May 4th marks the day that the Tsugaru church took a big step forward in seeing the vision of Jesus being preached to everyone in the Tsugaru. In order for that to happen there needs to be more gates for people to enter and be introduced to and meet Jesus. So what happened on the 4th? Approval was granted for the purchase of building and land for a new chapel. March 30 had marked the date when that had been theoretically been agreed to but without a place to meet it would only have been a dream or vision.
On May8th we signed papers and handed over the downpayment. Over the next month lawyers will be working on getting one half of the land and the buildings rezoned for religious purposes. Once that is appproved, the deal will go through. The remaining land will take up to a year. It is cuurently an old orchard. A crop has to be grown before it can be rezoned. The owner has no intention to grow a crop so the church needs to in order to be able to buy it. Then it needs to be rezoned and so the church can use it as a parking lot.
Stumps have been dug up and the plot tilled. Next week, we hope to get it planted. Its about 1/2 of an acre so Martin's farm background will come in handy. After all the parenting moms and church members take off the size of plots they can use, the remaining will be plaanted in squash. We have a guarantee sale of all the squash we can grow.
So we are hoping for possession of buildings at the end of June. We trust worship services can begin in July with the official opening in August or September.
As to money needed- we praise God that most of the money needed to purchase the property has been donated but we are still praying for the remaining amount. For more details-ask.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Building and Land
There is a possibility ofpurchasing land and buildings for the use of the new chapel start. There is about 3300 square meters of land or .8 acres. The buildings need extensive renovation but there is 4,300 sq.ft of space to use.
We are praying that there will be church approval on May 4th and full provision to pay in cash by the end of the year. God has miraculously provided- pray for the remaining amount.
Monday, April 7, 2008
First Launch Team meeting
At long last the launch team had a meeting. Not everyone was present- 10 of the potantial 13 people but still a great start.
People were excited about how God has led us to a very suitable place. I didn't want to dampen the enthusiasm about renovating and growing a garden but after a few minutes we needed to get concrete. God seems to be providing the necessary resources to purchase the building and about 3/4 acre of land.
Tomorrow night is an elders meeting with the new board. Pray for ability to get up to speed on the issues and clarity of thought. We would like to act right away but pray for ability to go at the speed Jesus wants.
And above all, that Jesus would be first in everything.
People were excited about how God has led us to a very suitable place. I didn't want to dampen the enthusiasm about renovating and growing a garden but after a few minutes we needed to get concrete. God seems to be providing the necessary resources to purchase the building and about 3/4 acre of land.
Tomorrow night is an elders meeting with the new board. Pray for ability to get up to speed on the issues and clarity of thought. We would like to act right away but pray for ability to go at the speed Jesus wants.
And above all, that Jesus would be first in everything.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Interview regarding Harvest
This is a recent interview I had online regarding Harvest.
Hello again,
About sending money, Is the following correct?
-If money is sent through OMF, there is no service charge in getting the money to you? (only dealing with the currency conversion rate...)
Yes that is correct
-If a paper check is sent, there is a large service charge involved.The service charge is on this end with the Japanese banks charging because they don’t have a good national banking system.
-If money is sent directly to a church bank account is there no service charge?
There will be a service charge similar to usual banking procedures which will be on your end and none for us.
Do you have any preference whether money......for you, whether personally or for your
ministry/living expenses is sent through OMF or not?
No preference- just ask that it be clear whether its for ministry/living or personal or a specific project.
(I understand that on the giving end, it can be simply an issue of getting a tax-deductible receipt if it's not for your personal use.)...for the church is sent directly or through OMF? (Would it work to send the money for the church through OMF with a note regarding its purpose?)
Yes any of the above 3 categories of donations (ministry/living, personal, special project) can be sent thru OMF. It should be clear for what purpose it is being donated. If there is no explanation of purpose, it is assumed that it is for ministry/living.
Are there dates that it would be helpful for us to know about regarding sending money for the new church? When do you need to have the money in order to make decisions and proceed?
For the initial purchase of land and buildings, we have 3 payment dates.
First is a down payment for which we have money. That will probably be this month.
Second will be final payment for land that the buildings are on. That will be probably at the end of May. It looks like we have enough promised to make that payment as well.
Third will be a payment nearer the end of the year. The current farmland needs to be rezoned for use as a parking lot. We have been assured there will be no problem- just have to grow 1 crop first. So the last payment will be in November or December. That is the money we are praying for and it is somewhere near the $35,000 mark.
You mentioned that "As a church, we have decided to start a third site (chapel)." I confess that even though I try to follow along with all of your prayer requests, I can't keep all of the chapels and things straight. I see "Itayanagi(where we are) in 1991" and "Kanagi in 1994." Are these the first two sites that you have in mind when you refer to Harvest Chapel as the third, or did you have International Chapel (now closing)in mind?
Harvest Chapel is the third. International closed March 29 and Hiraka closed Novemeber, 2007 so you are correct to write that Itayanagi and Kanagi are the other 2.
Checking my understanding:
Itayanagi Chapel-- with OMF full-time missionaries the Ghents
Kanagi Chapel--with OMF full-time missionaries the Messers?
Harvest Chapel--just being started, with a "core group of about 10 people" from one or both of the other chapels?
Yes you are correct.
How much sharing of responsibilities, resources, etc. has there been between Itayanagi and Kanagi? Are you involved in the Kanagi work at all, or only by association through Christ and through OMF?
We are the leaders of a church called Tsugaru Church. (we put Gospel or Evangelical or Christ or a combination in between Tsugaru and church)The church is made up of multiple sites which we call chapels. So we the Ghents are both leaders of the overall church and for Itayanagi Chapel and until more workers joinn the team, Harvest Chapel. Within the church there is 1 membership and 1 staff. There is a prayer target and plans for individual responsibility within each site (chapel) but the possibility of sharing as needs arise. Our involvement with Kanagi apart form overall leadership is to encourage and help the Messers both as OMF senior team leader as well as Tsugaru church leader. Now that they are back, we leave practical day to day things to them.
Similarly, what is your historical and anticipated role with Harvest Chapel? Does the core group of about 10 people include someone who will pastor the church? Would you be involved in an advisory fashion or in some other role?
We have been the movers and visionaries for Harvest along with a few Itayanagi attendees who live in this targeted area. The core group are current Itayanagi attendees (Tsugaru church members) and hope to become Harvest attendees. Our hope is that we will have another OMF couple come to assume responsibility. After 6-8 years of missionary-led church planting, the church hopes to call a pastor who can minister to the new chapel.
For now, we are devoting 2 days a week to this ministry and cutting out our current Kanagi involvement, and scaling back our Itayanagi involvement- with the church’s blessing.
Thank you. It takes me some time to process things.
No problem.
Hello again,
About sending money, Is the following correct?
-If money is sent through OMF, there is no service charge in getting the money to you? (only dealing with the currency conversion rate...)
Yes that is correct
-If a paper check is sent, there is a large service charge involved.The service charge is on this end with the Japanese banks charging because they don’t have a good national banking system.
-If money is sent directly to a church bank account is there no service charge?
There will be a service charge similar to usual banking procedures which will be on your end and none for us.
Do you have any preference whether money......for you, whether personally or for your
ministry/living expenses is sent through OMF or not?
No preference- just ask that it be clear whether its for ministry/living or personal or a specific project.
(I understand that on the giving end, it can be simply an issue of getting a tax-deductible receipt if it's not for your personal use.)...for the church is sent directly or through OMF? (Would it work to send the money for the church through OMF with a note regarding its purpose?)
Yes any of the above 3 categories of donations (ministry/living, personal, special project) can be sent thru OMF. It should be clear for what purpose it is being donated. If there is no explanation of purpose, it is assumed that it is for ministry/living.
Are there dates that it would be helpful for us to know about regarding sending money for the new church? When do you need to have the money in order to make decisions and proceed?
For the initial purchase of land and buildings, we have 3 payment dates.
First is a down payment for which we have money. That will probably be this month.
Second will be final payment for land that the buildings are on. That will be probably at the end of May. It looks like we have enough promised to make that payment as well.
Third will be a payment nearer the end of the year. The current farmland needs to be rezoned for use as a parking lot. We have been assured there will be no problem- just have to grow 1 crop first. So the last payment will be in November or December. That is the money we are praying for and it is somewhere near the $35,000 mark.
You mentioned that "As a church, we have decided to start a third site (chapel)." I confess that even though I try to follow along with all of your prayer requests, I can't keep all of the chapels and things straight. I see "Itayanagi(where we are) in 1991" and "Kanagi in 1994." Are these the first two sites that you have in mind when you refer to Harvest Chapel as the third, or did you have International Chapel (now closing)in mind?
Harvest Chapel is the third. International closed March 29 and Hiraka closed Novemeber, 2007 so you are correct to write that Itayanagi and Kanagi are the other 2.
Checking my understanding:
Itayanagi Chapel-- with OMF full-time missionaries the Ghents
Kanagi Chapel--with OMF full-time missionaries the Messers?
Harvest Chapel--just being started, with a "core group of about 10 people" from one or both of the other chapels?
Yes you are correct.
How much sharing of responsibilities, resources, etc. has there been between Itayanagi and Kanagi? Are you involved in the Kanagi work at all, or only by association through Christ and through OMF?
We are the leaders of a church called Tsugaru Church. (we put Gospel or Evangelical or Christ or a combination in between Tsugaru and church)The church is made up of multiple sites which we call chapels. So we the Ghents are both leaders of the overall church and for Itayanagi Chapel and until more workers joinn the team, Harvest Chapel. Within the church there is 1 membership and 1 staff. There is a prayer target and plans for individual responsibility within each site (chapel) but the possibility of sharing as needs arise. Our involvement with Kanagi apart form overall leadership is to encourage and help the Messers both as OMF senior team leader as well as Tsugaru church leader. Now that they are back, we leave practical day to day things to them.
Similarly, what is your historical and anticipated role with Harvest Chapel? Does the core group of about 10 people include someone who will pastor the church? Would you be involved in an advisory fashion or in some other role?
We have been the movers and visionaries for Harvest along with a few Itayanagi attendees who live in this targeted area. The core group are current Itayanagi attendees (Tsugaru church members) and hope to become Harvest attendees. Our hope is that we will have another OMF couple come to assume responsibility. After 6-8 years of missionary-led church planting, the church hopes to call a pastor who can minister to the new chapel.
For now, we are devoting 2 days a week to this ministry and cutting out our current Kanagi involvement, and scaling back our Itayanagi involvement- with the church’s blessing.
Thank you. It takes me some time to process things.
No problem.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Whats ahead?
Plans are in place for the Harvest House ministry to graduate to Harvest Chapel.
Tsugaru Church has been involved in pre-evangelistic minsitries since 2001- all the while praying for more opportunities to introduce Jesus. They started coming in 2003 and a small group was started in members homes. Then after numerous appeals for better meeting places a building was rented in 2006. We were committed to not starting a church plant until we had confirmed that Jesus was indeed calling people to Himself, and calling the church to actually start a church. We have had a lot of criticism because there are other churches in Hirosaki city.
Late 2007 we sensed that Jesus was saying that 2008 will be the year.
We think we have found a place that will be acceptable to the other churches and still be readily accessible to the over 100 contacts.
The official chapel launch is scheduled for June 8th when we have a summer team helping.
Prayer steps-
March 30th business meeting to decide to begin.
April 8th- elders meeting regarding building.
May 11th - business meeting regarding land and buildings
The Ghents will be spending 30% of their time in this chapel ministry. We particularly are praying for people to meet Jesus.
Tsugaru Church has been involved in pre-evangelistic minsitries since 2001- all the while praying for more opportunities to introduce Jesus. They started coming in 2003 and a small group was started in members homes. Then after numerous appeals for better meeting places a building was rented in 2006. We were committed to not starting a church plant until we had confirmed that Jesus was indeed calling people to Himself, and calling the church to actually start a church. We have had a lot of criticism because there are other churches in Hirosaki city.
Late 2007 we sensed that Jesus was saying that 2008 will be the year.
We think we have found a place that will be acceptable to the other churches and still be readily accessible to the over 100 contacts.
The official chapel launch is scheduled for June 8th when we have a summer team helping.
Prayer steps-
March 30th business meeting to decide to begin.
April 8th- elders meeting regarding building.
May 11th - business meeting regarding land and buildings
The Ghents will be spending 30% of their time in this chapel ministry. We particularly are praying for people to meet Jesus.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
who are we?
Harvest House was set up in July 2006 to be a meeting place for a number of ministries that have developed over the past 6 years.
Current ministries are:
* Community Group: Hiro Komi has been meeting since 2005. It is comprised of 15 people who attend the Itayangi Chapel but live in South-West Hirosaki. Meetings are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month. They provide an informal place to invite friends, and to talk about faith-matters over a meal.
* Ladies New Life Group: This evangelistic group has developed into a monthly cooking class usually held at Chitose Community Center. There are over 30 ladies registered and usually they take along at least 1 preschool child.
* Child-rearing Classes: The idea was born in December 2002 when Ruth Mae was asked to teach craft and cooking classes at a members home. Attending mothers had requested a regular child rearing classes but without a meeting place they were turned down. In July 2006 the first class was held to which 20 mothers and 30 children attended. This group continues to meet biweekly.
* Facilitating University students: Harvest House is a 5 minute walk from Gakuin University which has 1100 students. Tsugaru Church has 2 Christian uni students and a number of uni contacts but no church ministry exists targeting this age group.
Current ministries are:
* Community Group: Hiro Komi has been meeting since 2005. It is comprised of 15 people who attend the Itayangi Chapel but live in South-West Hirosaki. Meetings are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month. They provide an informal place to invite friends, and to talk about faith-matters over a meal.
* Ladies New Life Group: This evangelistic group has developed into a monthly cooking class usually held at Chitose Community Center. There are over 30 ladies registered and usually they take along at least 1 preschool child.
* Child-rearing Classes: The idea was born in December 2002 when Ruth Mae was asked to teach craft and cooking classes at a members home. Attending mothers had requested a regular child rearing classes but without a meeting place they were turned down. In July 2006 the first class was held to which 20 mothers and 30 children attended. This group continues to meet biweekly.
* Facilitating University students: Harvest House is a 5 minute walk from Gakuin University which has 1100 students. Tsugaru Church has 2 Christian uni students and a number of uni contacts but no church ministry exists targeting this age group.
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