Why send short-term teams to Japan?

 

Short-term missionary teams are not new, we see movements similar to these since the biblical period, we can think of the short mission of Jonah when he went to preach to the Ninevites, we can remember Jesus sending the seventy on a short missionary journey, in the present day the Jocum has been one of the mission agencies that has most mobilized this type of action since the 60s, mobilizing young people during school or work holidays to participate in short-term evangelistic missions.

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But why in Japan are teams like these important in spreading the gospel?

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Outreach teams from schools such as DTS, FCM, ABS, among others, are a great tool for service in local churches, these teams are useful when giving evangelism seminars, arts with a missional purpose, classes on the most diverse subjects, from forgiveness, God's fatherhood, restored emotions, addictions, communication, the bible, among others, and can also serve in worship, Sunday school, caring for children, among many activities that can be entrusted to these teams, thus blessing the local church, helping pastors who are often overwhelmed. Something very important that happens during the period in which these teams are in the churches is that God begins to call some young people from the churches that are being served so that they also become collaborators in the missionary work, either in the local reality or through a full calling through YWAM or any other mission agency.

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Short-term teams bring a refreshment to workers who are serving full-time where they are often unable to see the fruits that are being generated through the faithful work they are doing daily, as it says in 2 Co 3.6 “I planted; Apollo watered; but it was God who gave the growth.”

It is God who gives growth, the work together of long-term and short-term workers is essential for the work to advance, it does not matter who did more or less, the important thing is that lives are achieved for the glory of God. Therefore, short-term teams help YWAM work that is being developed in the local reality.

 

Foreigners are appreciated by the Japanese, of course when they respect cultural issues, customs, the Japanese way of being. We don't intend to become Japanese, if we did it that way what difference would it make? However, respect between cultures is important and when short-term missionaries manage to do this they have a great chance to bring a word of love, talk about Jesus and demonstrate with attitudes what it is like to be a Christian.

 

Come with a team, it doesn't necessarily have to be a YWAM team, the important thing is that you come willing to serve, to understand that this is not a time for tourism and shopping, although there is time for these things. We will do our best to welcome you, remembering that it is a missionary trip, there will be no luxury, but certainly affection and dignity during your stay.