Before I can ask someone to join me in ministry, it is my desire to let them know what my vision is, yet sometimes I do not even know what that looks like. Simply put, the vision I have in life is to share the Heart of the Father with all I encounter. The same heart that loved Jesus as a son. The same heart that we can now connect with because of Jesus' death, rise, and ascension into Heaven. His heart of love and pleasure with the ones He created. For all to know how He delights in them, longing to be in relationship with them. This is the simplicity of my vision.
However, what does that look like? This is varying. Let me start with some history. When I finished college, I had intended on being an accountant, but by a crazy turn of events, I started on a journey towards missions, not knowing where it would take me. The first stop ended up being in Tokyo, Japan, where I attended a discipleship training school with Youth With A Mission. It was during this time that I encountered the Father Heart myself, coming to an accurate understand of who God truly is.
After this, everything changed. I realized my identity no longer came from what I did but from who I am: a loved son of God! I was even told that I had a radical spirit of Sonship upon me while I was in Japan! I have since then given up Accounting, which looks different than it sounds. I am not an accountant; I am a loved son of God. Will I ever be employed in the work of accounting again? Possibly. Will I continue to use my accounting knowledge? More than likely. Have I forsaken Accounting forever? No. The issue itself remains with where my identity comes from: from who I am, not from what I do. There is no task we can accomplish that will ever trump the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on the cross. As long as we continue to find identity in our tasks, we can never accept the full restoration that comes from acknowledging the saving grace of Jesus Christ, stating that He did it all and covered all.
So where does that have me going now? Lord willing, I will be returning to Japan in late February 2012 for two years as a staff member with YWAM Tokyo. Based off of what I witnessed while a student, I will be facilitating activities, leading outreaches, and discipling students during the DTS phase of the year. Outside of the DTS, I will be building relationships with Japanese, working with ministries in Japan, and interceding for the nation from within to name a few. There is also a chance I will be handling the finances for the DTS, establishing systems to carry forward after my commitment is up. However, the base has been going through some positive reformation while I have been home, so some of these details might change.
Another result of returning is continuing personal growth, which will not only impact Japan but whatever sphere of life I venture into afterwards. I have been incredibly blessed to bring back my knowledge from the DTS and share it with others while here in Starkville while awaiting my return. I only expect this to increase as I continue working with YWAM Tokyo.
One huge blessing I have had since being home is the opportunity to facilitate a vision for prayer here in Starkville. We have held two different 24/7 prayer events this fall where we established a prayer room for people to come and pray for whatever reason they desire. I hope to take these experiences back to Japan with me to see 24/7 prayer invade Japan, asking God to bring His justice to the nation so that His name would be lifted high! (I believer the greatest injustice on Earth is that the Lord's name remains profaned among the nations, so it is not that I desire to see the Japanese people destroyed! No, I desire to see them come to the saving knowledge of God's love for them and released from the power of sin and death!)
I also hope to carry on a park ministry with others where we would invite people to come and play with us, throwing a frisbee or tossing a football while also providing snacks and conversation. While it sounds funny to say "providing conversation", many Japanese love practicing their English and might enjoy talking with us. Some are just looking for a friend, and we would love to have the opportunity to share the love of God with them by just being there.
At the end of my DTS, I remember stating I was excited "about the next two weeks (the last two of the DTS), about going home, about coming back [for two years], and about whatever is after that!" I very much looked forward to my return, but I knew God had big plans for my time in the States, and He has not disappointed. Nevertheless, this time is coming to a close, and my eyes are refocusing on Japan, and to return in February, two things must happen:
1) The processing of my visa application - this is in the last stage and should be finished by next week!
2) The raising of monthly support - YWAM Tokyo is requesting that we raise 90% of our monthly needs before coming to Japan. You can check my current financial status on the "Finances for Japan" page.
Now, I stole this idea from someone else, but I completely agree with what they were saying. It is not my desire to receive a handout. In fact, a handout is so lacking. Know that any gift of prayer or finances directly impacts my ministry, and you directly share in it! Paul speaks to the Philippians about what "may be credited to your account." So whatever you sow into my ministry, you also reap the benefit of! Any gift of prayer and/or finances is an investment in the Kingdom of God which will impact generations to come. It is my desire to be true to Paul's words to Timothy: "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." Nothing I learn or gain should ever stop with me!
One last story. Before we left Japan, we were saying goodbye to some of our friends at the Japanese high school ministry we had worked with. One girl, who is from Japan but attends university in the States, said to me, "JP, I hear you are one of the special ones who is coming back to Japan!"
I replied, "Yep, I am." Something like that.
"That's good. Japan needs some more of the Father's Heart!"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, you totally carry that! It was the first thing I noticed about you! It was like this 'Come to Papa' thing!"
Wow. Others see it. I apparently carry it. And Japan needs it! Why not go?
So if you would like to be a part of what I am doing or if you have any questions about it, please contact me at jpcorhern@gmail.com! I would love to hear from you!
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