Invest in the younger generations

“Whenever families don’t function, soon a whole society won’t function any longer.” This bold statement by the Christian and late former President of Germany Richard von Weizsäcker can be easily applied to Japan: whenever Japanese families, children, and students don’t function, soon Japanese society won’t function any longer.

We missionaries too often focus on sophisticated programmes and visions or Christian celebrities and organizations. But we forget Jesus’ focus: children (and young people), the weakest part of society and the future of society.

For a Spirit-driven investment in the future of mission in Japan, let’s focus on restoring Japanese families, children, and students’ lives.

1. Restoring Japanese families by sharing the Father’s love with them

Ministering to children is impossible without seriously looking at their families, particularly their parents. An eye-opening lecture in my seminar class at Osaka Kyōiku University touched on a tender spot in Japanese society. According to a survey and their own experiences, most female Japanese students don’t have good relationships with their fathers. And the situation for male students isn’t much different. Many Japanese fathers aren’t at home much while their children grow up. Long working hours, long commutes, and business-related weekends away all contribute to a low view of fathers. The key question is: How can we display the loving heavenly Father in a fatherless society?

That’s the question that visionary missionary John Paul Sprecher and his Father’s Heart team (see sidebar) have been asking as they’ve been ministering in Japan for more than five years. Their mission has extended from Osaka to Nagoya and now Tokyo (as of March 2016). They presented their ministry at the Church Planting Institute’s 2015 National Conference.

Practical suggestions:

• Go out, address the needs of families, and seek the “person of peace” (Luke 10:6, NASB).
• Participate in community initiatives like Papas’ Club, Japanese sport and similar clubs, or even the local firefighters. Support by praying, caring (creating awareness via T-shirts, bazaars, etc.), and sharing the gospel.
• Encourage Christian business leaders to become involved in Christian fellowships like FGBMFI Japan (Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International), CBMC Japan (Connecting Business and the Marketplace to Christ), or VIP Clubs.

By displaying the Father’s love to Japanese Christians, we equip them for community impact. Since the image of Japanese fathers is still low, displaying our heavenly Father’s abounding love is an opportunity to fill the “father vacuum” that exists among many children and teenagers. Long-term harvest in Japan begins by revealing the Father’s heart to fatherless families.

2. Restoring Japanese children’s lives

Whoever invests love and time in children, invests in Japan’s future. One symptom of the neglect of Japanese children is the alarming increase of “delegating” education to mass media and outdoor education. This educational shortcut is intensified by parents’ overuse of modern technology.

Sachiko* and Kento*, teachers at a junior high school in Osaka, were admired as a sympathetic and hospitable couple with two small children—until they divorced. Kento spent too much time on electronic devices and could not communicate with his family very well, especially his children.

Worse is the case of Shiori*, a creative 14-year-old junior high school student and long-desired child (her mother had previously had several miscarriages). Instead of investing time in their only child, Shiori’s parents tried to satisfy her needs with extravagant outfits and allowing nearly unlimited access to mass media and technology. In the end, without receiving the love she needed, Shiori took her own life.

As missionaries, our standard is Jesus’ unconditional love towards children (Luke 18:15–17).

Four key principles apply when working with children:

• Live out (practise) education rather than “teach” it.
• Praise and discipline with love.
• Grow a Christ-like personality through daily spiritual life.
• Equip them for taking on responsibility and leadership.

Practical suggestions:

• Respond to children’s needs regularly and appropriately.
• Spend quality time with children.
• Reach out to non-Christian children and parents in the community.
• Steer children away from screens by enforcing limitations.
• Develop their skills.
• Encourage children to play an active role in the church.

As the weakest part of society, children should be one of our main ministry focuses.

3. Restoring Japanese students’ lives

University students are the most open-minded group in Japanese society, as they encounter new studies, new environments, new relationships, and new freedom. Why can’t they also have a life-changing experience with Christ?

Like a former student of mine who now works with the Japanese government, many university students will become future leaders in Japan.

Practical suggestions:

• Personal or small-group prayer, prayer walking, and evangelism.
• Co-operation with one of the major student ministries like JCCC, KGK, YWAM, The Navigators, JCFN, Jesus Life House, or J-House.
• Invite them to Christian homes.
• Invite them to student-friendly churches.
• Network and exchange among all these groups.

Mission at universities reaches far beyond students: multipliers like Christian teaching colleagues and university staff (there are many seekers among them) may also be target groups in university outreach.

The long-term mission goals are core groups which will pray and reach out not only for evangelising, but also to make disciples who will produce more disciples.

Whenever we succeed in bringing a foretaste of heaven to the children and young generation of Japan, we can be sure that the Lord of the harvest will extend his kingdom in Japan, today and in the future. Let us be empowered by him for this kingdom service and, in doing so, return all the glory to him. 

*Names have been changed.
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/94833286@N00/1573456981