It was our first church service at Hamadera Bible Church (HBC)! There are two morning services. For the first service, we just stayed for the first part, participating in the worship and introducing ourselves in front of the church.
As the first service continued, our team had a meeting where we debriefed the Hope retreat. Japanese team member SDK (Seichi) was also able to encourage us all with his testimony. We prayed together that we could make the most of the Sunday.
There was then a time set apart for the church members to get to know us better! Each team member was at different tables, so we could be asked questions: anything from about ourselves, why Japan, our church at home, etc.!
Afterwards, we bumped into a grause* Australian fellow named Ash who came to Japan to serve and help in anyway he can at HBC. Whenever he can, he participates in the ministry we are doing, as well!
We all went into second service, where we were able to experience the whole thing, from worship to the sermon to all the announcements! We, non-Japanese-speaking-folk, were able to understand through technology. We were able to hear the translation through headphones. Kondo-sensei, the pastor at HBC, was gone in the United States, and so one of the church’s elders, Narita-san, preached a sermon that focused on how our life purpose is rooted in the gospel.
It was awesome being able to worship God together in different languages. It was clear that our God is the God of the world, and His body encompasses both our local church back home in America and the local church here in Hamadera.
After second service was lunch time! The food was great, but what was even more great was how most of the church eats together. Our team again split into different tables, so we could get to know more of the church members.
As most people were finishing up or done with lunch, some of the Hope members organized a quiz-game! Every table was their team. Each team member went up, introduced themselves, and asked a question (for example, “What is your greatest fear?”). The team member then gave three choices, 2 wrong, 1 right, and each group had to guess which one was the correct answer (for example, “Roller coasters, horror movies, getting Carissa Brown mad”). It was really fun, and we were able to share a lot of laughs together!
1:30 pm! We joined the Joy (middle-school and high school students) Sunday School. We sang songs together, and Lindsey-the-team-member-who-frequently-expresses-her-adoration-of-her-fellow-team-mates was able to share her testimony. The other students asked her questions afterwards. Lindsey was able to emphasize the importance of accountability and consistently reading the Bible.
The big chunk of time that followed before dinner was chill time — which means informal but intentional ministry. We were able to meet more people, and spend time getting to know the students better. Some people were playing games, others were engaged in conversation.
Five o’clock sharp was dinner! Dericious bulgogi + other foods. Fun times, good food, and more team unity.
And then, early July 4th! Just kidding, but there was a festival at a park near HBC with a 24-minute fireworks show. After seeing spectacular lights in the sky, we went back to the church and chilled.
As the first service continued, our team had a meeting where we debriefed the Hope retreat. Japanese team member SDK (Seichi) was also able to encourage us all with his testimony. We prayed together that we could make the most of the Sunday.
There was then a time set apart for the church members to get to know us better! Each team member was at different tables, so we could be asked questions: anything from about ourselves, why Japan, our church at home, etc.!
Afterwards, we bumped into a grause* Australian fellow named Ash who came to Japan to serve and help in anyway he can at HBC. Whenever he can, he participates in the ministry we are doing, as well!
We all went into second service, where we were able to experience the whole thing, from worship to the sermon to all the announcements! We, non-Japanese-speaking-folk, were able to understand through technology. We were able to hear the translation through headphones. Kondo-sensei, the pastor at HBC, was gone in the United States, and so one of the church’s elders, Narita-san, preached a sermon that focused on how our life purpose is rooted in the gospel.
It was awesome being able to worship God together in different languages. It was clear that our God is the God of the world, and His body encompasses both our local church back home in America and the local church here in Hamadera.
After second service was lunch time! The food was great, but what was even more great was how most of the church eats together. Our team again split into different tables, so we could get to know more of the church members.
As most people were finishing up or done with lunch, some of the Hope members organized a quiz-game! Every table was their team. Each team member went up, introduced themselves, and asked a question (for example, “What is your greatest fear?”). The team member then gave three choices, 2 wrong, 1 right, and each group had to guess which one was the correct answer (for example, “Roller coasters, horror movies, getting Carissa Brown mad”). It was really fun, and we were able to share a lot of laughs together!
1:30 pm! We joined the Joy (middle-school and high school students) Sunday School. We sang songs together, and Lindsey-the-team-member-who-frequently-expresses-her-adoration-of-her-fellow-team-mates was able to share her testimony. The other students asked her questions afterwards. Lindsey was able to emphasize the importance of accountability and consistently reading the Bible.
The big chunk of time that followed before dinner was chill time — which means informal but intentional ministry. We were able to meet more people, and spend time getting to know the students better. Some people were playing games, others were engaged in conversation.
Five o’clock sharp was dinner! Dericious bulgogi + other foods. Fun times, good food, and more team unity.
And then, early July 4th! Just kidding, but there was a festival at a park near HBC with a 24-minute fireworks show. After seeing spectacular lights in the sky, we went back to the church and chilled.
IN CONCLUSION, we were just so blessed by the hospitality at HBC, and were encouraged by their eagerness to strengthen their church. We made new friends and new memories with old friends. Praise God!
Prayer requests: To remain faithful in cultivating relationships with the people at HBC.
Thanks y’all! Until next time!
*According to Ash, “grause” is Australian slang, similar to “cool”.
Prayer requests: To remain faithful in cultivating relationships with the people at HBC.
Thanks y’all! Until next time!
*According to Ash, “grause” is Australian slang, similar to “cool”.