APJINDON THE OHUEQiL^

G-eor 5e^.ifrT5e^kman
Probably few Christians have seriously conoic^ored abandoning
the church but there may be times when rnany Christians have felt
that the church has been making far too many demands unon their
time, talents or treasures. Ilaybe Christians do not abandon the
church but there may be times when they do not d^snlay a devotion
to the task of the church that ]:jel-na in the extension of the
church.
Now take another look at the nicture above, nlease, Mr.
Nielsen and I visited the rural areas in northern Honshu around
Sendai this srrinn: and entered one city to enquire about the
churches. If this city were in the U. S., we would have expected
to find tiien, fifteen or more active churches. V/e were told that
there was only one church and given the directions to the site of
the building. When we found the site, we saw what you see in the
nicture above. We did not try to find out the details about the
beginning and end of the church but the sight of the building that
was once used as a nlace of worship and what you see in the picture
was certainly discouraging.
The building is uo\i used as a storage nlace for sumi (charcoal)
and this fac is interestin^r. Charcoal is wood that has been
partially on fire at some time but in the present state there is no
fire and no heat. There is a possibility of fire and beat but it
is necessary to bring in some outside force or material to start
the fire under normal conditions. After the fire has been started,
there are certain conditions necessary to keep the fire burning,
li- there is a little help from the outside, the fire will burn
Fell and nroduce much heat.
There Is an imperfect ^^nowlednie of God among the Japanese
and in cases there was once a zeal in favor of G-od but it has
oartially died. It is possible to revive the zeal and bring a more
perfect knowled-re of 'God to the people here. But It will take
some help from the outside,
Of course there are few who would seriously consider abandoning
the church. Their names are on the church roil and they are
present in part of the services. But what about the -orogram of
improving the effectiveness of the local church and the expansion
of the church as a whole? There is more that could be done in
the local community and there is much more that could be done in
other parts of the world.
Take another look at the picture above, please. Your
local church building may never become like this one. You may
not be abandoning the church, BUT have you withdrawn from your
support of the toatl church program?
January 31> 195^*
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
December the sixth, last,^s the day that will remain in our
hearts all through our lives. We were given our new church build
ing at last, which we had been looking for since long before.
It was a cloudy and rather cold day, but many of the church
members from far and near gathered to celebrate the memorable day.
We had a very impressive dedication service then. We offered our
thanksgiving prayer to God. In our prayer we specially remembered
you, who, with continued prayer and help on behalf of our church,
prompted that day to come so soon. Mr. Beckman gave us his message
in Japanese for the first time, whichwis also very impressive and
^ippropriate for the special occasion.
Children of this area are very happy now with the new church
building in their community. Since we moved here, the number of
the S.S. students have multiplied and they are almost overflowing
now. Your prayer and help on behalf of our church have thus born
fruits. From this north-east corner of the city of Kyoto, the Gos
pel of Christ shall be spread over the whole city.
We are closing this letter with many thanks for your past sup
port and asking for your further prayer on behalf of our church.
Praying for God*s abundant blessings upon you,
"inAjir
Yours in Christ
Members of the Sakyo Church of Christ
jif f / J /
/4ishi
Bach Adult missionary should complete one of these forms and send byregular seamail to:
Mission Services - Box 968 - Joliet, Illinois
dec 1954
PERSONAL FILE
Date. November "^0. 19S4
Name in full,^ u-gany^go H. Bpnlrrnan Mg.le
Complete address on fiPiri3l-6 Chome, Nalramlyo-cho, Aaahl-ku, Osaka, JAPAN
Complete home (for forwarding) address^ R. U. 1, I^be iiills, 'vlsconsin
Name and address of hometown newspaper
Names and addresses of other newspapers which migjit carry stories of your work...
Place of Rirfh Platte, South Dakota
Day.
28
Month Year-1212
Where haptigpH?. "^burcb of Christ, V/ayne, Nebraska 20 years
On back of page please describe any special circumstances regarding conversion.
Marital status: Married. Single Divorced- WidowedMarried at what age-.22.
List children by full name giving place, day, month, and year of birth;
Name Place
John aide Kyoto. JAPAN
Day Month Year
6 ^'^rch 1950
cl
enann ^-^ae Kyoto. JAPAN
I-larv ^sther Kyoto, JAPAN
Schooling (High School and on):
Name and Location of School Number of Years
Flatte Sobool, S. Dak. 4
State Teachers Golle?re
r/ayne, Nebraska
i-:ianhattan -^ible college
""'anbattan. Kansas
School of Religion
Butler Unlversity
3^^
2f-
A
17 Nay 1952
30 September 1953
Major Degrees with date
^Irloma / ? <3 ?
Education B. s.
^ible A. E,
N. X
Personal File - Page 2 - Name. ^ ,
What things influenced you to become a missionary? Your own story in some detail might be
influential in leading others into fulltime service (use a separate sheetdf;,you need more space)?
A strong desire to travel and work outside Continental U. S, even before
beoomeinf^ a Christian. ^ sincere belief that I could best seive the
Christ in Janan because of personality, educational background and the
type of work to be done in ^anan. The challenge of an unChristian
world and the understanding of th^s as gained in the Missions classes
in the School of Religion at Sutler University.
Describe briefly in outline form the nature of your daily duties.
Preparation of leot'^re for classes in Osaka '^ible Seminary
Travel^ to apd from Seminary and lectures. Bible classes in hom^or church
Which of the following terms most nearly describes your missionary status:
Evangelist, ^, Bible College teacher2^ Public School teacher Home maker,.
Doctor Nurse_ Social worker Office worker Other. ,
Father's name and home address (if living):
His occuaption, Is he a Christian?
What positions of leadership has he held in the local church?
Mother's full maiden jg gi^g living?.
I
Is she a Christian? Her occupation if employed outside of
What leadership positions has she held in the local church?--
Name of forwarding agent ^oger L. Brovm
AHHr^cc lails, Wisconsin Telephone
What are his or her duties; ^-3 legal representative In U. forward
money and mail to us. Help In informin?r the people
here in U. as raucb as possible. Care for personal business in U.' .
while we are away.
Sliould money be sent to forwarding agent only? nn In what form?_^_ K it can be mailed to
you please indicate how in what form? Perso-ogl Cih--^n'ir nr .
Does your forwarding agent serve without salary?. Xaa
What problems do you need help with, that Mission Services might provide?
Each Adult missionary should complete one of these forms and send by regular seamail to:
Mission Services - Box 968 - Joliet, Illinois
PERSONAL FILE
DEC 111954
Name in full M- He-c-k
Date
PeyytuiAe.
Complete address on fipiH 3 f ~ C>
Complete home (for forwarding) aHHrRgg /^/9/ .
Name and address of hometown newspaper ,
Names and addresses of other newspapers which mi^t carry stories of your work...
Place of Birth .
Where hapi-igt^d? ^ 'TTZcJii.'^..^ What age?
On back of page please describe any special circumstances regarding conversion.
Lstatus: Married , Single.. Divorced- Widowed___ Married at what age.^j^ Marital
List children by full name giving place, day, month, and
Name Place
Schooling (High School and on):
Name and Location of School
Number of Years
^
^
Day ^ Month Vf>ar/ 9^
year of birth;
Day Month Year
/ 7 I
So /9 S 3
Major Degrees with date
791^ . /3./9 /fJic,
j.
Personal File - Page 2 - Name
What things influenced you to become a missionary? Your own story in some detail might be
influential in leading others into fulltime service (use a separate sheet df^you need more space)?
Describe briefly in outline form the nature of your daily duties.
Which of the following terms most nearly describes your missionary status:
Evangelist. Bible College teacher. Public School teacher Home maker..
DoctorNurseSocial workerOffice worker Other-
Father's name and home address (if living):
His occuaption Is he a Christian?
What positions of leadership has he held in the local church?
Mother's full maiden name Is she living?
Is she a Christian? Her occupation if employed outside of
What leadership positions has she held in the local fbiirrh? ^ . S.
Name of forwarding agent -
AHHrpgfi ^/P/. J 9^2^ TpTpphnnp
What are his or h^r duties: "0 V
U. 5. fxJL
Should money be sent to forwarding agent only? yu in what form? ~^-o if n can be mailed to
you please indicate how inwhat form ?>4-t.7^ ^^
Does your forwarding agent serve without salary?.
What problems do you need help with, that Mission Services might provide?