Never too old for Christ
by Ryan Miller

Hiroaki Ooyama leads worship at the Garden of God’s Love nursing home. Photo: David Fisher Fast/Mission Network

While educators examine how to train young leaders, ministry continues to their elders.

"There’s [a] future in old people too," said Mary Beyler.

In Sapporo, Japan, Hiroaki Ooyama from Shiroishi Mennonite Christian Church, spends one morning each month at a nursing home called Garden of God’s Love, started by a Mennonite work camp and a Gideons International group.

Pastor Ooyama preaches in tenor tones, syllables spilling from his mouth like pebbles rolling down a cliff. He answers questions shouted from the audience as he goes. At one point, he draws a simple, two-line cross on a whiteboard.

"I don’t know what that is," yells a woman from her wheelchair in the back.

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Friendship message brushed in calligraphy Mission workers Mike and Teresa Sherrill brought shikishi boards with Scripture verses written in traditional Japanese calligraphy to their supporting U.S. congregations as a symbol of friendship between Christians in the two nations.

In some areas, like northern Japan, teachers must explain the uniqueness of Christianity to generations who have grown up with other beliefs as their norm. Many try to fold belief in Christ into their Buddhist and Shinto customs instead of seeing Christian life as separate from their other religions.

Congregations across East Asia often include quite a few members whose spouses stay away from church. At Living Water Church in Borabu, Thailand, Poi Latsaboon listened to her husband, Prasan, preach the gospel for nearly 40 years before words from Pat and Rad Houmphan led her to church.

In Hong Kong, young believers minister to their parents. Mother’s Day, according to some, has become a prime day for mission, but children do not witness alone.

"In the United States, we say, 'That's your family. Come to church, and we'll teach you how to witness,'" said Andy Wade, who serves with Hong Kong Mennonite Conference. "Here the brothers and sisters will go with you."

In April, Hong Kong Grace Mennonite Church baptized a 97-year-old relative of one of the younger church members.

At Obihiro (Japan) Mennonite Christian Church, a member’s wife recently began regularly attending worship for the first time, even though they have been married more than 50 years, and he chose baptism nearly 20 years ago. The impetus: prayer.

Norikazu Kanno, (see He learned pastoral leadership by doing) the Obihiro church leader, stopped at the couple’s house to pray with the woman before a medical procedure. The next Sunday, and ever since, she has come with her husband to worship.

Many longtime Obihiro members are women with strong faith and secular husbands. Kanno now has time on his hands after his recent retirement from a wholesale market. Time, he said, to finally pay those husbands regular visits.

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