Standing on shoulders

I had the opportunity to serve with a former pastoral colleague yesterday.  It was a privilege to work together and to be reminded again of God's faithfulness throughout the years. 

Introducing me to his church family, Pastor Furuyama said that we served together 30 years ago in the San Gabriel Valley.  I was incredulous!  I had to mentally calculate the years to come to the realization that his math was correct and that thirty years had indeed passed!!  I would say that "time flies," but frankly, that's what older people say all the time. I'm trying to resist the temptation to include that phrase in my vocabulary.

What was perhaps even more of a confirmation was the reminder that God has been faithful throughout the years.  That he has blessed me with ministry partners, co-pastors, who have invested their time, experience and wisdom into me through their very association.  

I remember as a young seminary student, that my dad told me that I would be privileged to build on the foundation laid by others before me, to stand on their shoulders, as it were.  It was a strange expression to me at the time, but it turned out to be one that was based on some comment by Isaac Newton.  It is also the title of a recent book by Stephen Hawking.  They both reference "standing on the shoulders of giants." (Source) 

After many years of service, I can look back and see the privilege that has been mine to learn from those with whom I have served.  Whether in the US or in South America, any "success" that I might be able to claim is the direct result of those who have unselfishly and graciously shared their wisdom and their resources with me.  

Pr Yuasa, pictured behind PJ, was a key in opening doors for JEMS in Brazil

Pr Amakawa, who personally introduced me to ministry in 
Paraguay and Argentina. Before his death, he was a wonderful 
friend and co-laborer in Brazil.

Rev Sam, who served as a missions mentor and who 
expressed much grace in enabling me to be restored 
to ministry, both as a pastor in 2005 and in my return 
to JEMS in 2007.

My prayer going forward is that I, in turn, may be able to serve as a "shoulder" to others to catch the vision and continue the ministry to communities in South America.

Activity is not achievement

As quotations go, John Wooden isn't a bad source.

There is an inherent danger in life and ministry to confuse activity for achievement.  To imagine that all that we do are the ends in themselves. 

We can't all be Wooden.  Coached UCLA to the national basketball championship ten times.  Won eighty-eight straight games during that fantastic record.  Was named national coach of the year six times.  An overachiever, that guy.

Yet for all of his success, he was a man characterized by balance. In his book, They Call Me Coach, Wooden writes, 

"I have always tried to make it clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior."

For each mission that is undertaken on behalf of JEMS, we try to make certain that amidst the certainty of activity, that there are clearly achievable standards for ministry. 

• Outline clear objectives.  
• Establish measurable goals.  
• Lay out a plan of implementation.

For each JEMS worker, for every JEMS mission team, and every time Pastor John travels to South America, JEMS must make certain that these three standards are in place in order to assure a successful result.

The song, "Let Your Kingdom Come" by Sovereign Grace, asks that God would allow us to fulfill the following:

May Jesus Christ be known
Wherever we are
We ask not for ourselves, but for Your renown
The cross has saved us so we pray
Your kingdom come

Let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done
So that everyone might know Your Name

Celebrating God's Faithfulness

I've been back in the US for three weeks after an extended mission trip to South America that spanned the months of July to October.  It's a joy to be back home and to be able to share with friends and supporters about God's goodness during this mission which covered four countries.  

The LA Holiness Church and Pastor Seigo was kind enough to invite me to share this past Sunday.  I am also available to share with other friends, supporters and churches as well. 

 

Perhaps the most tangible expression of God's care came during pastors' meetings in Lima, Peru.  We were gathered outside a local Starbucks in a fairly upscale shopping center.  Our meetings had gone well as we met with various Nikkei leaders and pastors.  

We were in our second set of meetings when we were addressed by a young man in English.  After asking his question, he walked off.  At the same moment, I happened to look down at my feet to notice that my backpack, which had been next to me on the ground, was no longer there.  "Where's my backpack?" I asked no one in particular.  The other pastors, Lima locals, jumped up and immediately sprang into action.  One pastor had seen someone go down the stairs with a black backpack, but he didn't know it was mine until I called attention to the fact that it was missing.  

This photo was taken about five minutes before the incident

It was a gang of four.  Three of them, including a ten-year old girl, had casually seated themselves at the table next to ours.  They were well-dressed and looked like any family taking a break from shopping.  The young man who asked the question was the diversion.  While our attention was focused on him, the three who were seated behind me, casually took my backpack and walked away in the opposite direction.

God's care took the form of my notion to check for my backpack.  No reason.  I wasn't suspicious of the circumstances at all.  But as soon as I alerted the others, they reacted.  

The three pastors gave chase and caught three of the robbers about 200 yards away, walking quickly through the mall, trying to stuff my backpack into another white plastic bag.  The pastor grabbed my backpack and tenaciously held on.  The other pastor called the police who were patrolling close by.  When the policemen approached, the man holding my backpack let go and ran off.  We were left with the other male accomplice and the ten year old girl.  

We made the report with police.  Unfortunately, there were no consequences for the thieves as I could not make a court appearance the following week to press charges.  Sadly, they were free to find another victim. 

But I have to say again that God was caring for us.  There was no particular reason for me to look for my backpack.  In fact, Akira, one of the young men with whom we were meeting said, "If you had discovered it missing thirty seconds later instead of when you did, it would have been gone for sure."  It would have been somewhat disastrous as all my money and my travel documents (passport) were in that backpack.  

We learned an important lesson about vigilance and also the need to establish a specific security protocol for work in Lima.  But more important was the lesson we learned about the faithfulness of God.

It goes without saying that I treated my backpack rescuers to lunch later that day.