry
• Introduction to the internship program
Internship Program
Unpaid Internship
October 5–11, 2025 (Nagoya, 1 week)
SI Nagoya has a higher ratio of Japanese staff compared to other locations, so interns will have a chance to experience what it is like to work with Japanese staff.
🙏 Prayer Requests
• Even though one week is a short period, pray that this will be an opportunity for participants to learn about missionary and pray for their future.
• Pray that God will raise up future SI staff members in Japan.
• Please pray for the preparation of this workshop.
3. Seminary Admission
At the end of January 2025, I took my seminary entrance interview and was accepted!
Starting in April 2025, I will be attending CBS Seminary near Nagoya Station.
Program: Master of Arts in Theology (2-year course)
Study Plan:
• First 3 years: Part-time (1 class per week)
• 4th year: Full-time studies, with graduation planned after 4 years
🙏 Prayer Requests
• Pray that through seminary training, I will be better equipped to teach the depth of Scripture to students.
• Since I will be both a full-time CCC staff member and a seminary student, my schedule will become busier. Please pray that I can balance ministry and personal life well.
4. Lessons from Staff Training
At the end of January, we had a staff training session with the theme of Gender & LGBTQ.
One key takeaway from this session was realizing that everyone is a sinner and in need of God’s grace.
💡 How should we respond if LGBTQ students come to our CCC community?
First and foremost, we welcome them.
We invite them into the community and create a space where they can hear the gospel.
Instead of talking first about sexuality and trying to connect that to the gospel. For it makes no sense to live by God's grace without knowing God's grace
🙏 Prayer Requests
• There are many people in Japan struggling with their identity. Please pray that they can experience the love of Christ.
• Pray that we, as followers of Christ, will welcome all people with warmth and love, sharing the gospel with them.
5. Support-Raising Period (February)
In February, I traveled to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe to meet with supporters.
It was a precious time to share our lives, discuss ministry in ways that a newsletter cannot fully convey, and encourage one another.
Currently, I still need USD 200 in monthly support.
If you feel led to give donations, please contact me. I would be very grad.
Thank you so much for reading this newsletter and praying for me!
The next newsletter will be sent around late April or May.
I deeply appreciate your continued prayers!
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