In partnership with the Rengo and Converge Worldwide, mobilizing churches in Japan is paying big dividends! Here are some of the exciting markers we are praising God for at Pinnacle:
First, we completed the first round of training with six pastors in January, 2013. This enabled final issues of contextualization to be addressed. Since then, key processes have been tested with great success in Japanese churches.
Second, the Rengo approved The Retool Kit Pathway© as an official pastoral education program for the Rengo Association of Churches, supplementing The Purpose Driven Church materials.
Third, a publisher has been contracted with for the first edition of The Retool Kit Pathway© in Japanese. Under the direction of Dr. Makoto Fukui, the tedious process of translating and testing the workbooks, coaches’ guide, PowerPoint and other tools is complete.
Fourth, last Friday and Saturday, Dr. Fukui hosted a new class of pastors at Tamagawa Baptist Church in Tokyo. Dr. Fukui led the first two sessions on Friday evening. Saturday morning Gary Harrison and Ray Swatkowski led the sessions via Webex video, with Pastor Kishio Hikaru (pictured right) translating in Japan.
What’s next? Anticipation, as Gary, Marie and Ray will be traveling to Tokyo in February to spend three days with these pastors, their wives and key leaders with a focus on Renewing Community (Retreat #2). Then they will travel to Hamamatsu to speak for the Rengo Pastor’s Conference. Pray for these pastors as they study The Emotionally Healthy Church and complete their assignments. Pray for us as we plan and prepare for next February. Pray for the Church in Japan as they focus on ways to reach out and impact their communities for Christ.
