"God began this ministry. We had no cross-cultural ministry expertise or resources. He grew it into a large Japanese ministry with no advertisement to the community or design by us to do so. The fact that it is now impacting ministry here and in Japan is a fascinating testimony to God's power and wisdom"
—Carol Christenson, director, St. Matthew International Friends.

International Friends, one of nearly 600 registered Pentecost 2000 cross-cultural ministries begun by LCMS groups in the United States, was initiated in 1995 by St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Walled Lake, Mich. This volunteer program, begun with "a pot of coffee and loving Christian hearts," now touches approximately 425 foreign nationals in the community each week by modeling Christ through friendship, fellowship, cultural assistance and English education. Japanese women and children compose 98 percent of the participants.

From the start, the Lord has provided the focus and the resources. Within two years, doors opened for Japanese Christian fellowship led by a Japanese missionary to the Indiana District, Shigeru Masaki. In 1999, after 4.5 years of volunteer and lay-led ministry, an additional full-time assistant director with Japanese mission experience was added. This past year, a Japanese vicar has also enhanced the mission staff. To accommodate the increasing numbers of students, the volunteer staff has grown from seven to 70. "We thank God that our pastor and congregation have made Japanese ministry a priority here, even when greatly challenged to meet needs," says Christenson. "Our volunteers have grown in faith and, by being available, have become a powerful force for our Lord in His work."

An example of International Friends' impact was an activity that drew an unexpected crowd of 180 adults and 75 children. Christenson explains, "Women were talking excitedly of their new understanding of Christmas and Jesus! A newly baptized woman, eager in her first chance to witness to other Japanese, supplied her whole table plus others with Bibles. We ran out of Bibles to give away!"

• Pray for outreach follow-up between stateside ministries and national churches in Japan. Praise God for International Friends and other Pentecost 2000 ministries.
  
  
• Pray for Japanese Christians to grow in their faith and share it with others. Pray for Christian "returnees" to Japan to be a source of strength to the Japanese church.
   

 

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