On a journey

Last Sunday our family were joined by eight Japanese guests at our worship service. It was great to have so many with us. Each is on a faith journey, but each at a different stage. Two were baptised last Christmas. One had been a pastor in Canada. Two have been Christians for some years. One is a young guy who has been a few times and claims quite openly he does not believe in God. One is an older man who is seeking something and perhaps does indeed have some faith of his own. And that is church. It's community. It's a gathering of people of different ages, different personalities and all on a journey. As always we eat together after our service (which begins at 4 in the afternoon) and that always give the opportunity for a relaxed time of conversation, laughter and caring for one another. Our church has the word izumi in its name - that means spring (as in the place from which water springs). Many people around us are thirsting and seeking something, yet don't know where to find it. Our desire is that more and more people in our community find their way to the only community where people's deepest longings and deepest needs can be met - the local church, where they can meet Jesus, be encouraged in fellowship and find the resources to live fruitful lives that in turn draw others to Jesus. That's a big part of what we do as we seek to plant a church from nothing in Hiragishi.