One summer day, just following the morning worship service, David was teaching the youth Bible class. A middle-aged man came in off the street, timidly climbed the stairs to the makeshift classroom that was in plain view from the street, and asked, “Is there a worship service in this building?” “Well, yes,” David replied, “but it is just over. We meet from 10:30 a.m. You’re welcome to come for coffee and fellowship on the next floor up.” The man responded, “That’s okay, I’ll come back for worship next week. Ten-thirty is it? “ “Yes. Then we’ll see you next week.”
During the next week’s service, there sat the man on the back row. Afterwards, during the introduction of newcomers he gave his name, and was welcomed with the usual applause. He disappeared quickly after worship, but began coming regularly after that with a friend! Quite often, Hiroshi Tsukayama and his friend, Seiyu Sakuma came dressed in the same style yellow shirts, and seemed to enjoy the worship. However, they would usually leave quickly, so it was hard to get to know them.
After a few more weeks, during the fellowship time after worship Seiyu began to ask more questions about what it means to be a Christian. We learned that Hiroshi, his friend was already a baptized believer. He knew that Seiyu needed to hear the Gospel and to be around Christians who could guide him in understanding what salvation in Christ means.
Is there any better friend than that? We can’t think of any better example of friendship evangelism than what Hiroshi displayed through his care for Seiyu. And how wonderful that church members poured out their hearts to “strangers” in their midst! It takes a lot of courage for a Japanese to approach a new group, and it takes boldness also for a group to accept a stranger.
Three weeks ago, our church’s pastor announced that after much counseling with Seiyu that the young man had accepted Christ as his Savior and wanted to be baptized the next week!
The next week at the close of the worship service, Seiyu gave his confession before baptism. Quite often, this is a stiff, formal affair with the candidate reading his testimony before the congregation. However, pastor Nohara has a gentle way with people and simply questioned Seiyu, “ Why do you want to be baptized?” “Because, I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life that I’m not proud of, and I know that I must be forgiven. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive me and to save me.” A joyful congregation applauded that response, and last week after church we went to a local beach for the baptism. Friend Hiroshi escorted Seiyu to the shade of the picnic pavilion where we prayed and sang a hymn. The neat thing about baptisms on a public beach is that there are always curious witnesses. It was a simple beautiful ceremony. When Pastor Nohara and David began exiting the water, Seiyu, who was barefoot among sharp pieces of coral just naturally leaned forward and started swimming back to the beach. A loving church received him back at the pavilion.
Your prayers and gifts have made you a part of this event, the same as if you were right there on the beach celebrating with us. Rejoice in what the Lord is doing through your faithfulness! In Christ’s Love,
David and Leslie Turley