Pastors tired in Japan, hundreds of missionaries needed

By December 6, 2011

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 to http://www.go2japan.org.

25 Comments

  • Hi my name is Jerome Castillo from the Philippines, and im interested to work in Japan as a missionary. I am a pastor andI have been serving the Lord for more than 15 14 years now..I love Japan because this is the hometown of my great grand father..and its an honor for me to work there..I can speak English and Filipino. I can easily adopt new languages..I am also an artist and a cook, a singer but most of all i have a passion to serve the people..i can used my talent and skills to help the locals and develop their live holistically..

  • Hi my name is pastor chukwu emeka from the Nigeria, and i am interested to work in Japan as a missionary. I am a pastor and I have been serving the Lord for more than 14 years now..I love Japan because this is the hometown of my great grand father..and its an honor for me to work there..I can speak English and igbo language. I can easily adopt new languages..I am also an artist and a cook, a singer but most of all i have a passion to serve the people..i can used my talent and skills to help the locals and develop their live holistically..
    kindly reply me thanks

  • Hi my name is pastor chukwu emeka from the Nigeria, and i am interested to work in Japan as a missionary. I am a pastor and I have been serving the Lord for more than 14 years now..as a pastor i can volunteer 100s pastors from my country Nigeria to work voluntarily as missionary in japan..and its an honor for me to work there..I can speak English and igbo language. I can easily adopt new languages..I am also an artist and a cook, a singer but most of all i have a passion to serve the people..i can used my talent and skills to help the locals and develop their live holistically..
    kindly reply me thanks

  • says:
    November 11, 2014 at 1:16 am

    Hi my name is pastor chukwu emeka from the Nigeria, and i am interested to work in Japan as a missionary. I am a pastor and I have been serving the Lord for more than 14 years now..as a pastor i can volunteer 100s pastors from my country Nigeria to work voluntarily as missionary in japan..and its an honor for me to work there..I can speak English and igbo language. I can easily adopt new languages..I am also an artist and a cook, a singer but most of all i have a passion to serve the people..i can used my talent and skills to help the locals and develop their live holistically..
    kindly reply me thanks

  • I am a prolific writer,literature editor and a evangelist missionary trained with assemblies of God Nigeria. I served for 15 years with Assemblies of God mission Aba District but work now as an independent evangelist missionary to many Countries. I am interested to work in Japan as a missionary.and to be part of the service unto the LORD over there. Tell me the processes.pastor Kalu okebe

  • Hi, my name is Cressida Shindle i’m just about to enter college and i would like to become a missionary. I am from india and there are many christian organisations here and my dad is a missionary working in Trans World Radio. Japan has always interested me especially the technology and the people’s will power to get back on their feet and the one thing that is missing is they have not found Christ yet and i would like to work for God there. I’m not good in speaking boldly but i am good with words. I can think of abroad studies only after three years after college. I always think about the words said by Jesus,” There are few workers here and My Father will send more to preach the Good News to the world.”

  • hello i am the church planters of upc here in bohol i graduated bible colleges in manila since 1972 so i am still church planters here in mindanao and visayas also in luzon i hope that you accept me as missionary in japan ok pastor perfecto mumar pls reply me soon

  • victor says:

    Are you in Japan already or planing to come over?

  • victor says:

    To ease your coming to Japan you can take up student visa

  • Dear sir,
    My name is Rev.OLADEBO JOSEPH KEHINDE from the Nigeria, and I am interested to work in Japan as a missionary. I am a Missionary-pastor and I have been serving the Lord for more than 30 years now..as a missionary-pastor with Evangelism/ missions experiences I can volunteer pastors from my country Nigeria to work as volunteer missionary in japan..and its an honor for me to work there..I can speak English and I can easily adopt new languages..I am also a farmer, above all ,I have a passion to serve the Japanese people.I can used my pastoral-missionary experiences to help the locals and develop their live both spiritually and physically.I AM READY AND PREPARE.
    kindly reply me thanks

  • Aiwe gladys says:

    please i will like to know what is required of me to come over as a missionary

  • Your Name says:

    May Lord bless u all

  • Hi, My name is Rev. Michael Scepter. leader of Soul-Savers International. the Lord has laid on our heart to go to Asia and serve His purpose. I find Japan and any part of Asia a great platform to serve the Lord. we will be grateful if we could be contacted for further relationship.

  • Hello

    I greet you i the name of our lord Jesus. I just finished my bachelor in Divinity from a university. Am ready and willing to serve as a missionary in Japan or anywhere you might need me to be. Am having a heart for mission to see the kingdom of God extend.

  • A blessed day in the glorious Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!. I am Bishop Jonathan Acosta a senior pastor and founding chairman of Jesus is The Sure Foundation Christian Church International Inc. at CSJDM Bulacan Pihilippines. I am praying for a missionary work specially to japan where many of my love ones work and live there.
    I have a strong compassion for the souls and heartily committed to preach the gospel and to make true disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.I believe by working as a missionary to japan I could be able to support our churches here in the Philippines as well. God blessed us to be a blessings.

  • Im pastor arvin j. castillon from the Philippines God. called me for the missions in the tribe in our place..also i have enough experiences in handling a church. Furthermore, i am a mathematics teacher and a computer technician . I am willing to work as a missionary in Japan.

  • Your Name says:

    Hi,
    I am Bishop Elisha E Howard, general Overseer of ICF mission inc.a Christian Umbrella organization working with churches and para- church mission, operating in Sierra Leone West Africa. we are presently networking in West Africa and will be opening to collaborate with missions in Asia.
    Bishop Elisha E Howard

  • I am Pastor Philip, 62 years old but still strong and willing to serve our Lord Jesus Christ. I have been a pastor for almost 7 years. Usually my ministry is church planting in the provinces outside Metro Manila, Philippines.

    I want to serve the Lord in Japan because more than 90% does not know about GOSPEL OF SALVATION .

    I love the Japanese because I work there as a construction workers for seven years when I am not yet a believer of Christ.

    I know I can work hand in hand with them because I can speak fluent Japanese.

    I know their culture, tradition, religion , love and passion.

    This is a great opportunity for me to serve my God who gave his precious and only Son Jesus Christ for my Salvation.

    Hoping and praying for your reply.

    your in Christ

    Philip

  • Iam a 35year old pastor working with pentecostal Holiness in zambia, África also working as a farm manager for a commercial farm. My passion has been to help with the work of God when ever iam needed. Please help me get to japan and help in extending the kingdom of christ Jesus.
    Yours in Christ

    Kizito

  • David Balan says:

    I am Pastor David Balan from India, been as a missionary in the northern India for the past 6 years. God has given me a vision for Japan in the year 2015. I am waiting on God to open a door so that i could go to Japan. I am at present learning Japanese. I am basically a IT professional and my wife has done her Masters in English Literature. I have a 11 month old son. we all are waiting on God to bring to pass all that He has promised. if any organization willing to take us a s a missionary do contact me.

  • Calvary greeting beloved, iam pastor Ifeanyi chukwu igwe From Nigeria .I pastored for six years now. I want to pastor in Japan. And I will serve well. Thanks
    Pastor Ifeanyi chukwu igwe

  • Calvary greetings in Jesus name- Amen.My name is Pastor Harrison, from Nigeria and currently serving as a missionary in Madagascar and recently have been perceiving a calling in my spirit for the Asian continent and particularly Japan, and i strongly believe that God has an assignment for us in Japan. i have been in Ministry since 2002 and was officially ordained in 2006.. We speak English.We’ll appreciate this privilege to be a blessing to God’s people. Remain bless

  • joseph says:

    iam interested in serving in japan visited last year and look forward to serve there

  • Royd Nsooka says:

    Hi
    My name is Royd Nsooka. I serve as a pastor in Zambia with the Pilgrim Wesleyan Church and have been a pastor for 13 years. Am a theologian, humanitarian, and community development initiator. I love serving humanity holistically and believe i can serve meaningfully in Japan. i speak English and a number of Zambian Languages. Am very interested to come and serve in Japan. kindly help me make this a reality by availing me the details on how to get there.

    Royd Nsooka

  • says:
    November 11, 2014 at 1:16 am

    Hi my name is Apostle progress ogbonna from Nigeria, and i am interested to work in Japan as a missionary. I am an Apostle By Calling and I have been serving the Lord for more than 20years now. I have also traveled to 8^ country”s FOR MISSION WORK and i will be very happy to be among the one you will choose for missionary in japan..and its an honor for me to work with you..I can speak English and igbo language. I can easily adopt new languages.and i have a passion to serve.
    kindly reply me thanks

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