Arise 2025
Serving Beyond
Redeemer is part of a family of churches called Relational Mission (RM). RM has churches, church plants and pioneers spread across the world, including some in the ‘Pacific Rim’ (specifically in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan, with further friends and connections in the Philippines, Hawaii and soon to to be Vietnam). Hugh, one of the elders at Redeemer, supports in serving some of these contexts as part of Redeemer’s vision to be globally fruitful, supporting and strengthening churches and leaders. In particular, when Redeemer started in 2015, a significant prophetic words given to us was that ‘through our planting, there would be a breakout in the East’. Serving here has been part of our obedient response to say ‘yes Lord’. We do not know what the outworking of this word will look like, but we anticipate fruitfulness in connection and blessing in this part of the world. If you have a passion for East Asia, a sense of calling or openness to explore going do let us know!
Below is a report from the recent ARISE conference hosted in Nagoya, Japan for the RM connections in the Pacific Rim.
It has been a great joy to be part of the ARISE conference hosted by Community Church Nagoya where my friend Nilesh serves and leads. Nilesh and I have known of each other for many years, initially via my time in Canterbury and connections there (where he studied), but it has been a great joy to get to reconnect and get to his wife Lisa and their two boys (Aaron and Isaac). Nilesh has set up a language school called Connect which is also their church meeting place, and resources much of what they do. Around the teaching there are also great opportunities for community connection through conversation groups.
Nilesh (second from the right)
Teaching
Nilesh has a beautiful heart to see the gospel spread across Japan and the region - he started the conference off by looking at Isaiah 60, speaking on God’s Glory and Power, His Promise and Inheritance, His Provision and Sovereignty. It was a great start to build on as our eyes were lifted and our hearts strengthened. I then spoke on The Message and outworking of grace, not only are we saved buy grace and assured of our future with Christ, grace also transforms us and shapes our churches - it is not without effect as Paul says. Grace creates a people who are zealous for good works (Titus), and the evidence of grace is observable in churches (Acts 11). Mike Betts did most of the teaching, speaking on the foundation of Apostles and Prophets in the church, and Life in the Spirit - covering personal baptism in the Spirit and how we outworks that life in our churches. David Bareham, who heads up the RM team in this region, commissioned us from Nehemia as we left - let us arise and build! I then taught at Community Church Nagoya on the Sunday on the beauty and priority of the local church, the bride of Christ. All the session were translated as we spoke, which was both challenging and beautiful as we we got a tiny foretaste of ‘every nation tribe and tongue’ praising God and declaring his truth.
Sharing the gospel
Each day there was also equipping on sharing our faith - going out into the harvest (which Jesu said was plentiful!). This culminated in us all going to local parks and sharing our story, testimonies and engaging with Nagoya residents. Nilesh’s father-inlaw was my interpreter and over a lunch we got to speak to 5 groups of people, 3 of whom allowed me to share my story and one who let me pray for her. She is open to going to church here - please do pray for Lisa, that she would meet Jesus!
Nations & Guests
The following nations/places were represented at the conference: Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Hawaii, USA, England and Switzerland. There were many guests at the conference from various contexts and nations looking in and enjoying encouragement, as well as being a blessing and sharing their stories. It was particularly good to reconnect with Pete and Miriam Williams who are pioneering in Taiwan with their two young daughters. Peter and Miriam were sent from Bishops Stortford (not far from Colchester) and visited Redeemer in 2015 when we met in an old working men’s social club (a memorable venue for many reasons!).I also connected with my friend Aled who is based in the Philippines and has been part of church planting and serving there for some years. Aled and I did Newfrontiers Leadership training in London together many years ago. Furthermore, friends from Living Stones Church in Hawaii joined us. They are not part of RM but are dear friends of RM and love this region. Ryan Burns has become a good friend - he and his family spent 3 months in the UK a few years ago visiting various churches. They were based in Ipswich for a short time, visiting Redeemer one Sunday, and we connected again last year at a similar conference in Seoul (South Korea). He and his team helped lead worship and were such a blessing - I’d highly commend them to you if you ever visit Hawaii!
All of this to say, which early days and small beginnings, God is drawing RM into greater fruitfulness in this region and we are excited to serve in whatever was God has for us as there is ‘breakout into the East’.
Takeaways
Foundations matter: Building healthy New Testament churches with the values we hold dear (basic scriptural values!) is quite a challenge in this part of the world. There are many isolated missionaries who are very equipped and resourced to share the gospel, but establishing local-language, elder-led churches that are equipped by Ephesians 4 ministries is not as common. This was a great opportunity to lay those foundations and encourage the church to press on pursuing these foundations. They were encouraged! We are privileged to be part of a family of churches built on these foundations - and committed to helping others do the same.
Team matters: It has been a joy to travel and serve with a team of different gifts and experience.
Family matters: We did a lot of work, and spent a lot of time connecting. It was particularly wonderful seeing children being part of what was going on too. Beyond that, the depth of relational connection in such a short time was a blessing - all brought together because of Jesus.
We have much to learn and much to give: The faith, patience and perseverance of dear brothers and sisters in difficult contexts is provoking and encouraging. Being able to teach and help was a privilege, and was greatly received.
Redeemer, please keep Japan (and the other places mentioned) in your prayers. And keep asking the Lord to open doors for a ‘breakthrough in the east’
If you feel an interest in (or sense of call to) this part of the world - do get in touch!
