A Chapel’s Local Outreach

Years ago, people in Japan had many opportunities to encounter biblical stories through popular films and television programs such as The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur. Today, however, with the proliferation of smartphones and the growth of multiculturalism, opportunities to hear the gospel have become rather limited. We now live in an age when it is not uncommon for people to go through life without ever hearing the gospel.

In this context, Ranzan Chapel in Saitama Prefecture has continued its local outreach by using the manga booklet The Messiah to share the gospel. We spoke with Pastor Takeshi Ueki about the current situation of local evangelism and how the manga booklet is being used.

Bringing the Gospel to a Town Without a Church

Ranzan Chapel, Saitama Prefecture

Ranzan Chapel began 23 years ago with the desire to “bring the gospel to a town without a church.” It was planted through the work of Ogawa Church in a neighboring town and has continued to serve the local community ever since.

“Being able to attend a church nearby, without having to take a train or drive far, is a great blessing,” Pastor Ueki says.

Through his daily ministry, Pastor Ueki deeply senses the importance of having a church rooted in the local community. Based in Ranzan Town, he also visits nearby Tokigawa Town and Namegawa Town, where there are no churches, using manga booklets as a way to share the message of the gospel.

Fewer Opportunities to Encounter the Gospel in Japan

Through many years of pastoral ministry, Pastor Ueki has strongly felt the changes taking place in Japanese society.

“In the past, many people seriously thought about life and faith. But today, I feel that such interest has become much weaker.”

At the same time, fewer people are reading printed materials, and more people are becoming distant from books in general. In this situation, Pastor Ueki sees great potential in manga.

“I think manga is more familiar and approachable than traditional gospel tracts.”

Although people today appear to be saturated with information through smartphones, their opportunities to encounter the gospel itself have greatly decreased. That is why it is so important to first place something in their hands that they are willing to receive.

Reaching the Youth

The manga booklet The Messiah

Pastor Ueki first learned about the Manna Project through fellowship with staff from the New Life Ministries mission department. He had previously seen manga Bibles at another church, and as he heard more about the project, he felt, “I would really like to use this.”

One of the issues he feels most strongly is the challenge of reaching children.

“At Ranzan Chapel, children rarely have opportunities to come to church. Many children are busy with lessons and other activities, but I have long wanted to find some way to tell them about Jesus.”

In this context, Pastor Ueki felt that manga could be an effective way to reach children. This led to the beginning of local outreach using the Manna Project’s manga booklets. Even today, manga booklets continue to be distributed in Ranzan and the surrounding areas.

Continuing to Sow Seeds, Even Through Rejection

Of course, there are difficult responses during distribution. Sometimes people say, “I don’t need this,” and at other times complaints are received, such as, “Why was this put in my mailbox?”

Even so, Pastor Ueki speaks about the importance of continuing to share the gospel.

“I believe that delivering the gospel is the responsibility the Lord has given me.”

Whether or not it is accepted, the first step is to deliver the gospel. He believes that fulfilling this responsibility is important.

“I believe it is important to fulfill our responsibility to preach the Word, whether the time is favorable or unfavorable. After that, we entrust everything to God.”

Rather than seeking quick results, the ministry is sustained by steady, patient work, carried out in prayer. This ongoing commitment supports the work of local evangelism.

Starting with What We Can Do

In recent years, as awareness of safety and crime prevention has increased, children are often taught not to accept things from strangers. This has made it more difficult for children to receive gospel tracts. Even so, Pastor Ueki says this is not a reason to stop evangelism.

“Instead of focusing on reasons why we cannot do something, we should begin with what we can do. I hope the Manna Project’s manga booklets will be used as one such tool.”

The gospel is not shared only through special evangelistic meetings. It is also shared through everyday relationships with family members, friends, and people in the community. These small, repeated efforts become part of the larger work of bringing the gospel to communities throughout Japan.

Bearing Fruit Over Time

In fact, there have been people who came to church as a result of receiving the booklet.

The response is not always immediate or visible. Even so, manga booklets continue to be used in many places as a way for churches to bring the gospel into their communities.

“What matters is to keep sowing seeds,” Pastor Ueki says.

“Delivering the gospel is not only a responsibility. It is also a mission and a privilege given to those who have been saved.”

Recently, someone who had attended Sunday school as a child visited the church for the first time in about 40 years. In the midst of a serious personal struggle, that person remembered the words of the Bible they had heard as a child.

Even when results are not seen right away, the Word that has been sown can remain in a person’s heart and bear fruit over time.

The Manna Project’s manga booklets are being used as one way to help churches across Japan bring the gospel to their local communities.