Internet Disciples?

“And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2, NASB.

Even in a high-tech society like Japan there are limitations to long-distance communication especially in the discipleship process. Tak Oue, IMB missionary to Japan, learned this through experience. He discipled a man named Mr. Miku from Okinawa via Skype® (video internet link).

Mr. Miku in turn got connected with a student from yet another Japanese city through Tak’s house church internet site. After three Skype® sessions, Mr. Miku sensed that the student was ready to receive Christ, so he led the student to pray via the Internet. Now the question becomes, “Is Skype® good enough contact to disciple a new believer?” And if it is good enough for remote discipleship, then is it possible to use this media for a remote church experience?

With all this new technology, church planting is facing new opportunities and challenges in Japan. However, both Tak and Mr. Miku agree that human contact is a necessary part of experiencing the church and becoming like Christ. So the challenge is to have a network of Christians who can follow up on the Japanese who are coming to faith through Internet evangelism efforts.

Pray that:

God will raise up mature, multiplying believers in Japan to gather the new Japanese believers who are coming to faith through hearing the Gospel through the Internet.

The college student that Mr. Miku led to the LORD will find a group of growing believers in his city so that he can be nurtured in his new faith.

Wisdom will be given to believers to make the most of technology available in Japan for sharing the Gospel broadly among the Japanese.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.