I'm a pastor interested in a short-term missions and church planting in Japan. How do I begin?

Thanks for the great question. We have recently formed a strategic partnershipstrategic partnership with SIM to more effectively reach Japan. Currently we are working through if and how the partnership will impact getting people to field. Because of this I do not currently have practical next steps for you.

That said I do have some questions for you.

Are you hoping to send a team from your church in the near future? Next summer?

How has God been leading you towards ministry in Japan?

Once again, sorry that I do not have immediate next steps for you but we will post them as soon as they are available.

Dear Pastor Deverick,

Thank you for the post. It is great that you are interested in short-term missions and church planting in Japan!
I know Robert will provide great assistance for you in regards to the next step with Asian Access.

I just want you to know that I am very much excited to know someone has a heart for Japan imparted by our Lord!
I just came back from the disaster afflicted area yesterday. Many Japanese pastors are saying we need to plant more churches!

I pray that our Lord would bring you over to Japan one way or the other!

Blessings,

Takeshi

Robert,
Thank you for replying. Currently, my wife and I are looking at next summer as the time that God will send us to Japan. Let me share with you why the dreams and visions God has shown me. First, he showed me in a dream standing on a very elaborate bridge. It had roads leading into a tunnel. I saw a picture of this bridge months later, which after researching, I discovered was the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line. Recently, he showed my wife and I standing at an intersection in Tokyo that I just saw a photo of recently. Every time God shows me a place, I end up there. I prayed and ask for the purpose and direction of these visions, and He spoke this word, "change". I understood that He is looking to bring change to Japan and He wants me to help. I have no other purpose in life, but to serve Him. Through serving Him, abundance of peace and life will be attained. I want to do the will of my Father. Whatever you can do to assist me would be gladly appreciated. I know there will bands of resisitance, but I believe there is none greater than our Lord, and that the fight is fixes for our victory through Christ. I'm learning all I can about the Japanese culture, language, and social norms. If you have recommended reading material, please refer them. Keep me posted on the partnership with SIM.

God Bless Youl

Takeshi,
I believe it is the will of God that we will meet and have coffee together.
Thank you for replying and I will keep you in prayer.

Hello Pastor Deverick,

Thanks for the encouraging words on how God has been leading you. That is a powerful testimony of both God's leading and to Japan and of expectancy of what He is going to do. We are working on being able to give you some next steps as soon as possible.

As for resources, Takeshi has posted a very useful list here.

Thanks again for your patience and excited to see how God continues to lead you and your family.

Robert

Hello Robert,
Just following up to see if you have any information on the steps I need to take assist Pastors in Japan. Whatever information you have would be useful.

God Bless You,

Deverick Crippen
8920 Athol Road
Mardela Springs, MD 21837
Phone: 443-523-7151
Email: deverickc@gmail.com

You have asked Robert and he will assist you very well.
I just thought that I will write some ideas here. It may not be helpful for you at this point but at least it would give you more information. If you already have these information, please just be encouraged that we know the same things!!

Specific opportunities that is available at this point that gear toward helping churches in relief work.
- Hope Miyagi
www.hopemiyagi.org/HopeMiyagi/Welcome.html
- Oasis Life Care
en.oasislifecare.org/
-3.11 Iwate Network
311.ichurch.jp/?lang=en

All three organizations are started by our partner churches in disaster area. You can contact directly to them.

Again, robert will give you the next step if you are interested in longer term.
Thank you so much for your prayer and interest. As a Japanese, I am blessed to hear from you.

Blessings,

Takeshi

Thanks Takeshi.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that the New Year brings manifestation of to your plans and goals.

Deverick

Happy New Year,

I found my way back to the forum. As for now we are unsure of our capacity to host teams in the near future. With that I would encourage you to contact the groups Takeshi mentioned. They are doing great work as he said and would be happy to talk with you. Also, when our capacity is known I will post that as well.

Thanks for your patience and looking forward to hearing what God does with all of this,

Robert