JEMS South American Summers 2015

My appreciation for your prayers and expressions of concern for my health situation.  After consulting with two orthopedic surgeons I have determined not to move forward with spinal surgery.  Instead I will be taking some prophylactic measures to strengthen my back and spine.  The damage is irreparable, but I'm hoping to do what I can to mitigate the pain.

That being the case, I am planning to work to strengthen JEMS' overseas partnerships this summer.  

Summer plans for PJ (Lord willing)

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." (Proverbs 16:9)
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."  (Psalm 32:8)

June 16 - 22  Buenos Aires, Argentina.  I will be meeting with Nikkei pastors to plan for camping ministries in January 2016 (DV).  We hope to continue our efforts to equip Brazilian young people to cross cultural barriers to serve their South American neighbor.

2014 JEMS Brazilian Team serving with Pr Rodríguez in Colón, Argentina

PJ with Pastors Uesu and Yonamine of Buenos Aires, Argentina

June 22 - 29  Asunción, Paraguay.  With the departure of missionaries, Pastor Koki and Mari sensei from the Japanese Free Methodist Church in Asunción, it will leave the ministry in the hands of young, but capable lay leaders.  I will be meeting with the leadership to learn what role JEMS may play in supporting their ministry.

Yosuke and Lumi, lay leaders in Asunción, Paraguay

June 29 - July 15  São Paulo city and state (southern Brazil). Many of our ministry partners are centered in the state of São Paulo, which boasts a Japanese (Nikkei) population of around 694,000.  The state has an area equal to the square mileage of Oregon, but with an overall length equal to the distance between San Diego and San Francisco. I will meet with leaders throughout the state and to share God's Word through speaking opportunities!

Pr John preaching in Guararapes, state of São Paulo

Additionally, one of our teams, led by Greg Oda, will be serving in the cities of Presidente Prudente and São Paulo from July 6 - 18 should the team be successful in recruiting team members.  If you are interested in serving with Greg this summer, please contact me below.

July 7 - 28  Holiness Youth Choir.  

JEMS South America Department is pleased to work this year in partnership with the Holiness Youth Choir, led by Bonnie Nakasuji and Mary Tabuchi. 

This July, the Youth Choir will be traveling to Brazil to minister and share the good news of Jesus Christ through music, testimonies, crafts, games, skits and personal relationships.  They will be traveling to eleven cities in three states over a period of twenty days, with visits to churches, hospitals, schools, homes, community centers and Japanese associations. 

The partnership with JEMS means that for the first time, the Youth Choir will be ministering to many JEMS-affiliated churches, including Free Methodist Churches, as well as churches in the Holiness denomination.  We are excited for doors that are opened due to many years of relationship building by the South America department.

The Youth Choir served on a missions trip to Ghana in 2014.  A video of their ministry can be seen here.  Thank you to Mari for the production of the video.

Africa 2014 (Edited) from Mari on Vimeo.

July 15 - August 5   Belém, Brazil (Amazon basin).  I will be accompanying a mixed JEMS team made up of Brazilians and North American workers.  This ministry is JEMS' effort to cultivate a missions spirit among members of our Nikkei Brazilian churches.  The Brazil component of the team, comes from the state of São Paulo and will serve with our North American workers in the rainforest of the Amazon, working at two weeks of youth camp.  Belém is a three-day drive from São Paulo, but thankfully, we're flying!

Pr John with young people from ICEA church, Belém, Brazil

August 5 - 10     Dominican Republic (tentative).  I was hoping to attend this year's COPANI (Convention of Pan American Nikkei) in Santo Domingo, but I am inclined to prioritize other ministry opportunities and will likely not participate.

August 14 - 28   Japan.  In response to the invitation of a Brazilian Nikkei pastor working among the dekasegi (laborers from South America working in Japan), Pastor Rick Chuman and I will be meeting with churches, pastors, campgrounds and the expatriate community in various Japanese cities.  

Camping photo courtesy Pr A Kuroki

As ever, I am appreciative of your prayers and financial support of the ministry.  Your partnership will allow this ministry to touch many lives this summer.  Blessings to you!

Donation link

Approved for service!

Pastor Brian Nakamura and Pastor John were approved today for part-time, interim pastoral service with the West Los Angeles Holiness Church.  (WLA FB link)

Pastor John in particular was interviewed and approved by the southern California Ordained Ministers of the Holiness Church of North America. I am grateful for their gracious affirmation for this ministry.  

Although Pastors Brian and John are worshiping with the WLA church on Sundays, our official start date is April 1. 

I also wanted to clarify any confusion or miscommunication that may arise from this announcement:  

My ministry with JEMS South America department and my status with JEMS remains unchanged.  I continue working on a 30 hour/week basis with JEMS.  

Please pray for Pastor Brian and me, as well as for the WLA church as they continue their pastoral search.  If you know of any possible candidates, I invite you to visit this link on the church's website.  

Paraguayan partnerships

Today marks the final day of Paraguayan ministry and residence for Pastor Koki and Mari Nowada, missionaries serving the Nikkei community in Asunción, Paraguay.  

JEMS has been privileged to serve in Paraguay since January 1992 with PJ's first exploratory visit to the city of Pedro Juan Caballero (above).  

Our first JEMS worker, Anna (above), served with Mari for six weeks in Pedro Juan during the summer of 1992.  The Free Methodist Church in that city has received more JEMS teams over the years than any other location in South America.  

In 2008, JEMS received the invitation, a "Macedonian call," from Pastor Koki to consider partnership in the Paraguayan capital of Asunción.  They had traveled eight hours by car to meet Rev. Sam, Matt and myself (above) at a small town on the border of Brazil and Paraguay.

La Paz colony, Paraguay

Pirapó colony, Paraguay

Pastor Koki and Mari's ministry in Paraguay mimicked the old circuit rider ministries of the early Methodist church, with the two of them traveling to three or four Japanese colonies in Paraguay (above) every month, requiring three or four days of travel.  

They also provided the basis of relationships with young adults in the city of Asunción.  Many of my relationships were cultivated through the connections they were able to facilitate.   

In 2009, JEMS sent a mission team (above: Koh, Rachel, Ted and Joanna) to serve with the Nowadas.

In 2010, Pastor Rick Chuman (above) and PJ traveled to Asunción to meet with Pr Koki and Mari to renew our commitment to partner with them in ministy.  

We are blessed to have been able to witness the outstanding ministry of Pastor Koki and Mari in Asunción.  We pray for God's blessing and direction as they pursue next steps upon their return to Japan.  We also pray that their influence and the message of God's grace may continue among those whom they served.

God bless you both!  We love you guys!

Pastor John invited to offer pastoral support

On Sunday, February 22nd, the West Los Angeles Holiness Church publicly announced their decision to invite me to serve their church as a part-time, interim pastor.

The timing is a bit unusual as I have yet to receive approval to serve in this capacity from the OMS Holiness Church of North America.  Due to the public nature of the announcement, I felt it important to share this with my JEMS constituents to avoid any misunderstanding or confusion.

If denominational approval is received, I would begin my part-time pastoral responsibilities in April 2015.  

UPDATE:  Approval was received from the Holiness Conference on March 10th.  Click for more info.

To be clear, my ministry as JEMS Director of Strategic Development for South America will continue.  While it has been my goal and intention to serve at JEMS full-time, my current financial support level permits only a 3/4 time position.  I am still praying and working to bring my support to a full-time level.  As there remain 10 hours or so per week available to me, I am grateful for this opportunity to utilize my time and gifts to serve the local church in west Los Angeles.

I will share preaching responsibilities with Pastor Brian Nakamura, who will be commuting from San Diego.  We will provide guidance to the leadership of the church as they seek God's direction regarding the calling of a full-time pastor. 

Pastor Brian and me at a recent WLAH church retreat

Interestingly, my friendship with Pastor Brian goes back to 1967 when we met at the JEMS Mount Hermon conference as high school students.  I look forward to this ministry together with him.

1967 JEMS Mt Hermon camp photo detail.
John and Brian seated together

Pastor Brian's tenure, as well as my own, will continue as long as our presence is required by the church.  

My own responsibilities with JEMS South America missions will be divided with the church in April and May.  My JEMS ministry overseas will come to the forefront in the months of June, July and August while I am serving in Argentina, Paraguay,  Brazil, possibly the Dominican Republic and Japan.  During that time Pastor Brian will assume the yeoman's share of the responsibility as interim pastor.  

Please pray for the WLA Holiness Church as they continue their search for a full-time pastoral candidate.  For specific information and application materials, please visit this link.

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and for your continued financial support for my ministry at JEMS.  Donation link.

Pr John convidado para servir como pastor provisório

No domingo, 22 de fevereiro, a Igreja Evangélica Holiness de West Los Angeles anunciou publicamente a sua decisão de me convidar para servir a sua igreja como um pastor interino, tempo parcial.

Retiro da igreja (ala de língua inglesa) em fevereiro 2015

Eu ainda tenho que receber a aprovação da Igreja Holiness da América do Norte antes de assumir este ministério. Devido à maneira pública do anúncio, eu senti que seria importante compartilhar isso com meus amigos brasileiros e os parceiros da JEMS para evitar qualquer mal-entendido ou confusão.

Se a aprovação denominacional for recebida, eu começaria minhas responsabilidades pastorais em abril de 2015.

Para ficar bem claro, o meu ministério como Diretor de Desenvolvimento Estratégico da JEMS para a América do Sul vai continuar. Como ainda há 10 horas ou mais por semana disponível para mim, eu sou grato por esta oportunidade de utilizar o meu tempo e dons para servir a igreja local, no oeste de Los Angeles.

Vou dividir responsabilidades de pregação com o pastor Brian Nakamura, também da Igreja Holiness. Vamos fornecer orientação para a liderança da igreja, que procuram a direção de Deus sobre a convocação de um pastor em tempo integral.
 

Pastor Brian e eu num retiro do mês passado 

Curiosamente, a minha amizade com o Pastor Brian começou em 1967, quando nos conhecemos como estudantes do ensino médio num acampamento da JEMS. Estou muito feliz para servir em ministério, juntamente com ele.
 

1967 - Acampamento da JEMS, John e Brian sentados juntos (E-D)

O mandato de Pastor Brian, assim como o meu, vai continuar enquanto a nossa presença é exigida pela igreja.

Minhas próprias responsabilidades com JEMS América do Sul será dividido com a igreja, em abril e maio. Meu ministério com JEMS no exterior vai assumir uma maior parte nos meses de junho, julho e agosto, enquanto eu estou servindo na Argentina, Paraguai, Brasil, possivelmente a República Dominicana e Japão. Durante esse tempo Pastor Brian assumirá a parte maior da responsabilidade como pastor interino.

Por favor, orem para a Igreja Holiness de West Los Angeles como eles continuam sua busca por um candidato pastoral de tempo integral. 

Disaster response. Are we willing to go?

When there are catastrophic events such as earthquakes, tsunami and other natural disasters, it's easy to respond with humanitarian efforts. The problem, the crisis, the challenge is easy to see and identify. 

Other types of catastrophes are much more difficult to clearly discern. And yet the human toll can be just as devastating. Economic problems, political and corporate corruption, loss of confidence in one's leadership and government. This exacts a different kind of toll on people's spirits and lives.

Brazil is facing that kind of catastrophe right now. 

It's a time when they are seeing their buying power reduced, their hopes for the future diminished. At one time, BRIC was the talk of the globe as Brazil represented much potential as an emerging world economic power.  That has all been frittered away.  

Is there an answer? Just as we attempt to bring aid and assistance to places that are facing natural disasters, are we also prepared to respond to the needs of peoples and nations when faced with circumstances such as those just described? 

Brazil needs a response. Brazilians need an answer.

What is the answer?  Who will bring the answer to them?

Consider today your place in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in South America.  JEMS is currently inviting participation in their Brazil summer mission program.  Applications are being received until March 31.

Learn more about these opportunities:

Application information here:
http://bit.ly/apply2jems

Servir com JEMS?

JEMS está estendendo uma convite para servir como voluntário num projeto missionário em julho de 2015. 

Olá
Provavelmente você está se perguntando sobre o que teria me levado a lhe escrever...

A razão é te apresentar uma oportunidade de servir ao Senhor este ano, oferecendo um pouco do seu tempo no ministério. Que tal sair da sua zona de conforto e investir algumas semanas em novas experiências com Deus?

Nos dias 18 a 31 de julho, uma equipe da JEMS* estará em Belém do Pará trabalhando no acampamento da Igreja Cristã Evangélica da Amazônia. Que tal juntar-se a nós neste projeto? Serão duas semanas de calor, trabalho intenso, dedicação, mas também de amizades, aventuras e de ouvir a voz de Deus. 

Ficou curioso? Acesse http://prayer4pj.blogspot.com.br/2015/01/reaching-for-2015.html  (Program 2) para mais informações, ou escreva para mim. Caso prefira conversar por Skype, minha conta é john.katagi.

Para participar é necessário:

• Aprovação da sua igreja;
• Aprovação (escrito pela carta de recomendação) do seu pastor;
• Ter um nível avançado de inglês, visto que a equipe da JEMS é americana

O Espírito Santo está falando com você? Então, inscreva-se em http://bit.ly/apply2jems . 

Sua inscrição deve ser recebida no escritório da JEMS antes de 31 de março e o processo incluirá também uma entrevista (via Skype). A aprovação da igreja e do pastor devem ser enviadas eletronicamente, conforme as instruções do site.

Os custos de cada participante incluem a passagem aérea (ida e volta de Belém); uma oferta de US$100 para a igreja local, artesanatos para o ministério e despesas pessoais.

Aguardo sua participação.
Que Deus lhe abençoe e guie em sua decisão,

Pastor John


* JEMS = Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society, uma organização missionária alcançando japonés e Nikkei no Japão e América do Sul.

How to be a cultural idiot

I distinctly remember the first time I met Rod, who would later become one of my very good friends.

I was a first year student at Talbot Seminary, in attendance at a new students' reception.  During the evening's presentation, one of the Biola international missions students performed an Indonesian candle dance.

If you don't know what it looks like, I found an example on Youtube:



In the soft darkness of the evening reception, the warm glow of the candles, together with the dance were quite beautiful and graceful.  The woman wore the traditional costume of  a candle dancer.  Something similar to this:

What should have been enjoyed for its cultural beauty was sadly unappreciated by a twenty-three year old seminary student.  Me.

After the evening program, I was introduced to Rod by a mutual friend.  Being two of very few Asian Americans in the room, I connected pretty immediately with Rod.  One of the things I distinctly remember was asking him, "Hey, dude!  Did you see that woman do that dance?"  And in the crowded reception room, as people were picking up refreshments and conversing, I proceeded to mimic the gestures, holding two imaginary candles in my hands and twirling them around my head and under my arms.  

Rod looked stricken!  He murmured, "Umm. Umm.  That woman is right behind you."

Omigosh!  Either you bond with someone at that moment of embarrassment or else you decide that you should never have anything to do with that guy again.  ha ha!  Thankfully, as mentioned, we became seminary and ministry friends and colleagues.  

Who would have imagined that years later, God would use me, a culturally insensitive buffoon to work in, of all things, cross-cultural ministries.  

Thought I'd share that.  The lesson is 1) don't make fun of the candle dance, and 2) we always have room to learn and grow.  

Who is to blame??

Repost 7/7/20 from 1/28/15

If anyone at all is unhappy that I am in ministry again, I can point out who exactly is at fault.  

Saturday of last week, I stopped to pick up dinner for my kids as they were busy with the arrival of their newborn.  Standing outside the restaurant waiting for the food order, I saw a couple walking towards me.  As my eyes transitioned from the close focus on my phone to the distant focus of real life, I thought that they looked familiar.  It was Pastor Gary and Val!!  

What a nice surprise!  We chatted for a bit as I shared baby news.  The conversation lasted no more than five minutes as we each had to go our own way.  But the conversation in my mind went on much longer.   

Most may little understand why Pastor Gary is so special to me.  At a time of a great personal failure in my life, he was willing to express God's grace to me.  For five years, on a weekly basis, he met with me as an expression of pastoral care and restoration.  I doubt very much that I would be back in ministry or maybe in the faith if it wasn't for his concern and commitment to me as a person in need of much healing and grace.

Grace doesn't come very easily when you screw up as badly as I did.  Personal failures, poor choices and a divorce, led to the loss of my life as I knew it.  Marriage, family, home and career all evaporated.  Most of my friends also disappeared, whether by circumstance or by choice, I never really knew.  It was a pretty miserable time.

And church?  Omigod!  Church was the great wall of silence as people sort of tiptoed around and wouldn't or didn't have much to say.  

In a situation like that, thank God for one person who is willing to throw you a life preserver rather than simply allow you to flounder around in the water.  Pastor Gary held on to me.  He wouldn't let me go.  And although there were days in his office that I would be frustrated, crying and swearing a blue streak, eff-ing this and that, he managed to hang in there with me.  Every single week.  I'm not sure that I have that capacity to care for people as profoundly as he did for me.  

My return to ministry and my being in the faith, truth be told, is due in great part to Gary being there faithfully and consistently at the worst time in my life.  Would others have done this?  I don't know.  Many pastors were strangely distant at that time and some continue to be.  Regardless, thank God that Pastor Gary was there.  

Another pastor I would meet in the year after my separation was Pastor Jairton.  

We met at a Brazilian BBQ at the home of Davy and Susana.  We were introduced to each other.  He asked about my background and my experience in Brazil.  During the course of the conversation, he asked if I would be interested in helping him with his church.  He had started a Brazilian church group in Monterey Park, while at the same time completing his doctoral program at Fuller. 

I wasn't interested.  Much as I loved Brazil, I had failed miserably and had nothing to offer.  My answer was NO.  

He looked me in the eye and with his hand on my shoulder and in a clear voice reminded me, "You know, John, grace is not for us when we are good and perfect.  Grace is for us when we have failed."

Wow!  I knew that somewhere on an intellectual level.  But coming from an Asian American Christian cultural world view, I really didn't GET it.  I wasn't feeling it.  It was as though the grace of God didn't apply to me.  It was out of my reach.  Or perhaps I felt that I was out of God's reach.  

I told Jairton that I would come visit his church, just to keep connected with the Brazilian language and culture.  "And see."  

It wasn't as though I was being asked to speak or to lead any studies.  I was just invited to be a part of that fellowship.  But it was something that was needed at that time.  A place to be part of a family.  I would end up staying there for about a year.  

When you have fallen into a pile of manure and you get up smelling like excrement, you can understand why people give you a wide berth.  A failed pastor is like that.  You feel as though you are wearing people repellent.  So it is a special expression of kindness when someone wants to meet, have a meal and talk together.  Someone who took the initiative time and time again over the years was Pastor Rick.

I'm grateful for the longevity of our friendship and the pastoral care that Rick has shown me, both then and now.  It's been a blessing to know when someone's got your back.  Especially someone who has heard from my own lips (as well as from others) about how deeply I had fallen into that manure pile!

Finding faith is a gift of God.  Re-finding faith is a function of grace, expressed both by God and by people like Rick, Jairton and Gary.  

Returning to ministry requires all of that plus the trust and confidence of someone willing to say, "I believe in him."  

That person for me has been Rev. Sam.  

Checking in with me over the years.  Charting my ups and downs.  Reviewing and reflecting on my progress, emotionally, spiritually and relationally, Rev. Sam was willing to step up when the question arose as to my readiness to return to ministry.  Responding positively to an inquiry from an independent church in Camarillo, his recommendation led to my being interviewed for a part time pastoral position there.  

As the JEMS Executive Director, Rev Sam also worked with the JEMS board to negotiate my return to care for the part-time administrative function of South America missions in 2008.  After my departure from the Camarillo pastorate in 2011, I returned to more-or-less full-time work with JEMS.  

If you were to track my spiritual journey from those days, you would discover that the road was a narrow and rocky one.  

The difference between continuing with Christ or abandoning the walk entirely was pretty razor thin.  But I am convinced that God brought key men into my life to help me maintain my footing when I had stumbled and fallen.  They served to stabilize and restore my spiritual life in a time of huge struggle.  For this I am grateful to God and to each of them.  


There remain those who after fifteen years do not believe that I have a place in ministry.  That I do not merit such an opportunity.  It is not for me to convince them otherwise.  It is my blessing that God rebuilds us, not based on merit, but upon his grace and mercy.  Do I deserve it?  Absolutely not.  And that is the point.  That is the gospel.  

Welcoming my grandson!

Que alegria!  What a delight to welcome my grandson last Thursday, January 22nd.  Alyssa, Brandon and the baby are doing well.

Bem vindo ao meu netinho que nasceu bem e saudavel na quinta passada, dia 22 de janeiro.  Os pais também estão bem.  

A happy and proud Ojii-chan.

and a sweet and delighted big sister.