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It has been one of the most pivotal, life-changing events in my life. My understanding of God, his church and my ministry will never be the same.” This was a comment by someone attending the Japan 2001 Church Planting Institute (CPI) national annual conference, sponsored by the largest interdenominational missionary association in Japan (The Japan Evangelical Missionary Association (JEMA)), for the first time. The conference was the largest dedicated to church planting in the history of Japan.

The CPI movement was launched just 7 years ago, when 27 missionaries met together. By 2001, the number of participants grew to over 330 (Not including the 85 children of pastors and missionaries who attended as well). Since 1994, missionaries and Japanese from approximately 80 denominations, mission agencies and at least 19 sending countries have attended the annual conference. Participants come from areas all over Japan. One prior participant said the conference was “A taste of heaven worshipping and fellowshipping with so many from across Christ’s church.”

The vision of CPI is “Advancing God’s kingdom by mentoring leaders to be part of a movement that is multiplying churches that are multiplying disciples through the power of the Gospel.” Rooted in this vision, the sense of cooperation and the spirit of helping each other succeed in ministry has been overwhelming. A group of so many made for a great opportunity to network with people from other organizations and other areas who are facing the same challenges and seeking the same answers. As one person commented about the conference, it was the “most dynamic networking conference I have ever been to.”

Since 1993 approximately 720 missionaries and Japanese nationals have completed the “Foundations for Church Planting and Development” course for church leaders taught at the CPI conference each year. This number could easily represent nearly 50 percent of the Protestant church planting missionary force in Japan. In addition to the foundational training offered, there were also training seminars on Fostering Church Planting Movements, Strategic Christian Leadership, The Gospel in Life and Ministry and 34 different electives on various aspects of ministry.

The National Annual Conference is not only the hotbed for developing vision, encouraging networking and allowing the synergy to generate new visions for greater opportunities; it is also a big rallying point. Each year’s conference focuses on recovering not only the apostolic method (church planting movements) but also the apostolic message (the Gospel) as the power source for the salvation of nonbelievers and for the transformation of believers. This transforming power of the Gospel begins with the transformed heart of the church planter. In many ways, the core of this movement is like a spiritual awakening which is generating renewal movements within the missionary community and among the Japanese as well.

One participant said the conference “was a time to recognize sin that keeps me from truly loving God and others and stifles my ministry.” One highlight of the 2001 conference was a testimony by a Japanese pastor. He shared how the Gospel has changed him from a hard Pharisaical leader to a more loving leader. An earlier participant wrote, “I believe my personal relationship with God has changed and it will continue to change and grow as a result of the gospel’s power which has impacted my heart and whole being.” Another previous attendee said, “It’s finding Christ again.”

Since simultaneous translation was added in 1999 the numbers of national Japanese attending has grown rapidly. In 1999 approximately 50 Japanese were in attendance; in 2000, more than 70; in 2001, more than 100 (making up about one-third of the 2001 conference attendees). Several Japanese denominations are sending their leadership as well as their church planting pastors. A previous Japanese church planter said, “This conference was one of the big events for my heart and life this year.” Another who attended before wrote, “I received the very great hope that missionaries and Japanese pastors can now work together!”

Dozens of regional peer-mentoring groups of Japanese and missionaries met each day to challenge each other for encouragement, accountability, sharing and prayer. Some of these groups are already meeting year round in their various locations.

Next year’s Japan 2002 CPI Conference will be held in early November. People are asked to pray for the conference and that God would continue to bless this movement year-round. For more information email [email protected] or visit the JCPI.NET Web site.

The vision of the CPI Leadership Team is to further spread the influence of this Japan movement to start similar CPI movements in other countries where they are needed. Regarding the future, one previous participant shared that “It was extremely encouraging to see a broad movement among many mission agencies and many Japanese pastors committed to multiplying churches in Japan. It fills me with anticipation for what the Lord will be doing in Japan.”

January 11, 2002