Passion World Tour

Last night one of my teammates and I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Passion Conference World Tour stop here in Tokyo. I already know that will be a highlight of my entire summer. Chris Tomlin led worship and Louie Giglio spoke. That in and of itself is a great way to kick off a summer long mission trip. The greatest part is that we were two of about 2,500. Most of the people around us were Japanese. Every song they played had both the English and Japanese words on the screen. Thousands of people were jumping and raising their hands for the Lord. In a city with a small Christian population, words cannot describe how wonderful it was to see and be a part of that. It reminded us that our God is greater, stronger, and higher than any other. He is awesome in power and Tokyo is His city. Louie presented the gospel so beautifully through a translator. It was exactly what I needed to hear to remind me why I am here, why we share the greatest story ever. God refreshed me, He gave me what I needed to speak to people this summer. At several point in the song portion, Chris would start singing in Japanese. The most powerful was in the chorus of "How He Loves". I wanted to cry it was so beautiful to hear my Japanese brothers and sisters singing of our great Savior's love in their heart language. It is not something that I will forget ever.

Tonight we got to join all the Baptist churches in the Tokyo area for a monthly prayer meeting and for a share time from one of the IMB missionaries. We sang Japanese hymns, listened to a Japanese pastor preach out of Act (all in Japanese of course), and got to be there as the missionary shared the vision for the summer. I think one of the most exciting changes for this summer is that we will be doing a lot more work with established Baptist churches here in Tokyo. I am so excited to see how God is going to use and bless this partnership. I am thinking Father is fixing to explode all over Tokyo and Japan.

I have spent more time with Japanese Christians in the past two days than I got to all summer long last year. My heart is so encouraged to know that this isn't a lost cause. God's ancient work in this city runs deep. I don't know why He chose me, but I am so thankful and humbled that God is letting me be here to see His power and might.

Please be praying for the Japanese church, that it would rise up and God would grow it like crazy.

Please pray for the interns that will be flying here this week from the States.

Please pray against satan's attacks on this summer. I know it will be a lot because I can already see God doing so much. This is not satan's country or people, everything is God's.

Thank you for your prayers! They go farther than you think!