Bible is our Althority
Our prayer is to seek the biblical truth taught by Jesus and apostles, and to put them into practice.
Trinity Grace Church believes the inerrancy of the Bible.
We believe that, for those who are saved, every word of the Bible becomes sweet to them.
We are seeking His truth by studying and meditating His words to do ministry.
Because if our belief is irrelevant, we will not be able to see anyone truely saved.
Our Principle of Reaching out People
Our principle to spread the gospel
We follow the example of Paul who preached while working as a tentmaker.
We follow the example of Paul who worked and spread the gospel.
We can support ourselves and meet many people ,introduce Jesus.
Paul agrees that the workers have rights to receive gifts from their members.
Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 1Corinthians 9:13,14
But Paul didn’t use this right so as not to hinder the gospel.
If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 1Crinthians 9:11,12
Most Japanese people are either Buddhists or non-religious.
Christianity was banned for about 260 years starting in 1613.
We don’t have christian background like America or European countries.
Many people have no idea about Jesus,for example where he was and why he died.
Paul chose self-supporting ministry to ensure that nothing other than the Gospel would be a hindrance to believe.
We want to follow his way to evangelize Japanese people.
We think “Tentｍaker- style mission” is suitable in Japan.
Becase we had long and severe persecution period, many Japanese people prefer not to be deeply involved in any particular religion.
Therefore very few people visit the churches.
I think tentmaker-style evangelism is effective in such situation.
Our Mission field is ” Grace English School”.
We have been running an English school in southern part of Osaka Japan since 2001.
Our way of mission is to meet people through teaching English and introduce Jesus.
We have special opportunities to share the gospel to students.
Summer event in July and Christmas event in December.
We talk about the meaning of the cross, original sin etc
Our part is to share them the gospel.
We know that God is the ultimate althority of salvation.
We proclaim the Gospel, believing that God will open the hearts of those who hear the news.
Spiritual Conditions in Japan
Most of Japanese people worship gods but don’t believe any Gods.
Japanese people worship any gods.
But they don’t believe any of them seriously.
Japanese people choose gods according to their needs.
For example, when a family member passed away, they go to temples .
When they want to make wishes, they go to Shrines.
They want to have chirstian pastors for wedding.
They have Christmas parties in December.
Buddism and Shintoism events take place.
January : New Year’s Wish
People go to shrines to make wishes.
February : Beans Throw
People thow beans to drive out demons.
March: Dolls Festival
People display dolls at home.
(Originally, the dolls are offered to substitute for their sisns.)
July : Star Festival Making wishes to stars.
August : Obon Festival
Time to remember ancestors. They invite monks to pray for the dead.
They go to the graves, decorete buddist alter to invite dead people’s souls.
Family members get together and have a big meal at this time.
October : Danjiri Festival
This is Shinto festival. People pull movile shrine and walk arround their town, shouting and dancing. Young and old enjoy drinking and chatting. This is a very popular event in Japan.
Decemner : New Year’s Eve Event
People go to temples. They ring the temple bell to be fogiven their sins.
Japanese people believe dead souls are living and protecting them.
Japanese people believe deceased families are living in heaven and protecting them.
They love their deceased family and want to console them.
Ancestor worship is regarded as high respect act in Japan.
So they pray for the dead and give them foods and burn insence.
They invite monks to pray for their ancestors.
They have mixed feelings.
Japanese people have fear of the dead.
Because if they don’t take care of their ancestors, angry dead souls may send them bad lucks, for example sickness, poverty, shame etc.
Monks and fortune tellers often advice them to take care of their family grave and alter.
People are wanting to be consoled after death.
People are wanting to be consoled after death.
Because without prayer suport form living family, they may go down to worse place.
They believe that prayer is only way to lead them to good place after dath.
