A Happy New Year with the Katagi kids!

It is such a blessing to be able to spend the holidays with my children and their spouses.  I am grateful for God's grace that brings us together.  

Click here to view larger photo


Wishing all my friends and supporters a wonderful new year filled with goodness and joy!  


The new year will surely bring with it many new changes and challenges.  But I am also confident that God will provide us with the resources, strength and good humor to meet whatever those new circumstances may hold. 


For those in the LA area, I hope that we will have opportunities here and there to run into each other, either at  your church or some fellowship event.  For those in Brazil, espero que possa vos encontrar um pouco mais tarde no ano novo. 


Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. - James 1:17-18


Happy New Year!  Feliz Ano Novo!
Pr. John  

The Christmas Journey

Luke 2

¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

 ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

On a personal level, for Joseph and Mary, this census couldn't have come at a more inconvenient time.  We understand from a reading of Luke 2 that she was near to the time of her delivery.

Scholars estimate that Joseph and Mary would have needed about a week to make this 80-mile journey.  Although the average person travels at about 4 miles an hour, with Mary in her pregnant condition, the journey would probably have taken longer out of concern that she might miscarry.  The idea of Mary traveling on a donkey is nowhere found in Scripture, but it is not unlikely.  

Having just completed the process of making the sixty mile journey (by car) from Camarillo to Monterey Park, I can attest to the fact that moving isn't easy.  In fact, it can be very stressful. 

But we are reminded at Christmas, that the distances traveled to provide the world with a Savior aren't simply measured in miles.  God's provision of salvation is measured in grace and humility.  

Grace is evident in Romans 5:8 which tells us that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  God didn't wait for things to look better.  He intervened when our spiritual condition was at its worst.  

Humility is shown in Philippians 2:6-8 by the example of Jesus who spanned the gap.  Jesus "who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!"


JEMS South America also works to carry the good news of Christ to our neighbors in Brazil, Paraguay and (soon to) Argentina.  It is a journey that overcomes physical miles, culture, language and, in some cases, spiritual resistance.  But we carry the message with the example of Jesus himself.  We go in grace and humility.  

As we make our own holiday journeys this Christmas, take a moment to reflect upon the journey that made restoration with God possible.  A journey which spanned eternity.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Pastor John

Forget the Stereotypes (reprint from JEMS Journal, December 2011)

Appreciation is expressed to Tadashi Suzaki of the Guarulhos Holiness Church in Brazil for his personal observations of JEMS ministry in South America over the last twenty years.  


(For the full sized image, please click the link indicated below).



Click here for full sized image (more easily read).

What are South American pastors and leaders saying about the ministry of JEMS?

Please find the December 2011 copy of my prayer letter in the links below.  Unlike the print copy, these pages are in full color and have both English and Portuguese versions. 

Please take a moment to look through these four pages by clicking on the red links indicated below.


Page 1:  Pastor John's comments + words by Wellington Tsutsumida


Page 2:  Comments by Pastor Daniel Abe and Missionary Koki Nowada


Page 3:  Comments by Pastor Guto Umeki


Page 4:  Comments by Pastor Roberto Shinze Yahiro.


As I transition to full time service with JEMS, I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider becoming a financial partner with me.  For more information, you can choose to follow this link to the secure JEMS Website Donor page:  LINK


Gratefully,
Pr John

Transitions upcoming in 2012

With the celebration of my sixtieth birthday early next year, I have been considering how I would like to spend my remaining years of life and ministry.  This past year has been a time to pray about my future plans.  In my prayer times, it has become clear that God's calling for my life has taken a new direction.

The mission trip to Brazil this past July, confirmed God's calling and gifting for me.  Maybe as something of a test, I had asked the Lord to strengthen my Portuguese language proficiency by giving me the opportunity to preach a message entirely in Portuguese.  That opportunity came in the city of Londrina.  This past summer's mission was perhaps the best of my many mission ministries in the past.

In speaking with Rev. Rick Chuman, the executive director of JEMS, the invitation has been extended for me to return to serve as the director of JEMS' South America Mission program on a full time basis.  I will be based in the Los Angeles office and will either send or accompany mission teams to South America.  My immediate goals are to determine the possiblities of establishing an office in Brazil, to make contacts with churches in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.  It is not my intention to move to Brazil at this time.

With this new direction for my ministry in 2012,  I will be resigning from the pastorate of the Japanese American Christian Chapel in Camarillo, effective at the end of this year.

I invite you to pray for the church as preparations are made for succession.  Please also pray for my housing situation (I will return to live in Los Angeles), for moving and for the re-establishing of financial support for full time ministry with JEMS. 

Mudanças em 2012

Durante o ano passado fiquei orando sobre meus planos para o futuro. Em tempos a minha oração, tornou-se claro que o chamado de Deus para minha vida tomou um nova direção.

A viagem da missão ao Brasil em julho passado, confirmou o chamado de Deus e os dons espirituais. Ao falar com o Rev. Rick Chuman, o diretor-executivo da JEMS, o convite foi estendido para eu voltar para servir como o diretor do programa JEMS 'Missão América do Sul' em regime de tempo integral.  Eu estarei trabalhando na sede em Los Angeles e vou enviar ou acompanhar equipes missionárias à América do Sul.  

Meus objetivos imediatos são a determinar as possibilidades de estabelecer um escritório no Brasil, para fazer contatos com as igrejas no Brasil, Paraguai e Argentina. Não é minha intenção de mudar para o Brasil neste momento.

Com esta nova direção em 2012, estarei saindo o ministério pastoral da igreja local em Camarillo (Japanese American Christian Chapel) depois de 7 anos de ministério.  Vou fazer esta transição no começo do ano 2012.

Eu os convido a orar pela igreja como são feitos os preparativos para a sucessão.  Por favor, orem pela minha situação de moradia (vou voltar a viver em Los Angeles), para mover e para o re-estabelecimento de apoio financeiro para o ministério em tempo integral com JEMS.

Agradeço muito sua parceria em ministério,

Pr John

Blessings in Londrina

Photo is a thumbnail. Please click to enlarge.

During my July visit to Brazil, I had the opportunity to visit my friend and former pastor, Jairton de Melo. Pastor Jairton is now serving as a missionary with SEPAL (Serving Pastors and Leaders) in the southern Brazilian city of Londrina.

God brought Jairton into my life at a crucial time, some months after my marital separation. I was struggling in my walk with the Lord, and I am convinced that God used Jairton to provide support, guidance and encouragement. When I first met him, I shared about my circumstances. He told me, "Well, John. Grace isn't simply for when we are doing well.  Grace is for when we are struggling, for when we have failed."

To demonstrate this grace, Jairton invited me to attend his church and to "help out in whatever way I felt comfortable."  The church was the Brazilian Community Christian Church, which was meeting in Monterey Park.  Some months later, the church moved to Culver City.  It was a chance to fellowship with Brazilians living in southern California and to practice my Portuguese.

But more than this, it was the chance to be restored.  In addition to the pastoral care and discipline I was undergoing with Pastor Gary Tawa, and the counseling I was receiving from the Asian American Christian Counseling Service, I was reminded that grace was for me.  In the Japanese American community, we sometimes struggle with the whole perfection thing.  And while I knew that I was far from perfect, I was made to feel as though God had not abandoned me.  I have Pastor Gary and Pastor Jairton to thank for that.  

So my visit with Pastor Jairton in Londrina this past July was a blessing that touched me deeply.  It was through his ministry that I was able to be restored.

Is there someone you know who needs to be reminded that grace isn't just for perfect people?

Transition Day in Brazil!

Transitions! Okada team left Brazil for Dallas last night. Greg Oda, Rosie Yokomizo, Helena and Darryl Wong left for a new week of ministry in Sorocaba. Justine Morey's team is spending their last day in Sao Paulo touring the city with Pr Daniel and Patricia Abe. Justine's team departs Brazil for LA later tonight!

All photos are in thumbnail format. Please click on the photo to expand!

The Okada family served in Acampamento (Camp) Shalom. Some are pictured here at the Santo Andre Holiness church.



Greg Oda and team pictured serving in the Diadema Free Methodist Church.



Justine Morey and team serving at the Pompeia Holiness Church.



Pastor John has been privileged during this mission to meet with the various teams and to reconnect with pastors and other key leaders. PJ is pictured here with the JEMS team in Jordanopolis and with Pr Jairton de Melo of SEPAL (formerly Overseas Crusade).

JEMS Summer Mission: Schedule of Ministry

If you would like to keep the teams in prayer during the months of July and August, please refer to the calendar listed here.  Click on the calendar to enlarge.

Thank you!

Teams and photos may be found here: LINK

PJ Prayer Letter: Mount Hermon 2011 Edition

Click letter above to focus and view.

Please consider how you might partner in support of Pastor John Katagi’s Summer Mission and ongoing ministry. Your support enables him to meet with denominational and local church leadership, as well as furthering the relationships that JEMS has already begun in South America.

Please click the following secure link to make an online donation through JEMS.  LINK

JEMS 2011 Summer Ministries Set

JEMS invites you to be in prayer for our teams as they prepare for ministries in Brazil this summer.  We will have three teams representing JEMS in six ministry locations.

Please pray for the Okada family (Mark, Pam, Luke, Lindsey, Leighton and Lilly - Lauren is not participating this year) traveling from Dallas, Texas and serving at Camp Shalom outside of the city of São Paulo.  They will be on the field from July 14-25.

Prayers are appreciated for JEMS' Tri-Church Team:  The team includes Greg Oda (team leader), Rosie Yokomizo, Darryl and Helena Wong.  They will be serving in three churches over a period of three consecutive weeks.  Pray for their ministries at the Diadema Free Methodist Church (July 11-17), Jordanopolis Free Methodist Church (July 18-24) and Sorocaba Free Methodist Church (July 25-31).

Our third team (PO-LO team), led by Justine Morey, will be serving in two Brazilian cities in two neighboring Brazilian states.  The team members are Shawn Arata, Deborah Hino, Brittany Morey, Cory Morinishi and Rianna Wong.  They will be serving in the cities of Pompeia (SP) from July 11-17 and Londrina (Parana) from July 18-24. 

PO-LO - did you get it?

 

Pastor John will be accompanying the teams as well as meeting with local church and denominational leaders throughout the southern region.  

Please pray for visa acquisition (which can sometimes be political), for travel safety, for health and adaptation, and for effective ministries and bridge building among the various age groups with whom we will be working.

Thank you!
PJ

Recruitment, Training, Ministry

I'm very grateful to God for the wonderful team that has been assembled for ministry with JEMS in South America this summer.

A total of sixteen will be traveling to serve in five different ministry locations in Brazil.  Two teams come from the LA area and will serve between two and three weeks.

The southern California team is pictured below.  On the left side of the photo are team leaders Justine Morey and Greg Oda:

An additional family of five will be traveling from the Dallas area.

At the end of March, we transitioned from the recruitment phase to the training cycle of our program as we prepare our volunteers for ministry.  As always, our training focuses on prayer support development, culture and language training, and ministry preparation.  

Now as we are well into May, the administrative side of the ministry goes into full swing as travel, insurance, documentation must all be arranged.  We are stunned by the cost of travel this year.  Fuel surcharges and general airfare costs have pushed fares quite high.  I overheard the Japan department mention that flights from LA to Tokyo are running around $2000.

LA to São Paulo are not quite that bad, but running easily over $1200.  We could definitely use your prayers for our team members who will all be raising their financial support.

Within the last month,, the JEMS South America department has been blessed by the addition of a new staff member.  Justine Morey has come on-board as a part-time missions coordinator with JEMS.  She will begin raising her financial support in order to begin her service with JEMS.  She is currently volunteering her hours and providing leadership and assistance.

Justine recently returned from six months of service in Marília, Brazil as a JEMS short-termer.  Her love for Brazil continues to have a expression as she will serve as a training leader and team leader, taking a group of five to Brazil this July.  Please pray for Justine as she raises her financial support for this staff position.

My own financial support could use your consideration as I will need to raise $4000 for the summer ministry in July.  My duties will involve the field coordination and oversight of the teams while in-country.  I will also meet with denominational and local church leadership to continue to cultivate JEMS partnerships in South America.

If you are led to or able to support my ministry, please follow this LINK to the JEMS donation page.  Once on the page, you can find my account by selecting "South America International Ministry," then the sub-category, "Rev. John Katagi, Director."  Thanks so much in advance.  It's really appreciated!

Wishing you a wonderful spring!

PJ

JACC in the News

In a nice surprise, Pastor John was recently asked to share about the church by the local Camarillo newspaper.  The article came out on Friday, March 11.

An excerpt from the article

To connect these cultural characteristics with faith, the main theme and message of the church is restoration.

“All of us are broken in some way, and we’re looking for a paramount healing for restoration within ourselves, with other people and with God,” Katagi said.

The Sunday message usually entails mending broken relationships to grow closer to God, he said.

“People do experience difficulties, challenges and hardships in their lives, and sometimes it’s hard to get back on your feet,” Katagi said. “I want people to know there’s a God who loves us and people who care for us and there is a place people can find acceptance.”

“When you’re hearing something like a gospel message, it has to hit your heart,” Katagi said. “You can understand the words, but language is not only mental but emotional. Hearing the message in your mother language has a far greater impact.”

See the complete article at:
Reproduction of Print Article

or 

Camarillo Acorn online article

Please continue to pray for our ministry as we face new challenges related to our new ministry model.


Thank you!

An invitation to volunteer with JEMS in 2011

Volunteer Opportunities available to serve in several church and ministry contexts:

• Vacation Bible School and English Camp Ministry in Nikkei churches in São Paulo (city), Brazil
• Sports-themed VBS in multi-cultural church in São Paulo state.
• Dance Team ministry in Nikkei church in Londrina, Brazil
• Construction Team ministry in campground in Panorama, Brazil
• Camping Team ministry outside of São Paulo (city), Brazil
• Children and Youth Vacation Bible School ministry with Nikkei church in Asunción, Paraguay

Application Deadline:  March 31, 2011

Application information and forms LINK

Dramatic and difficult challenges greet the New Year in Camarillo.

Please pray for the ministry in Camarillo as economic realities have resulted in immensely difficult and painful decisions.  Early last week, the leadership of Celebration - Japanese American Christian Chapel voted to eliminate one pastoral staff position in an effort to reduce expenses and ensure the church's future ministry.   The decision was the result of a yearlong evaluation of resources, efforts at cost reduction and an examination of the church's vision and direction.

Effective immediately, the two congregations - English speaking and Japanese language departments - will join together for Sunday worship.  Japanese language ministries will be enfolded together with the Celebration ministry and continue under the care of the Japanese language elders, the Celebration leadership and Pastor John as the newly solo pastor.  

Japanese language (Nichigo) small group ministries will continue with some pastoral guidance.  It is hoped that these small groups will have the cohesion to continue as they have over the years.  Some adjustments are expected to occur.  


Pastor John will be actively seeking assistance from any who can offer ministry support in the Japanese language, ranging from translation responsibilities to small group development and maintenance. 

Our prayers are with Yamamoto sensei and his family as they seek the Lord's guidance regarding their next steps.   We have great affection and appreciation for Pastor Yamamoto whose service to the church began in February 1996.  

          
          Rev Yamamoto pictured above right (blue shirt)

Please also pray for the church family as this reflects a major change in the dynamic of ministry and fellowship.  Pray that the church will have a future that will bless and encourage those who attend and participate.