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TOKYO TESTIMONIES
MARIKO
"I'm no longer silently handing out tracts:
I joined the evangelism team with Rhema after the Sunday service. Before that, I had only given tracts to people on the street.
For the first time I was able to talk to people on the street. I talked to one woman and she was a Christian, so I asked her what she wanted me to pray for and we were able to pray together. I still participate in Sunday afternoon evangelism. And I'm not silently handing out tracts, Have you heard about Jesus? Jesus loves you!" etc.
I am now able to look them in the eye and talk a little while I hand it to them. Also, from time to time, I am able to ask the person if he/she has any physical aches and pains and pray for healing. Travis and Rhema came to our church and spent time with us, I felt that my fear of telling strangers about Jesus was gone.
I am so thankful to God that I got to meet them.
-Mariko, Freedom Tokyo Worship Center
KEIKO
“When we went to outreach you gave me a chance to share my story.”
I had great moments with you guys especially going outreach as many young people listened to your testimonies and seemed catching something. Even though they replied to the gospel saying that they’re is no God and/or they're God. I'm sure they'll have challenges and struggles in their life and that they’ll remember your testimony you shared. You are so open and honest to share about your past to the people who you just met on the street.
I remember Japanese young people's eyes looking at you and listening. I think they felt something special in you (the Holy Spirit). Many young people don't really look in the eyes when they talk to people.
I love Rhema's bright character too.You have atmosphere that make people relaxed so they stop walking and listen start listening to you,
When we went to outreach you gave me a chance to share my story.
It was so challenging but I could start talking naturally cause you naturally included me into the conversation.
-Keiko, Freedom Tokyo Worship Center
HIROTO
“THEY SHOWED GREAT RESPECT FOR JAPANESE CULTURE. THEY ALWAYS SAID "THANK YOU"
(ARIGATOU-GOZAIMASU) TO THOSE THEY SPOKE TO AND SOMETIMES EVEN BOWED.”
The visit of Rhema and Travis was a great gift to Japan. I went on outreach with them several times. We went to Shibuya and Ueno, both of which are areas filled with many young people. What remains in my memory is how they spoke to so many young Japanese during our outreach. The most remarkable thing about them was that, despite being foreigners, they showed great compassion and empathy toward the Japanese people. I remember a moment in Ueno Park when they shared Jesus with a man who had lost his wife. Travis and Rhema expressed sympathy while sharing the gospel with him, and at the end of the conversation, they handed him 1,000 yen, inviting him to the church cafe. It left a strong impression on me. They were skilled at using their own backgrounds to connect with the Japanese.
When we did outreach in Shibuya, we encountered a Japanese high school student. It started with a short conversation about how he liked small birds, and from there, they briefly talked about the Canadian dollar. Travis and Rhema gave him a Canadian dollar, encouraging him to visit Canada and telling him that God takes care of his life. They also had an opportunity to share the gospel with a ramen shop owner. Travis shared his testimony about how he had once been caught up in drugs and how Jesus had saved him from drugs and anxiety. His story likely gave the owner a new image of God as a loving Father. For many Japanese, Jesus is a foreign God, someone distant and unfamiliar. Through their work, many Japanese people came to understand that they could have a personal relationship with Jesus.
They showed great respect for Japanese culture. They always said "thank you"
( Arigatou-gozaimasu) to those they spoke to and sometimes even bowed.
Another memorable point was how much they enjoyed Japan. Walking through the streets with them made ordinary places feel like a theme park. Rayma was like a character from a musical, and Travis was like the hero of an adventure film. Both were filled with curiosity. One of my best memories of this year was walking around Asakusa with them in the pouring rain. Thank you for coming to Japan and our church. I learned joy, a heart of service, and generosity from you.
-Hiroto, Awakening Tokyo, Student
Tokyo: A City Rebuilt, A People Revived
Earthquakes, fires and wars are just some of the reasons Tokyo has had to be rebuilt time and time again. However, it always rises stronger. In the same way, God is rebuilding and reviving the Japanese through His church.
Our first stop was Awakening Tokyo, a church where God is moving powerfully in a country where only 2% identify as Christian, and just 0.5% are evangelical. Imagine: most of the people we spoke to had never heard of Jesus! We saw miracles, hope, and love pour out as we shared the Gospel alongside Japanese believers.
We took a brief trip to Korea for a visa refresh and upon our return Holy Spirit led us to Freedom Tokyo Worship Center. It was divine timing, the same week we joined, the church committed to weekly outreaches to proclaim the Gospel to their neighbourhood. We had the honour of preaching and training the congregation in evangelism. It was incredible to see Japanese believers boldly share the Gospel in their own language, some for the first time.
Awakening Tokyo Church Planters/Lead Pastors Masa & Esther
Freedom Tokyo Worship Center
REVIVE NETWORK