Praying for Japan with GCM Missionaries
March 22, 2011
As we've watched the difficult events in Japan these last weeks, we've thought of GCM missionaries who focus on the gospel for this beautiful but much-lost country. We invite you to consider giving towards the ministry of one of these gospel-workers who move between Japan and the United States on a regular basis.
Stacey Lovett
Focus on Japan // University of Illinois Ministry // FD8640 // Give Now
Just days before the earthquake hit, I purchased my plane tickets for another mission trip to Japan.
I have been to Japan six times, and I have also spent much of my life dedicated to learning the language and pursuing full-time missions there. When I first heard about the 9.0 earthquake that hit Japan and the resulting tsunami, I was very concerned, but I felt confident that this great industrious nation would rebuild very quickly. In the days that followed, however, it has become clear that the rising death toll and concerns over nuclear instability have left Japan in complete shock. I have watched several interviews with survivors of the tsunami who admit that they do not know where their spouses, children and grandchildren are. It is heartbreaking to imagine the emotions they must be feeling.
My contacts in Japan are reporting that they are safe but very concerned. Pray that any radiation that is leaked will dissipate over the ocean rather than blowing over large cities like Tokyo. During this crisis, we can only hope and pray that God will move in the hearts of the Japanese people to seek Him as the one true God, and Jesus Christ His Son.
David & Danielle Cervenka
Focus on Japan // University of North Texas Ministry // FD7206 // Give Now
As soon as we heard about the events in Sendai, we began praying that the Lord would use this as a wide open door for the Japanese people to reach out for Him.
We have already seen the effects of these events on our friends. Here at the University of North Texas, some of the students we have been reaching out to are more open to the truth of Christ than ever before. Danielle and I hosted a rather impromtu prayer time for the needs in Japan and two of our unbelieving Japanese friends attended and one even joined us in praying out loud. Another Japanese man that I have been praying for over nine months began showing an interest in Christ over the last several weeks and we began studying the Bible together just a couple days ago!
Steve Sakanashi
Focus on Japan // Mars Hill Church Ministry // FD7166 // Give Now
Although I have lived my whole life in America, I am 100% Japanese with half of my family still residing in Japan. My mother became a Christian through a missionary from Connecticut who faithfully taught the gospel to children in her town. As a full-blooded Japanese man born into a family with two Japanese Christian parents, I am an anomaly and statistical miracle. I consider myself a recipient of rare grace, grace that I long to see poured out among the 127 million Japanese who live in spiritual darkness. With less than 1% who profess a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, Japan is the second largest unreached people group in the world.
I'm praying for the current relief missions… many of my Japanese friends and missionaries are working together with other churches to gather resources, raise funds, and deliver supplies to areas the government is not reaching.
I have been serving for the last three years at Mars Hill Church in Seattle receiving key training and experience in church planting. Long-term, I am planning on serving as a missionary church planter among the Japanese people.
Founded in 1989, Great Commission Ministries partners with missional churches to provide trained and funded church planters and missionaries in their own context. GCM is a 5013(c) non-profit charity and a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1993. For gifts to qualify as tax-deductible, they must be intended by the donor for use by GCM and are not as a personal gift to an individual. You are supporting a pre-approved ministry by a GCM-approved missionary. All contributions are the sole property of GCM; GCM maintains full control of the donated funds and ultimate discretion as to their use for GCM’s ministry purposes. Thank you for your generosity!
GCM has a mission-focus of evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. For gifts towards relief work, we might suggest giving towards the fund established by our friend Samaritan's Purse.
