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Above (left to right): our pastors -- Kazumi, Megumi, Makio, and Keishi. They're smiling for good reason: November 3rd marks the 21st wedding anniversary for Megumi and Makio, and the 15th for Kazumi and Keishi. Congratulations, omedetou gozaimasu! So we decided to celebrate this omedetou occasion during our staff retreat overnighter.

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Eric and Sue outdid themselves, yet again, with another fantastic cake.

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Below: the staff of New Community Church, a community of three churches in the Kobe area of Japan.

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In the wake of World War II, God saved a young man named Tero and called him to ministry. Through Tero, his wife and four children (three sons and one daughter), God established Nishinomiya Chapel. Retiring after forty-seven years of ministry, Tero handed over ministry responsibilities to two of his sons, Makio (center, back row), who became the head pastor, and Tadanao (far left, back row), who is an administrative pastor and Bible teacher.

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Through the second generation of this faithful family, God breathed new life into the church and an innovative, partnership-based vision for church planting in the greater Kobe area. With Keishi and Kazumi came the infusion of their gifts in leading, listening and teaching. Within a few years, a community of house churches formed in Sanda, a blossoming city in north Kobe and indeed one of the fastest-growing cities in Japan. Sanda Chapel has continued to grow and multiply as God called Eric and Sue, our Asian Access colleagues, to partner with this young church in the areas of evangelism, teaching, and discipleship.

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As Sanda Chapel started growing a few years after its planting, God turned another page: Asian Access entered the picture and worked with the pastoral team at Nishinomiya Chapel in sending out two families to form a Christian community in a newly developing neighborhood in west Kobe called Gakuentoshi. It's been five years since God established Gakuentoshi Chapel. To this two-family team God has brought over the years several families and individuals who want to embody the kingdom of God to the families and students in Gakuentoshi, including us two years ago.

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One community, three chapels, scores of families following Jesus: this is one of many examples of how God is shining His light throughout Japan. Claire and I are delighted to work with these families. For more examples, check out the Asian Access website at http://www.asianaccess.org/.

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