HICKSf NEWSLETTER SEPT. 2008

Dear Ministry Partner,

     Blessed greetings to you from Japan.  This month we would like to report on one of the ministries we help lead in western Tokyo.  Itfs called The International VIP Club.  The VIP ministry is an outreach to gunreachedh Japanese within the framework of business, industry, technology and politics in Japan.  

     Listen to their most recent brochure.  gToday, nations and individuals seem to be trying to find a new basis for their world view, value system, and lifestyles.  In this changing age, the International VIP Club provides you with the opportunity to seek eternal truth and chart the future direction of your life and work.  We do it by using the all-time bestseller, the Bible, and its central figure, Jesus Christ, which have so greatly influenced world history.  The aims of the Club are to create an expanding friendship network, to deepen relationships among the Clubfs business and professionals members, and to search for truth in Scripture.  The concept of the International VIP Club comes from the Book of Isaiah (43:4) in the Old Testament, where it is written: gYou are precious in my eyes.h    In other words, you are a eVery Important Personf in Godfs eyes.  And we are all important to each other.  During times of fellowship, you can enjoy talking with others not only about business, but also about life and truth.  You can develop warm and productive relationships with other members, and you might just find what you are searching for in life.h  (Autumn/Winter 2008 VIP Brochure)

     Although the VIP Club first began in the early 1990fs, it really didnft take off until the mid to late 90fs.  It began with only a handful of business groups meeting monthly in local hotel restaurants in Tokyo and Yokohama.  But as Japanese business men and women began to hear the Gospel, it very soon began to spread to many other cities in Japan.  In just over ten years the VIP Club now has 147 chapters meeting nation-wide in Japan, and internationally there are now 10 chapters in Asia, 11 in Europe, 1 in the Middle East, 1 in Africa, 4 in Oceanic, and 12 in North America.  Why has the VIP Club spread so rapidly in and outside Japan in just ten years?  I believe itfs because God is determined to have countless unreached Japanese before His throne.  (Rev. 7: 9-10)  And whereas the Japan Church has been reluctant to go into the marketplace with the message of the Gospel, the VIP Club in contrast, has heard the call, and has courageously and boldly gone there. 

     Please continue to pray for the International VIP Club outreach.  Pray that God will give Japanese business men and women greater boldness to share Christ in the work place.  Please also continue to pray for Mari and me, that as we lead our VIP Club Chapter, God will bring many hungry and thirsty non-Christians across our path.  We are praying and believing God for many more divine opportunities to share the wonderful life changing message of the Gospel with those who are yet unreached.

     And how truly grateful we are to you, as you continue to partner with us in prayer and giving, making it possible for us to be here reaching deeply into Japanese hearts and lives.  May the Lord abundantly bless you for the vital part you play in taking His Gospel into all the world. 

Advancing His Kingdom together with youc.your missionaries in Japan,    Neal & Mari    

P.S.  If you have an email address, please email us at:  nealtms@gmail.com or www.tms-Japan.net

The Mission Society 6234 N. Crooked Creek Rd., Norcross, GA  30092    Phone: 1-800-478-8963     Website: www.themissionsociety.org