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Reach out to the Japanese
Posted by Josh Ellis in Church & Missions, IMPACT Features
In a time of natural disasters, the human response is often to ask, “What can I do?” It’s an appropriate question. All too often, however, the response of believers is to say, “The best thing I can do is pray.” The theology is correct, but only if it’s not covering up for the Holy Spirit’s prompting to do something beyond prayer. In times such as these, I am especially proud to support Baptist relief efforts, not because of the denomination, but because they are good at doing the job. After the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, the Southern Baptist Convention is the third largest disaster relief agency in the United States, and teams from the SBC are already in Japan.
You might have known that from the news. What is lesser known is that the Japanese people group, as defined by the International Mission Board, ranks second in the world among largest unreached people groups. At last count, there were just under 128 million Japanese people and less than 2% are thought to be evangelical Christians (.5% according to Joshua Project). The barriers to reaching the Japanese are not physical, they are spiritual. There is open access to the country (generally speaking), comparatively little persecution of believers, Gospel resources exist, and workers are present. Yet there is much work to be done to overcome the Shinto/Buddhist heritage and reach the people within their rich and vibrant culture.
Japan is a beautiful country with a very hospitable people. Right now, they need everything we can do for them, both physically and spiritually. Below are some links, containing places to send money, people on the ground to pray for, and information about the mission field of Japan. What can you do? I answer, “What is God asking you to do?”
To assist the Japanese people, relief funds are needed. Please send gifts to Office of Finance, International Mission Board, 3806 Monument Ave., Richmond, Va. 23230. In the memo line write “Japan Response Fund.” Or click here to give online. For further information call the IMB at (800) 999-3113.
To follow blogs of IMB workers in Japan, click here and here.
To see information on the mission field that is Japan, click here.
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Josh,
Great information. I have sent the link to my Sunday School class and encouraged them to get involved.
Thanks.
Thanks for the link to give. My wife asked me if we could give the fund before I even knew it existed. Love that woman!
I remember doing a search for IMB on Facebook and came across a few groups of MKs and missionaries in Japan/Tokyo. Since I don’t have access to Facebook right now, someone else will have to provide the link.