Japan 2008 - Christmas Illumination ##FULL##: Japan

The ageing church in Japan is facing a crisis. Less than 0.5% of Japanese attend a church and the majority of church leaders will be beyond retiring age in the next few years.

This outreach has three core purposes:
1. To challenge participants in their personal growth and purpose in life by actively experiencing missions in Japan.
2. To broadly reach out to the Japanese people and tell them about Jesus.
3. To encourage existing Japanese Christians to get more involved in active ministry.

This is a great opportunity for those people with a heart for Japan and a desire to use their God-given talents in literature distribution and creative ministry to the Japanese. It is also a wonderful time to meet many missionaries in Japan and to learn more about what God has been doing in Japan.

Come to the illuminated Christmas town of Japan, Karuizawa, and share the real story of Christmas!
Dates:Fri 05 Dec 2008 – Mon 15 Dec 2008
Apply by:Fri 05 Sep 2008
Cost:810.00 USD (participants from )
Ages:18 to 65
 single people welcome married couples welcome families welcome groups welcome

Ministry Details
The outreach will consist of daily morning fellowship, seminars and training followed by a nightly outreach that includes literature distribution, friendship evangelism and creative outreach through Christmas Caroling, Live Music and a Live Nativity. Afternoons will be free for reflection, sight seeing, shopping or snow skiing. There will also be a special sight seeing prayer day in Tokyo.

Participant Profile
OM Japan is looking for people that love Jesus and have a desire to share the Gospel. No previous experience is necessary as some training will be provided. We also need a few people with singing or musical talents. The team language is English.

Accommodation: Modern Japanese Conference Centre with a mix of ‘western’ rooms and traditional 'tatami' rooms with 'futon' mattresses. Shared Japanese style bathing. Private showers will also be available for the more modest.

Food: A substantial breakfast and dinner will be provided in the Chalet Dining Room with mostly Japanese cuisine. Lunches will be a mix of Japanese restaurants and group catering.

Travel: Participants need to get themselves to and from the outreach location - Karuizawa. This costs approximately USD$80 each way to and from Tokyo (Narita) Airport. Accommodation is available before and after the outreach for approximately USD$35 a night (with meals) if the participants flights arrive early or leave late.

How to Find Us: Detailed instructions on how to get to the outreach will be sent to participants once their application is approved.

Health: Participants need to be in Good Health as weather will be cold and snow is likely. OM head offices should inform us if there are participants with health or dietary issues. Participants need to have sufficient travel and health insurance for Japan.

Visa: Only a TOURIST VISA is required, however, Japan now has a visa exemption relationships with many countries so please look up your country here:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/02.html#a
If your country is on that table, then Landing Permission for short-term stays and tourist activities will be provided at your point of entry into Japan (i.e. at the arrival airport).
OM Japan cannot provide guarantee letters for participants.


What now?

It’s time to act!
  • Pray.
  • Talk to your church and friends about supporting you in this venture.
  • Contact Us for an application form, or to discuss your missions dreams.
  • If you’re looking at an opportunity in another country, check whether you need a visa.
  • Start packing… don’t forget your toothbrush!

Take Action!

for more information, e-mail us at

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or call us at

1-800-899-0432

Not from the USA? Set your home country.

Recent Stories from Japan

CONCERN FOR JAPAN
5 Jun, 2000
The Prime Minister was calling for a greater emphasis on Shintoism in the country this week. "The Japanese education should esteem life as given from gods and school education should be allowed more link with the religions, including the sun goddess Amaterasu and the emperor Zimmu (National Shintoism)," Mr Mori said at a meeting of congressmen. Pray for Christians to stand strong in the face of the Shinto revival.

Source: Emerita Sakai, OM Japan ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Support-raising for missionaries,
26 Aug, 1998
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Japanese men might find Christ through their Filipina wives, as Filipino churches continue to flourish throughout the country.

COVERING THE WHOLE COUNTRY IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY
1 Nov, 1997
Persistent financial woes, while casting a pall over the nation's economy, are favourable opportunities to preach Christ.