Global Mission Stories
from ELCA Global Mission

Evangelism in Japan starts with the young, reaches out to many

Just over a year ago, Pastor Tim Mason and his family moved from Kakegawa in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, to a congregation in the big city of Nagoya. Whereas the previous setting was a two-point parish, Meito Church is essentially two congregations in one church. Morning worship is in Japanese and English is used in the evening.

Mason, an ELCA missionary, has always been an energetic evangelist, even witnessing to people during a hospital stay several years ago. But he reports the following about the older of his two sons, Andrew, who is seven.


Pastor Tim Mason and The Jinushi family

"Andrew, as was the case when we lived in Kakegawa, is the best missionary in the family. As soon as he began making friends at school, he was inviting them to church. One day he brought his friend, Fuga. Fuga is a very creative and little boy; Andrew is also creative, but much quieter, so they make a good team. 

"Soon, Fuga brought his parents and his sister, Aria. Fuga’s parents, Mr. & Mrs. Jinushi, love the music of J. S. Bach, so they named their children, Fuga and Aria, as in fugue and Aria. Soon, the Jinushi family was attending church every Sunday. Mrs. Jinushi attended Bible Study before worship. Mr. Jinushi brought his guitar, and was soon learning Christian music and playing in the Meito band. 


Aria Jinushi being baptized

"Sometime during the month of January, Mrs. Jinushi came up to me after worship, and asked if her family could get baptized.

"On Easter they were baptized as a family."

Beyond this, the ministry of the congregation reaches out to the world. The 6 pm worship includes people from Canada, Kenya, Australia, England, Hungary, Indonesia, France, Korea, The Philippines, Mexico, the USA, and many other countries. "I receive phone calls at all hours from foreigners in Japan who are lonely, lost, in trouble, or just home sick," says Mason. "We also have almost every denomination represented as well."

However, like any international church and like the seasons, the make-up of the congregation can change rapidly. There are people always coming, or going. "We always look forward to see who God will lead to our doors," he says.

Liz Pike from England, who was also baptized on Easter.
Children's sermon time at Meito Lutheran Church.		 Meito Lutheran Church's web site.

 

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