The GreenHouse Youth Center is becoming a part of the outreach to the young people and those who serve them in the Nihon Kirisuto Kyodan (our partner denomination).  As we are located in Yokohama, we are serving the immediate area but we have already held events in the other churches in the Kanto area of Eastern Japan.

We are supporting and pioneering a number of programs, which we would like share with you.

The see the vision of for the GreenHouse youth center please visit the following web link:http://www.ghouselive.org

This report is based upon our vision and history statement into which we will insert and expand on details.

The “GreenHouse” or “GHouse” is extending Christian environment to the youth of Yokohama. GreenHouse is to be a safe space and time for youth to experience Christian faith.

The need

Jesus’ warns that, “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. But [Jesus] comes that we would have life and life more abundantly” John 10:10. We recognize that Satan is indeed trying to steal, kill, and destroy the youth of Japan through various means. Even the government statistics reveal an extraordinarily high rate of suicide probably the highest in the developed world, as well as, an extremely high rate of related emotional disorders. Please see our website regarding the alarming statistics which Japan is facinghttp://web.mac.com/brownelln

Outreach to the mission school students.

As you may know, Japanese students rise early, commute to school, attend their school clubs, a rigorous school day, followed by evenings at cram school, returning home as late as 10pm. This cycle is repeated day after day. Many of the school clubs or cram schools also meet on Saturdays. Missionaries recognized that even the students of the historic mission schools had little or no chance to step out of the cycle just described. If there is to be any hope that these precious students may connect with a Christian community as they grow up than we need to provide them with a chance in addition to their school chapel services.

We believe the students can learn the very practical value of stepping out of their daily routine at least once a week to seek Christian community. Both our predecessors and our current team of short-term missionaries, who are teaching in these schools, believe this to be an essential part of raising young people in Japan. There is a special dynamic that happens when students have the opportunity to attend an optional Christian event like those at GreenHouse. We mission teachers can see this on the students faces and in their responses to our surveys.

Through the trust building of the mission teachers who serve in the four protestant junior senior high schools in this area we have been blessed with a consistent group of between one to two dozen students this past school year. These students are seeking and several of them come faithfully. The program consists of fellowship and refreshments, then some praise songs and a message or a skit. When we hold special events, we range between 60 and 120 students.

In Japan, shoes are left in the foyer of buildings. Please picture this scene; the foyer full of shoes with dozens of pairs of shoes lined up even outside of the GreenHouse. When we openly invite students through their missionary teachers we risk having so many students that we do not have enough room. In a country, which is said to be less than 2% Christian (and by some estimates less than 1%) the GreenHouse is a special phenomenon. Even if we consider the polling by Gallup, which found that as many as 7% of youth have favorable interest in Christianity, the GreenHouse has seen a higher percentage of students attend the special events. For example, our Christmas outreach to the nearest school was attended by more than 100 students. At that time of year, it was 10% of the school population. We even had to rent the sanctuary of the nearby Yokohama Union Church for such events. It is still difficult to quantify the impact of this ministry but we can say with confidence that a core of approximately 24 students a semester have made a substantial commitment to attending and in turn their wider impact is certain to be substantial. This is truly a work of the Lord!

This year we have invited mainly by word of mouth focusing on the smaller group model of outreach. Our surveys indicate that more than 80% of respondents see the GreenHouse as a special place where then can meet God through the foreign teachers. Recent graduates remark about how much the GreenHouse meant to them and few even want to volunteer at the center before or after foreign exchange study. Several older alumni of the area schools remark how they wish that they too could have had such an opportunity so they are now advocating for the youth center.

The students are growing in faith as they walk with friends to the GreenHouse, sing together, and by listening to the stories shared by their international teachers. At GreenHouse you can meet international teachers, speak English, and establish good life patterns of seeking Christian community.

For Photos

To view some of our photo albums please see the following link.

http://gallery.me.com/brownelln/

We have been asked not to post photos of the students in their school uniforms and not to include the names of the students online but we can post photos of the team and the facility.

Seeds and Roots of GreenHouse

The GreenHouse is the former location of Yokohama Union Church and was acquired, by the Reformed Church in America (RCA) to work in cooperation with the Nihon Kirisuto Kyodan, which is our partner denomination in Japan, for the sake of the next generation.

We are in now formally recognized in partnership with the Kanagawa district of the  Nihon Kirisuto Kyodan. The foreign mission board recognizes missionaries Nathan & Nozomi Brownell as directors of ministry and program at GreenHouse.

Stalks and Branches with Blossoms or Fruit

Missionaries Nathan & Nozomi Brownell coordinate several ministries, which are based at the GreenHouse:

1. the mission school outreach

2. Children and Worship program (for children ages 3-8),

3. the coffee and hospitality hours reaching out to the parents of the Yokohama Union Church Pre-k this includes Christian family educational events,

4. Returnees fellowship.

Across all of these ministries we share the following message: 1. you are a precious creation, 2. there is forgiveness and healing through Jesus and 3. God has a hope and a future for you.

Because of Jesus,

Rev. Nathan & Nozomi Brownell

Directors of Program and Ministry GreenHouse Yokohama

http://www.ghouselive.org • <info@ghouselive.org>

1. How has the reception of Children and Worship been in Japan?

First, this program was introduced to Japan by an RCA minister's wife who was serving at Yokohama Union Church almost 20 years ago. Over the years several people including myself attended Dr. Stewart's workshop at Western Theological Seminary in Holland Michigan. Each one was greatly influenced by the approach. Later a group was formed to start a movement inspiring children's ministry among the churches in Japan. Since 2004, this group has held several seminars at Tokyo Union Theological Seminary raising awareness among church leaders and church preschool staff of the importance of "worship" for children. This group commissioned the translation of the textbook "Young Children & Worship".

Meanwhile, as my husband and I prepared to be missionaries to Japan, I had the privilege the Children and Worship Trainer certification so that I can help raise up more certified leaders here. Since our arrival in Spring of 2007, I have been working with the group to bring forward this program. During the summer of 2008, we celebrated the opening of the first model Worship Center in the Green House in Yokohama. This center was prepared by the generous donations from RCA congregations and individuals in the U.S. for the purpose of training potential C&W leaders in Japan. We celebrated its opening with more than 50 people attending.  This demonstrates a great interested in this program.

The translation and publishing project of the textbook is progressing. We expect the book to be printed by Easter, 2009.

There is a solid group of ministers and church leaders who are working hard to promote this program. We have selected a high quality publishing house to print and distribute the textbook. Most essentially, there are eager and supportive Christians who attend the seminars; we believe that the C&W program is being positively received by the Japanese churches beginning in the Tokyo/Yokohama area.

2. How many leaders have you trained so far? Where have Children and Worship programs been started? Where do you hope to start the program?

I have been to several local churches introducing the program. As described above, the seminars have been held seven times since 2004 and each time 30 - 50 people gathered.

We are planning the first major training workshop next spring after the publishing of the textbook. Until now we have all been "plowing the field" so that when the book comes out and the actual training begins, the program will be rooted and grow well. We have potential to start the program among local churches as well as Christian preschools and institutions (orphanages, etc.).

3. What does it take to get a Children and Worship program started?

First, we have to raise awareness among the churches of the importance of worship for children and with children. We are aware that many Sunday school programs aim only to entertain whereas we believe C&W can help bring it to the next level.

Secondly, C&W worship leaders need to be well trained. Since Japan does not have a Christian faith background in its society, it takes a significant process to cultivate one's knowledge of the Bible and a Christian way of thinking/living. When we introduce the C&W program, we have to be aware of the process of personal growth in understanding and experience being careful to raise up good worship leaders.

Thirdly, we need to support the worship leader’s physical needs for this program. Since the Japanese churches suffering financially we need to find a good way to provide the wooden figures and other materials -  either making our own or establishing a route for purchasing them easily.

4. Has anything stood out to you as you've taught Children and Worship in Japan? Are there any specific kids who have really enjoyed the program or a specific story that had great reception?

I have been leading the program at Yokohama Union Church on Sundays since last year and also once a week for the five and six years olds from the preschool. We began the preschool chapel this September. Last week, one girl fell asleep during the program. She was resting so peacefully while I told the story and prayed together. It is clear that she felt the peacefulness and safety in the presence of God. It was beautiful to me to see her resting so comfortably as I  have known her family is going through a difficult time now. 

Another boy started to pray out loud during our prayer time. He was filled with thankfulness and literally could not help but giving thanks to God. This week another boy joined the prayer.  It is amazing to hear their heartfelt prayers because they did not have any particular religious backgrounds. This makes confident that there is a place for loving God in each child's heart.

5. How is children's and youth ministry helping to revitalize the Japanese church?

For the Japanese church it is absolutely crucial to reach out to the young. The Japanese birth rate has been extremely low for many years consequently the church is  aging even more rapidly than the general society. In order to built a healthy body of Christ and pass the torch to the next generation, raising the youth is a most urgent matter. The Japanese church hardly has teenagers attending due to the lack of youth programs and the demands from the world (study and clubs).

The Children & Worship group is hoping to expand its ministry from the young children to older children even to teenagers in the future for the sake of the Japanese church.

6. Tell me a little bit about the youth outreach at the Greenhouse. (It's in Yokohama, right?) What is its mission?

The Green House's mission is to provide a safe place for the youth to experience God. We have message to share with the youth in the area,  which is;

1. You are created in the image of God.

2. There is forgiveness and healing through Jesus.

3. God has a hope and future for you.

Presently we have an outreach to junior and senior high school students which you can see more about at http://www.ghouselive.org  Once a week students from the neighboring schools gather at the GreenHouse after school. We have fellowship, sharing a testimony and pray together.

We are also opening a Returnee's Fellowship. This is for those who encountered Christian faith overseas. Upon return to Japan many have a hard time connecting to the Japanese church. We want to support their faith by having fellowship together and sharing the stories of the faith so that they might be able to connect with the churches here.

By the grace of God and by the faithful prayer support of RCA churches, we are able to hold ministries from preschoolers to young adults at the Green House. Please continue to pray for the Green House ministry so that the programs can grow and be able to produce the disciples of Christ who can lift up Japanese church and the society.

Thank you again,

Dear Friends,

Greeting from the city
of Yokohama. We are grateful for your prayers and support. It is widely
known that Japan is a good and safe country. Many who visit this country would
likely be impressed by its cleanliness, safety, and people’s politeness.
However, it is also very difficult to commit oneself to Christianity in this
country. The society whose foundation is not on Christ, but built upon false
gods: materialism, strong inclination toward success, and humanism…. goes
against the way of Christ in so many ways. 

Many Japanese who experienced Christian faith and its loving
fellowship during their stays in the U.S. or other Christian countries are
struggling to maintain their faith after returning to Japan. Too often they
cannot endure the hardship of living without good Christian fellowship,
especially in the rural part of the country. The lack of the fellowship weakens
their relationship with Christ. Without help they are often overwhelmed by the
waves of the intense work schedules and eventually attacked by the emotional
and spiritual depression.  It is
said that 80 percent of Japanese who became Christian abroad fall away from
faith because of the lack of fellowship to supports them.

Nathan and I served eight years for the Japanese American
United Church, in the New York City, and while we were there we sent many of
our members back to Japan. We have been
praying for them that they would be connected to the churches in Japan and keep
growing in faith. Since the beginning of our journey as missionaries, it has
been our hopes to now receive such returnees from abroad, in order to support
and encourage their experience in Christ. Over the past year, God introduced us
to more such folks and finally last week we were able to start the Returnees’ fellowship
as a part of the Green House ministry. Among those who attended the fellowship,
was Masae who had become a Christian, while she was with us at Japanese
American United Church in NYC. Although she came back to Japan seven years ago,
she could not find a church to belong to until just recently. Miyuki became
Christian through her journey from Australia to Michigan States University.
Yoshiko and her American husband Matt are from Texas. Some of the short-term
missionary teachers also joined the fellowship. We shared lunch as well as our
faith experiences in foreign countries and prayed for each other. We hope that
more people will join the fellowship so that through telling their stories and
hearing those of others they will be encouraged and equipped to serve Japanese
local churches.

Let us tell you about
the summer in Yokohama. We had wonderful Vacation Bible School in August at
Yokohama Union Church. Eleven volunteers from the States helped to make it
possible for the church to serve fifty-six children and their families. We are
grateful for Grace Reformed Church in Chicago, IL and Chinese American Church
in Sacramento, CA for sending wonderful people to Yokohama. They worked very
hard decorating the sanctuary, leading the children in the program even during
the extremely hot and humid weather. When the parents found out that the
volunteers came from the States sacrificing their own resource and time with
the help and support from their churches, they were utterly in awe. They were
amazed at the love of Christ moving people in such a way giving themselves to
the little ones in a foreign country! They have never met such people.

This fall, Nathan is
continuing to teach English conversation classes at Ferris Girls’ School. He
regularly speaks at school chapel as well as parents’ Bible Study class and
feels free to share the good news of Christ.

I am continuously
working with the Children & Worship program, leading the program for
Yokohama Union Church on Sundays as well as YUC preschool class each Friday.
Reaching out to the preschool mothers though Bible study group is also one of
my present callings.

We have resumed
gathering for the mission school students at the Green House after the Summer
vacation. This year we are focusing more toward the small group ministry. Each
time we gather, we share the word of God and pray for the students according to
their requests.

Please continue to
pray and support the youth ministry in Yokohama. 

Hope in God,

Nathan & Nozomi
Brownell

(Kenneth, Raymond
& Luke)

April 2008

Dear Friends,

Good News! Release of the Manga Messiah

The other day when I was feeling a little bit discouraged, I
received a copy of the Manga Messiah. Manga is a modern Japanese style of
illustration. Another missionary teachers reports that her students could
hardly put it down until they had read it! I was and am overjoyed because God
allowed me to participate in this by baptizing Kelly Shinozawa, the illustrator
of this contemporary version of the Gospel. The text is excerpted straight from
the Bible, but the illustrations are new and exciting. We want to purchase
several boxes of the Manga Messiah to distribute at the GreenHouse youth
center. If you can help us with funding please contact RCA missions via our
website noted below.

Children & Worship Seminars and Open House

On March 8^th and 15^th Nozomi presented
seminars at Shiloh Church and at a seminary in Tokyo. This is exciting that God
is already opening the way to share C&W in Japan. Next, Nozomi, in tandem
with a team of Japanese pastors, professors, and Sunday school teachers is
planning a major C&W openhouse at the GreenHouse. They hope to hold the
event by early July.

GreenHouse development progress

1. We are glad that as of Feb. 23^rd, this
district of churches formally accepted us. This should help us gain wider
awareness and support for the youth mission.

2. It is also a good sign that we are being asked to host
Bible studies and join one or two active committees for the wider work of the
churches in this area.

3. We are also grateful that the office in Tokyo is formally
transferring the management of the GreenHouse to us here at Yokohama, which
should help us actualize the vision.

4. The GreenHouse team held a Spring-cleaning day and did a
great job!

Teaching at the Mission School

School begins anew in April in Japan. I am glad for the
opportunity to teach English conversation and share in Chapel services at the
junior and senior high school. It was great to see the Christian faculty make
wonderful testimonies urging the graduates toward a life of Christian faith. I
observed one of the Christian teachers signing the student’s yearbooks, “I love
to tell His Story!” along with a Bible verse. I am also learning first hand the
heartfelt concerns of the young students in Japan. 

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database).

Prayer requests

1. Please
   pray for Nathan’s father’s health condition and for his mother as
   caregiver.
2. Please
   pray for the Lord’s protection of the GreenHouse youth center.

    There is a statute of a faithful dog called, Hachiko, at Shibuya train station near Tokyo. As the story goes the loyal dog always waited at the train station for his owner to return. One day the owner died and did not return; yet the dog continued to faithfully come to the station every day at the same time for 11 years. 

   Nowadays, this statue has become a famous meeting place. It is ironic that this statue to a faithful but lonely dog has become such a meeting place. Today so many Japanese are lonely even in crowds of Shibuya. 

Why then would it be strange for God to make such a lonely place as the cross, a great gathering place.

You are not alone

    Imagine how lonely Mary (the mother of Jesus) must have felt when pregnant out of wedlock. Who would stand with her now? Imagine how alone Joseph (the adoptive father of Jesus) must have felt when he was told, 'There is no room in the inn', even in his hometown. And what must they have felt, when an angel ordered them to flee their homeland, until it would be safe for their return? 

    Imagine how alone in the crowd Joseph and Mary must have felt, when they realized Jesus was missing. They found Jesus in the temple, but until then what did they feel? 

    Imagine how alone in the garden Jesus felt, when his closest friends could not stay awake to pray. Imagine what Simon of Cyrene felt, as he was forced to carry Jesus' cross on the last part of the journey to the hill of crucifixion. 

    When Jesus cried out from the cross, "My God, My God why have your forsaken me?" He was quoting the first line of the Psalm 22. By this he was calling to mind the whole rest of that Psalm and many of the people would have know those verses well. In those days teachers would call out the first few lines and the people could respond with the rest of passage -- it was an oral culture. Please take a moment to read the rest of Psalm 22. While the lament continues and does not soften the description of the agony notice how it ends. "You, who fear the Lord, Praise Him! And stand in awe of Him for He did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted. He did not hide His face from me but heard when I cried to Him … Posterity will serve Him. Future generations will be told about the Lord, and proclaim His deliverance to a people yet unborn…" (Psalm 22:23-24; 22:30-31). 

    The Good News of the Gospel is that God turns even the cross -- the place of total abandonment -- into the great gathering place for all who believe. Here at the cross we are never alone.

by Nathan Brownell

Since we have three sons, I have been watching some Japanese children’s animations. One animation that is special to me is called “Anpanman”. It is about a baker and his assistant who sing, “Give us living bread” as they bake their bread. Their sweet bread comes to life as a superhero. This hero is called “Anpanman” and he always comes to rescue those who cry out for help as they are being teased by the bully Baikinman (germ boy). Anpanman rescues others by sharing a piece of his own sweetbread face with those in need. Often Anpanman gets beaten up in battles with Baikinman or is exhausted by sharing a part of his face but then the baker makes him a new face and he is revived. 

I recently shared, in chapel at the school, about the connection between Anpanman and our “Living Bread.” It seems that most people had not noticed the connection. 

The author of this hugely popular animation is evidently a Christian. Many teachers and parents were positively touched and moved to learn of this connection. Most importantly many of my students translated the core of the message back into Japanese.

This is the power of what we call “redemptive analogies” at work in Japan. The Anpanman animation series began here some 40 years ago and is already in the common culture from which we can share.

May The Lord continue to bless Mr. Takashi Yanase the author of Anpanman. I admire him. I hope that someday I can write as simply and clearly as he does. His work is an inspiration.

Let me post a link to the Anpanman websites soon.