A ministry that God has sustained for the past 14 years
This year's EPJM Afterglow was held in Glory Presbyterian Church on February 25. A total of 132 brothers and sisters from over 30 churches gathered in person, while another 53 joined online via livestream. The diverse group comprised regular EPJM trippers, new trippers, pastors from partnering churches in Japan, and those curious to learn more. They came together to celebrate God's faithfulness in this ministry over the past 14 years.
What a beautiful sight it was to see so many brothers and sisters from across Singapore unite in prayer for Japan, a nation over 5,000 km away!
Elder Justin Lee, Chairman of the English Presbytery Mission Committee (EPMC), delivered the opening address. He shared that he personally witnessed the birth of EPJM in 2011, following the devastating Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami.
Elder Lee attributed the impact of this ministry to God's faithfulness in initiating, growing, and sustaining the ministry over the past 14 years. It was the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who brings life, enthusiasm, and vitality to team members and Japanese partners alike. In his concluding remarks, Elder Lee exhorted the gathering to continue putting on the full armour of God, praying unceasingly as they go forth in Christ's name to make Him known.
Café Suika
Ai Shibamoto (fondly known as Ai Chan by EPJMers) of Café Suika in Taro specially flew in from Japan. She expressed her appreciation for the love and support that EPJM has shown for the work in Japan. She gave a heartfelt message and shared the inspiring story of Café Suika.
The Café was started by a missionary, Ms Renee Williams, shortly after the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011. In a video, Renee recounted her own encounter with a powerful earthquake in California that destroyed many things in her house, including her precious dishes. She was depressed over the loss. However, when she went to buy new tableware, she saw brightly coloured watermelon-designed tableware made of plastics that would not break. It cheered her up when she put it together with other watermelon-designed goods.
Therefore, when she decided to open Café Suika in Taronohara, Miyako (Suika means watermelon in Japanese), she came up with the idea to have matching watermelon-designed goods in the café to cheer up her customers who had lost their homes and loved ones in the tsunami. Renee served in Japan until July 2023. She had since returned to the USA to spend time with her elderly mother.
Ai Chan explained that in addition to the normal workings of a café, they also organise monthly events in the café. The local community always looks forward to these events, which have become opportunities for them to hear the Gospel. Once a month, they invite young people to join their pizza party, where they share dinner, praise and worship and Christian testimonies. After listening to the testimonies, the participants eagerly ask questions and Ai Chan was thankful for the deep fellowship that takes place during this time. She was always encouraged by the programs that the EPJM teams had brought to the café and the meaningful time spent praying with them.
She closed her sharing by asking the gathering to bless them in two ways: firstly, by remembering them in their prayers, and secondly, continue to visit them in person, as it will be the greatest encouragement to them.
Testimony from EPJM Teams
Molly Chua shared her observation and reflection on behalf of the November team. Her heart went out to the pastors and missionaries toiling on Japan’s hard ground. Noting that the churches in Japan are generally very small, and seeing for herself how hard the pastors and missionaries had worked on the ground, she felt that it must be discouraging for them to toil on their own. Therefore, EPJM plays a very important role, sending people there every month to bless, encourage, support and pray with them. She encouraged the gathering to go with an open mind and a humble posture. She stressed that there is not only a place for short-term missions, but also an urgent need for long-term workers to work alongside the pastors, church planters and missionaries. In a truly Singaporean spirit, she urged, “While the door is still open, ‘Chiong Ah’!”
Sharing on behalf of the December team was Brian Chirnside. He was inspired by the faithfulness of the pastors, whose love for their neighbours have compelled them to stay in the ministry despite daily discouragements. Returning from his first trip, he was convinced that the EPJM teams are doing a very good work. In a small but meaningful way, the teams serve the local pastors through conducting activities that the pastors can invite the local community. Brian shared a photo taken of a pastor humbly on his knees, patiently and lovingly sharing with a mother why Jesus had to die on the cross to take away the punishment for sin. The mother was genuinely shocked, as she had never heard of this truth.
Brian concluded that his team decided that they don’t look to the number of Japanese people coming into the church for encouragement because if they did that, they might be tempted to give up. Instead, they celebrate that the Lord has raised up Japanese shepherds, and what the team can do is come alongside and cheer them on as they faithfully minister to their community.
Greetings from the Japanese pastors
Four Japanese pastors from Aomori, Kamaishi, Morioka and Miyako, sent their greeting through video recording. They expressed their appreciation for EPJM’s support, partnership and prayers and are looking forward to meet the teams again in 2025.
A Newcomer's Perspective
The event drew a sizable number of curious participants eager to learn more about EPJM. Moved by what she had heard, one such participant has graciously shared her reflection below.
What began as a response to the 2011 tsunami in Iwate has grown into something much deeper — a long-term commitment to walking alongside the Japanese people, sharing life, hope, and faith. What started off as relief work has become a journey of perseverance, love, and quiet faithfulness.
Café Suika is more than just a café - it’s a meeting place, a safe space, a reflection of God’s heart in the simplest and most beautiful way. The warmth and authenticity of its community makes it a hidden gem.
I heard the voices of Japanese pastors and caught a glimpse of their unwavering faith, their sacrifices, and the quiet resilience required to serve in a land where spiritual growth often comes slowly. What struck me most was their humility - the way they expressed gratitude for the partnership with the Singaporean teams, their openness in asking for prayer. It was a powerful reminder that mission work isn’t about results or numbers - it’s about faithfulness, presence, and love.
Initially, my thoughts about taking my first mission trip were centered on going to serve, broadening my perspective, and understanding God’s work beyond my own world. But after this event, I realize it’s so much more than that. Maybe the real journey isn’t just about what I can do, but about what God wants to show me. Maybe it’s about slowing down, paying attention, and allowing myself to be shaped by the experience. By His grace, this could be an opportunity for me to grow, to listen, and to understand His heart in a deeper way. And so, I take this as a loving reminder that every effort, no matter how small, is part of God’s greater plan. That whether we go, give, or pray, we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. And that as we support and stand with His missionaries, we can trust that their labour is never in vain.
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