November Ministry Update 2021
Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving! This year as I've been reflecting on where I'm at in life and in ministry, I have a lot to be thankful for. I know I say it often, but I am really thankful for all of you, especially as you've stuck with me through the challenges of the last couple years! This past October marks two years since coming back from Japan. When I think about that, I can't help but be a little discouraged. So, it helps to know I have such a great support team behind me praying for me and cheering me on.
I'm also thankful for all the many things I've been able to be a part of since coming to Michigan. I've been able to travel all over, meet many new people, attend conferences, and most importantly, share about what God is doing in Japan. I have been blessed in so many ways. And, even when I do have moments of discouragement, God provides encouragements in unexpected ways.
I attended two district conferences for the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) in October. They were both very different but it was a privilege to be a part of them, to share briefly about my ministry, and to meet the gathered pastors from EFCA churches. They were both encouraging and opportunities that I think God really provided for me, but the New England district conference which I attended at the end of October was a special experience. Going back to New England after spending the last few months in the midwest felt like coming home. It was a joy to talk with other pastors and ministers who I could relate to in ways I can't with people here in Michigan. I was also excited that some of the pastors recognized me from when I went to the New England district conference back in 2017. I'm looking forward to seeing how the relationships I've been building with pastors and churches through the conference will continue to grow.
As we enter December and finish out the year, I plan to continue meditating on what God has been doing in and through me in 2021 and praising him for moment of encouragement like the conferences I attended. With all the uncertainty going around, that seems like all I can do is to hold onto that hope, but I also think that that is enough. I know God will provide in His timing.
|
|
Trip to Lynchburg, Virginia
|
|
|
My time in Virginia went well! It was exciting to promote the Apex trip to Tokyo next summer and the other trips going around the world at the Apex Missions table during Liberty University's Global Focus Week! A lot of students were interested in Japan and international missions which is really encouraging!
|
|
Great Lakes District Conference - Chicago, Illinois
|
|
|
It was exciting to be a part of the EFCA Great Lakes District Conference in Chicago and be introduced in front of all the pastors attending. I'm on the far right in the image.
|
|
Trips to Midland, Michigan
|
|
|
I made a couple trips to Midland, MI in the last couple months. The Landenberger's (top left) graciously hosted me both times and connected me with a number of people. My teammates the Lees also visited Michigan so I got to see them as well as the Stoddards again which was great!
|
|
There have been a lot of ups and downs with support over the last few months. I've had a lot of opportunities to share about my ministry, but it hasn't totally translated to more support. While that can be discouraging, I've still had a few new partners join my team and I'm currently sitting at about 72% of my monthly financial support. Please be praying with me for the final 28% which amounts to about $1800 a month.
While raising support is my main goal right now, I have also been watching the situation with the Japanese borders. It was recently looking good because Japan started relaxing their restrictions which they've had all year. My teammates the Lees who have been waiting to go back to Japan for a while were able to apply for their visas. I just read today though that because of the new covid variant, the borders have been closed again. Pray for the Lees that they would still receive their visas and be able to get back into Japan soon.
I'm not sure what the visa situation and borders will look like in the coming months, but it's not looking great especially knowing how Japan has reacted in the past. At this point, I'm praying that I can get my support in as soon as possible so that if Japan does reopen, even briefly, I'd be able to jump on it. To help me reach my goal, I updated my prayer card and made partnership cards. You can see the front of my new partnership card below.
I am incredibly eager to get back to the ministry in Japan. While God has done a lot to prepare me and provide opportunities here in the States in the meantime, I know my calling is to Tokyo and to the Japanese people. If you want to partner with what I'm doing in Japan to reach the Japanese by giving a one-time gift, starting to give monthly, or increasing your monthly gift, please let me know. Every bit helps!
|
|
I'm excited to share with you all that I have officially received my ministerial license and I am now credentialed in the EFCA! Thank you for all your prayers that have brought me here. I first started thinking about starting the application when I was still in Japan so it's been a long process. In total, I've done a lot of study and reading, had numerous conversations with mentors and other spiritual leaders in my life, wrote a 20 page paper defending my theology that went through multiple drafts, and finally defended my paper in front of a group of pastors and other church leaders.
While I was back in New England at the end of last month, we had my council meeting to defend my paper and it turned out to be a very affirming experience. I was encouraged that I could answer most of the questions asked. I'm looking forward to seeing how all of this training translates to my ministry and being able to teach others. After the council recommended me, my application, paper, and council notes went to the EFCA home office in Minneapolis for the final approval which I received last week.
I'm glad to finally be done. My license is good for three years and then I can renew it or go on to pursue ordination. While I don't currently anticipate going on to be ordained, I never expected for God to lead me to get my ministerial license either, so I'm just trying to follow Him and His leading!
|
|
Prayer Requests
- Pray for my financial support. Currently I have 72% of my monthly support goal. I still need about $1,800 in monthly commitments to reach 100%. Pray that God would place people and churches in my path that would partner with me and that these needs would be met in miraculous ways within the next couple months.
- Pray for my time in Michigan. I have been busy in Grand Rapids and there is always more opportunities. Pray for wisdom and discernment in what to say yes to and what I need to say no to. Pray for rest during the stressful times and effectiveness in my ministry while I am working with my church here. Pray as well that I could learn a lot about ministry and church planting and be better equipped for my future ministry in Japan.
- Pray for the Japanese borders to reopen. Besides support, the other major thing I need is to get my visa. With all the uncertainty with Covid, Japan has been very cautious about reopening. Pray that the Japanese borders would reopen and that they would stay open by the time I am ready to return. Pray for all the paperwork that needs to go into getting my visa that it would go quickly and smoothly. And, pray for my teammates the Lees who are hoping to receive their visas and return to Japan in January.
|
|
|
Thanks for reading!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me at adam.bailey@efca.org or by phone at 802-461-4771. You can also go to my website at adamintokyo.com. Thanks! - Adam Bailey
|
|
|
If you'd like to give a one-time or recurring gift, click on the link below!
|
|
|
|
|
