February 2010 Newsletter

Dear Brother and Sisters,

I hope all is well. These past months and days have been eventful to say the least. I've been hearing a lot about Matthew 24:4-8, which is also a reminder of how important it is to continue sharing the Gospel.

The class at Hiroshima International University has been on break.

Our Daichi church prayer for the city of Hiroshima and worship time has continued. We are still but a few, but the Lord continues to remind us to be faithful to prayer since we know that the fight for salvation is indeed a spiritual battle to be fought in the Spirit through prayer. Recent themes of our meetings as a result of the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit include "unity in the church" and "forgiveness".

At Daichi church on Wednesdays our children's English class has been steady. Natsuko, Ayaka, Onyu, and Chan-soo have attended regularly this month. Our themes for this class have been "John 3:16", "God loves you", and "One God." As for our adult class, we have not had any non-believers attend this month. So rather than being an outreach at this time it is a time to build up the believers in thw who attend such as Beth and Mari.

Also, at Daichi, I have begun my first of six sermons I will teach this year in the book of Ephesians. It was an expository study looking at the first chapter of Ephesians which could be summarized as, the blessings we have and in Christ and Paul's prayer for the people of Ephesus. I am very grateful to my brother pastor Lee for translating for me, and I am praying and studying so that by the 5th or 6th study of this 6 part series I will be able to at least read the sermon in Japanese without translation. Lord willing it will be done!

One final note, I am very pleased to announce that I am now engaged to be married to Yukiji Miyaoka! She is a Proverbs 31 women indeed! I am so very fortunate and thankful for her. We met when I first moved to Hiroshima almost two years ago. Since that time I have prayed continuously asking if it was His will for us to marry. On September 23, 2009 the Lord answered my prayer during my quiet-time. We began pre-marital counseling this past January. I proposed on Valentine's Day. We will marry on July 25, 2010 at Daichi church in Hiroshima, Japan. The Lord is good, and His timing is perfect.

Thank you for reading! May the Lord continue to lead us each and every step!

In Jesus,

Tyler

January Newsletter

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I hope you are all doing well.

This month at the Hiroshima International University, due to the long break and illnesses, we met only once, but what an interesting conversation it was. Three ladies attended and each received a Bible before we said goodbye. The Lord led us through our conversation together, from issues about world politics to what the Bible says about drinking. We pray that the seeds planted with the people who attend will bear fruit one day, as the Lord wills.

At Daichi church our Tuesday night prayer and worship time was also less frequent than we would have liked, since we were only able to meet once during this month. But, at the meeting we were blessed with the attendance of a missionary group from Korea who served at the church for about a week. It was a big group of about 15 or 20 people. So many times our time on Tuesdays is just pastor Lee, Mari, Mr. Kim and I. Having such a large group was really a blessing which the Lord used to encourage me about unity. One of the thoughts was realizing that this is a picture of heaven where people from every nation and tongue, through the generations, are united in Christ. Amen!

At the Daichi English/Bible study we met as scheduled. This month for our children's class Ayaka, Natsuko, Chad, Ahynn, Onyu, and Chansoo joined us. As usual We had a blast! Our advanced Bible study group included Chad, Beth, Mari, and Hikaru. The Lord spoke to our hearts as we studied His Word. Hikaru will not be able to join any longer since he will be studying abroad, but he wrote me an encouraging email. He wrote:

"Thank you today. I could go to Daiichi Kyokai (church) today after a long time. I enjoy talking to you. Your conversation about Christian is good for me because I had not known about it."

Lastly, it is with great sadness while also rejoicing that I write about my dear brother Micah Stout who went home to be with the Lord on January 6, 2010 after battling cancer and a blood infection. He was 32. He was a Godly man whom the Lord used to reach people wherever he was. I was fortunate enough to meet with him one last time here on earth this past summer in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a special time. I learned a lot from Micah and I look forward to the day we will meet again in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please pray for his wife and children.

Thank you for reading. May the Lord continue to guide us each and every step!

In Jesus,

Tyler

December Newsletter 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Another year has come and gone! I hope you have all gotten off to a good start so far this year. Here is a brief summary of some things that happened this past December in Hiroshima.

At Hiroshima International University during our Monday night English conversation/occasional Bible study we met only a couple times and Junko was the only one to show up. She is a part time instructor who like studying English. She is talkative and we had some interesting conversations about various world view topics and even about how Christians ought to approach marriage. She was surprised to find out that Christians are to be "equally yoked". It seems that these types of conversations tend to leave an impression and perhaps correct or reinforce misconceptions which nonbelievers can have about Christianity.11

Our Tuesday night prayer and worship time at Daichi Church continued to be a great time of edification for all who attended. Our focus continues to be to pray for the people of the city...that the veil which has blinded their eyes would be removed and that they would be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ!

During our Wednesday English Bible study at Daichi church we were blessed to have a new student from Korea. She came because her friend (who not a believer!) recommended her to come. Of course it was great to meet her, but the best part was that she came to church on Sunday! Seems that the Lord is answering prayers and bringing more people to church! Amen!

I was able to return home from December 23rd through January 3rd only to enjoy a great time of fellowship with friends and family! Praise the Lord! During this time I was blessed and encouraged especially in regard to doors that may be opening during the course of this next year. May the Lord be glorified in 2010!

Please pray as the Spirit leads. Thanks for reading! May the Lord continue to guide us each and every step as we begin this new year!

In Jesus,

Tyler

November Newsletter

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Happy belated Thanksgiving!

This month we were blessed with the arrival Mr. Kim from Korea who will be serving with us here in Hiroshima at Daichi church. Mr. Kim and I were able to get along quite well speaking Japanese (since I don't speak Korean and he doesn't speak English very well) which was an unexpected blessing from the Lord. Thank you Lord! On Saturday, we went out into the city and distributed tracts to whom ever the Lord brought our way. It looks to be the start of wonderful service together. I look forward to serving with brother Kim.

Also at Daichi church we continued our Tuesday worship and "prayer for the city" gathering. Each time the Lord continues to encourage us and has equipped us to edify one another through the gifts of the Spirit.

Our English class at Daichi has been a little less popular this month due to illnesses, scheduling, and the weather. However, when we were able to meet, Hikaru, a student from one of the local universities was able to join us. Please pray for students Natsuko, Yuko, and Hikaru.

Our English class at Hiroshima International University was also a bit sporatic this month. Please pray for Junko and the rest of the students who attend.

Our "Jazz for Jesus" concerts at a couple local cafes worked out well. Thank you for your prayers! We were able to combine jazz and classical music with Bible reading and probing questions about Jesus and the beattitudes. The people who came were very responsive and even took part in our question and answers during the concert. When we asked "what kind of person is a person who is mericful" a man in the audience shouted out, "I am!!!" It was comedy, and yet the Gospel message was indeed preached during the perfromance. Also, each person was given a pack of tissues or a tract with the Gospel message written on it. Praise the Lord that seeds were scattered! We pray they may bare fruit!

Also, as a result of the concerts I was able to spend some personal time talking with Mr. Nakano who is a professing buddhist. He approached me at work full of curiousity and interest (he teaches at the same school as I do). He was very curious about my faith in Christ and asked several questions. The next day our conversation continued and we met for coffee. He continued to ask about my "conversion experience", how I was changed, and what it felt like...such great questions, right?! During each reply I felt the Holy Spirit leading me in what to say. Praise the Lord! He wants to meet again so please pray that the Lord remove the blindness that has been placed over his eyes that he may be saved by faith in Jesus Christ!

Thank you for reading! Thank you for your prayers! May the Lord bless you and continue to lead us each and every step!

In Jesus,
Tyler

October Newsletter

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I hope you are all keeping warm as winter approaches. During the month of October we had some good opportunities where people heard the Gospel. Even though the ground is rock hard here and people often seem to be indifferent when confronted with questions about life or death or just better living in general, some good Spirit led conversations have been taking place.

At Hiroshima International University we had a very probing conversation during our Monday night English Bible study. After reading about Jesus and his disciples, the question was asked, "Would you follow Jesus?" One student said, "No, because I don't understand him." Which was very honest. Another student said, "Maybe...because he teaches good things." These two responses are par for the course here...But, they keep coming back and "Maybe" the Lord will open up their hearts that they may be saved! Please pray for the students of this class.

At Daichi church on Wednesday nights, we have the regular attendance from a couple of Pastor Lee's daughters and an elementary school student from the neighborhood named Natsuko. For our adult class, other than a couple of church members, we have had one faithful student named Yuko coming to our Wednesday night class. Recently God has opened the door to very deep conversations during our adult class. We have been able to continuously preach the Gospel while teaching through the various scriptures we have studied. As result of our time to together, as God has led the way, we were able to give Yuko a Bible. Of course, we pray that all such efforts would bare fruit. Please pray for these classes.

Our Tuesday night Prayer and Worship time for the city of Hiroshima continues to gather and we appreciate your prayers as the Spirit leads.

Please also pray for Pastor Lee and his family as they have made a decision to home school their children next year. It is not an easy decision since this is a group culture and his oldest son is a 6th grader who has been in the system since the first grade. One of the reasons for the change is due to the endless activities that take place on Sundays. The Lord's day is not a priority here. Particularly, if you are in a school club or sports team, the activities and games usually fall on Sundays. Additionally, school community events also fall on Sundays and there is great pressure for parents, Christian or not, to join the group. That being said, Pastor Lee has been faithful throughout, and has not allowed his children to play the Sunday games or attend the events. I respect him for this decision, especially since some members and or/ pastors of other churches don't think it is such a big deal. As a result, I believe the church is suffering as cultural expectations infiltrate into the church (I believe this is a world-wide epidemic). I think Jesus made it pretty simple when He said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God..." Please pray for the Christians of Japan to stand up and stand out and be radical in a country where being radical generally has severe social consequences.

Thanks for reading,

In Jesus,
Tyler

September Newsletter

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I hope all is well. God continues to be faithful in all things as we begin a new season here in Hiroshima Japan.

Although we are only a handful, our Tuesday night worship and prayer has time has been a wonderful blessing to the few who are faithful to attend. We continue to lift up the people of Hiroshima in prayer while also worshipping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and allowing for the gifts of the Spirit should the Lord allow. I have been so blessed by this time, particularly because we all just simply show up to seek the Lord together. Of course, structure is a good thing, and the Lord does desire order in the church, but this time of "whatever the Lord has in store" as we wait on and worship Him seems also to be a good thing resulting in the group being recharged and refreshed each and every time. Hallelujah!

Our Wednesday Children's English class/English Bible Study study has also been good. This group has always been just a few, but each season seems to bring at least one new face if not more. This season in our children's English class we have Natsuko, Yuki, Kazuki, Onyu, Hawn, and Chang-soo. We pray that they would grow up knowing the Lord. For our Bible study class we have Beth, Ms. Yamada, and Yuko(if I'm not mistaken) who have been joining us thus far.

Mr. Iimura is not longer attending and has informed one of our church members that it is because he doesn't want to hear about the Bible or Jesus anymore. Of course, I hope that he will have a change of heart. Overall, he has been presented with the truth of Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior and has made his choice and there is not much more we can do for him except remain available if he should choose to return.

We have just began a Saturday evening Bible study here in Kure which we are hoping to continue once or twice per month. Our first meeting included three people from three different countries united in Christ; sister Yukiji (Japan), brother Tyrone (Philippines), and myself (America) as we studied the first chapter of Luke together. Tyrone was particularly blessed when we read Luke 1:37 which states, "With God nothing shall be impossible." Such a short verse but with tremdous truth, especially since it was in reference to the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ!

School is back in session at Hiroshima International University as of today, so I am looking forward to the monthly Bible study during brother Tim's Monday night English class going on there as the Lord wills.

We will have two Jazz for Jesus concerts at two local cafes next month on 11/21 and 11/22 where we will be publicly reading scripture and playing instrumental music. We will also have tracts available. We pray that the Lord would be glorified in this endeavor.

Thank you for reading! Please pray as the Spirit leads.

In Jesus,
Tyler

July/August Newsletter

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I hope you are all well. It has been a good summer, full of different events and activities and overall good rest. So much to be thankful for, praise the Lord.

I was able to return home for a couple weeks to visit family and friends. My main intention for returning was to visit my dear brother Micah Stout who is battling cancer. Please pray for his healing if it be His will.

Also this summer during the weekend of August 13-16 we played a total of four concerts; three at local establishments where we gave out tract-like postcards which stated our group history having started as a jam session at the church in addition to the wonderful Word of John 3:16. Our final fourth concert took place at Daichi Church after the service where we read Psalms in between songs. Those who attended told us they were indeed edified and refreshed by the reading of scriptures during our concert.

Praise the Lord for the edification of the body of Christ! Praise the Lord for the good relationships which were established during these times! Also, praise the Lord for our two non-believing friends Yuh Nagai and Kouji Hirai who played guitar and keyboards with us and heard the Gospel message in addition to witnessing the love of God demonstrated by the body of Christ! Of course, we pray they may one day be saved.

Our classes at the Hiroshima International University on Mondays will resume in October since they have an extended break.

Our Tuesday Praise and Worship time at Daichi church will resume Sept. 8th.

Our Thursday English Bible study will resume Sept. 10th.

Please pray as the Spirit leads.

Thanks for reading and may we continue to keep our eyes on Jesus in whatever we are doing!

In Jesus,
Tyler