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I I missions in reverse by Marilyn Heiliger
tor o f thè Anaheim Community Church where the Watts attend. “ It has heightened the evangelistic spir it of our entire church.” “ The idea just grew,” he further pointed out, “ in the hearts of two people whose zeal for lost souls is real and precious. The Bible studies are now a vital part of our church.” The value of this type of ministry, however, is that it could be carried on in any city or section of the country. In large cities particularly, there are always areas populated by various ethnic groups. Contacts could be made by an individual or church, a teacher secured who speaks the language of the group, and the pro gram could be off to a good start! What better way is there to reach the immigrants in our land? What a thrill, too, it is to help build the national church of these various countries on a reverse basis.
A CHAIN r e a c t io n of modem day miracles has resulted in one of the most unique forms of Christian witness being carried on today. It all began when Frank and San dra Scott, members of the Anaheim Community Church, Anaheim, Cali fornia, got acquainted with neigh bor Noble Watts and his lovely Japa- nese wife Yoshino. Both Sandra and Frank had been saved just a short time (he out of Catholicism), and they were anxious to share their new found faith with their friends across the street. So Sandra began witnessing to Yoshino and Frank worked on Noble. And one day Frank had the privilege of leading Noble to the Lord. About a month later Yoshino, too, trusted Christ. Formerly an avowed Bud dhist, Mrs. Watts now has the joy of telling her Japanese friends that “ Buddha is no good — Jesus Christ is the only way.” The Watts soon joined Frank and Sandra at church and grew rapidly in the things of the Lord. About a year later, just last January, they got an idea. Why not start a Bible study group in their home for Japa- ese-speaking people? And so “missions in reverse” took shape. Calls were made in nearby Japa nese homes, invitations distributed, and things were under way. Carl Kishida, Japanese pastor from Chi- gasaki (suburb of Tokyo) studying at Talbot Theological Seminary, was_ asked to lead the Bible study. In the first three months after the Bible studies began in the Watts’ home, some 100 Japanese people were contacted and over 40 have attended the meetings. As high as 75 calls have been made to reach Japanese people in the area. SEPTEMBER, 1965
Three have accepted the Lord, two out of Buddhism. One man who re cently found the Lord in the Bible study has now returned to Japan eager to tell his family and friends about his new-found faith in Christ. He is hoping, also, to get further training at a Bible school in Japan. Most of the men who attend are native Japanese who are working in California under the government’s farm exchange program. They speak only the Japanese language and are eager, therefore, to come to a meet ing where their native tongue is spoken. After three years of farm study they will return to Japan — and this is where “ missions in re verse” takes place. Those who have found Christ will, in a sense, become missionaries to their own country. “ This Japanese Bible Study is real personal evangelism in action,” com mented the Kev. John Emmans, pas
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The class meets for study. (Inset above is Pastor Kishida.)
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