What is church like in Japan? - part 2

I am not sure how long this series will go, but I do want to share a few things about our church as well as other good churches in Japan.

I mentioned in the last post that many successful churches in Japan are bilingual.  Many Japanese are very eager to improve their English and to have a chance to practice English with native speakers.  It is a great privilege to be able to serve non-Christians in a very real way by opening up very cheap English classes for them on Sunday and then by offering bilingual services.
Another way that we reach out to non-Christians on Sundays is by speaking to concerns that are on their mind.  Unlike Americans, most Japanese do not have a belief or an understanding of a creator God.  It is important for us to be able to give a reason for the hope that we have in the God of all creation.  (1 Peter 3:15)  To really share the gospel clearly, we must start, therefore, in Genesis.

Last week in Ikoma and next month in Kyoto, our church will be offering a short lesson in creation taught by Dr. Ando, a top-level biologist who graduated from the top university in Japan, Tokyo University.  Obviously, Dr. Ando is not ignorant to the claims of macro-evolution, but sees clearly that the scientific evidence for creation is more overwhelming, especially in light of the trustworthiness of the Bible, God's word.
If you are in Japan, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Dr. Ando's book, "Darwins Glasses", and/or attend her lecture next month at Kyoto Chapel.  See here for details.