2010 Fall Pastor's Retreat

Japan Covenant Consecrates Short-Term Missionaries

By Gary Carlson

TOKYO, JAPAN (July 26, 2010) – On a hot Sunday afternoon this past weekend, Japan Covenanters gathered in the chapel at Covenant Seminary in Tokyo for a service of consecration for Pastor Shunichi Miyamoto and his wife, Masako.

The couple leaves August 5 to begin a two-year short-term mission project, working primarily with Christ Covenant Church (C3) in Novi, Michigan. Pastor Nathan Pawl and the members of C3 have for many years wanted to welcome a short-termer from the Japan Covenant Church to work with Japanese people in their community.

Rev. Yasushi Shimizu, chairman of the Japan Covenant Church, spoke in his sermon about his experience attending the ECC’s 125th anniversary celebration in St. Paul last month. He said he was moved by clear statements from denominational leaders that the ECC does not see itself as superior to Covenant churches in other countries, but wishes to be in mutually beneficial partnerships. The sending of the Miyamotos to Novi is one clear example of this partnership, Shimizu said.

The sending of the Miyamotos comes at the end of several years of planning involving the Evangelism Committee of the Japan Covenant Church, the Great Lakes Conference and C3. Beyond the expected work involved in establishing a budget and raising funds, along with spelling out the work the Miyamotos will do at C3 and elsewhere, the biggest difficulty has been in securing visas. At one point, C3 received notice from the U.S. Government of an "intent to deny" the Miyamotos' visa applications. An appeal was made and the visas were granted in May.

In their testimonies, the Miyamotos said they are excited about leaving for their short-term mission assignment. Each of them had home-stay experiences in the U.S. many years ago, and these experiences helped them come to faith in Jesus Christ. It is their desire that they can work with Japanese who are in the U.S. to give them a similar chance to hear the gospel, come to faith, and be part of a vital faith community.

The Japan Covenant Church will follow up the connections made with Japanese people at C3 and in the Detroit area when those individuals eventually return to Japan and need to find a church family.

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» To contact the Miyamotos to speak or participate in international outreach programs at your church, give them a shout at 248-202-3893 or Masako7@aol.com, or call the conference office at 734-451-4670. They are here to help. 

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Richard Lucco

Superintendent
734-451-4670
dick@greatlakes.cc

Larry Sherman

Associate Superintendent
Director of Church Planting
248-756-3202 shermanldjjw@msn.com

Steve Armfield

Director of Church Vitality
616-633-5535
swarmfield@gmail.com

Jody Eidnes

Office Administrator
734-451-4670
jody@greatlakes.cc

Contact Information

7001 N. Haggerty Rd., Canton, MI 48187
Office: 734-451-4670   Fax: 734-451-4672

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The Great Lakes Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church covers lower Michigan, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, western New York, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia and is committed to church planting, church development, church outreach and christian camping.

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