Japan - Christmas With Love: Japan

The ageing church in Japan is facing a crisis. Less than 0.5 percent 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 03 Dec 2010 – Mon 13 Dec 2010
Apply by:	Fri 15 Oct 2010
Cost:	1,540 NZD (participants from New Zealand)
Ages:	0-75

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 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.

How to find us:

Please See “Travel”.

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 visa exemption relationships with many countries so please look up your country here:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html
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.