My dream for Kojima Church is that it will be a church that is thriving with believers
who can answer God’s call for the work that is to be done; that their ministry, whatever it be,
will cause others to notice something positively (if not unnervingly so) different.
I hope that Kojima Church will someday be able to afford more mission programs to reach out to the
Kojima populace.
I also hope that Kojima Church will have a place in society to help make changes in people’s lives to make evident the power of God at work within His people and the blessings He shares through them.
Comment by David Curry — October 8, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
My dream for Kojima church
That it will have a core group of doctrinally strong, resilient men (and women), a majority of this group being Japanese. This core group will grow to be deacons and elders, leading lives that demonstrate the Biblical model of family and social structure to others.
When I said ‘doctrinally strong’ I wish for them to be men who know their theology and their church history, but who are at the same time humble and welcoming of other groups, as far as possible. Uncompromising in the essentials, not seeking to please for the sake of numbers at the cost of the important issues, but at the same time willing to bend over backwards for the little things. Because in a country like Japan, any Christian fellowship with other groups and cooperation is precious, and isolationism is of little gain.
I said that I dream of a majority of the core group being Japanese, because I feel that this is the breakthrough that you are waiting for— for families of godly Japanese believers to be members.
My daughter dreams of coming to Japan. Her dad and I cannot see how such a future is even possible. We’ve given her an Asian doll for her birthday, telling her that it symbolises the fact that we acknowledge her dream but that even if her dreams for settling down there do not materialise, God is still on the throne, and His will will come to pass.
I hope more dreams come true. Maybe one needs to dream to be able to ask God. Maybe that is what the father of modern missions, William Carey, meant when he said: “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”
May God bless you Brent and Sandy.
I think this is a very good question and place to start!
I dream of this church being alive, vibrant, mature in faith and love, genki. That members would be a true family/community. That the Lord will raise up spiritually mature Japanese men, and also young people who are vital witnesses to their generation. That this church will give prayer such an emphasis that they will live and breathe prayer. That they will meet the needs of each other and society in Kojima and beyond.
These are just some of my dreams and prayers. As I continue to consider what exactly I hope He will do between now and 2020, I might add more.
Comment by My dream for Kojima church — October 9, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
On Jan 1, 2020, the Kojima Ekimae Kirisuto no Kyoukai will be an active, God-centered fellowship of christians of various ages, spiritually supporting each other and teaching each other, so that all are growing.
will have at least two Japanese complete family units (both husband and wife beleivers)as well as others at various stages in life, all of whom know, love and encourage each other.
will be doing active evangelism, building each other up in Bible study, encouragement, and prayer, and will be mirroring GOd’s love to those outside the family in various ways, such as community service, benevolence, etc.
Comment by Sandy Rogers — October 10, 2009 @ 5:49 am
Mine is LONG and a little wordy. Sorry
On Jan 1, 2020, the Kojima Ekimae Kirisuto no Kyoukai will be….
Faithful –
Doctrinally solid
Living by faith
Never giving up
Growing
Spiritually, repenting, rejoicing
Numerically – as God gives the increase
Closer in fellowship and love
To God and each other
On fire
Passionate
about our love for God and People
about our personal holiness
Urgent about our evangelism
Finding ways to help seekers experience God.
We will have….
A Japanese evangelist, or pastor type person or at least an
experienced Japanese Christian mentor.
A network of house churches throughout Kojima and…with periodic
celebrations at a rented place big enough to hold us.
Enough people to feel strong enough to
reach out
serve the community
be a light to the world and a powerful force for good–
Whether it be
Helping Hikikomori
Divorce Prevention and Recovery
Suicide Prevention
Linking lonely elderly with lonely young.
Marriage Preparation
We will be doing ….
Proactive, purposeful planning in each aspect of work and worship
Outreach–both individually and corporately
Every member on fire .
Missions — Local, Domestic, and Foreign
Balanced teaching and leader training
One another ministry and fellowship using our gifts, based on the
Word, and real in the world.
Worship that is powerful and creative
Exalts God, Pleases God, Encourages us
Prayer — Like we depend on God and believe He is alive and working.
I hope to see the Spirit poured out on the church, where just like Acts, there is a community of believers who are devoted to prayer and giving sacrificially to each other, the lost of the neighborhood around them, and the world. And just how cool would it be to see Japanese missionaries sent out!
I hope for a church that doesn’t ignore their culture, or become an American clone, but is able to see the larger culture of the Kingdom of God. A Church that is diverse in personality, age, and even nationality.
I hope to see a church that takes a stand against the spiritual darkness in the city and is bold in its prayers against the principalities and powers that set themselves over the wisdom of God.
I hope for a church that doesn’t worry about the opinions of others, or how it measures up compared to other churches, but that follows God’s specific calling on the church body and individual callings wholeheartedly.
As I continue to ponder this, I can’t help but think that our dreams our so small compared to what God has planned. May He continue to reveal His dreams for Kojima.
There are many precious souls in Kojima that are searching for something that is missing in their lives. My hope and prayers are they will find what they are looking for at the Kojima Church. That the Kojima Church will be a Christ centered place of worship that will welcome anyone and help them find Christ. The Kojima Church will be nurturing and will help “young” christians grow as they continue their walk with Christ. That there will be many activities going on for all ages and the love of Christ will be overflowing.
My dream is for Kojima Church to have a saved congregation of mostly Japanese people, sound doctrine and committed Pastors who teach the pure word of God. I want Kojima Church and its members to be evangelistic and reach out to the unreached around them. I want Kojima Church to be able to have fellowship with other Churches (from within Japan and overseas). I want Kojima Church to have committed members who are excited about their God and are zealous to do His will. I want the Church in Japan to get to such a level that Japan no longer needs missionaries; the unsaved can be reached through its many Japanese Christians.
It may take a long while but we can trust God to do best in His time.
brentwrogers.com
My dream for Kojima Church is that it will be a church that is thriving with believers
who can answer God’s call for the work that is to be done; that their ministry, whatever it be,
will cause others to notice something positively (if not unnervingly so) different.
I hope that Kojima Church will someday be able to afford more mission programs to reach out to the
Kojima populace.
I also hope that Kojima Church will have a place in society to help make changes in people’s lives to make evident the power of God at work within His people and the blessings He shares through them.
Comment by David Curry — October 8, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
My dream for Kojima church
That it will have a core group of doctrinally strong, resilient men (and women), a majority of this group being Japanese. This core group will grow to be deacons and elders, leading lives that demonstrate the Biblical model of family and social structure to others.
When I said ‘doctrinally strong’ I wish for them to be men who know their theology and their church history, but who are at the same time humble and welcoming of other groups, as far as possible. Uncompromising in the essentials, not seeking to please for the sake of numbers at the cost of the important issues, but at the same time willing to bend over backwards for the little things. Because in a country like Japan, any Christian fellowship with other groups and cooperation is precious, and isolationism is of little gain.
I said that I dream of a majority of the core group being Japanese, because I feel that this is the breakthrough that you are waiting for— for families of godly Japanese believers to be members.
My daughter dreams of coming to Japan. Her dad and I cannot see how such a future is even possible. We’ve given her an Asian doll for her birthday, telling her that it symbolises the fact that we acknowledge her dream but that even if her dreams for settling down there do not materialise, God is still on the throne, and His will will come to pass.
I hope more dreams come true. Maybe one needs to dream to be able to ask God. Maybe that is what the father of modern missions, William Carey, meant when he said: “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”
May God bless you Brent and Sandy.
Comment by Nahomi Dhinakar — October 8, 2009 @ 9:36 pm
I think this is a very good question and place to start!
I dream of this church being alive, vibrant, mature in faith and love, genki. That members would be a true family/community. That the Lord will raise up spiritually mature Japanese men, and also young people who are vital witnesses to their generation. That this church will give prayer such an emphasis that they will live and breathe prayer. That they will meet the needs of each other and society in Kojima and beyond.
These are just some of my dreams and prayers. As I continue to consider what exactly I hope He will do between now and 2020, I might add more.
Comment by My dream for Kojima church — October 9, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
On Jan 1, 2020, the Kojima Ekimae Kirisuto no Kyoukai will be an active, God-centered fellowship of christians of various ages, spiritually supporting each other and teaching each other, so that all are growing.
will have at least two Japanese complete family units (both husband and wife beleivers)as well as others at various stages in life, all of whom know, love and encourage each other.
will be doing active evangelism, building each other up in Bible study, encouragement, and prayer, and will be mirroring GOd’s love to those outside the family in various ways, such as community service, benevolence, etc.
Comment by Sandy Rogers — October 10, 2009 @ 5:49 am
Mine is LONG and a little wordy. Sorry
On Jan 1, 2020, the Kojima Ekimae Kirisuto no Kyoukai will be….
Faithful –
Doctrinally solid
Living by faith
Never giving up
Growing
Spiritually, repenting, rejoicing
Numerically – as God gives the increase
Closer in fellowship and love
To God and each other
On fire
Passionate
about our love for God and People
about our personal holiness
Urgent about our evangelism
Finding ways to help seekers experience God.
We will have….
A Japanese evangelist, or pastor type person or at least an
experienced Japanese Christian mentor.
A network of house churches throughout Kojima and…with periodic
celebrations at a rented place big enough to hold us.
Enough people to feel strong enough to
reach out
serve the community
be a light to the world and a powerful force for good–
Whether it be
Helping Hikikomori
Divorce Prevention and Recovery
Suicide Prevention
Linking lonely elderly with lonely young.
Marriage Preparation
We will be doing ….
Proactive, purposeful planning in each aspect of work and worship
Outreach–both individually and corporately
Every member on fire .
Missions — Local, Domestic, and Foreign
Balanced teaching and leader training
One another ministry and fellowship using our gifts, based on the
Word, and real in the world.
Worship that is powerful and creative
Exalts God, Pleases God, Encourages us
Prayer — Like we depend on God and believe He is alive and working.
Comment by brent — October 10, 2009 @ 11:09 pm
Dreams for the Kojima church….
I hope to see the Spirit poured out on the church, where just like Acts, there is a community of believers who are devoted to prayer and giving sacrificially to each other, the lost of the neighborhood around them, and the world. And just how cool would it be to see Japanese missionaries sent out!
I hope for a church that doesn’t ignore their culture, or become an American clone, but is able to see the larger culture of the Kingdom of God. A Church that is diverse in personality, age, and even nationality.
I hope to see a church that takes a stand against the spiritual darkness in the city and is bold in its prayers against the principalities and powers that set themselves over the wisdom of God.
I hope for a church that doesn’t worry about the opinions of others, or how it measures up compared to other churches, but that follows God’s specific calling on the church body and individual callings wholeheartedly.
As I continue to ponder this, I can’t help but think that our dreams our so small compared to what God has planned. May He continue to reveal His dreams for Kojima.
Comment by mary — October 12, 2009 @ 5:03 am
There are many precious souls in Kojima that are searching for something that is missing in their lives. My hope and prayers are they will find what they are looking for at the Kojima Church. That the Kojima Church will be a Christ centered place of worship that will welcome anyone and help them find Christ. The Kojima Church will be nurturing and will help “young” christians grow as they continue their walk with Christ. That there will be many activities going on for all ages and the love of Christ will be overflowing.
Comment by Vicki — October 17, 2009 @ 10:41 pm
This is a bit late.
My dream is for Kojima Church to have a saved congregation of mostly Japanese people, sound doctrine and committed Pastors who teach the pure word of God. I want Kojima Church and its members to be evangelistic and reach out to the unreached around them. I want Kojima Church to be able to have fellowship with other Churches (from within Japan and overseas). I want Kojima Church to have committed members who are excited about their God and are zealous to do His will. I want the Church in Japan to get to such a level that Japan no longer needs missionaries; the unsaved can be reached through its many Japanese Christians.
It may take a long while but we can trust God to do best in His time.
Comment by Prisy — November 8, 2009 @ 2:41 am