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Student Ministry: Japanese Style

State News: Mar 2008

While cycling home on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, an idea struck Richard East (OMF UK). fmZERO. F for free, M for muryo (also meaning free, in Japanese), and ZERO for zero cost. Along with Alaric Dunsmore-Rouse and Alex Fung, Richard had been searching for this: a concept shedding light on the gospel that would appeal to youths in Japan.

This OMF trio aimed to reach out to Japanese in Sapporo. April 2007 saw the kick-off of the fmZERO strategy – then in December, they were joined by the Brisbane Seven from Queensland - a team of five led by Peter & Mary Chen eager to reach kids in high schools, universities and local churches. In sub-zero temperature, they performed Christmas concerts, hosted year-end parties, taught English and bush dances, prepared Aussie meals and baked cookies with newfound friends, shared their testimonies and sang carols in the public domain … a few even had “snow fights” with Japanese youngsters.

For three weeks, the Seven helped with student work at the Hokudai University campus, English Corner at the Hokkaido Centre, and the Lighthouse Church Teens.

At an English class, Mary found herself sitting next to a lady named Akiko, who asked why she had come to Japan. Mary replied that as a Christian, she wanted to learn Japanese culture and relate to Japanese people. Akiko declared that she did not believe in Jesus and had never been to a church. Mary suggested that she try a visit if given the opportunity – and Akiko did, that very weekend! She came to class the following week excited to share that she had been welcomed by the pastor and given a Japanese Bible.

Please pray for God to raise long term workers who would pay the price and earn the right to speak and reach a new generation of Japanese in their homeland.

Peter & Mary Chen, QLD State Director & Serve Asia Co-ordinator

One thing I’ve realized is that every soul saved can make an enormous impact. In Australia, it’s not uncommon for there to be at least a few Christians in our workplaces, universities, schools - but in Japan, Christians are often few and far between. That means that if even one person becomes a Christian, that makes a [great] difference in their school, university, workplace, group of friends, family…And so we’ve been praying that even one person would be impacted by the gospel in our time here in Japan, for that will make a huge difference in God’s kingdom.

A Brisbane Seven team member