State Missions Offering

April 2005

What does Japanese Ministry mean to me

I came from Okinawa, Japan, to the United States in 1962. I did not know any Christianity before. My brother-in- law invited me to his church, but I could not understand the sermon, so I stopped going.

Now, I can understand the sermon in English, but not enough. I can understand the sermon in Japanese very well from my heart because Pastor Aki Shigemi explained it very well to me in Japanese. He is very kind to talk and listens patiently. Also his wife, Yoko, teaches us Bible study on Wednesdays.

If they had not started the Japanese ministry here, I would not be a Christian. My husband is very happy now because I became a Christian and go to church every Sunday.

After our Japanese worship service, we have a meal with Japanese dishes that I help to cook. Students from local colleges here who come from Japan look forward to eating my Japanese meal. That is my happy moment to see the student who is eating our meal in our fellowship. And also I enjoy eating with Japanese friends and American friends.

I appreciate the Japanese ministry and those who support our church, Boulevard Baptist and Sans Souci Baptist Churches. Please continue to pray and support the Japanese ministry.

‑Fumi George

Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson and Sans Souci Baptist Church in Greenville have taken the lead in the Upstate Japanese Ministry, one of the ministries supported by your gifts to the State Missions Offering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina. The goal for 2005 is $110,000. Learn more about CBF in South Carolina at www.cbfofsc.org.