Meet Evergreener Garrett Inouye -Asian Access/SIM Missionary to Japan

When I initially took on this position at Evergreen SGV, my prayer was that God would raise up full-time overseas missionaries within our church. Soon after, I met with Garrett Inouye (who I remembered as a high school student) and he shared how God had called him to Japan.

We began to meet regularly for over a year in preparation for Garrett going on the field and now he is officially approved as an Asian Access/SIM missionary and is currently raising support so he can go on the field for his initial two-year term.

Garrett is currently an Outreach intern at Evergreen SGV and is also overseeing the college ministry, “the Floor”, as part of his preparation for Japan. He has been a great encouragement to me as I have been blessed by his passion for the Lord, his faith to venture out and his heart of mercy for others (he is also one of the funniest guys I know).

Recently, I was able to catch up with Garrett regarding the journey God has taken him on:

Reflections from Haiti

Our team with Joanna Hodges

Though only five days long, my recent trip to Haiti revealed a lot to me about the country, its people, the work of the Good Samaritan Hospital hospital (HBS) and the importance of missionary care. Here is a snapshot of my reflections since returning:

Leaving on a Jet Plane to … Haiti

From February 24-29, I along with join Frank Murakami and Allen Yee will visit Hopital Bon Samaritain (HBS) in Limbe, Haiti, a hospital Evergreen members Bill and Joanna Hodges started serving at over 50 years ago. (It started as a Christian outpatient clinic in 1953 and grew under the direction of Bill Hodges.)

Please pray:

• that we would be able to bless Joanna for the amazing legacy of ministry she and her husband helped establish
• that we would encourage the workers in their ministry
• that we would be able to see what God is doing there
• that we would be able to discern what God may be calling Evergreen SGV to do there

 
I will attempt to post updates via twitter.

Meet Evergreener Jenn Louie -InterVarsity Campus Minister at SDSU

It is always a blessing seeing the young people who grew up in our church venture out in serving God.

One such person is Jenn Louie. Jenn grew up at Evergreen SGV, recently graduated from San Diego State University (SDSU) and is now an InterVarsity Campus Minister there. It has been a privilege for me to hear her story and witness her passion to minister to the students at SDSU.

Recently, I was able to ask her a few questions about where the Lord has taken her and where He is leading her:

Orphan Sunday’s Comin’ …

I’m excited that Evergreen SGV is able to join with many other churches in celebrating Orphan Sunday this upcoming Sunday. As Pastor Cory mentioned earlier in the year, God has historically incorporated Orphan Care into the spiritual DNA of our church and has given us unique opportunities to care for orphans as I’ll share about this Sunday. May this video prepare us for what God has to show us that day.

Don’t forget about Japan (updated)

Yesterday, I had the privilege of hearing Rev. Akira Sato from Fukushima First Baptist Church at a function hosted by Asian Access at Evergreen SGV. It was eye opening to hear Rev. Sato share firsthand experiences with his church being just a few miles from the nuclear reactor site, as most of what we hear about the tsunami devastated areas are just cold figures and statistics.

Among the things I learned from the talk that we can keep in prayer are:

• Discrimination is common against people from Fukushima, where parking lots, restaurants and even hospitals refuse people because they are from Fukushima.
• Deaths are common after the disaster as Rev. Sato shared about a constant cycle of sermons, baptisms and funerals.
• Workers at the nuclear reactor site are viewed as the reason for the disaster and so apologize profusely to residents. Even relatives of workers apologize on their behalf. You can imagine what sort of issue this is in a shame filled society.
• People from evacuated areas are literally dispersed throughout Japan. Those who want to move back in the area are discriminated against and even denied.

Throughout this all, I was encouraged by the blessings Rev. Sato realized having gone through this disaster. He shared that little things now bring great joy such as being able to take a shower or being able to eat warm food. He believes the tsunami effectively knocked down previous barriers existing between churches and communities, denominational barriers between churches and barriers between Japan and the rest of the world. Finally, he shared that he knows of no other time in history when the Church around the world has prayed this much for Japan.

Let’s continue to pray for Japan.

Rev. Sato recently purchased land for the church to rebuild near the Fukushima area. It is fitting that one of the founding themes for this new church is “resurrection”. Read his reflections on his experience here (click on the English button)

Visit the Asian Access website to see where Rev. Sato will be sharing next in the Southern California Area.

This is going to be an Action-Packed Message!!!

Here is the message I shared this past Sunday from James 1:19-25, which includes illustrations from our Thailand Exploration Team with ZOE International and powerful testimonies by Fred and Irene Kawashima.

The song referred to in the message is “Just Another Man” by Timbetold.

Thailand Exploration Team Underway

Our Thailand Exploration Team will be leaving tonight. Check my twitter and our Thailand Team Blog for updates. Thank you to all who have come alongside us in prayer and support. Continue to pray for:

• Travel Mercies to and throughout Thailand
• Good health for all team members
• Connection with ZOE family and villagers
• Team bonding
• Effective witness for Christ
• Discerning God’s plan for Evergreen SGV in Thailand

“And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” -Acts 16:10 (NASB)

When something short-term goes a long way

When you think about overseas short-term missions trips, the numbers do not seem to add up.

A group of ten or so goes for about two weeks at a cost of roughly $30,000. A day is lost in travel with a few more needed to get over jet lag. Finally, just when members get adjusted to the time, culture and language, it is time to go home back to the normal daily grind of life.

What that all adds up to does not seem to amount to much. However as with all things in the Lord, the impact of something short-term can go a long way. And that is particularly true in regards to short-term missions trips. Here then are three ways short-term missions trips can have a long-term impact:

1) A missions trip can impact you for the rest of your life

Stepping outside of your culture allows you to evaluate your life in light of what God is doing around the world. Many long-term missionaries first recognized their calling to missions after going on a short-term missions trip, and people who go on missions trips are often lifelong supporters of missions.

2) We have something to offer that is otherwise not readily available

Our teams have been asked to construct custom fitted furniture for children, equip a church in the area of prayer and provide English teaching. Locals often ask why our teams would travel all the way from America just to serve them, which provides a great opportunity to share the gospel.

3) We can encourage, minister to and pray for Christian staff and workers

Our teams try to take the time to minister to and pray for our brothers and sisters in hopes of encouraging them to continue the awesome work of proclaiming the gospel and making disciples long after we’re gone.

4) We can bring back here what God showed us there

I say this because I received my calling into pastoral ministry while on a missions trip, had a heart for children’s ministry soon after returning and am writing this article as the missions pastor having gone through the experience. But don’t take my word for it …

*Taken from latest issue of Evergreen SGV Online newsletter

Perspectives is coming to Evergreen SGV

From Jan. 18-May 3, Evergreen SGV will be hosting Perspectives for the first time at our campus. It will be on Tuesday nights from 6:45-9:45pm in our Cafe. For those who are interested in missions or for those who would like to develop an interest in missions, I would highly recommend attending. It will transform your outlook on world missions.

Speakers include Larry Walker, Len Bartlotti, John Lo, Carol Davis and our very own Andy Pearce. Josie Leung is the coordinator for this class.

I remember taking this class soon after graduating from college just prior to attending seminary and it was an amazing time of hearing how God is moving throughout history in the world and meeting people with a similar passion to see God’s Kingdom come to the uttermost parts of the world. The resources I gained have provided me with a solid foundation for my involvement in missions and much of the ministry we do at Evergreen SGV.

This is from our class page on the Perspectives website:

Join us on a journey to learn more about God’s heart for the world He created. As we develop our understanding of His perspective, we can be encouraged, empowered, and equipped to fulfill His assignment for us in His mission to redeem those He loves.

In the span of sixteen weeks we will bring in top missions leaders and mentors. Their role is to challenge and inspire us through the material and their personal experiences. Our role is to respond to the call God extends to us through them, whether it is in our current locations or on the other side of the world.

*Register at www.perspectives.org. Early registration discount of $15 applies by 1/7/11. Additional family members are $50 off. For more information contact Josie Leung at josie_leung@yahoo.com

Related: Adding New Perspectives on the World