Japanese church in court over communion row

A Japanese pastor has sued the country's largest Protestant denomination, the United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ), over his dismissal for giving communion to congregants who were not baptised - writes Hisashi Yukimoto.

The Rev Jiro Kitamura hopes to regain his status as a minister, and seeks compensation of 10 million Japanese yen ($130,000 dollars), according to his petition. He says he was "discarded without discussion" by UCCJ executives "by force of numbers."

According to his lawyers, the lawsuit is "not about doctrinal dispute on the communion," but rather concerns "a violation of his basic human rights." They say the suit will "focus on the procedural aspect" of the dismissal and "bring justice to a certain political force within the UCCJ," since a court would not hear a case on religious doctrinal disputes.

"Through this lawsuit, I would like to criticize United Church's control and prompt it to become a united church as it is meant to be, without discarding various differences, through patient dialogue for unity," Kitamura told ENInews.

"I hope the disciplinary punishment of dismissal will be withdrawn, and hope to question the authoritative nature of the United Church," he added.

UCCJ moderator, the Rev Hideo Ishibashi, says the church has no intention of withdrawing the punishment, and that Kitamura should repent and submit his request to the UCCJ to return to his position as a minister.

Kitamura's dismissal was finalised at the UCCJ general assembly in October 2010. Though he had been told in 2007 to stop giving communion to unbaptised people or leave the church, Kitamura continued to defy the order at the UCCJ church in Yokohama, south of Tokyo.

[With acknowledgements to ENInews. ENInews, formerly Ecumenical News International, is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the Conference of European Churches.]

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Winter sets in heavily over Japan

Japan (MNN) ― The Japanese government has lifted the "stay-home" order around the Fukushima Dai-ichi area.

That means residents can stop being ready to evacuate, and--once cleanup is finished--schools and other public services can function again. Business is getting back to "normal," but after the quake, tsunami, and nuclear disasters, what's defined as "normal?"

International Aid CEO Brian Anderson says as they supported the local church through the emergency phase, they were beginning to see a new picture emerging of what "normal"might look like. "Because the government is truly focused on infrastructure, it does create an opportunity on the personal level for the Christian community to make some inroads with the people and to be able to share the Gospel."

Prior to March 11, 2011, Christians weren't ready to respond to a disaster. "The Christian community there is represented by less than 1% of the total population. There really is a need there to hear the Gospel."

Since then, it's been quite a different story. Anderson explains, "We had an opportunity, early on, to provide two vehicles to an organization called CRASH Japan. CRASH stands for Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope, which allowed them to move people and supplies."

CRASH Japan got people organized and has since sent out over 1600 volunteers to serve both the physical and spiritual needs of survivors. In partnership with local churches, CRASH Japan has planned and accomplished many programs to serve the needs of disaster-affected areas. For example, "Koriyama has a lot of temporary housing that was put up.

Koriyama Christ Church is delivering food to these residents, and at the same time, having an opportunity to share the Gospel."

Koriyama quickly became a settlement area as temporary housing units sprang up all over. "A number of these housing units lack both heat and air conditioning. There are gaps along the roof line."

Many who were displaced hoped that they would be able to return home quickly. As the weeks drag on into months, there's another issue believers are facing. "Coming into winter, there's a real concern about the lack of hope. They really are dreading a spike in the suicide rate there as well."

Anderson says International Aid provided thousands of dollars of medications, hygiene products, blankets and flashlights to be given to those who were injured or lost their homes. They also addressed the human dignity problem. 

"We had the opportunity to provide 25 starter kits made up of home furnishings and items for use in the temporary housing to make those units more livable."

More than programs, the impact made through these relationships will play a key role in spreading the hope of Christ throughout Japan in the future. 

  

However, church partners are tired. What can you do? "Pray for the church partners. They've been at this since March. [Pray] for strength and endurance. You can see that there's weariness on their part because there's a lot of effort, and it goes on week after week. Coming into the winter months, I think that their workload is going to increase."

Damah Film Festival Back In Hiroshima, The First City In History To Be Destroyed By A Nuclear Weapon

Now It Is A Place Of Joy With Feature Film Doonby Screened Alongside 10 Short Films All Vying For Top Prize

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

HIROSHIMA, JAPAN (ANS) -- The Damah Film Festival, the premiere spiritually themed short-film festival in the world, returned to Hiroshima, Japan, this month, as ten filmmakers battled for the top prize.

A scene of total devastation in Hiroshima after the nuclear bomb of dropped on the city

The unique festival was held in the Japanese city that was once a place of unspeakable horror when it became the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon. It occurred on August 6, 1945, when near the end of World War II, the Atomic Bomb “Little Boy“ was dropped on Hiroshima by an American B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, directly killing an estimated 80,000 people. By the end of the year, injury and radiation brought total casualties to 90,000–140,000. Approximately 69% of the city's buildings were completely destroyed, and about 7% severely damaged.

Hiroshima was proclaimed a City of Peace by the Japanese parliament in 1949, at the initiative of its mayor, Shinzo Hamai (1905–1968) and now, fully restored, it was recently transformed into a place of joy, when the three-day Damah Film Festival concluded with the awarding of three top prizes and a sneak peek at the feature film, Doonby, starring actor John Schneider and featuring an ensemble cast that includes Robert Davi, Ernie Hudson, Jennifer O’Neill, Will Wallace, Jenn Gotzon and others.

Doonby poster

Written and directed by British filmmaker Peter Mackenzie the film was shot on location in Smithsville, Texas and features an emotional storyline that highlights the effect each of us has on one another’s lives. The screening was the first to feature Japanese subtitles.

The festival’s Grand Prize was awarded to the film “The Return,” from South Korean director Lee Jihyung and two entries “The Dust That Anyone Has,” and “The Day To Return With Father,” were awarded a Jurors’ Award and the Audience Favorite Award respectively.

The meaning of Damah

“Damah” is a Hebrew word meaning “Inspirational Metaphor,” and the festival “encourages an emerging generation of filmmakers from diverse perspectives to voice the spiritual aspect of the human experience through film and provides a forum for these artists to develop, discuss and display their vision.”

This year’s competition found 76 films competing for the top prize including submissions from Japan, the U.S., South Korea, Taiwan and other countries. The festival began in Seattle, Washington in 2001, and moved to Los Angeles in 2005. In 2009 it partnered with the city of Hiroshima for the annual Damah Film Festival in Hiroshima, Japan.

Logo

In the wake of Japan’s devastating earthquake and Tsunami earlier this year, some felt that the festival should be canceled, or at the very least downsized, showing only works submitted in past years. The Damah Hiroshima committee decided instead that it was the perfect time for this festival to take place, as they focus on films designed specifically to touch the hearts of viewers.

“We were so excited to be hosting such wonderful filmmakers again this year,” noted Damah Hiroshima director Kyoko Heya. “The best way we can rebuild the Japanese spirit is by inspiring those who have suffered so much to get back up and keep trying. We hope our films were an encouragement to those who have suffered and are continuing to suffer.”

For More information on Damah, please visit www.damah.jp/
For More information on Doonby, please visit www.doonby.com 

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Dan Wooding, 70, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for 48 years. They have two sons, Andrew and Peter, and six grandchildren who all live in the UK. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS) and was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. He now hosts the weekly “Front Page Radio” show on KWVE in Southern California which is also carried throughout the United States. The program is also aired in Great Britain on Calvary Chapel Radio UK and also in Belize and South Africa. Besides this, Wooding is a host for His Channel Live, which is carried via the Internet to some 200 countries and also provides a regular commentary for Worship Life Radio on KWVE. You can follow Dan Wooding on Facebook under his name there or at ASSIST News Service. He is the author of some 44 books. Two of the latest include his autobiography, “From Tabloid to Truth”, which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, press this link. Wooding, who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, has also recently released his first novel “Red Dagger” which is available this link.

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** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

Pastors tired in Japan, hundreds of missionaries needed

 

Adrian de Visser speaking at a pastor's
 retreat in Japan. (Photo by Joe Handley)

Japan (MNN) ― More problems plagued Japan's damaged nuclear power plant over the weekend. According to reports, 45 tons of highly-radioactive water leaked from the Fukushima power station into a gutter that leads to the Pacific Ocean. This was the result of cracks in the runoff container's concrete wall.

While this is another setback in the March 11 devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami, the work of Japanese Christians is ongoing. Their ongoing care to the disaster victims in the region is nothing short of amazing. This hard work may be what propels the church into future outreach.

President of Asian Access Joe Handley is in Japan. Speaking to us through Skype, he told MNN's Greg Yoder that Asian Access went into the disaster zone to host a pastor's seminar/retreat. It was held for those who lived through the triple disaster but who have also been at the forefront of the relief efforts. "We wanted to go encourage them, strengthen them, come alongside them, and provide counsel."

Asian Access invited Adrian DeViser, national director of A2/Sri Lanka, who experienced the Asian tsunami in 2004.

Handley says these pastors have not only provided the initial relief, but they're doing all sorts of things: "anything from small business creation, to providing aid, counsel and grief care when necessary. But they're tired. They're really worn out."

Handley says because of the efforts of the church, they're now more trusted in the community. The city of Ishinomaki is just one example. "The city governing officials were touched by what the church was doing. They told them, 'You know, there are a lot of people providing relief, but you guys really have a heart, and we want to help you.' So the walls between community and church have completely fallen."

However, the churches are now in a situation where they need their space to handle the incredible growth, while also continuing to help the needy. Handley says they've "started to establish centers for hope. And they're hoping to construct some buildings that will be dormitories and relief centers so they can move out of the churches being the centers to actually having a relief center."

Asian Access is raising money for this purpose.

These centers could be instrumental in seeing many turn to Christ. Handley says, "This is a new season in Japan. Pastor after pastor said to me, 'Joe, we need hundreds of missionaries to come to Japan. This is the hour.'"

Because people are searching for hope, Handley believes there's an openness to Christ. "These pastors say we only have a small window here to invest. And that window is anywhere from two to three years. They say, 'We're desperate. We need help.'"

Just one example of the hunger is a church that had a congregation of 10 people. It now numbers 50. "Ten of those people have now been baptized. And all 50 of them have said, "We so love these people and this church we're going to invite three people to come on Christmas.'"

If you're interested in becoming a missionary to Japan, supporting the work of Asian Access, or simply want more information, go tohttp://www.go2japan.org.

Out of the quake's rubble comes new hope in Japan

Japan (IAI/MNN) ― Last Thursday, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan about 100 kilometers east of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. No immediate damages or injuries were reported, and no tsunami alert was issued.

The quake resurrected images of the devastation that hit in March this year.  The rebuilding of Japan has been ongoing, but many are still without jobs or the means to support themselves.

From the beginning, International Aid has been providing thousands of dollars of medicines, hygiene products, blankets, and flashlights to partners working on the ground in the hardest-hit areas. They also coordinated an effort to supply numerous families who lost their homes with "start-up" kits which included items such as appliances and furniture.

International Aid CEO Brian Anderson just visited the northern regions to encourage partners in ministry and some of the people being served. Nine months after the disaster, the majority of the people in that region continue to be unemployed and need help.

Anderson met with their main partnering organization as well as with some of the families that received the "startup" kits to see how International Aid can continue to meet the needs of those affected by the earthquake.

A trip to South Korea was aimed at further strengthening relationships with organizations in the area. International Aid has had a history of distributing aid in the region, and in the past few years has shipped to various Asian countries including India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Strong relationships with partners in South Korea could be incredibly helpful in distributing aid to this part of the world.

International Aid teams demonstrate the love of Christ to those who are suffering.  Please pray for open doors to continue to bring physical and spiritual relief to the Japanese people. Pray also for opportunities to share the Gospel.

Japanese bishops release delayed anti-nuclear message

Pressure from business people and different views of the crisis after the 11 March 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant disaster caused Japanese Catholic bishops to delay an anti-nuclear message for six months, according to a church official - writes Hisashi Yukimoto.

"Immediately after the earthquake disaster, there was, of course, a voice within the church that we should express our concrete position to abolish nuclear power plants," said Noriko Hiruma, a Japanese Roman Catholic sister of the Mercedarian Missionaries of Berriz who is serving as the secretariat staff of the Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace, in an e-mail to ENInews.

"But because there are not a few business people among the believers who are involved in nuclear power plants, because solid information about the danger of radioactivity is too few and uncertain, and because of the difference between eastern and western Japan in their sense of crisis, there was a falling disarray [among the bishops]," she said. "The past half a year was spent [for them] to act
in accordance."

The 8 November message entitled 'Abolish Nuclear Plants Immediately - Facing The Tragedy of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Disaster' said, "In the [2001] message 'Reverence for Life', we, Japanese bishops could not go so far as to urge the immediate abolishment of nuclear plants.

"However, after facing the tragic nuclear disaster in Fukushima, we regretted and reconsidered such attitude. And now, we would like to call for the immediate abolishment of all the [nuclear] power plants
in Japan."

The official note in Japanese on this sentence said that the 2001 message showed their direction for breaking away from nuclear power plants but they were "in a position to allow" the nuclear power plants to continue to exist.

"But, to be accurate, the 'Reverence for Life' does not allow them, but wishes for an immediate conversion into renewable energy," Hiruma said. "This expression is rather an expression of repentance of having taking such a long time to release the [8 November] message."

Releasing a message of the Japan Catholic Bishops' Conference takes the agreement of all seventeen active members and the bishops' message cannot be made public even with the opinion of any one of them against it, Hiruma noted.

"While the Japanese government and enterprises still place their hopes on exporting their nuclear reactors, the bishops' message is especially significant for Catholic believers who are business people," she said. "So long as the church has released the message, the church will take upon the social risks of such believers, and we needed this much time, perhaps I could say, to be ready for that."

[With acknowledgements to ENInews. ENInews, formerly Ecumenical News International, is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, and the Conference of European Churches.]

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Missions Groups Join Forces to Plant 1,000 Churches in Japan

Asian Access and SIM USA are partnering to plant 1,000 churches in Japan by 2020.

The alliance aims to leverage the strength of the two mission-sending organizations in a new model of that helps both groups better leverage kingdom resources.

"SIM brings the stability of operational support that we needed and the mobilization horsepower to help us fulfill our vision and mission for Japan," says Joe Handley, president of Asian Access, a 44-year-old missions organization. "This strategic partnership is not a merger or simply a sharing of back office functions. It is truly a new way of doing mission together, each bringing their strengths and committing to a common kingdom vision."

From a practical standpoint, SIM takes on the responsibility for recruiting missionaries, as well as the financial accounting and related human resources functions of missionary training and U.S.-based care. Asian Access maintains the responsibility for championing the overall vision in Japan, managing the strategy of missionary deployment through its network of Japanese churches, and caring for Japan-based missionary personnel.

"This alliance immediately opens up a whole new country to send SIM missionaries, rather than having to set up a beachhead with a few pioneer missionaries," says Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA, which works on six continents with 2,100 missionaries. "On top of that, to partner with an organization like Asian Access, which already has history, success and reputation in Japan is a privilege and honor."

Partnership to plant 1,000 churches by 2020

Japan (MNN) ― The 1st century church shared everything to accomplish Kingdom growth. Why shouldn't 21st century ministries do the same?

A strategic partnership uniting Asian Access and SIM USA was recently formed with the aim of sending more church-planting missionaries to Japan.

"In this unique season, the needs are phenomenal," explains Asian Access president Joe Handley. "We're seeing response rates to Christ like I've never seen in my lifetime. The need for people to go and help plant churches is significant. Japanese pastors across the country, and particularly in the regions most affected by the tsunami and the nuclear plant disaster, have huge vision to plant churches, and they've asked us for our help."

Openness to the Gospel has increased since a March 2011 tsunami ravaged one of the least-reached areas of Japan, which happens to be one of the least-reached nations with the Gospel in the world.

Plans for the SIM partnership started long before the tsunami hit, though. Asian Access went through a three-year process of examining organizations' DNA, vision, mission and core values.

Handley says Asian Access felt led to form a partnership with another organization partially for economic reasons, hoping to be better Kingdom stewards. But the ministry also needed someone to help them with a big project: "To establish a church planting network that would establish 1,000 churches across Japan." 

According to the agreement--which is not a merger, but a way of truly doing mission together--SIM will partner with Asian Access to recruit and send missionaries to Japan to plant churches. Asian Access will still be the key leader on the field and will manage the work and oversee missionary care.

Handley is confident in the decision. "SIM has been around for many years. It's a very stable organization, and they had the economy of scale to come alongside of us and help us do the very things we were looking for."

Asian Access prayerfully decided on a partnership with SIM, and God blessed their timing. People are more open to the Gospel than ever following such devastation in Japan, and now Asian Access is more prepared than ever to share the Truth with them.

Pray for this new partnership to be a catalyst for Kingdom growth in Japan. Pray that the Lord would guide SIM and Asian Access as they steward their resources to come alongside churches and pastors in Japan. Pray also that the financial resources to establish 1,000 churches by 2020 would come available.

If you would like to get involved in the work Asian Access and SIM are doing in Japan, visit go2japan.org. 

Many emotional wounds of Japan tsunami still need to be mended

Mission Network News: "Japan (MNN) ― The cleanup efforts of a massive March 2011 tsunami in Japan--expected to take years--have made significant headway in just over six months. Streets have resurfaced from miles of wreckage, fields have been cleared, and homes have been freed of debris. (See photos of the debris removal success here.)"

read more...

Typhoon Roke swipes at Japan's sore spot

Mission Network News:

Japan (MNN) ― Typhoon Roke took a swipe at the disaster zone in Japan.

It also brought evacuations, flooding and more worry to the country struggling to recuperate from the tsunami, quake and nuclear disaster in March.

Read more...

Tsunami effects widen; loneliness, suicide now issues

Japan (MNN) ― Extreme loneliness and suicide have become issues in post-tsunami Japan.

The initial trauma of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March may be dying down, but the hurdles for victims to overcome have only become more varied. While shelter and food may have been immediate needs six months ago, people now seem to be most desperate for hope and dignity.

For victims who lost their homes, temporary shelters have been set up. Tsunami survivors are now living in very small homes built in parking lots and school playgrounds.

Ben Wolf, who directs work in the Asia Rim for Baptist Global Response, says the space is increasing the depression among victims. Many of them had lived on their coastal land for generations until the tsunami hit. 

"These are people who have lived in towns by the ocean and who had gardens, a very important part of the country Japanese life," Wolf told BGR. "The old men feel like they can't breathe. At times, suicide has become an issue."
At the same time, winter is quickly approaching, bringing with it the prospect of more than six feet of snow on the ground. Warmth will be a problem.

People are discouraged, lonely, and emotionally spent, but BGR is doing all they can to build relationships and share the hope of Christ with tsunami survivors. To date, 22 Southern Baptists teams have partnered with Japanese Baptists in relief projects, and about $1.7 million has been donated for the efforts.

Wolf told BGR about one of the major current focus points. "After many of the disaster relief volunteers and outsiders have gone, it is easy for the feelings of abandonment to come in. The displacement has been traumatic, and now loneliness is an even more serious problem. Our partners are really concentrating on what they call 'heart care.' It's one of the most important ways people who care can help people in need."

"Heart care" comes in building relationships and feeding the souls of those who've been affected by the disaster. The importance of continued encouragement cannot be over emphasized, according to Wolf. Disaster response in Japan will continue to focus on rebuilding projects and providing food to people in need, but it also focuses on giving people dignity by including them in rebuild and community projects. Most importantly, BGR workers are sharing the message of Christ.
Although relationships are slow in the making, people are beginning to open up. One woman who lost her husband, parents, business, and home in the tsunami recently turned to the Lord after talking with BGR workers.

At the same time, BGR is also focusing on the large needs of community centers and is working to prepare for the winter. One major initiative involves providing heated rugs for people this winter, especially considering people spend a great deal of time on the floor in Japanese households. BGR views this as a simple way to demonstrate Christ's love.

Continue to lift the tsunami victims up to the Lord. Pray that relationships would be built and that hearts would seek Christ in this lonely, depressing time. Pray for healing emotionally and spiritually.

BGR has ongoing work in Japan. To learn more about getting involved, click here.

Samaritan's Purse Comforting the Homeless After Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

By Michael Ireland
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
CHARLOTTE, NC (ANS) -- Six months after the massive earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, 3,000 families have home kits, filled with supplies provided by Samaritan's Purse.

Karayoshi Abe and his home kit from Samaritan's Purse (Photo courtesy Samaritan's Purse)

According to an article posted on the Samaritan's Purse Facebook page, Karayoshi Abe and his family looked to the hills when the tsunami hit the Baba District in northeastern Japan on March 11.
"I was on the coastline," he said. "The walls in my home started to come down; we ran away immediately. I had my 6-month old son with me, so I went to a high place." Karayoshi didn't look back as he was racing up the mountainside, but when he finally stopped and the clouds of dust cleared, he saw his home and place of business completely under water.
The Samaritan's Purse article said that about 240 people who lived in the Baba District and escaped the giant waves found refuge at a volunteer center. Everyone was freezing cold, and there was no food or water, so they began to look for fuel and food in the remains of the destruction.
"When I came back home I saw everything was washed away, but I was more worried about all of the people in my community," Karayoshi said.

All the fuel and food they could find only lasted them one week. Samaritan's Purse arrived shortly after with fuel, food and water, shelter, and hygiene supplies. We were the first organization to bring them aid, which had come over on a plane filled with 93 tons of emergency supplies.
"Two hundred people were relieved when Samaritan's Purse came," fisherman Chiba Takahiro said. "It really gave us peace and assurance that they would keep coming and be here a long time. It was quite amazing because when we needed anything it came."

Chiba said that the hygiene kits were especially helpful because everyone was dirty after surviving the tsunami and the conditions in the shelter were poor.

"Samaritan's Purse gave us hygiene kits first," he said. "We were so thankful because we had no toothbrush, toothpaste, or soap. There were no shops and we had no money."

The Samaritan's Purse article said that a few months later, 21 families were able to move into a temporary housing community nearby, provided by the Japanese government. The small homes are equipped with basic appliances, such as a washer and dryer, and a stove and oven. However, other necessities like knives, pots and pans, and bed sheets were not given to them and were very difficult to find anywhere on the coasts of Japan.
Samaritan's Purse developed "home kits" to give to families living in shelters, temporary housing, or in their flood-damaged homes, so they could have these basic needs. The home kits include not only useful goods like salt, sugar, and cookware, but also a Bible in the style of a Japanese comic book, called the "Manga Bible." Since we began working in Japan, we have distributed about 3,000 home kits to Japanese families in need.

When Karayoshi and his wife Chikami received a home kit on August 14, they smiled in great gratitude and then stood in shock as they went through the different gifts in the box.

As he picked up a container of rice seasoning he said, "I can't find this in stores anywhere. It's hard to find this, so this is very helpful."
The article says Karayoshi used to have a seafood factory, but it is now buried underwater. In order to provide for his family, he borrows a friend's boat and fishes all evening and then sells the different items-octopus, crab, and scallops-to local markets in the morning.

"I'm so thankful when we receive things from people," he said. "There are many places that don't receive these kinds of things. You have to drive hours away to buy things like these. So I am thankful for these people delivering these things to us.
"In Japan you always give something back, but we have nothing to give."

The article goes on to say that Karayoshi and his family are taking a risk by staying near the coast, but they have hope that they can rebuild and renew their lives again. Since he is a community leader, he asked Samaritan's Purse staff if they could help his community pave a road to the volunteer center in case another earthquake and tsunami hits Japan. This summer we met that need by providing the equipment to clear a road up into the hills.
"Samaritan's Purse is not just helping now with the home kits, but right from the beginning," Chiba said. "I'm thankful for the home kit today. They have delivered things that we are in need of."

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** Michael Ireland is Senior Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can make a donation online under 'Donate' tab, then look for 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' under 'Donation Category' to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' Michael is a member in good standing of th e National Writers Union, Society of Professional Journalists, Religion Newswriters Association, Evangelical Press Association and International Press Association. If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior Reporter

Good and bad news six months after Japan tsunami

Japan (MNN) ― While scores of Americans were taking time to reflect on the World Trade center attacks on September 11, a nation halfway across the globe was reflecting on their own tragedy.
Last Sunday marked the six-month point since Japan was rocked by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and massive tsunami. Rebuild is moving along well, but the loss of some 20,000 people and the displacement of 400,000 more continues to plague the nation.
Throughout the devastating disaster, however, many Christians took up the challenge to respond by providing aid, shelter, and comfort. Only a miniscule fraction of the country was serving the Lord when the tsunami hit, but now the love of Christ permeates throughout as ministries give and love without condition.
International Aid is just one of those sparkling gems in the heap of ashes. The ministry has gathered over $150,000 in donations and can now rejoice over all the Lord has done as a result.
The funds have been used for a number of things. International Aid has been able to ship thousands of dollars of medications, hygiene products, blankets, and flashlights to partners working on the ground in Japan. They have also coordinated an effort to supply numerous families who lost their homes with "start-up" kits that include items such as appliances and furniture.
On top of that, the ministry has now purchased two vans that have enabled partners both to transport supplies to affected areas and to evacuate people living in locations with high radiation levels. They've also funded food packets that were distributed to Japanese people living in some of Japan's hardest hit areas.
All of this is done in the Name of Christ and His message. Thousands of Japanese continue to experience Christ's love as International Aid showers them with resources and Truth.
International Aid has been able to accomplish much, but many in Japan are still in need of help. Pray for God to open doors for International Aid to continue bringing relief to the Japanese people. Pray that hearts would open to the Gospel in the meantime.
You can help with this project. Visit internationalaid.org to give to this project today.

EFCA provides opportunity for tsunami survivors to talk

Japan (MNN) ― It's just three days before the six-month anniversary of a tsunami that rocked a nation, stealing countless lives and forcing thousands of Japanese out of their homes.

The world may have moved on to the next crisis, but Japan has far from forgotten.

Mark Lewis, the director for the Evangelical Free Church of America Crisis Response team, just returned from one of many trips to Japan a few days ago. What he saw included immense physical progress yet extreme emotional devastation.

"The government has done a tremendous job with continuing with cleanup efforts," notes Lewis, who says most of the large debris has now been moved.

"Our teams and our partners recently have been focusing on smaller debris cleanup," explains Lewis. The smaller cleanup includes sweeping streets and cleaning clogged gutters.

Lewis says it will probably be another year until cleanup is complete, but things are so far going along smoothly on a physical scale. Although Japan is slowly starting to look more like herself on the outside, however, the people of the nation are still suffering inside.

"The stress that's evident in peoples' lives is really the most significant thing that we've been noticing lately -- a lot of uncertainty and just a huge need [for people] to be able to talk and tell their story," Lewis remarks.

As Mission Network News has observed in previous articles surrounding the Japan tsunami, it's generally frowned upon for Japanese to express their emotions to others in public. The principal of "gaman" teaches them, in a sense, to "get over it." But Lewis says people nevertheless have been keen to speak to outsiders, in particular, about the disaster.
"We've found that outsiders represent a safe place--somebody who's not in the community, not in the group."

And not only are many survivors opening up, but they're eager to listen in return. "We have just experienced an incredible openness that our staff in Japan is saying is just unprecedented: [the] ability to engage with people without the very, very long process of relationship building. Those connections are happening in a very fast manner."
The Gospel is also being shared in unprecedented ways.

To allow people both an outlet to talk and a place to hear the hope of the Gospel, the EFCA is creating a mobile coffee shop ministry. The RV-type vehicle will move from camp to camp every week and will be staffed with believers. People will be able to go in, relax with a cup of coffee, and tell someone about their experience. Believers will be able to provide a listening ear and express the hope of Christ in return.

The EFCA is also working on a few projects with partners, including what will be a multi-denominational ministry center that will engage people in arts, crafts, English lessons and more all for the sake of spreading Christ's love.

Progress is being made like never before in physical cleanup and in spiritual revival in Japan, but many more hands are needed. Your church can send a team, or you can get involved on a personal level. Click here to view all of your options for crisis response in Japan.

Just Published ... Understanding Japan Through the Eyes of Christian Faith -- Fourth Edition & Revised Version

Aug. 19, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- After the tragic events of earthquakes and tsunamis in March this year in Japan, there are thousands of Christians praying for Japan and offering support and aid for the people of Japan. Thus, there is a growing interest in reaching the Japanese with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet, many have less information or knowhow about the Japanese people and culture. Understanding Japan through the eyes of Christian Faith (fourth edition & revised version) offers valuable information about Japan for Christians in the west. 

Understanding Japan though the eyes of Christian faith is a fascinating book, combining Sociology and Christian worldview in a systematic manner and simple language. Samuel Lee has skillfully examined various facets of the Japanese society and culture looking for answers of why Christianity is not widely accepted and practiced in Japan. After dealing the historical background of Christianity in Japan and describing the socio-cultural condition of the nation, the author comes up with strategies and suggestions of how Christianity should approach Japan and suggests that Christianity should be reintroduced in Japan. 

"Japan is a nation ready for the Gospel. However, for decades there has been a missing piece to the missiological puzzle. Samuel Lee's profound book is a giant step toward revealing that missing piece. Once it is uncovered and applied, Japan will experience the bountiful spiritual harvest we have been waiting for!" -- C. Peter Wagner, PhD Chancellor, Wagner Leadership Institute

Samuel Lee is a Sociologist specialized in Japanese Society, graduated from Leiden University. He is a member of Christian Sociological Society. 

Understanding Japan through the eyes of Christian faith is a sociological and spiritual handbook for missionaries, mission organizations, churches, Christian Universities/Colleges and every Christian who is interested in reaching Japan. Japan is now ready to embrace the Gospel. You can discover it by reading this book. 

Understanding Japan through the eyes of Christian faith 978-9490179090, since July 2011, available in Barnes & Noble, Amazon and other online bookstores. Make sure to purchase the fourth edition & revised version.

For more information or orders, please visitwww.projectjapan.org.   

To order from Amazon follow this link.