Early 2006 Prayer Letter

New Members
I'm pleased to share that we welcomed ten members (2 full members, 2 associate members, 6 youth members) into the fellowship of the church in December. Two young people were received by baptism and the additional eight by affirmation of faith. Please pray with me that others in our community may be introduced to the church and to the good news of the Savior, Jesus Christ!

Holding Down the Fort
The Japanese language pastor, Rev. Yamamoto, is traveling in February. He is a missionary from Japan working with JACC. Like all missionaries, he is required to deputate (raise financial support) and return periodically to Japan to share updates with his supporting churches. Pray for Rev. Yamamoto, his ministry to the Japanese speaking both here and in Santa Barbara, where he also pastors the Bethany Congregational Church - Japanese Division. Pray for me as I cover pastoral responsibilities for both departments.

Change in status
In a somewhat surprising, and faith-inspired decision, the Board of Elders of Japanese American Christian Chapel voted in their November 2005 meeting to increase my hours to 30 hours/week. The change to 3/4 time status helps to meet my current financial needs.

JACC Annual Report
For an abridged, electronic version of Japanese American Christian Chapel's Annual Report, please request your copy by emailing me here. Accessibility to the Annual Report is subject to JACC pastoral discretion.

Church Name Change
In my very first prayer letter (sent in August), I indicated that the congregation would soon be voting on a proposed name change study. In early November, by unanimous congregational vote in both the English and Japanese language departments, the decision was made to pursue the study of a name change for JACC with possible names being presented to the congregation by mid-2006. Please pray for wisdom and some savvy regarding this process.

Intersections
The opportunities we have to share our personal experience with Jesus come and go very quickly. There are moments when a door in conversation surprisingly opens, giving us an opportunity to share a bit about our relationship with Jesus.

A testimony workshop called "Intersections" was developed during my time away from professional ministry. It is based on the reality that we aren't always given a chance to share our faith. What happens is that we're either unprepared for the moment (and spend the next year kicking ourselves), or we dive in and talk non-stop for an hour (and spend the next year kicking ourselves).

Sharing with friends and family about Christ is a certainly a mandate, but it is also an art. "Intersections" recognizes that the moments God may give us to share are sometimes only minutes or seconds long. How do we share within that window?

This workshop is being offered to our congregation as a training tool for evangelism. Pray that we can learn to utilize the principles of "Intersection" as God gives us the opportunities.

A gospel presentation workshop has been scheduled for February.

Personally . . . .
I was delighted by the opportunity to celebrate my birthday with my children this past week. With Tracey home from Harvard Law School for semester break, together with Brandon and their significant others, we enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant.

2006 will be an exciting year as I look ahead to my son, Brandon's marriage to Alyssa in July. Please pray for them as they make wedding plans.

Financial Support
If you would like to support the ministry of JACC in its outreach to the Ventura County community, please email me here to request a support package. I'll be pleased to send you information on how you can invest prayerfully and financially in the work to which God has called us.