Fretboard Fellowship Ministries
Japan Concert Ministry Report

by Steve Turley

Dear friends,

I thank God for this time of rest between our Japan trip and the start of a new semester at Eastern College, as well as a new schedule of Fall concert ministry. It gives me time to reflect on and share with you the trip for which so many were praying.

Akiko, Kana, and I arrived at Chiba on Saturday, July 15. We worked with Dan Iverson, pastor of Oyumino Chapel, and Rich Greete, pastor of Chiharadai Church, both with Mission To The World. The six concerts in four days at Chiba were primarily aimed at non-Christians. The churches host English classes throughout the week, where the students use the Bible as a reading text book. Many of the classes are free, and has significant participation. The class I attended was going through the Book of Hebrews, discussing Christ's fulfillment of the Levitical Priesthood. I thought these non-Christians had a stronger theology than most Christians! It was to these participants that the gospel concerts were offered. My job was to fill in the blanks, taking the listeners through Creation, the Fall, the Coming of Christ, and the Cross. In addition, I shared my testimony, while my wife translated for the entire presentations. After all the concerts, we had a time of fellowship with snacks and tea. In addition, I spoke at Midoridai Church on the topic of Jonathan Edwards' view on praise in a contemporary context. A very memorable event was when we were taken out to dinner by Rich Greete to an American Steak House, and treated to some of the finest steak I have very had, eaten while I was surrounded with John Wayne portraits!

I must say that the missions team there in Chiba are extraordinary individuals, from whom I learned so much. My whole family was blessed with their fellowship. It was very hard for us to leave their warmth and hospitality.

After a day of rest, we worked with Gary Bauman of LIFE Ministries. On Thursday, July 20, I performed and spoke to a room of Japanese pastors during a pastors conference in Yokohama, sponsored by LIFE Ministries, again on the issue of music and praise. It was a privilege to meet pastors, most of whom are first generation Christians, seeking to pass the faith down to the next generation. The following Sunday, during worship at Soka Assembly of God in Saitama, I was given an half hour to play and share my testimony.

On July 24, I met with two staff persons from the Pacific Broadcasting Association, a non-profit organization supported by the offerings of Christians in Japan and North America, trying to reach out to the 99.5% Japanese non-Christian to bring them the Gospel of Christ through radio and TV. We are planning on broadcasting a presentation of guitar and testimony next year.

On July 30, I was given another half hour to play and share my testimony at Midori no Christ Church in Yokohama. This church has a wonderful teen ministry, which I played for later on in the afternoon. We had a great question and answer session, and apparently, there were a few teens there, who had never been in a church before, but wanted to hear some guitar. I spent the whole afternoon with the youth group, sitting and talking about the guitar and the Christian life.

The following week I got to meet one of the well known Christian song writers in Japan named Makoto Iwabuchi. We had dinner together and then performed at what was called the "Petra Club", a small coffeehouse that premiers his new songs one night each month. A pastor writes the lyrics, while Makoto sets the lyrics to song. We brought back several of his songs with us, so if any of you can read and speak Japanese, the songs are waiting for you!

The last concert was at Oizumi Fukuin Church, west of Tokyo. It was an afternoon concert geared at non-Christians. I gave the gospel through music presentation, with my testimony. But one of the great surprises was that the church asked my wife, Akiko, if she would give her testimony. Akiko has never given a public testimony before, fearing she would end up crying. Well, I think I was the only one about to cry, primarily because I couldn't understand what she was saying. The presentation was the best one of all, with a great time of fellowship after the concert.

In between the concerts, Akiko, Kana, and I had a refreshing time of relaxation and family visits. Kana's grandparents were enraptured with their new granddaughter, only occasionally paying Akiko and I any attention. Akiko was enthralled with worshipping God in her homeland. Having come to Christ here in the States, this was the first time she prayed, sang, and heard a sermon in Japanese. And when Kana became to noisy during the service, I was the one taking care of her in the nursery!

This was a blessed trip, one that was a real mile stone for Fretboard Fellowship Ministries. We cannot thank you enough for remembering us in your prayers. The glory of God shining through the presentations and relationships, as well as Kana's health and our safety during travel, are only possible under the coverings of your prayers. We praise our Lord for you and your faithfulness to this little ministry.

Blessings in Christ,
Steve and Akiko Turley
August 2000

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