Team Japan Reports: God is at Work in Japan

By Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Worship 

Planning for a July trip to Japan began in March – a much shorter timeframe than is usually needed for a trip of this magnitude. Yet, as pieces fell into place it was clear that this was a trip that was already on God’s agenda for us. So six members of the worship ministry at LBF, along with my wife and I, prayed hard for the Holy Spirit to empower us, guide us, and reveal more of Himself to us as we headed to Tokyo for 10 days of ministry that none of us will ever forget.

Initially, we knew we would be doing some ministry through music, though the venues and opportunities were not specifically defined. We hoped to do some worship on the streets to stimulate discussions with people who heard us sing about Jesus. We also hoped we would get to do something at a school or church. But as I said, none of this was defined ahead of time. Our prayer was just that God would have His way and that our lives and the lives of people we encountered would be changed by His Holy Spirit.

After more than 12 hours on a plane – first to Seattle and then to Narita, Japan – and then three hours on a bus to Tokorozawa, we finally arrived at the YWAM house in the city of Kiyose, where we stayed. From the bus stop in Kiyose, it was about a 10-minute walk to the house – a walk we became very familiar with. We took Monday to get acclimated and introduced to the people we stayed and ministered with, and then we were ready to begin a packed schedule of ministry opportunities.

We spent Tuesday and Wednesday at Yoyogi school (a K-12 private school for kids who have not succeeded in traditional Japanese schools). These kids were amazing, and we really felt a bond with them as we were paired up with teachers and got to visit their classrooms. We also had the opportunity to lead three extended times of worship through music with them over the course of two days.

Tuesday evening we attended a service called “The Living Room,” which is led by our host David McDaniel, and is a time of “hanging out in God’s house and just letting Him do what He wants to do.” It was a powerful night of worship and ministry. It was one of the many times in this trip that God had things He wanted to work IN us, not just through us.

After lots of travel and then two 16-hour days of ministry, we took some time on Thursday to see the beautiful country of Japan. David took us to many of the significant locations in and around Tokyo, including Shibuya crossing, a three-story Disney store, and a five-story Forever 21. We also visited Buddhist shrines and temples, which gave us an incredible opportunity to walk through praying for the lost and deceived and inviting the Holy Spirit to move.

Friday we went to Rikkyo University where we participated in cultural discussions with the English club. This was a great opportunity to talk with young Japanese people about our lives in America, their lives in Japan, and why we were there. After the club meeting, several joined us for lunch and we continued our discussions about life.

Later that evening we went to a park in Ikebukuro where we went up on a stage in the middle of a courtyard and began singing and praying over the people, the park, and Japan. It was a powerful time of worship as those who were in the park heard us and began to approach. Along with the Discipleship Training School from YWAM Tokyo, we were able to have great discussions with those of various faiths, and many with no faith at all. God was definitely softening hearts as we continued to sing and invite the Holy Spirit to do His work.

Saturday morning we got up really early to walk to the bus station, to catch the first bus of the day and then a train that would take us to Yoyogi Park to work again with the YWAM team to feed the homeless. This was a meaningful time of ministry as we prepared food bags, passed out cups of coffee, and assisted the YWAM team as they ministered through testimonies and small group sharing. We got to participate with a couple of songs as well. Later that evening we went home and got to celebrate one of our team member’s, Amanda’s birthday.

Sunday morning we took another long train ride to a Japanese church. The service was in Japanese and afterward everyone had lunch together. We made new friends and enjoyed connecting with a local church community. After church our group gathered at David and his wife, Maria’s house for a time of prayer, worship, and ministry with one another. Once again, the Holy Spirit was at work in each of us and our hearts were greatly encouraged by all we saw God doing.

Monday was a meaningful day of debriefing with our team and the McDaniels before another full day of travel on Tuesday.

That was a general overview of the trip, but I would love for you to hear from the rest of the team. So here are a few highlights from each person from Team Japan 2013.

Erin Methvin: I am so thankful for the unique worship experience with Dave and the other missionaries at the Living Room. There was something so beautiful and genuine about their charismatic praise. It was an outward expression I was reluctant to express myself at first, but I was humbled by their hearts’ desire to simply meet with God. It gave my heart a new passion to chase after God, not only in times of worship, but in every part of my life.

Laura Taylor: For 18 years my heart has longed to return oversees on a mission trip. My time in Japan refreshed my spirit, gave me a longing to chase God desperately, and renewed my desire to see the lost and broken restored. The Japanese people have hearts that long for relationship and hope. My interactions with them in turn taught me to approach Christ with that same need for hope and relationship with Him! God is at work in Japan and my heart was impacted forever because of my time there.

Andrew Bixler: One of the many ministry times I enjoyed was playing music in the middle of a city park in Tokyo, right outside the second busiest train station in the world. Seeing people drawn to the love of Jesus through the music, even if only slowing down enough to enjoy the warmth, showed me that God’s Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). The music created space for conversations and prayers. Songs from our spirits released God’s freedom and love into Tokyo.

Nick Scholz: “Coffee In The Park”

I passed out coffee in the park. 

They were happy to get it. 
I didn’t say anything, coffee pot 
in hand, filling cup after cup 
full of the stuff. 
I couldn’t say anything. 

I don’t know how to speak Japanese, 
But that isn’t what kept me silent. 
I couldn’t say anything to them. 
Some were ashamed– 
Too ashamed to look at me. 
Others, so grateful, proudly thanked 
Me in heartbroken English. 

All they could say was “Thank 
You,” and they said it. 
Again and 
Again. 

I left, saying nothing, humbled by cups 
of coffee 
In the park. 

Amanda Bixler: While no singular event jumps out in my mind (each day was pretty amazing), one of the things that God really stirred in my heart throughout this trip was to trust His voice. I’ve always believed that God wants to – and does – speak to each one of us, but often there is a hesitation to act on His promptings. While in Japan, this was something I was really challenged with – to trust the voice and heart of God, that He truly wants to use each one of us in very real and practical ways to make a huge impact for the kingdom.

Paul Casequin: God really loves His creation, the most of which is us, mankind. On this mission trip, I saw our team share this awesome love to people in Japan. I actually felt that we were sharing “spiritual love letters” through our conversations to school kids, the university’s English club, and various adults at two public park events. Even while we were singing our “spiritual love letters” to God, I marveled at how He used our worship songs to woo His unsaved creation and open doors to share Jesus Christ and our personal testimonies.

Jenn Casequin: I was blessed to meet a young lady named Mileina. She is a respectful and loving young girl, searching for love wherever she can find it. I felt a connection to her immediately and spent a lot of time chatting with her, listening to her, and answering all of her questions. I know I met her for a specific reason. God has put her on my heart to continue praying for her and communicating with her long after this trip. Meeting Mileina reminded me that no matter how broken we are, we are still God’s children and He loves us, wants us, and wants to use us for great and mighty things.

This trip was full of evidence that God is alive and His Spirit is moving in the hearts of people. One of the most impacting things for me on this trip was a statement made by David McDaniel as he was encouraging us in our pursuit of God, “Many times we want God to bring the fire, but we don’t put out any wood.” This imagery was encouraging to me and something we can all be challenged by. How often do we say that we want the things of God, or for God to use us (and expect the fire), but never do any of the pursuing of God? Certainly God is able to work in spite of us and our lack of pursuit, but how much more of Him would we receive if our passion drove us to seek Him in all we do?

It was my pleasure to be with this team on this trip. And we want to thank all of you for the prayer and financial support that you put into this trip! God used you in Japan!