Jamming for Jesus (recent gathering/rehearsal and future plans)

Recent session
Yesterday we had another "Jamming for Jesus" musical gathering. It was a good session and we got some "real" practicing done. We continue to work on our arrangements. Basically, our arrangments are chord progressions with alternating soloists aswell as the background music for the Bible readings (mostly Psalms). Also, there are a few praise and worship songs which we have arranged to fit our "Jam band" and Bible reading style.

Group members
The group has been formed into Kazu (bass), Naomi (piano), Matthew (guitar), Seiko (vocals and Bible reading), myself on drums. Kazu's friend Keisuke will also join us occasionally when time permits. (Please pray that Keisuke will be saved). Of course, we welcome anyone who would like to join us, so Lord willing, more will come. In addition, we will be blessed with the service of volunteers who will be passing out tracts, Bibles, etc.

Future Plans
We are planning to have an outreach performance as early as October, Lord willing. Please join us in prayer, that this may be a fruitful outreach.

"Jamming for Jesus"

Tonight marked our third official "Jamming for Jesus" musical gathering at Mitaki Green Chapel. It was another blessed night. Our regular group consists of Kazu on rhythm guitar and bass, his wife Naomi on piano, her sister Seiko on percussion, Matthew on lead guitar, Kris on bass, Junko on keyboards, and myself on drums. Tonight was special since Kazu's friend Keisuke came and played guitar with us. What a treat, he is a very good player. He plays a lot around Hiroshima city. Please join us in prayer for him; that He may see the love of Christ in us and be saved.

Our Vision:
We are preparing to play monthly outreach concerts at Peace park, or perhaps some other public location. The concerts would include worship songs, instrumental jamming with Bible reading, and giving tracts. We will need a PA system and a few other things, so please pray for God's provision. Please pray that this would be a fruitful ministry.

"Especially those who belong to the family of believers..."

Today at Mitaki Pastor Kevin's sermon was on 1John3:16; about Christ's love for us, "...because He laid down His life for us..." During the sermon, Kevin brought up Galatians 6:10, which reads, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
This verse particularly ministered to me regarding the recent ministries I have been involved with. Whether it was teaching an English class for mostly church members at Takashima chapel, or Kid's Drum Time at Mitaki, or "Jamming for Jesus" at Mitaki, these are all examples of, "doing good...especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Initially, I had struggled because I desired to evangelize, to be involved in outreaches, however the ministry opportunities that opened up were more like acts of service to bless the body of Christ. Reading Galatians 6:10 I see that such service is "especially" recommended! It is a privilege to be involved with anything the Lord is doing. Praise the Lord!

Jamming For Jesus/Final English Class at Takashima

On Saturday we had our first "Jamming for Jesus" session at Mitaki Chapel. We started out with some nice drum ensemble and piano grooves followed by a nice chord progression from our dear brother Kazu who is just beginning on guitar. Kazu's friend came and played some drums. Nice guy! Definitely good to see him, especially since he is not a believer. Hopefully, he will come again next time. The intent of this time is for fellowship and as an outreach for non believers to come and enjoy playing music together, and hopefully to experience the Joy of the Lord that they may be saved. His will be done.

This past Sunday marked the final day of the English series I taught at Takashima Chapel. The class went as usual and we read Scripture from Acts 9 about Paul's conversion experience. I used the text from the Children's Bible since it was an easier read. After reading, we wrote sentences using the key words. This final class marked the end of a year and a half of loving service together with the Mori's and the other brothers and sisters at Takashima Chapel. Hopefully, in the future we will be able to enjoy fellowship again sometime. Praise the Lord for the brothers and sisters at Takashima Chapel!

Takashima English class #5

Our English class went as usual this past weekend. We studied the passage in John 1:36-42 when John the Baptist's disciples began to follow Jesus and Andrew and his brother Simon met Jesus and Jesus told Simon he would then be called Cephas or Peter. The phrase, "the rest of..." came up since it turns out to be a relative phrase to the totality of the subject it is related to. So, I did my best to explain why we say it in English and so I used various examples such as, "the rest of the pie," "the rest of my life," "the rest of the class," etc. Trying to make a simple explanation was challenging, but I did my best. Also, another interesting thing came about when Pastor Mori asked why we use the word "Pork" when speaking about eating pig meat, and beef for cow meat. Again, it was challenging to answer. He brought up a good point when he said that rice eating countries have several words for the different parts of the rice grain. In contrast English speaking countries primarily use the word "grain." So, he said if it is important to the culture, they tend to be more specific identifications for such important things.

Mitaki Chapel Drum Time with the kids

This past Sunday, we tried a new thing with the kids at Mitaki Chapel. It was my first time to get together with them. Usually I attend the English service during this time. Here is the situation: The kids have already had Sunday school in the morning during the Japanese service. However, their parents are involved with the English service during the afternoon, so they need something to do during that time. So, I offered to teach the kids some rhythms. The kids seemed to enjoy it, although it was really loud. I was told later that the people upstairs in the English service could hear us banging away! (Oops! Sorry about that!) Our next session is scheduled for the 20th, and this time we will probably be doing it outside near the river, and away from the church!

Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you..."

Our fourth class at Takeshima Chapel included some seminary students from the Osaka area who were visiting for the weekend. As you can see in the picture above, everyone was studying hard. The text we used was from Luke 11:5-10. As many of you already know, Jesus tells a story about a man who has a friend come to visit and the hosting friend has no bread to offer, so he goes over to his neighbor who is in bed and after repeatedly asking, the neighbor finally gives his some bread. In the same way, Jesus said, ask and it will be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you. As usual we read the text together, discussed the contents of the story, and used key words to write our own sentences. After writing sentences students shared their sentences with the class. Still not sure what the Lord is doing here, but for the time it continues, His will be done. Our last class is scheduled for the end of the month.