TOKYO – The heart of Japan!
Japan, 127 million people and an economic heavy weight, but struggling with many social and psychological issues. Young people are withdrawing from society and suicide rates soar. Materialism, conformism and other religions are major obstacles for the growth of the Christian church. Less than 1% of the population is Christian, while the overwhelming majority is Buddhist and Shinto (Japanese animistic religion). There is religious freedom in Japan but “a nail that sticks out needs to be hammered down”, so Christians, being a very small minority group, face repression within the communities and on the job. An especially unreached group within Japanese society is young professionals. As the future leaders of business, politics, media and the arts they are influential in shaping the culture. Initiatives to evangelize this group are in a pioneering stage, but Geert and Eline de Boo have a strong call to follow Christ by reaching out to them, right where they are. Sent by the Reformed Mission League (GZB) of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands they are, together with Rev. Makoto Fukuda and his wife Michiru, planting a gospel-centered church in central Tokyo that focuses on the specific needs of the young professionals aged between 20 and 40. The Church Planting Center of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York assists them in this venture of planting churches in this influential megacity. – m o r e
08 Nov 2010
Ever since we returned from the Netherlands to Japan about a month ago, life has been like a roller coaster ride. The Japanese call it a jet coaster and maybe that catches better emotions of this one month with its consecutive of ups and downs . Although we love Japan and the Japanese, there have been days I wished it was easier to live here. Little things can easily annoy you when getting adjusted again to life on the mission field. Mostly these irritations can fullybe attributed to the worshippong of idols like comfort and belonging in my life. By the way, … > read more
05 Nov 2010
“Welkom thuis!” and “okaerinasai!” were familiar sounds these last couple of months. It means welcome home in Dutch and in Japanese. So you can guess the reason for the silence during the summer: we went on home assignment in the Netherlands. In a group oriented culture like Japan these greetings when you temporarily move out and later come back to your community are very important. You go through this ritual every day when you leave the apartment building and the concierge exchanges polite greetings with you. But this summer it was different: we left our Japanese home (apartment, neighbors, church, … > read more
11 Jul 2010
We are about to leave for our home assignment this week. After every two years on the field we need to go back to the Netherlands to report, mobilize, and raise funds. Our kids are excited. Thom and Berend have many good memories and vididly imagine everything they want to do–if it was up to them we would visit every amusement park in our little kingdom. Julie has no home land memories, but the idea of going to the place where grandma and grandpa are is appealing to her. Fleur & Lucile will have their debut. They have got Dutch … > read more
28 Jun 2010
Today was a special day at Grace City Church Tokyo. Sayaka recenlty believed and was baptized today! Thank you for your prayers for her, our church community and the church planting team.
08 May 2010
The sensation in your tummy, is it unpleasant or does it feel nice? It is hard to tell, but you know one thing, this is what you have been waiting for. Just some thoughts that came up when we came across a drawing from our boys; it was a design for their own amusement park. The roller coaster ride which we just described, does not just represent our longing for getting away for a day with our family, but also paints an appropriate picture of our life in the last few months. Read more about it in our latest newsletter. … > read more
16 Mar 2010
From March 27 through April 5th a short term team with 11 people from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate Church in London will join Grace City Church Tokyo for a long week of outreach to the community of central Tokyo. Please pray for this team and the events they will participate in.
26 Feb 2010
Have you ever wondered what we are doing here in the largest city in the world, Tokyo, and why? Have you ever wondered what our connection with Redeemer PC New York is? This will show you all in less than 3 minutes: Redeemer City to City, Gospel, City, Movement
06 Feb 2010
Life can be like a roller coaster. Fun but intense. We had quite some intense months. You can read about it in our latest newsletter. We also invite you to have a look for the latest information about wat is going on at Grace City Church Tokyo. Also check out the interview with Tim Keller (Redeemer Presbyterian Church New York) about Why Toky0?
28 Jan 2010
Below are some recent pictures of Fleur and Lucile. Last week at their first check-up they seemed to be growing well, both weighing about 3900 grams. We can by now tell who is who, although there are days we wonder we have to help each other know for sure. Thank you so much for your prayers for our family and especially the twins. We continue to be amazed at God’s (double!) grace, also for Grace (City Church Tokyo). The church plant is steadily moving forward with an increasing number of people visiting the (tryout) worship services, attending evangelistic Bible … > read more
