by Robin White | Dec 1, 2016 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
I hope you’re feeling fine and festive as we enter the Christmas season this year. This past Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, I was in Yamaguchi (3 hours southwest by bullet train) for a day of ministry at the Immanuel church there (whose new building you can see in the photo above). As a bonus, it was a great time of re-connecting with one of my oldest friends/colleagues in Japan, Pastor Hirase, who used to worked at my church in Nagoya.
Before my trip, I hadn’t been feeling very well. But God gave me the strength (and voice) I needed to preach in the morning and do a mini-concert in the afternoon. I had a good time encouraging the church and helping them reach out. Interestingly, the passage I spoke on in the afternoon was the same one they’d put on their poster promoting the event (“God is Love”), though we hadn’t planned it that way. Please pray that God will continue the work He was doing through this event in the lives of the guests who came.
As Advent continues, so do my adventures. Please pray with me for the following over the next few weeks:
- 12/2 – English Cafe
- 12/4 – Preaching at Nagoya Church
- 12/11 – English Bible study
- 12/14 – Leading worship at prayer meeting
- 12/18 – Preaching & music ministry at Gifu Church
- 12/22 – Kids English class Christmas party
- 12/25 – My church’s Christmas events
Thank you so much for your prayers and support this year. And in case you don’t hear from me before then, have a merry Christmas and happy New Year!
– Robin
by Robin White | Nov 1, 2016 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
It’s been an encouraging month with lots of connecting and re-connecting. Some highlights can be seen in the above photos. Randy & Linda Freeman, GP missionary wellness coaches, visited this past week. And earlier in the month, former Wesleyan general superintendent Joanne Lyon was in Japan for the Japan Holiness Association’s annual events. Japan is so far from home and the rest of the Wesleyan world. It’s always fun and encouraging to re-connect with the Tribe.
Another highlight of the past month was taking part in an art festival event (with the theme of “Connections”) at a church in Nisshin, just east of Nagoya. I got a lot of good feedback on my work and its message, which was really encouraging.
Ministry-wise, October was relatively quiet for me. I had my regular classes and ministries, of course, but not a lot of extras. Now that November is here, I’m entering a really busy season of ministry leading up to Christmas. I’d appreciate your prayers as I try to keep ahead and minister effectively. Following are some specific events and dates:
11/04 – English Cafe
11/09 – Leading worship at prayer meeting
11/12 – Leading worship at Inspa (returnees ministry)
11/20 – English Bible study
11/24 – Substitute teaching another English Bible study
11/27 – Preaching & music ministry at IGM Yamaguchi Church
I’ll also be preaching twice in December, so I’d appreciate your prayers as I begin prepping for those as well.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support for our work here in Japan! I hope you have a great November!
– Robin
by Robin White | Oct 1, 2016 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
Thank you for your prayers over the past month. Here are are couple of highlights:
This week I spent four days in Kobe at the 6th Japan Congress on Evangelism — a huge gathering of around 2000 pastors, missionaries and church leaders from various denominations and organizations gathered for learning, networking and encouragement. It was definitely a challenging and encouraging time for me, and it was great to see the unity represented there. So much potential!
Earlier in the month, at our English Cafe event, our conversation took a deeper turn than usual. Usually this event isn’t overtly spiritual, but more of a way to build relationships with students and give them a chance to practice their English. But the discussion questions I’d prepared this time naturally led in a spiritual direction, and and I even got to share the Gospel with the group.
Looking ahead, here are some things to pray with me about in the coming weeks:
- The Church in Japan – for unity & cooperation
- My English students (mostly non-Christians)
- English Cafe – 10/7
- Leading worship at prayer meeting – 10/12
- English Bible study – 10/16
- Another art exhibit I’m taking part in during the last 2 weeks of October.
- Wisdom & direction as I look to start some new ministries in the near future — news soon, I hope!
Again, thank you for your continuing prayers and support for the mission, the Church and Japan! Have a great October!
– Robin
by Robin White | Sep 1, 2016 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
September is here! I hope you’ve had a good summer. Mine was super busy but lots of fun. As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, August’s big events were an artist exhibit and a trip to Hokkaido for some youth work. Both went really well. Thank you for praying! The photo above is from when some church friends came to the art show.
As my English classes are back on schedule now, I’d appreciate your continued prayer for my English ministry in particular, that relationships would grow deeper and hearts would become more open to the Gospel.
Here are some specific events and things you can be praying for as well:
- 9/2 — English Cafe
- 9/10 — Leading worship at Inspire Union (returnees ministry)
- 9/14 — Leading worship at prayer meeting
- 9/18-19 — Chukyo area holiness retreat
- 9/27-30 — Japan Conference on Evangelism (an interdenominational gathering of pastors, missionaries and leaders in Kobe)
Thank you for being on my team!
– Robin
by Robin White | Aug 2, 2016 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
Hope your summer is going well. There’s lots going on here, so please take a moment to read my latest newsletter, which you can find at this link:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12247320/031.pdf
Thank you!
– Robin
by Robin White | Jun 29, 2016 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
As many of you know, I was back in North America for 3+ weeks recently. I was in upstate New York for a Global Partners retreat and conference, followed by a a couple of days at the Wesleyan Church General Conference. It was a great time of fellowship, team building, learning, equipping and worship.
After that I went to Canada for about 2 weeks of vacation time. I’m really thankful for the time I had to relax with my family and to catch up with friends. I’m thankful for safe travel too.
Now I’m back in Japan and gearing up for the summer. As usual, summer is going to be a very busy season of ministry, so I’d certainly appreciate your prayers. Here are some specific things you can be praying for:
July 7-25 I have a short-term missionary working with me. Pray for Drake, who is considering becoming a long-term missionary, as he explores what ministry in Japan looks like.
In late July and early August, I’ll be taking part in a art exhibit with some other Christian artists from the area. This is an outreach for a local church, and also the first event our newly formed Tokai Christian Artist Network. Pray that it will held build bridges with the community, and that these new partnerships will lead to bigger and better things.
Please pray too for this month’s English Cafe (July 1) and English Bible study (July 17). We also have a special kids’ event on July 18.
As always, thank you for your prayers and support! Hope you have a great summer.
– Robin
by Robin White | May 7, 2016 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
Thank you for your prayers this past week as I travelled to Kumamoto in southwestern Japan to participate in the earthquake relief efforts there. While it was sad to see the destruction in many places, it was really encouraging to see so many Christians from various backgrounds working together to share God’s love in practical ways to those who had been affected by the earthquakes. Times like this make us realize how little many of our differences matter and how much we can accomplish if we work together.
Doing relief work is, of course, a lot different from what I usually do. This past week I did lots of heavy lifting, digging and repair work, as well as carrying supplies, passing out fliers, playing with kids and barbecuing. It was tiring but rewarding. As a bonus, I got to see some beautiful scenery in the mountainous Aso area. Again, thank you for your prayers!
May is upon us, and I’m back in Nagoya, gearing up for a busy month. I’d appreciate your continuing prayers!
Prayer Points:
- Next week (May 8-14) in particular is busier than usual, because I’ve got a meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday, I’m leading worship Wednesday, and I’m substitute teaching an English Bible study on Thursday; all this in addition to my usual English classes.
- My monthly English Bible study is on Sunday, May 15.
- On May 26, I’ll be flying to the US, where I’ll be taking part in a GP retreat and conference, followed by a brief appearance at the Wesleyan Church General Conference. After that I’ve got 2 weeks vacation in Canada, and then I travel back to Japan on June 19-20.
- While I’m away, other missionaries and friends will be covering my English classes. Please pray for them as well!
- And of course, please pray for Japan! Especially pray for Kumamoto and the surrounding areas that have been affected by the recent earthquakes, and for those doing relief work, which will be continuing for a while.
Once again, thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement!
– Robin
by Robin White | Apr 27, 2016 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
As I mentioned in my previous update, I’ve been thinking of participating in the earthquake relief efforts in Kyushu. This week, plans have fallen into place, and I’m planning to fly to Kumamoto city on Friday morning to help out there for about a week.
I’d appreciate your prayers for safe travel as well as the strength and wisdom needed to minister effectively. Also, please continue to pray for those affected by these disasters, for the help to get to those who need it, and for the strength and unity of Christians reaching out in Jesus’ name in response to these needs.
As always, thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement!
– Robin
by Robin White | Apr 21, 2016 | Ministry News
Most of you have probably heard the news about last week’s earthquakes in Kyushu, southwestern Japan. I thought I would send a quick update to let you know that I’m OK (Nagoya is pretty far from the affected area) and to let you know how you can pray and help.
The latest news I’ve read puts the death toll from the quakes at 48, with an additional 10 indirect deaths caused by the physical burdens of living in shelters. Over 1000 others are injured, and rescuers continue to search for 2 additional missing people. 200,000 people have reportedly been evacuated.
Below are some prayer requests and links to more information. Additionally, on a personal note, I’d ask you to pray with me about my response. If possible, I’d like to take part in the relief efforts and have already been in contact with one of the Christian organizations about this. I have some flexibility in my schedule in early May, so pray that God will provide the right opportunity and resources. Pray, too, that I can be a light where I am even in Nagoya, as these times open up opportunities to talk about the hope we have in Christ.
Prayer Requests from the Japan Evangelical Association:
1. The rescue operations by the government and emergency rescue teams to be successful.
2. Protection and recovery of affected churches and Christians in the region.
3. Japanese churches, Christian relief organizations to minister to affected people with Christ’s love.
4. Protection of relief workers from burn-outs and harmonious coordination of relief ministries.
5. Through all these, the Kingdom of God to be advanced and bring spiritual awakening to this nation of Japan.
Links to more information:
CRASH Japan
JEA Report
JapanCAN on 3 Ways to Help
As always, that you for your prayers, support and encouragement!
– Robin
by Robin White | Apr 2, 2016 | Ministry News
Hi everyone!
I hope you’ve been doing well this past month. This month my update is in PDF form, so please follow the link below to view or download:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12247320/030.pdf
Thank you for your prayers and support!
– Robin
