Mr. S

::: kent and yuko, colleagues of ours working in chiba (near tokyo) recently shared a wonderful account of a japanese man named Mr. S whose attitudes toward christianity -- from resistance to receptiveness -- demonstrate the obstacles (and opportunities) of ministry in the unreached nation of japan...

"In March," kent writes, "a lady named Mrs. S began coming to our church. Her husband, Mr. S, is not a believer, and he would not come to church -- wouldn't even come through the front door of the pastor's house (where the church meets). He'd sit in the car waiting for her when he picked her up from church. Totally closed mind and heart.

Then our pastor, HT, had a good idea: Mr. S is a photographer. Why not introduce him to our friend Mr. Z, who is also an avid amateur photographer? Many of Mr. Z's photos are hanging in his restaurant, and more are on display in a local doctor's office. Mr. S agreed, and he went with Pastor HT to meet Mr. Z and look at his photos.

Mr. S had a great time, and that day he finally warmed up to Pastor HT. The next Sunday, when Mr. S came to pick his wife up from church, he came in, sat down, and ate with us!

Then came good idea #2: The next week was Easter, so Pastor HT asked Mr. S if he'd take pictures at church that morning. Mr. S agreed, and so he attended our Easter service -- the whole thing -- taking pictures before, during, and after the service. Then, after lunch, he and his wife stayed for the beginner's Bible study. We were all floored. Mr. S really started paying attention.

Amazing. In the space of 2 weeks he went from refusing to enter, to participating in the worship service, lunch fellowship, and Bible study all in one day.

Wait, it gets even better. A couple weeks later Mr. S told us he had decided it was good for him to come to church and he planned to continue. He invited 2 friends from work to come with him that day. Not even a believer himself yet, and already inviting other unsaved friends to church!

But wait, there's still more. Last Sunday we prayed in small groups after the service. Pastor HT, Mr. S , and I sat together. Pastor HT asked Mr. S if he had ever prayed before (as if we didn't know!), and Mr. S said "no." So Pastor HT taught him how to pray (to God the Father, in Jesus' name, why we said "amen" at the end, prayer is simply talking to God, etc.). Then Pastor HT prayed for Mr. S , I prayed for Pastor HT, and Mr. S prayed for me.

The man prayed to God for the first time in his life. In Jesus' name. For me. Afterwards he was rubbing his eyes -- tears, I think. He was moved by the experience. So was I."

:::