occasion: “ Please allow me to say that it would be ex tremely regrettable, indeed, if this visit should be the end of your efforts here. I feel that unless you were to return again next year, it would be impossible to bring to frui tion this flower which has blossomed so beautifully at this time. Especially, in view of the fact that next year is the Centennial of Christian missions in Japan, I believe it would be most imperative for you to avail yourself of this opportunity by coming once again to Japan and to reap a bountiful harvest. I wish hereby to submit to you this heartfelt request as the representative of the Japanese Laymen’s Association.” Hearing of the concern of these Japanese brethren, Christians all over the world joined a prayer offensive in preparation for the gigantic meetings. The World Vision team was invited to the city by 400 churches in the area — signalling unprecedented cooperation on the part of local ministers. Missionary Joe Gooden was in charge of pastor relations. Roy Nicholson, Jr. took charge of prayer, missionary relations and telecasts. Doug Cozart of Hong Kong trained 1,900 counselors in the weeks before the Crusade opened so that new Christians could be adequate ly dealt with and cared for when the meetings ended. Ed Mills was in charge of outside meetings, the audi torium and music. Goto San, a Japanese leader, directed office services and public relations. World Vision’s own Larry Ward covered the Crusade for the evangelical press around the world. Only through the total consecration and cooperation of these men behind the scenes could the Crusade have func tioned to smoothly under the blessing of God. Here are Crusade highlights that brought blessing to those who supported the meetings in Osaka and around the world: a busload from the distant city of Himeji con tained 70 persons, with 35 Christians each bringing a non-Christian. There was “ great rejoicing” on the way home, because all 35 unbelievers responded during the invitation to accept Christ. A businessman’s Crusade ticket disappeared. Next day an employee came to him and said, “ I stole your ticket, because I wanted to go to the Crusade and didn’t know how to get one. But I was saved at the meeting and now I want to know if you can get me six more tickets. I have friends who need to go.” An Australian businessman, whose sons had been con verted in the Billy Graham Crusade at Sydney, accepted Christ at a meeting in Osaka’s Festival Hall. A pastor invited 10 architects, all of whom had attended his week-day Bible class for three years but had never gone to church. All 10 responded when Dr. Pierce gave the invitation. The teen-age son of a missionary doctor accepted Christ one evening, along with over 400 Japanese. A labor union official, who professed to be an atheist, attended several nights and then made his decision. He told soloist Gary Moore: “ I heard you sing in Japanese and I saw you stand in tears night after night during the invitation. Your attitude of love has brought me to Christ.” The head waiter of the hotel, where World Vision’s team is quartered, walked down the aisle to record his decision. A few days later, when asked how he felt, he said with an expression of joy: “ I feel like I have been turned upside down and inside out.” Remarked the Rev. K. Uzaka, a leading Free Methodist pastor, after observing the nightly services: “This is the greatest event in the 100-year history of the Church in Japan.” AUGUST, 1959
Navigator-trained Doug Cozart (tallest) instructed 1,900 coun selors in pre-crusade meetings in techniques of dealing with converts. Various missionaries and organizations cooperated to gether to bring complete victory. The combined effort is the first evangelistic thrust in Japan's 100th anniversary of Protestantism.
Dr. Bob Pierce speaks with Interpreter Kida San at one of William Jones' eight banquets which drew 1,610 business, professional and government leaders. Mr. Jones, in dark suit, is seated next to Mrs. Bob Pierce at head table. Results of the banquets alone will only be fully told in eternity. Under the leading of the Lord, Mr. Jones has not only held banquets for Christian organizations across America, but also in Russia as well as in Japan.
Osaka's steering committee consisted of Motoo Sakata (left); Dr. Bob Pierce; Dr. Tsunetaro Miyakado, general secretary Japan Bible Society; Rev. S. Funamoto, Crusade chairman, pastor. United Church of Christ in Japan.
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