With tourists in Japan once again and large events being held, this December feels like the first “almost normal” December since COVID began. In the midst of increasing numbers of COVID cases, churches around Japan are planning Christmas gatherings and services. Please pray with us for hearts to soften and curiosity to grow towards the love of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ.
Japan Field Director (FD)
Please pray for: 1) The next steps in the Church Planting Strategy Review, including planning for discussions amongst OMF Japan members in 2023. 2) OMF Japan Conference planning committee and provision of a children’s team. 3) Provision for Home Assignment cover in different ministries and roles next year 4) Christmas outreach – that people will move closer to Jesus.
2022 Prayer Focus: New Churches Planted
Pray for: 1) the thousands of communities in Japan without a church; 2) the Lord to raise up Japanese and missionary church planters; 3) good church planting partnerships across Japan; 4) the Lord’s leading and help for OMF’s Church Planting Strategy Review; 5) church plants to grow spiritually and numerically, and move to independence.
Finance & Administration Sector Leader
Pray for (1) preparations for the financial year-end beginning in December; (2) the Finance Team to get a restful break over the holidays; (3) interest in the house OMF is trying to sell in Kamaishi; (4) missionaries praying for financial clearance to come, or return, to Japan. Thank the Lord for His provision in 2022; pray for continued provision in 2023.
Hokkaido Sector Leader
Please pray for Christmas events in Hokkaido churches, especially as COVID-19 cases increase; may the Lord give wisdom to every church. Please pray for our Hokkaido sector planning for the upcoming years. The Hokkaido Sector Leadership Team (SLT) discussed this in November; may the Lord show the team His heart for ministry development.
Tohoku Sector Leader
Give thanks for a good Members’ Meeting. Pray that each church would have blessed meetings celebrating Jesus. Pray about requests for help from churches in Yamagata, Akita and Fukushima – that the right people, at the right time, would be provided to help. Pray for the Sector Leader’s health; he is in Canada for tests (22nd November-9th December).
Ichikawa Hub
Three new members arrive from OMF Orientation Course (OC) on 4th December. Pray for: 1) Hearts to remain fixed on Jesus in the midst of big transitions 2) Settling into accommodation 3) Certificates of Eligibility to arrive in order to apply for Religious Activities visas. 4) All the administration and orientation to life and OMF in Japan. 5) Preparation for language study, in school and with a Christian teacher. 6) Those involved in supporting and developing new workers in this new way.
Japanese Language and Culture Center (JLCC)
Pray for everyone’s health. For most of our new workers this is their first Christmas in Japan, away from home. Pray for good cultural observations and fellowship in their churches. We will celebrate Christmas with our language teachers on 23rd December; pray for a merry Christmas. After this we will be closed for a winter break. May this break be restful for students and teachers alike. We are looking for a new language teacher for next year. Please pray that we can find the right person.
Social Media Team
Social Media: Praise 1) One team member has now moved to Tokyo, which means that the team can have in-person team meetings. 2) The team is working well together. Pray: 1) That the social media December content will help our audience understand Christmas-in-Japan at a deeper level and that they will pray. 2) That people will share social media posts so that OMF continues to reach a wide audience. 3) For wisdom to pace ourselves well and to take time to rest.
Japan Harvest: Praise: after a slow start, we received thoughtful content about ministry in an aging society. Pray: for good teamwork.
TCK (Third Culture Kid) Advisor Team
Pray for all of our TCKs finishing up school terms and looking forward to a break over Christmas and New Year. Pray for a refreshing break and good family times. Pray too for the TCK team as they seek to help and support children and families.
