HICKS’ MINISTRY REPORT
February 2007
We began the month of February with a JEMA sponsored Day of Prayer. Missionaries laid aside the busyness of “the work,” to draw together in Prayer and seek God’s face for the lost in Japan.. We also spent time together praying for one another’s families and personal needs which were shared. It was indeed a profitable time before His throne.
Another key event we participated in was the 40th Annual JEMA Plenary Conference at the Ochanomizu Student Christian Center. Missionaries from all over Japan came for this meeting. Some of the issues discussed is the growing concern of what many Christians are referring to as “Hawkish Nationalism.” The Liberal Democratic Party has taken powerful steps to change article 9 in the constitution that renounces war, along with other proposed changes in the educational system of Japan. What this amounts to is an attempt to restore some kind of national identity to the Japanese people, promoting a return to hard line nationalism which is a 1930’s style militarism, emperor-worship, and thought control. The end result could be a possible restriction of evangelical activities in the future.
The day following the JEMA Plenary Session was the JEMA Leaders Consultation. Many mission leaders attended and discussed key issues relating to how some Japanese Christian leaders see a connection between Western Fundamentalism and support for War. Some Christian leaders in Japan have gone so far to say that American Evangelicals are Fundamentalists. It was reported that some Japanese Christian believers see a connection between right wing American religion and the justification of War. American Right Wing Religion interprets war(s) as positive eschatological signs lining up with end time events. It was reported that some Japanese Christian leaders see current American Evangelicalism as being equivalent to what nationalistic / militaristic Shintoism was at the height of the War. A new definition for the Church is being discussed by some: the work of the “true” Church is pacifism, and as a result, only passive Japanese Churches should be allowed to cooperative with passive American Churches. And therefore, Japanese Churches should not work or cooperative with JEMA missionaries.
Note: Most JEMA missionaries see this kind of talk as propaganda that supports racism, and is suggesting direct talks with the JEA (Japan Evangelical Association) pastors on these issues.
This month I (Neal) was able to apply for my visa for visiting Beijing China. Many from our headquarters’ staff will be attending, and well as many Mission Society teams. Our conference will provide for a time of training, update from Dr. Phil Granger our president, and time for sightseeing. Mari and I look forward to seeing China for the first time. We’ll be taking a sizeable quantity of “good books” with us as we go in… so we would greatly appreciate your prayers.
Neal preached the first of a two part message on the 18th at Kawagoe Church.
We ended the month with our Prayer Ensemble with Dr. Berndt Bohman and his wife Ruriko. Dr. Bohman has been teaching the book of Revelation and challenging Japanese Christians to keep themselves in a ready state for the Lord’s return. We had a great time in prayer and intercession for the Church of Japan and for believers here to witness their faith.