Jackson Family Newsletters
Mar 11 – Apr 11 – May 11 – June 11 – Sep 11 – Oct 11 – Nov 11 – Dec 11 – Feb 12
Japan
Japan is a proud nation where the ancient East and modern West collide. It is less than twice the size of Victoria and has a population of 127 million people. There is a popular saying in Japan that goes “The nail that sticks up gets hammered down.” And since Japanese culture expects conformity this makes life difficult for a Christian in a Shinto and Buddhist world.
Japan is wealthy but spiritually impoverished, with only 0.5% of the population Christian despite years of gospel ministry. Churches remain small and most are declining. Churches face a leadership crisis, as retired pastors who were converted after the war are unable to be replaced.
Four out of five new converts have been found to fall away from their faith. Japanese people are happy to be both Shinto and Buddhist, and are offended by the ‘arrogant’ suggestion that there is only one God. Most Japanese know Jesus Christ as no more than a swear word from American movies.
The Jackson ‘s proclaiming the risen Son
When Brad and Michelle married in 1997, his commitment to evangelism and Bible teaching, combined with her interest in Japan, prompted the desire to do gospel ministry in Japan. Since then, Michelle has worked as a Japanese teacher; they have both worked in university ministry with AFES and studied at BCV and Ridley. They also spent 14 months in Japan in 2000 and 2001 teaching English. The spiritual poverty of Japan struck them deeply, with so many temples and so few churches. But God often opened doors for the gospel to be shared as they shared their lives with students.
This confirmed their desire to return long term in God’s timing. They have been blessed with three children, Tahlia, who loves craft, Bailey, who loves superheros, and Caleb, who won’t stop talking.
The Jackson’s personal mission statement
Our aim is to echo Paul’s attitude when he wrote to the church in Thessalonica:
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”
We know the gospel is powerful and used by God to bring new life. We pray that we may share it clearly and that through our lives, in spite of our sin, Japanese people might see Jesus and come to love him as Lord.
