2010.05.22 TGIS Blog Part 1

2010.05.22 TGIS Service (Part 1) (Posted by Ronnie)

Hallelujah! We have made another record high of attendance today! 18 people joined our service today. Thank God for bringing more people to this meeting  We look forward to having more helpers for the great harvest that is promised!

Here is today's summary.

Ice Break
Kanako led the Ice break activity today! Since we had Edinburgh conference last week and meeting so many people from different parts of the world, she suggested that we play PICTIONARY and the theme is COUNTRIES. Check out the funny pictures that we drew.



Worship
Today Wayne led the worship and we sang the following songs.
1. My Redeemers Lives - Hillsongs
2. You Are Good - Israel Houghton
3. There Is None Like You - Don Moen & Paul Wilbur
4. Mighty To Save - Hillsongs

Testimony
  Brother Maru  (Tsuyoshi Maruyama aka Yoshi or Maru) shared his testimony today with us.
When he was little, he was inflicted with asthma and had to stay over at hospital. He always thought to himself - why was he alive? In middle year, his asthma got better so he went out and played all he wanted. He started drinking, gambling, smoking and picking up girls. He said that he did many many bad things.  Jesus did not come to his life yet.
 
    When he was 21, he got into a serious car accident because he drunk and drove. The 3million yen car he bought for just 3 months was all destroyed but he was lucky to be alive with just a minor-fractured face. On the hospital bed, he again asked himself - why was he alive? Jesus did not come to his life yet

    After recovering from the accident, Maru did not change his ways. He continued to drink and drive and one day, his girlfriend left him because of his bad habits. His heart was broken, very broken. so he asked himself again - why was he ALIVE? Jesus did not come to his life yet.

    Finally, he went to Australia to study abroad, and there. He met a Christian brother, who told him about the gospel.
The brother asked him, "So do you believe that Jesus can take away your sins?" 
Maru replied, "I do." 
"Do you want to receive him?"
"Yes. "
"Ok, you are a Christian now."
"What? Just that like? So easy."

And now, Maru is a changed man, burning with passion for God and serves at Shinjuku Shalom Church. We thank God for this dear brother.

 (Please go to part 2)