OMF highly values member care. Caring and supporting one another reflects the heart of the God who calls us to love others as he first loved us. The Jesus who sent us out to make disciples of all nations is the same Jesus who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28 NIV).
Missionary work is exciting, powerful, and amazing. But it is also challenging, tiring, and often difficult. One challenge here in Tohoku (northern Honshu) is that OMF missionaries are spread out over a huge area. Regularly meeting together for fellowship and support, prayer and play, can be difficult.
OMF wanted to provide more spiritual support and care to short term workers (Serve Asia), so I was asked to fill the new role of “Serve Asia Support in Tohoku.” Though I wasn’t expecting this ministry when I came to Japan, God had other plans. I’ve served for twelve years as a pastor and four years as a chaplain with the British Army—these were experiences God could use to care for his people in Japan.
Part of my role involves helping Serve Asia workers to get good spiritual teaching, support, and encouragement during their time in Japan—a time when nearly all the church services they attend will be in Japanese. All the Serve Asia Workers in Tohoku gather online to pray for each other once a week; at that meeting I give a Bible talk in English once a month. I also regularly hold English Holy Communion services at the Aomori Christian Centre.
I meet with individual Serve Asia Workers once a month, or more often if they wish. I listen to them, their experiences, joys, and challenges; offer advice; and pray for them. I’m not their boss, nor do I answer to their boss—my role is outside their ministry team’s line of authority. If they wish, I can join them as moral support in meetings, pray with them before and after, and help take problems to the appropriate people.
Sometimes, people need someone to talk to, to listen to them—a safe place—and part of my role is to offer that. Please pray for our short term workers, that they will grow spiritually while they serve in Japan.
By Adam, an OMF missionary
