FROM CBN NEWS
Every Sunday, Pastor Nozomi Nishimura delivers sermons to the congregation at the Jesus Family Church in Tokyo.
But he doesn’t always share the good news from behind a pulpit.
At evangelistic festivals, he’s also happy to dress up as the Pokemon cartoon character Pikachu to draw attention as he shares the Gospel.
“WE WANTED A WAY TO SHARE THE GOSPEL TO MORE PEOPLE”
The pastor told CBN News: “We wanted to find a way on how to share the Gospel to more people, especially the children.”
“So we came up with this yearly evangelistic festival, which is called the Joy Joy Festival.”
“It is an entry point of the church, like today we have 10 non-Christian families who came, and then they come to church.”
‘JOY JOY FESTIVAL’ IS JAPAN’S BIGGEST EVANGELISTIC EVENT
This festival is Japan’s largest evangelistic event.
For the third time, the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)’s Superbook team participated, featuring Gizmo, known as Robic in Japan.
He danced with the Superbook team to the theme song known as the “Salvation Poem.”
Compared to previous years, more children are now familiar with the song.
The team hopes they also understand its message that salvation comes through Jesus’s death on the Cross.
Superbook’s Gizmo At ‘Joy Joy Festival’ (Screenshot – CBN News)
SUPERBOOK STORIES ARE REACHING JAPANESE CHILDREN
Superbook fan Isa Pun says he understands, telling CBN News: “Yeah, if I believe in Jesus, then I will go to heaven.”
“My favourite story in Superbook is the one about Revelation. I like it because heaven looked cool,” said Isa.
His mother Tae Pun believes it’s really important to help young kids to know and experience the love of God, especially since less than 1% of Japanese people are Christians.
“IT’S VERY HARD FOR JAPANESE CHILDREN TO READ THE BIBLE”
She is happy that children can understand the Bible through Superbook.
“It’s very hard for kids to read the normal Bible.”
“But Superbook is easy for them, with a lot of song and dance and pictures,” Tae Pun remarked.
SUPERBOOK WAS A WAY FOR CBN FOUNDER PAT ROBERTSON TO INTRODUCE THE BIBLE TO JAPAN
According to John Tan, CBN regional director for Japan, Superbook first aired nationally in Japan 40 years ago.
“It was originally created for the Japanese market.”
“It was a way for [CBN founder] Dr. Pat Robertson to enter Japan and introduce the Bible.”
“In the 80s, we continued to invest in Japan and show them God’s love and God’s purpose for their lives through Superbook and through CBN ministries,” Mr. Tan explained.
“MY BIGGEST PRAYER IS THAT MY FRIENDS WILL GET TO KNOW JESUS”
The Superbook team has also visited various Sunday Schools, teaching children about Queen Esther.
They encourage the kids to become part of the “Kingdom Generation” – one that cannot be defeated or destroyed because they serve a victorious God.
Horizon Church youth member Shota Shiozaki enjoyed the sharing and the fellowship, but says he is concerned about his friends.
“My friends in school are not Christians yet, so I invite them to church.’
‘But sometimes they are not interested.”
“My biggest prayer is that my friends will get to know Jesus and be saved and get to know the truth of the Bible.”
Pastor Nozomi Nishimura As Pikachu (Screenshot – CBN News)
SUPERBOOK TEAM HELPS JAPANESE KIDS OPEN UP
CBN Asia Producer Shekinah Grama, who regularly volunteers with the Superbook team, made the effort to learn Japanese.
“It makes a lot of difference to speak their language, and so I took it upon myself to learn Japanese.”
“So I could really understand what they’re going through and they would know the effort being put into the intentionality.”
“And they are shocked, they know that it’s love because someone took the effort to get to know them. “
“They started sharing their lives little by little, opening up.”
“They told me that’s something they’ve never done before.”
SUPERBOOK ALSO REACHES ELDERLY JAPANESE
Last Christmas, CBN donated Superbook DVDs and Christian materials to a home for the elderly at the request of its Christian owner.
For the first time, residents across its nine facilities heard the Gospel.
A staff member named Ms. Yokota said: “Thank you very much for the Superbook DVDs.
“The elderly residents also enjoyed the activities and brain exercises.”
“These materials brought new joy and engagement to our daily programs.”
“GOD CONTINUES TO OPEN DOORS FOR THE GOSPEL IN JAPAN”
CBN Asia Correspondent Lucille Talusan writes that “God continues to open doors for the Gospel in Japan.”
“What began as a simple media outreach through Superbook has now grown to a much bigger vision, the establishment of CBN Japan.”
John Tan revealed: “In the very near future, we plan to open CBN Japan especially for kids, but there will also be a program for the adults here in Japan.”
The post ‘Pastor Pikachu’ Preaches At ‘Joy Joy Festival’ appeared first on Vision Christian Media.