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.