Japan · November 2019
Sharing the gospel where these games were born.
"After three years of hoping and praying that God would open a door to use my art in Japan, the Lord made a way."
In November 2019, Philippe Prosper, John Konisiewicz and I spent two weeks in Japan sharing the gospel through the paintings. CBMC was our sending organization and McLean Bible Church was our sending church. We visited five areas, from Akita in the north to Osaka in the west, working alongside missionaries and Japanese churches at every stop.
Abide, Osaka
November 18, 2019
Why Japan
Almost everyone there grew up with these characters. Very few have heard the gospel.
Japan is one of the least reached nations in the world. But Mario, Link, and Mega Man were born there, and people of every age recognize them. That gave us an open door into conversations about Jesus.
"Many of those we shared with had NEVER heard the gospel."
James, after returning home
The Japanese edition
800 books, given away city by city.
Before the trip we printed a Japanese edition of the book. Aya Aoki Hayashida first translated it in 2017, and Karen Ellrick, a missionary in Osaka, edited it for this printing.
We carried the books to every stop and left copies with each ministry so they could keep sharing after we went home.
"It is much more of a keepsake than perhaps a typical gospel tract that might be thrown away, and they are now in people's homes all across Japan."
Where we went
Five stops in two weeks.
At every stop we did the full presentation: we put up the art, shared the gospel and our testimonies, Philippe performed his music, and we spent time with the people who came.
Stop 1 · Nov 8 to 10
Akita
In Omagari we served with Roseline Yong and her ministry to hikikomori, people who have withdrawn from society. A community event on Friday with a kung fu demo, a church event on Saturday, and on Sunday I brought the message. We left books at Furatto Café.
Stop 2 · Nov 11 to 12
Niigata
In Minamiuonuma we joined Devon and Mie Glenn of Win Love Ministries and Heaven's Cafe, and shared at the International University of Japan.
Stop 3 · Nov 13 to 14
Tokyo
A park outreach with Shige and Luann Nakazawa of EFCA ReachGlobal, where more than 30 people heard the gospel. The next day, Waseda University with Chi Alpha, set up by Michiyo Ishida of EFCA Japan. Two young men gave their lives to Christ that night.
Stop 4 · Nov 15 to 16
Kanagawa
In Hiratsuka, David and Yuka Mills hosted us at their coffee house, J-Lodge Coffee Roasters, then a student cookout with Mario Kart and a rap battle. One young pilot in training finally understood the good news.
Stop 5 · Nov 17 to 19
Osaka
With Dan and Karen Ellrick and pastor Joseph Totsis at Abide in Osaka: the Sunday service, the kids' Sunday school, and the presentation night on November 18.
From the trip
Gallery nights, kung fu, and a lot of Mario Kart.
The presentation at Abide in Osaka
The paintings on display
Philippe Prosper performing
Sharing the paintings with an interpreter
Kids at one of the outreach events
A stop at Nintendo
Thank you
The people who made it possible.
None of this happens without the missionaries and churches who opened their doors, set up the events, and kept following up with people after we left.
With pastor Joseph Totsis at Abide in Osaka
Sent by
CBMC
McLean Bible Church
Where it started
RJC Network (Reaching Japanese for Christ)
Hosted by
Roseline Yong, hikikomori ministry, Akita
Devon and Mie Glenn, Win Love Ministries and Heaven's Cafe, Niigata
Shige and Luann Nakazawa, EFCA ReachGlobal, Tokyo
Michiyo Ishida, EFCA Japan, and Chi Alpha at Waseda
David and Yuka Mills, J-Lodge Coffee Roasters, Hiratsuka
Dan and Karen Ellrick and pastor Joseph Totsis, Abide, Osaka
Help us take it further.
The Gospel According to Nintendo is part of The Grandmaster Project. Your support helps send the paintings, the books, and the team to people who have never heard the gospel.