 What is follow up ?
There are many Japanese who are saved abroad and return to Japan.However, it is difficult for them to become a part of Japanese churches, and they often depart from their faith.JCFN began the follow up ministry to face this problem and resolve it.We call such people returnees, and make them our main target of the ministry (For details, please refer to Returnee Testimonies).
But, now we are also following up with the Japanese who go back and forth overseas, and not only the returnees.To be more specific, we introduce to them other believers who have experienced similar lives overseas, small groups such returnees can participate in, and the churches in their local areas.We provide not only fellowship, but also opportunities and resources to learn and prepare for the cultural and reverse cultural stresses they will face, moving between Japan and other cultures.Above all, we serve to support the returnees spiritually through Christian discipleship and fellowship, so that they may grow in faith as the Lord's disciples, wherever they may be sent to.
The purpose of follow up
The purpose of the follow up is - by providing Christian fellowship and resources - to help returnees grow spiritually, rooted in Christian fellowship, and to overcome cultural stresses and barriers in the places they move into or return to.We also seek to help them grow as the Lord's disciples in a Christian community, and to serve Him in various ways wherever they may be sent, especially for the evangelism of Japan.
Please be a part of the follow up
For the returnees to grow in this manner as Christians, they need many people's prayers and concrete support.You can be a part of the follow up activities in the following ways.Please join us in this ministry of encouraging and helping the returnees!
1.What you can do outside of Japan
Many Japanese go overseas, come in contact with Christianity for the first time, and become believers.For them, the relationship with those who give them strong influence in the early stage of their faith is like a spiritual "home" where they can always come back to wherever they may be.Those who are privileged to be a part of the Japanese believer’s spiritual growth need to pray for, support, and encourage these new believers.Please ask about the needs of the new believers in their spiritual growth, and find out what you can do for them by becoming a part of the follow up (Please refer to Those who are sending).Also, do you know of anyone who needs such follow up around you?If you do, please let us know about the person in detail (Follow Up Request Form).
2.What you can do in Japan
Many of the Japanese who accept Christ (or become interested in Christianity) go through different cultural and spiritual difficulties after returning to Japan (Please look up From Overseas to Japan for details).What they need is a Christian fellowship that accepts them warmly, encourages them, prays for them, and supports them.Please learn about their cultural and spiritual needs and support them.We at JCFN are looking for follow up partners who would support them in this way.
Moreover, is there a church that would be burdened for such people that might be willing to begin a ministry to help them as a whole congregation?JCFN is looking for follow up partner churches (4.13), as well, that would accept returning Japanese as a church and grow with them.
The follow up system
JCFN connects returnees and follow up partners - overseas and in Japan - and provides necessary information.
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