• Challenge Given by God
• History
• Mission statement
• Vision
• Summary of Activities
• Core values
• Doctrinal Statement

Challenge Given by God

Currently many Japanese are living abroad for various reasons. These include ongoing studies, business ventures, and international marriages. Under these circumstances God's work of salvation, in the lives of Japanese people, is clearly seen as it extends to many different countries. The Gospel touches these people often while living overseas, and many of them become believers in that foreign country, later returning to Japan. There are also those who became Christians in Japan but are now growing spiritually as they experience life overseas. They can be greatly used after returning to Japan to witness to their families and friends and to spread the Gospel message as they get connected to local churches.But in reality, many of these returnees suffer what is often called "reverse-culture shock" beyond the level they had expected, affecting even their Christian lives, and as a result, regrettably, many Christians depart from their churches within a few years of returning home.

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History

JCFN was established at Urbana, Illinois in December of 1990 during the "Urbana '90", InterVarsity's 16th Mission Convention. Because JCFN began at Urbana, the original name was 'Urbana-kai' ('kai' in Japanese means fellowship). Approximately 30 students had gathered during that time and felt the need to continually encourage each other while living abroad and sensed the need for care once they returned to their homeland. Since that time, JCFN has grown to over 1600 members and well over half of them now reside in Japan.

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Mission statement

"To Glorify God by equipping multicultural Japanese Christians for Ministry."

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Vision

"Through God’s grace we network and provide follow-up primarily by and for Multicultural Japanese Christians, to equip them to be disciples of Jesus Christ in fellowship with His Church.”

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Summary of Activities

We encourage Japanese Christians who come to know Christ while livingoverseasso they are able to glorify God by using what they have gainedfrom their experiences to grow spiritually. Depending on their individualneeds, we help them to find fellowships and give them opportunities to bediscipled in Japanese while outside of Japan. When they return, we help themget in touch with churches and find former returnees who can follow them upwith fellowship and discipleship.To achieve this goal, we are expanding ournetwork with individuals, churches and various organizations with a burdento assist returnees. We send out newsletters that contain testimonies, prayer requests, Bible verses and information about places and times of Japanese fellowship groups. We refer returnees to churches whether they are Christians or not. In addition, we contact Christians who can follow them up personally. We also give information to Japanese who are moving overseas. We work together with other organizations and offer fellowship and Bible study through returnee conferences, the Equipper conference and retreats aimed at preparing them to go back or assist those who have already returned. We publish a prayer newsletter also, and pray for the work of JCFN: for those who are following up returnees, for the ministries reaching Japanese overseas and for the revival of Japan and the world!

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Core Values

1 ) The Lord's Glory
We believe that Christ is our head and we are God's workmanship which continues to grow.We believe that the Lord's glory is revealed through the growth of multicultural Christians and each person who is involved in this ministry.

2) The Church as God's People
The church is the local visible expression of God’s kingdom upon earth. We aim to nurture and encourage church planting movements that will reach a whole nation, city, or people. We seek to work in partnership with churches on a local level. We encourage member participation in and commitment to a local community of believers where the one-another’s of scripture are lived out in daily life.

3) Equipping
We believe that equipping the next generation is important.Those who nurture the next generation are also equipped by serving and coming together before God. Sharing the blessing of service in the fellowship of Christ helps us to grow.

4) Prayer
Our ministry is supported by prayer, and at the same time, by praying we support multicultural Christians and each person who is involved in this ministry.We believe that our ministry can be accomplished only through the work of the Holy Spirit.

5) Everyone is different and important
We are called to expand God's ministry though JCFN.At the same time we also believe that it is important that each person who is involved in this ministry finds his/her gift and calling and is encouraged to use them for the Lord. We rejoice in seeking unity (not uniformity), all having different spiritual gifts, accepting each other as he/she is, building up the body of Christ, and working and serving each other as in a team (as co-laborers). Therefore, we value open and faithful communication.

6) Christian Lifestyle and Testimony
We want our daily lives to reflect a Christian testimony which is marked by freedom, purity, single-heartedness, and joy.We believe that through the power and influence of the Holy Spirit, God's work is one of transformation often beyond all human understanding. It is the Spirit that gives us these qualities.

7) Grass roots movement and flexibility
JCFN's activity started when returnees themselves responded to the Lord's calling in a grassroots movement.Therefore, JCFN respects each person’s calling in carrying out the Lord's ministry.Depending on God's leading, the form or strategy of ministry must be flexible and open to change according to current trends and needs.Therefore, we move forward with spontaneity and the conviction that we will not be shaken by taking risks.

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Doctrinal Statement

1. We believe that all sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, which in their original form are perfect. They are our sole text for life and faith.
   
2. We believe that there is only one true God, revealed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that He is the Almighty, Sovereign Creator of everything.
   
3. We believe that Jesus Christ, testified to in the Scriptures, is true God and true man. We believe that He was born of a virgin, died as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, was resurrected from the dead, and is seated on the right hand of God the Father. He will come again, filled with glory, to judge all people and consummate the Kingdom of God.
   
4. We believe that all human beings are sinful by nature and can be saved from sin only by the redemption of Jesus Christ.
   
5. We believe that salvation is only by God's grace through faith. We believe that sinners can be renewed and purified, and that their salvation is made complete through the Holy Spirit.
   
6. We believe that all who are saved are a part of Christ's body, the church, and are one in Christ.

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