Who are we? 

Converge
Converge was born out of mission in 1856. That’s when a small group of churches made up of immigrant “Bible readers” first discovered they could be more effective if they worked together. By 1879, the movement had grown to 3,000 baptized believers and 65 congregations, all independent, all willing to collaborate on the one thing that matters:
  • Lives changed by Jesus, person by person, worldwide.
These churches began reaching across ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic boundaries. Their theology was rooted in the basics of biblical faith. But their spirit was “irenic,” best summed up by the phrase “in essentials unity, in nonessentials liberty, in all things charity.” And their effectiveness resonates today.

Our  Mission

Since 1993, I have been a missionary to Japan, teaching at Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ). In this capacity, I teach Bible, English, and Social Studies to 8th grade international students, which provides daily opportunities to share the gospel with non-Christian students, as well as to disciple Christian students to grow in their faith walk. In addition to this work at school, I am part of a Japanese church, where I have the opportunity to disciple young Christian ladies in their faith walks. In my own neighborhood, I have been reaching out to two of my neighbors who are not yet Christians, but they are open to listening.

Celebrations

Join us as we celebrate all God is doing in and through AFO!

  • On our recent class trip, we visited one historical temple in which students had a choice to go or not. On the train trip back, I sat with one non-Christian girl, and asked which site she most enjoyed. When she said that temple, I asked why. She said, "I've been at CAJ for a long time and learned more about Christianity, so when I went in, I kind of thought it was silly for people to be worshipping a big stone statue like that. It's not alive. It really started making me think more seriously about Christian ideas." Another student, a boy from a Christian home has a lot of Bible knowledge, but he recently commented that he is starting to see how each piece of Scripture he reads somehow "speaks" to him like God wrote it specifically for him. He had not had that happen before this year. I know the Lord is working in the lives of these young teens!
  • One Japanese lady who I've been discipling told me last week that she "feels like" she can talk openly with me about what she's learning in her daily devotions. She said, "Each time we talk, I just can't help but talk about what I'm learning!" I have encouraged her to find another Japanese friend at church to do the same, but she's not sure yet who to ask because she said, "No one else talks that deeply in their conversations at church or in any Bible studies." (Please pray that the Lord would give me insight into who to also include in these conversations so that T. will have someone else to share with when I "retire" in a year and a half.)

Prayer Requests 

Let's pray together! 

  • Please pray for my current group of 8th grade students. One girl, H (Christian family) has recently withdrawn from school for severe emotional issues. This has been quite hard on the whole class. Another girl, H (non-Christian family), new since the semester, is also dealing with severe emotional issues, and my be withdrawing soon. Please pray for these girls and their families as they seek outside help. Especially pray for the Lord to be working in both of their lives.
  • One Japanese friend at church is considering baptism, but she is still quite concerned about what her family and friends will think. Please pray for her to continue seeking the Lord in this step.
  • Please continue to pray for the young teens in my class, especially the couple boys who are wanting to take more leadership in our chapel services. Pray for their continued spiritual growth.

How Can We Help?

At this time, I do not have any financial needs. However, if people want to support me, I would enjoy a snail-mail letter once in a while. :) Thank you for praying for me!!
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