Praise the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Thank you all for your prayers and support.
As I look back over the past year, I would like to praise His name together with you.
◆Princeton Japanese Church
Far more people than expected came to the Easter service because of the ECC and J-Kids connection. While most of them were new to church, we all sang and danced children's praise songs together and simply told them about the cross and resurrection of Jesus. After the service, we hid eggs in the playground outside and enjoyed an egg hunt with the kids! May God raise up those who connect to the church and seek Him.
The Asari family (Ases, Ayumi, Noah and Dan) who have gathered at PJC for 4 years moved to Singapore in May. We were thankful for our fellowship in the Lord! May God bless them in their new location! (Photo: After the service one day. From right to left: Harumi Miyabayashi, Ayumi Asari, Connie Takeuchi, Maho, Ayumi, and Nobu Kurisu) Currently, an average of four people gather for PJC worship service weekly. Although we sometimes feel lonely, I pray that we will continue offering "worship in the Spirit and in truth" (John 4:23) always. Also I pray God will raise those who worship Him with us at PJC. Please remember the PJC worship service in your prayers.
Amy (Egg Harbor, NJ) whom I met at last year's District Conference, came to our service in July with her son Gabriel. He is currently a student at Temple University in Tokyo and was looking for a church near Sangenjaya. Ken Miyagi in the back row is a doctoral student at Princeton Theological Seminary and graduated from a university in Tokyo. Yudai Chiba, to Ken’s right, accepted Jesus 13 years ago at PJC and had attended a church in Sangenjaya. Three young men met got together after the service and shared information about churches in Tokyo. Thank God for special encounter at PJC.
In August, brothers and sisters from a Korean Church (Praise Presbyterian Church, Somerset, NJ) who have supported PJC for many years came to worship for encouragement and fellowship. This time, four people including Norio Hasegawa, whom I baptized about 10 years ago, and his wife Yuna came to represent the support group, but many people behind them have been praying and giving monthly for us. We thank God from the bottom of our heart for His love and grace through the brothers and sisters of Praise Church.
◆ECC (ESL for Women): The fall semester started in September. With the addition of four new members, 15 ladies are enjoying learning English together every week and supporting each other's lives in the U.S. through new encounters. This semester, we are offering two classes with the addition of a new teacher, Mrs. Linda Smith. Linda, whose husband is a local pastor, is half Japanese and contacted me at the end of last year after learning about the ministry of ECC at PJC. She was praying, “Lord, I want to share the gospel with the Japanese people in this area.” There are several people who have been listening intently to the Bible message during chapel time, some while taking notes, and some with tears in their eyes. One of them told me the other day, "I look forward to the Bible message every time because they really sink into my heart." She also shared with me the deep sorrow among her family members. I pray that God will touch and open the hearts of ECC students. Please pray for ECC as we plan to start a Bible reading group soon.
◆J-Kids: About 15 energetic and cheerful children gather at PJC on Friday afternoons. This summer, several families moved here from Japan and six new children have been added. Please pray that J-Kids will continue to be an "oasis of the heart" for these children. May they continue to find Jesus who loves them. Please pray for the mothers who used to drop their children off at church and go home, but now they are joining us in worship and Bible stories, chatting in the other room, and helping with crafts and clean-up. Thank you for your prayer for J-Kids!
◆In spring, I went to Japan with Mana for 3 weeks.
Our main purpose was to spend time with my 89-year-old father who lives alone in Hiroshima. We thank God that he is doing well physically and has been blessed by the Lord. Mayumi Yamasaki, who walked with us for 17 years at PJC, came from Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture to visit us.
At Mustard Seed Church Kyoto. Kento Wada (on the far left with his wife Sonya) and Ben Shimomura (on the far right) have been close friends from PJC days. On the left in the back row is Hiroshi Sunden, formerly of Japanese Christian Church of NJ, and Pastor Shin Yoshieda is on my right and his wife on the right in the front. The church rents two floors of a building in downtown Kyoto and is a bilingual church where many families with children, the next generation and foreigners gather.
Prof. Joshua Nelson, who teaches at Shikoku Gakuin University in Zentsuji, Kagawa Prefecture, served as a leader for youth and worship at PJC when he was at Princeton Seminary. We stayed at his house home, and he showed around the university and town. He is very involved in the local church, connecting with students and the local community.
Yukiko Shimada (front left), who helped Higa-kyan (Youth Camp) and J-Kids Camp while she was a student at Lancaster Bible College, has continued her precious work at a children's home in Japan. The Imai family (Kentaro, Arisa, Kishin, and Rion) live in Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture. Arisa accepted Jesus at Higa-kyan, and after graduating from college, she moved to Tokyo to work. As a couple, they have been involved in the ministry for returnees and the next generation through JCFN and their church.
We met with Ayako Iwasaki in Shibuya, a childhood friend of Maho and Mana who used to come to J-Kids and youth groups together. She is living in Japan after studying at a university and graduate school in Tokyo. Her mother and sister still live in NJ near us.
Naoki Yamakawa supported PJC, Higa-kyan, and J-Kids Camp while attending Philadelphia Biblical University. Yudai Chiba, a Princeton seminary student, has been a longtime friend to Naoki and supporter of the Tokyo church where he is a leader now.
My sister, Naoko Inoue, and her husband helped establish PJC 32 years ago when they lived in Princeton. They are currently the associate pastor and director of education at Todoroki Church, and the chairman and director of Zenrin Kindergarten, which is attached to the church.
To those of you whom we could not meet this time, I hope to see you next time!
◆Japanese Christian Church of New Jersey: Next Gen Ministry
Since April 2022, I have been involved with the next generation (from elementary school students to young adult) as the director of education at Japanese Christian Church of NJ (Pastor Manabu Nishikori). My specific ministry includes gathering at the church every Sunday (since PJC meets on Saturday), middle and high school students meeting (BIG) before the service, children's service (Brave) during the service, fellowship after the service (Playing basketball with youths!) There are also monthly BIG meetings, young adult dinner, JoyJoy camp for elementary school students, Christmas party, and other events. There are many Japanese and Japanese-Americans of the "next generation" in the church and the surrounding area. I really hope to walk with them, grow with them, and share God's love and blessings with them as I use the gift God has given me, naturally relating to people younger than I. Please remember in your prayers the Japanese community in the East Coast of the United States, the next generation, and churches around the country.
●JoyJoy Summer Camp
It was held on August 7-11, attracted about 40 children, and the theme was "Treasure Hunt”. Family, friends, life, and nature are all wonderful treasures. But the real treasure is Jesus who loved us enough to lay down His life for us! Jesus is also searching for each one of us as His treasure! It was a wonderful five days, with fun games and crafts each day, and getting to know Jesus through praise songs and Bible stories! On November 4, Camp Reunion was held and the children returned to the church for the first time in three months. “Jesus is our treasure, and we are His treasure."
May the children remember this. This is a church that cares about children and focuses on children's ministry, which I really enjoy and excel in. Sometimes I have aches and pains in various parts of my body, and I cannot move as much as I used to (Lol). But my passion for the children continues to burn. I have returned to playing hoop, which I thought I would never be doing again. So I will do my best to keep up with the next generation while working out. May I be able to be a part of their lives and bless them in some small way.
◆Sermon on Zoom Ministry
●Taeko Bronner has been sharing the gospel with international students and Japanese people in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for many years in various ways. I have been sharing Bible messages on Zoom in one of the twice-monthly "Olive no kai" meetings held at Taeko's home. 4-5 people listen to God's word each time, including those who participate via Zoom. Please pray for those who join Olive no kai to encounter God.
●Todoroki Church : I preach the sermons on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month via Zoom. This is my sister’s church as well as a church that sends out Pastor and Mrs. Sasakawa of New York Megumi Church, which belongs to the same denomination as PJC. They are praying for a new pastor to be given to them. Please pray for God's guidance.
●For “pastor-less” churches or ministries in need of a messenger, if you are willing to use Zoom, I would be happy to help as long as time and other conditions are met. Please contact me by email at nobu.go@gmail.com.
◆Other News
In July, the Woerner family (Stephen, Yire, Heison, Jason, Ally, and Bo) visited us. They served as PJC youth leaders and Stephen as an assistant pastor while attending Princeton Theological Seminary. After that, they were sent to Japan as missionaries for the Christian & Missionary Alliance for about 10 years. During that time, they were given four children who are now thriving. They have been ministering in Sendai through English conversation classes, kids groups, Bible studies, etc. This past year Stephen has been giving mission reports around the U.S., while the family lives in northern CA. Please pray for the Woerer family.
In August, we were given the privilege of fellowship with Paul and Carol Suzuki. Paul and I have known each other since we were both single, and we were witnesses at our respective weddings. They have been involved in missions in Japan for many years, and Paul is currently serving as the Asia Area Director of Send International. Their three children are thriving in the U.S. Please remember the Suzuki family in your prayers.
In October, I was recognized for 25 years of service at Metropolitan District Conference of the Christian & Missionary Alliance. It is just God's grace and mercy. To each of you who have walked with me before, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the prayers for me, for forgiving me for my shortcomings, and for loving me.
In November, I went to Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania to cheer for Shota Toyama, a soccer player from Japan, who is the second son of the Toyama family (Hideharu, Kyoko, and Yuki) who came to PJC for one year from the fall of 2001. Shota was an accomplished soccer player in Japan and has been playing for a near-top-ranked NCAA Division II university in the US. I had the opportunity to see him play wonderfully right in front of my eyes. Hideharu has been traveling around the world for a work, while Kyoko and Yuki stay in Japan. Remember the Toyama family in your prayer.
◆Kurisu Family News/Prayer Requests
●Mana: Her extremely busy life as a junior college student and part-time worker came to an end, and she started studying at Rizzieri Aveda School of Aesthetics in November. It is hard to drive 45 minutes each way every day, but she is happy to have started on the path she had hoped for. Please pray for Mana’s daily safety and good learning experience for the future.
●Maho: She graduated with honors from junior college in May and transferred to Montclair State University as a junior in September. Although she is not a fan of dormitory life, she is enjoying her studies in music therapy. She just became a member of Japanese Christian Church of NJ for it is close to her school. Please pray for Maho’s emotional and physical health.
●Ayumi: Her father, Tadashi Fujii, passed away on the morning of October 16. The day after Ayumi arrived in Japan on 10/7, he became critically ill. She was allowed to spend the last week of his life with her mother and sister by his side. The eve of the funeral and the funeral service were held at home with only family and close friends, and it was a blessed time filled with God's comfort. Over the next month, Ayumi was able to accomplish many important tasks while staying close to her mother. Please for the new life of Katsuko, her mother who is now alone, and also for Ayumi's physical health.
●Nobu: I am thankful that my father, Hideo has been healthy physically. However, he’s been feeling more and more lonely and anxious. Please pray that my father's daily safety will be protected and that he will be filled with peace and hope in Christ. I am planning to visit Japan next March. Pray for me that I may be able to practice "incarnational listening” in love.
●Please also pray that our financial needs would be met.
●That we may be filled with the love of Jesus and let that love flow through our relationships.
●That God may send and use each of us as He wills.
“For He has set His eyes on this humble servant." Luke 1:48
I join my heart with Mary's confession of faith and praise to God. God has laid His eyes on a sinful, weak, and foolish person like me with His grace and mercy. May God's abundant blessings be always upon each one of you.
<Financial Support>
For those who are led to financial support, there are three ways to make a donation as follows.
●In Japan (Bank Transfer):
SMBC Trust & Banking Co.
Account name: Hideo Kurisu Account No.: 5973835 Branch number: 732
●In the U.S. (Bank Check):
Check payable to "Nobu Kurisu" or "Princeton Japanese Church".
Send check to: Nobu Kurisu, 8 Shackamaxon Dr., Trenton, NJ 08690
●Online (PayPal):
To Nobu Kurisu: nobu.go@gmail.com
To PJC: pjcadmin@gmail.com