Tak & Chee Newsletter! Vol.10 EN
Like Aquila and Priscilla, who supported Paul, we are on a journey to become a church that produces and supports "modern Paul".
Thank you for all your prayers and support.
It has been a little more than two months since we started Aquila Church. It has been cold in Ueda, Nagano since the last time I was here, and the leaves are gradually changing to autumn colors.
Vision Retreats
Last time we mentioned that we were going on a vision retreat. Thank you for praying for the Vision Retreat! We had a great time!
↓ (We were almost stuck here for 2 days. lol)
We found an inexpensive cottage at a quiet lakeside campground and had a 3-day/2-night couple's vision retreat there.
What we were shown.
Apart from the newsletter, I wrote a little as a "Summer in 2023, Our memorandum", but what was shown to us most was to show more of our hearts and values.
As church planting begins, what we are praying for is "teams that will plant churches together. Two types of teams are needed: teams that "actually live in the area and do ministry together" and teams that "support from afar with prayer and financial support.
And both of them indicated that it is difficult to participate as a team unless we can communicate what vision is given to Aquila Church, what values we have, what we are doing, and what exactly we need to do.
Because of this, I have been challenging myself this past month to write articles other than the newsletter, to try to be creative on social networking sites, and to share my situation when I am invited to other churches.
And I started podcasting and youtube with a missionary friend.
It's 天倉Church Radio (Podcast) and 天倉Church Channel (Youtube)
Jonathan, who came from Australia over the summer, and I have started a podcast radio program. This is a mix of testimonies, learning together, and discussing deep Christian topics. We hope to distribute more and more from now on.
Jonathan is fluent in Japanese, so the radio is all in Japanese.
It's like radio evangelism for Japanese people.
We are just getting started, but we are planning to share our testimonies of church planting and other timely information.
We would be happy if you could pray for us to be used to lead people to faith and to encourage them.
Chikumachi Church Mission Team!
Twelve people, including four children, came as a mission team from Nagano Prefecture, Iida City, and Chikumachi Church!
The children helped us work in the fields together, worship together, and really made this area lively. Our neighbors said, "It's nice to have a lively atmosphere like in the old days." I was happy to hear that.
The pastor of Chikumachi Church, Mr. and Mrs. Yumoto, as well as the youth children of Chikumachi Church whom we had not seen for a long time and those who are still seeking for Christianity came with us, and we were glad that they had such a good time that they shed tears and said goodbye to us on the way home, saying they wanted to come back. It was a wonderful feeling as if we were welcoming relatives even in a distant church.
Japan Evangelism Conference
From here, let's talk about Takeshi.
In September, I was happy to be able to participate in the "Japan Evangelism Conference.
I am as rude as I am only putting my name on my mother denomination, "Christ Evangelism Company". However, I was very happy that they invited me to attend the Japan Evangelism Conference with them as a member of the denomination and supported my expenses. I was also very happy to hear that they were pleased with our church planting work as a denomination and that they were supporting us.
What was also most gratifying was seeing my brother and all my childhood friends for the first time in a long time. They are all pastors, and there is a sense of tension in their respective workplaces. But when we get together, we can relax in the same vibe as when we were kids.
It was truly gratifying to laugh with them over dinner for the first time in a long time and talk about many things with them until midnight.
Hi-b.a for Nagano!
Another thing I hadn't seen in a long time was my friends and acquaintances connected to Hi-b.a (a high school evangelism group), and I was reunited with Hi-b.a staff members who helped me when I was younger.
After meeting them, I was astonished to learn that there is still no Hi-b.a gathering in Nagano Prefecture. And what I especially want you to know and pray for in this newsletter is "Hi-b.a for Nagano Prefecture!
I was saved and helped in many ways through HI-b.a. Hi-b.a was always nearby, so it felt very strange to find myself in an area where Hi-b.a was not.
I am considering volunteering to be a staff member of Hi-b.a., and am praying and asking what I can do to help the young people in Nagano. I wish there was a Hi-b.a meeting in my neighborhood.
(↓Rare photo of Takeshi and his brother serving at H-b.a camp)
Fundraising Report
Last month, 4 people were given the opportunity to become monthly supporters,
Currently
Total monthly support: 12,000 yen and $100
were given.
Furthermore,We were given someone from overseas who promised to support us for 3 months and we also received $1,200 in support!
We are really grateful! Thank you for your prayers!
Also, at a time when we were very tight financially, someone suddenly gave us a personal donation after I gave a message at a local church.
These days we feel that God is protecting our finances with really surprising timing.
Thank you so much for your prayers!
Support partners for Aquila Church
Aquila Church's vision is to "produce" and "support" a "modern Paul," just like Aquila and Priscilla did.
Monthly support target of $2500
We are looking for financial support partners to help us move toward the mission and vision given to the church.
50$ x 50 persons = 2500$
50$/month for 50 support partners to continue to operate the church.
Credit card transfers can be made at the following URL
Starting from 10$/month, you can specify the amount and one-time support is available.
We would appreciate your prayerful consideration.
Please pray for the following
For a place of evangelism and growth to be given to the next generation. (Hib.a for Nagano Prefecture!)
For saved souls to be awakened.
For the needs of the church to be met.
You can get to know us quickly via SNS
Instagram: @aquila_church_japan
Web: https://achurchjapan.wixsite.com/achurch
Spotify: 天倉Church Radio
Youtube:天倉Church Chunnel
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