Annual Report 2005 for LCJE Japan
By Teiichiro Kuroda, LCJE Coordinator for Japan
It is my pleasure to report our activities of LCJE Japan. It has already been twelve years since we started LCJE Japan ministries. The Lord has been blessing our ministries very much and there are now more than ten different mission groups or organizations in Japan, which pray for Israel, help the Jewish people both spiritually and materially, and work for the salvation of Jews around the world. When we started LCJE Japan, most of the Japanese Christians and churches didn’t have their spiritual eyes opened as they are now. LCJE Japan has been playing an important part of this spiritual work. Therefore we thank God and praise Him.
Now, looking back at the year of 2005, I am happy to mention the following three items.
1. We held monthly prayer meetings in Tokyo and Osaka. In Tokyo, Pastor Mamoru Hayakawa had a responsibility to lead the prayer meetings. Each month he gave the message and led the time of prayer for Israel, for peace and for the blessing of God. In Osaka, Pastor Charles Klingensmith and I gave the messages at every prayer meeting. This monthly prayer meeting encouraged us to pray together. On average, 15 to 20 people attended in both cities. We hope that this prayer meeting will continue in the coming months, and that more Japanese Christians and churches will be involved in Jewish Evangelism.
In July, LCJE Japan organized an International Prayer Day for Israel in Osaka. Three other mission organizations, which also have a burden for Israel joined this world-wide prayer day and we prayed together for Israel and the salvation of Jewish people through Yeshua. This was the first combined prayer meeting held in Osaka. The Lord blessed this meeting very much.
2. Since October 2004, five new members have joined the board of LCJE Japan, bringing fresh air and new perspectives to the committee. In September 2005, Pastor Charles Klingensmith became the director of LCJE Japan. He is an American pastor at a Lutheran church in Wakayama. We are very thankful to him and the other board members for their help. We regularly meet with each other to discuss our ministries and pray together.
3. We have been sending our Japanese newsletter, “LCJE News,” to many places in order to let Japanese Christians and churches know the situation of Jewish Evangelism and the needs of the Jewish People. We have desired to challenge them to have a burden for joining us in this great ministry. Our monthly newsletter reports various information about Jewish Evangelism and helps readers to understand and pray for Israel and the Jewish people. Right now we are sending a new monthly newsletter with many different articles. We think that this newsletter will encourage our readers and give them a love and burden for Jewish Evangelism. This monthly newsletter is very important for Japanese believers and Japanese churches because they don’t seem to get accurate information about Jewish Evangelism. The newsletter also includes articles that discuss theological issues from around the world.
As a result of LCJE Japan ministries in 2005, I am pleased to say that we have entered a new era in our 12-year history. We thank the Lord Yeshua for His leading in Japan and we desire to continue to do this business for the glory of God!
Teiichiro Kuroda
t_kuroda@osb.att.ne.jp