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Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

MARK 1:35

week just to learn how to rest. He said that some of us will just need to come to lecture in the morning and sleep the whole rest of the afternoon. Rest was a spiritual discipline. That was news to me. And deep down inside, I felt that was a “spiritual excuse” to be lazy. But in the Gospels, we’re told that Jesus went to solitary places to pray. He slept on the boat when the storm kicked up on the Sea of Galilee. God was the one who instituted the “Sabbath” after he had finished with creation. Sabbath is a time to rest, to reflect, and to re-charge our spiritual and emotional batteries. Throughout life, we need a prolonged period of rest in God so we can deepen in our relationship with Him by focusing solely on Him.

This summer, I invite you to come and rest in the Lord. Break free from the busyness of life to enjoy some time of refreshment with God. Mount Hermon is the perfect place to get some rest for our bodies, refreshment for our souls and to recommit our lives to Him. This year, Pastor Jon Hori will be the morning speaker, sharing about his personal experiences on prayer. Pastor Rene Schlaepfer will be the evening speaker, sharing his usual wit and insights in the Word. Please join us if you can. It’s not too late to register.

And even if you can’t go to Mount Hermon, I want to encourage you to take a spiritual sabbatical if you haven’t done so. It really can re-energize your life with Christ. There’s a lot of good material out there that can help you on this journey. Sabbath is not an excuse to be “lazy.” It is a necessary discipline we need to remain fresh and alive in our relationship with God. When are you going to do some “retreating?”

I just got back from the Holiness Pastors’ retreat. It was a nice time to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow pastors. The retreat was structured so we had Conference business, teaching, and times for “personal retreating.” During my personal retreat, I took the opportunity to take a 3 mile walk (2X) and read a few chapters of a book on spiritual disciplines. It was through walking, reading and journaling that I was able to rest in God, refreshing my spirit.

As I think back to 26 years of full-time ministry, I realize that times of rest are really important. I can get so caught up in “doing” ministry that I forget how ministry should flow out of my relationship with God. If I’m so busy going from one project to another, and I neglect my relationship with God, it can quickly become a recipe for burn-out. Also it seems to go contrary to my Asian American upbringing where I feel like I should always be doing something. When one is on “busy” mode, it seems almost counter-productive and counter-intuitive to sit down and rest in the Lord for a prolonged period of time.

Rev. Rick Chuman, JEMS Executive Director

DON'T FORGET YOUR SABBATH REST

Back in 1998, I had an opportunity to take a two-week post-doctoral course on spiritual disciplines with the late Dr. Dallas Willard (Devout Christian, former Philosophy professor at USC and author of many spiritual disciplines books). The first thing he said was that it would take one

Throughout life, we need a prolonged period of rest in God so we can deepen

in our relationship with Him by focusing solely on Him.

JA PA N M ISS ION PLA NS FOR 2016

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God’s ministry will continue with concentration on children’s English classes, which includes Bible

study. Since it is difficult to invite community children to churches, they are invited to my home

to join the ‘Saturday -Joy Kids’ where they are introduced to creative activities for boys and girls

and evangelized through a Saturday church. I will continue with the kindergarten English class,

men’s English and Bible classes, and a new cooking class with the kindergarten mothers. I am also

training local Christians to assist with visitation to homes and hospitals, singing with the elderly at

Day Care, and showing them the love of Jesus.

Darryl Wong Missions Administrator

LILY SUZUKI

We will continue church-planting ministry alongside Pastor and Mrs. Otsuka at the Morioka Minami

Church in Iwate, one of Japan's most-northern and least reached prefectures. We are seeing success

at making contacts in the neighborhood through kids English and VBS. Therefore, we are expanding

the 'Go! Go! Gang' English club, as well as opening some young mothers’ fellowship times and Bible

studies. In addition to the work in Morioka, we are exploring ways to be of service to the new church

plants in the “tsunami zones” on the Iwate coast, where the Minami Church serves through the 3.11

Iwate Church Network.

NOTE: JEMS would like to host short-term missionaries for 2 weeks, July 29—August 10, 2016, during the

summer to assist Jon and Maki with their VBS program. Contact: JEMS 213.613.0022JON & MAKI ROBISON

Our mission plan for 2016 is to continue to work as assistants to the pastor at Calvary

Chapel Iwakuni doing children's ministry, administration, men's ministry, discipleship, and

family ministry. Our community outreaches include: teaching a Firm Foundations class (survey

through the Bible) in Japanese, Bible English class, monthly visits to a local orphanage, and

literature distribution.

NOTE: JEMS is interested in a short-term missionary for 2 weeks during the summer to assist with Roy

and Nancy’s VBS program. The ministry would be for the U.S. military and Japanese communities.

Contact: JEMS 213.613.0022. We are also looking for a male missionary to serve 1—2 years.

For 2016, they will be pastoring at All Saints International Church in Nagoya and continue to

establish KeiAi Academy, an alternative Christian high school. They will continue to teach the

100 plus English students in their conversation schools.

ROY & NANCY TOMA

JOHN & KAZUMI VANFAROWE

Throughout 2016, Dave will be serving as an intern at Morioka Bible Baptist Church in Northern

Tohoku. During that time, the Robisons will help with various ministries at church while also

participating in various outreaches to the survivors of the 2011 Earthquake in Tsunami. During this

time we trust God will provide valuable experience serving with an established Japanese church in

preparation for church planting work on the coast, once Dave's internship is completed. DAVE & TOMO ROBISON

AMAKUSA

MORIOKA

IWAKUNI

NAGOYA

MORIOKA

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Darryl Wong Missions Administrator

S E A S O N S T O R E T R E ATAACFMelanie Mar ChowA ACF Leadership Team

At LTC, one of the speakers offered students a discount to attend

Urbana, InterVarsity’s triennial missions conference. Thirteen

responded and joined other students, AACF alumni, pastors,

and campus workers to learn about God’s story that has been

written in their lives to share with others. Our AACFers kept in

touch via Facebook for unofficial check-ins and a community

time on the last day gathering 40 students and alums. Urbana

15 held hotel bible studies, speaker plenaries, seminars to

A ACFers returned home with their stories to bring the life

changing message to their homes, work places, and campuses.

I am grateful to InterVarsity for working diligently to provide

this conference and for those who sacrificed to attend.

But it doesn’t take three years of planning and long distances

to travel to gather God’s people. By the end of January, 14 of

the 17 AACF groups have hosted campus retreats. We’ve heard

that God’s work in these community gatherings has been a

tremendous blessing. Beginning with PNW students (UW,

Seattle U, SPU) in Fall, to the recent SF State students sharing

the gospel with others, retreats provide times to live life

together. If you know of AACF students or campus ministers

who serve, encourage them. If you know of any who would

benefit from getting involved in AACF, please visit our website,

www.aacf.org to find locations and meeting times. We are

grateful to God for your prayers as you read these praises and

respond in thanks. Most of all we give thanks for those who

read about AACF and support God’s purposeful works.

process what they heard, and nightly roommate huddles.

One plenary invited prayer for countries where the church is

persecuted. Others reminded them of God’s heart for all people

and challenged to love others with Jesus as “hostages of hope”.

The 16,000 attendees finished Urbana celebrating the New Year

by experiencing worship in different languages and cultures.

AACFers returned home with their stories to bring the life

changing message to their homes, work places, and campuses.

Rev. John Katagi

Director, Strategic Development South America

Our world can become too narrow. Too routine. Too

predictable. There is no doubt that God has much more

planned for us this coming summer than binge watching

Netflix, updating Facebook and checking out that new KBBQ

place on Western. But in order for us to discover that plan, it

requires us to take active steps to explore opportunities that

he provides.

Among the many opportunities to serve, to invest , to explore

is a three-week commitment to serve cross-culturally with

JEMS in South America. JEMS will be receiving applications

for team ministry in Brazil or Paraguay from July 5 to 25, 2016.

Deadline for applications is March 15th.

For specific information, please contact Pastor John by email

at john_ken_po@yahoo.com or call the JEMS office.

SOUTH AMERICA MISSIONS

STRETCHING OUR PERSPECTIVES

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“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection…” P H I L I P P I A N S 3 : 1 0

We thank the Lord for His loving and powerful presence over the six divisions. This year we had two areas of new development – we

expanded our Kid’s Camp to enfold children with special needs. Note: this is separate from the long-standing 25 years of Special

Camp (18+ years old adults). The Lord allowed us to serve four new children and support their parents. We also made entry points

for a focused ministry for career young adults for 2016.

EMPOWERED

YOUNG ADULT

‘Being new to Seattle, Warm Beach Camp

allowed me to meet people who look

like me, share cultural cues, and those

who I can “just be” with. In my attempts

to call Seattle home, Warm Beach and

JEMS ministry has been a safe place for

me to call home when I am doing the

difficult work of cultural translation. I

am thankful for the perseverance of the

saints who support JEMS ministry and

commit myself as a young adult coming

up in the world of Asian American

ministry to honor and support JEMS in

my future endeavors.”

YOUTH CAMP

“I accepted Christ for the first time”

YOUTH CABIN LEADER

“JEMS camp is the highlight of my year!

29th JEMS Warm Beach

COUPLE WITH CHILD

“It was a very good experience and we

all enjoyed it a lot. My husband told me

already that he would like to come again.

. .in fact, he asked me for the next year's

scheduled date!! Isn't it awesome?? Surely

HE moved his heart! Praise the Lord!!

We thank the Lord for His loving and

powerful presence over the six divisions.

This year we had two areas of new

development – we expanded our Kid’s

Camp to enfold children with special

needs. Note: this is separate from the

long-standing 25 years of Special Camp

(18+ years old adults).The Lord allowed

us to serve four new children and support

their parents. We also made entry points

for a focused ministry for career young

adults for 2016.

Thanks to the tremendous teams of

worship leaders, cabin and small group

leaders, workshop leaders, registrar and

hospitality, meal time buddies and all

the behind-the-scene helping hands. We

thank the Lord for His Sovereign hand

on the conference ministry. His gospel is

being communicated in Word and deed.

Lives are being changed in this gracious

Christ-centered community. God has

opened a huge door for us for August

18—21, 2016 - additional housing has

become available! We invite you to

pray and listen to whom God puts

on your heart to reach out to – your

invitation may be the open door for this

person to come to know Christ! And

for all who come to continue to grow

in their relationship with God, and be

empowered to love and serve the Lord!

KID ’S CAMP DIRECTOR

Kristen Shimabukuro

SPECIAL NEEDS LEAD

Christine Ito Castillo

YOUTH CAMP DIRECTORS

Allison Bhang & Karstin Jacobson;

YOUTH CAMP SPEAKERS

Jordan Uomoto & David Sim

SPECIAL CAMP TEAM LEAD

Joan Hirata

SPEAKER

Alycia Lee

NICHIGO DIRECTORS

Ben & Junko Fisher

SPEAKERS

Mao & Setsu Shimizu.

PASTOR IN RESIDENCE /ADULT LEAD

Joe Castillo

SPEAKER

Paul Kim.

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MA IN /CAREER /NICHIGO CAMP

Mount Hermon Speakers 2016

Rev. Hidemi Yokioyama

Rev. Hidemi Yokioyama - Pastor of Olivet Baptist

Church in Hawaii since 2002. He lives with his wife

Chie and daughter Hikari and son Keishi. He was born

in Kanagawa prefecture and graduated from Wayland

Baptist University and Golden Gate Baptist Theological

Seminary. He has two CDs "For You" and "Under the

Stars." The evening speakers will be various pastors

that attend the Nichigo camp.

MAIN/CAREER CAMP

MORNING ENGLISH SPE AKER

Rev. Rene Schlaepfer

Rev. Rene Schlaepfer is the senior pastor of Twin Lakes

Church in Aptos, California is the author of five books:

"Jesus Journey"; "God Is"; "Grace Immersion"; "Hope

Experience"; and "Thrill Ride: Thriving Through Life's

Ups and Downs". He lives in Santa Cruz with his wife

Laurie. Born in San Jose, California to Swiss immigrant

parents, Rene grew up with dual citizenship and briefly

lived in Switzerland before settling on the West Coast.

There he worked for many years in broadcasting,

primarily as an air personality on contemporary music

radio stations. While in broadcasting, Rene earned a

BA in Radio/TV/Film from San Jose State and an MA

Theology from Western Seminary. Since then, he has

served as a pastor in San Diego, South Lake Tahoe,

and Santa Cruz. Rene and Laurie have three children,

Jonathan, Elisabeth, and David. Beside their love

of church ministry, Rene and Laurie also advocate

together for their favorite causes: local food banks

and an orphanage in India. Rene has been a speaker

for JEMS Mount Hermon many times and is popular

among the JEMS families.

MAIN/CAREER CAMP

EV ENING ENGLISH SPE AKER

Pr. Jon Hori

Pr. Jon Hori serves as the Regional Director of the West

Coast and East Asia for "seeJesus". Previous to joining

"seeJesus", Jon helped plant and pastor Lifesong

Community Church in Chino, CA for nine years.

He and his wife, Sonia, stay busy raising four young

children, Kristin, Evan, Eden, and Jaren. Jon has led

the A Praying Life Seminar both in the US and abroad.

NICHIGO CAMP

MORNING NICHIGO CA MP SPE AKERS

You may donate your “non-running”

vehicle you may have sitting in your

garage, driveway or yard, or taking a

parking space in front of your place! Your

gift will extend the life of your vehicle

through the work of our ministries. We

accept all types of vehicle donations

including autos, trucks, sport utilities,

motorcycles, motor homes, and boats.

JEMS EVENT CALENDAR2016

JOIN OUR ELITE GROUP!Do you recycle aluminum cans, bottles, or newspapers?

Here is your chance to help save a tree! If you’d like to join our “save a tree” group, please send your request to

info@jems.org or complete this slip and mail to JEMS in the enclosed envelope.

I have selected to have the below documents sent through email.

JEMS JOURNAL PRAYER LETTERS M4M JIHO

Your Name:

Address:

Email Address:

Other Members in your Household:

An easy way to support our ministries!

DONATE YOUR “UNUSED” VEHICLE TO JEMS and support a ministry, a missionary, a support-raising staff,

the JEMS general fund or the building fund!MOUNT HERMON REGISTR ATIONJanuary 18th - Main Camp - Registration Opens January 27th - Youth Camps - Registration OpensRegister now: jems.org/mt-hermon/registration.php

February 21 - April 24, Sundays Evenings JEMS WINTER BASKETBALL LEAGUECarson Athletics Center, 1533 East Del Amo Blvd., Carson CARegistration Forms and Info: jems.org/events

March 26, Sat., All-day EventCO-ED VOLLEYBALL TOURNEYLong Beach City College Gymnasium4901 East Carson Street, Long Beach, CA Registration Forms and Info: jems.org/eventsEntry Deadline is March 7th.

February 20, Saturday, 10:00pm—12:00pm JEMS "PROTECT YOUR FAMILY'S FUTURE"Attorneys-Consultants from Hart, Mieras & Morris, Inc. Stephen J. Miyabe, Esq., Andrew Gregson, and Lisa PetersonJEMS Office, 948 East 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA"How to pass your assets to your loved ones while avoiding proate and high estate taxes."Make your reservation by calling 213.613.0022 or emailing samt@jems.org on or before February 16, 2016.

May 14, SaturdayJEMS MEN4MISSIONS NorCal Golf Invitational for Missions Spring Valley Golf Course, 3441 Calaveras Road, Milpitas, CABreakfast 9:15AM, Tee from 11AMRegistration Form & Info: jems.org/events

June 1—10, Wed—FriJEMS HYMNS SING TOUR OF ENGLAND(Rev. Sam Tonomura - Tour Coordinator and Escort) (Rev. Roland Hazama - Pastor and Music Leader)Visit where well-known hymn writers lived and were inspired to write the great hymns which proclaim powerful biblical truths. Learn their background/history, sing-a-long or listen to hymn music in the chapel or cathedral during evening worship services. Included is a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare birthplace), C. S. Lewis' home, Stonehenge, Winchester Cathedral, Buckingham Place, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, tour of London, and St. Paul's Cathedral and galleries. Itinerary: jems.org/events If you're interested, call 213.613.0022 or email samt@JEMS.org.

June 26—July 2, Sunday—SaturdayMOUNT HERMON CONFERENCEFamily/Nichigo/Career Camp, Special Camp and Youth Camps (Jr. Hi, Inter-Hi, Sr. High, College)Register Now! jems.org/mt-hermon/registration.php

Fall 2016 (Spring in Brazil) BR AZIL TOURThe tour will include the Amazing Amazon, Iguacu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo and Japanese-Brazilian churches. If you have suggestions to visit other sites or are interested in the tour, please contact Rev. Sam Tonomura at 213.613.0022 or samt@jems.org.

• provide all DMV paperwork • missing “pink” title slip – no problem

• towing is free • failed smog test – no problem

• fast pickup • not in running condition – no problem

• a good running car? we detail it!

Please call JEMS 213.613.0022 for additional information or to donate your vehicle today!

Their Emails:

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Throughout the years, JEMS has blessed many people by

providing scholarships in order to attend Mount Hermon.

Last year for example, we gave out more than $13,400 in

scholarships. The Mount Hermon General Scholarship

helps to provide funding for non-ordained pastors,

youth workers, missionaries (other than JEMS), cabin

leaders, families, and individuals who are experiencing

a financial hardship that might prevent them from

attending Mount Hermon. This year, we are already

receiving scholarship requests for camp. Unfortunately, our

Mount Hermon General Scholarship fund this year has roughly

$3000.00 in it. I’d like to ask that you prayerfully consider

giving to this special fund, especially if you’ve been to camp

and were blessed by it or if you have received funds from this

account before, and you are now in a better place financially.

Why not “pay it forward” with a love offering? Thank you for

your prayers and support for this very valuable ministry.

Rick Chuman

LETTER from the D IRECTOR