past church planting

We have had the privilege of planting two churches in Japan. From 1987-94 we planted the Owariasahi Evangelical Free Church in the greater Nagoya city area. And from 1999-2004 we planted Sunrise Chapel in Tokyo (Higashimurayama Evangelical Free Church). In both cases the newly planted churches were able to call their first Japanese pastors when we completed our church planting.

We are thankful to have had the joy of planting these churches in Japan. But we are fully aware that it was not something we ourselves accomplished, as if somehow we are indispensable to God's mission. We stand amazed at what God has chosen to do through us! The amazement precludes any pride. The churches we have led through the birth process are the result of God's response to the prayers of many people. These projects show that God is the ultimate Church Planter. Paul teaches that very theological understanding of church planting in I Cor. 3:6-7 -- I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.