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UPDATE FROM DALE AND ANN LITTLE, March 2004

Modeling and Encouraging both Church Planting and Theological Education in Japan
Tokyo JAPAN

Change of Mission Status

When we moved to Japan as Free Church missionaries in 1984, the Canadian mission and the American mission operated jointly. When the Canadian mission grew more capable of handling its own affairs, those of us who are Canadian remained with the American mission until we chose to move over to the Canadian side. Effective January 1, 2004, we have transferred to the Evangelical Free Church of Canada Mission (EFCCM). Discussion about the possibility of this transfer took place over a period of about a year, so the decision was not made hastily. We made the transfer primarily because of finances. Under the EFCCM our Canadian personal income tax burden is considerably lessened. Furthermore, the EFC of America International Mission (EFCA-IM) no longer needs to manually calculate our monthly salary. This had been necessary because of our Canadian tax payer status.

During the past twenty years we have felt a part of both missions even though up until this year we have ministered under the policies of the EFCA-IM, Before beginning our church planting ministry in Japan, we were church planters at an EFCC church. Dale’s home church is in Canada and his ministerial ordination is with the EFCC. Our names appear in the EFCCM missionary directory, and we are included in the monthly prayer requests from the EFCCM office. Due to cost and proximity, over the years we have attended more EFCC Annual Conferences than EFCA Annual Conferences. Canadian donors to our ministry have been able to channel their funds to us through the EFCCM office in Langley, BC (greater Vancouver). Finally, Dale is a Canadian citizen, requiring that our tax status be Canadian.

Our new status as Canadian Free Church missionaries continues to link us with both the American and the Canadian mission. We will continue to be listed in both prayer booklets and on prayer request lists put our by both missions. We will have the opportunity to attend American re-entry as well as Canadian debriefing. Our supporters can continue to send in support to either the American or Canadian office. We will be able to continue to attend field conferences, fellowship gatherings and east Asia conferences of the American mission. As Ben Sawatsky, Executive Director of the American mission has put it: “Officially, you are shifting over to the EFCCM. But relationally, you are part of both the EFCCM and the EFCA-IM.” Perhaps most importantly, as Canadian missionaries we plan to partner closely with the American side by participating in God’s mission to build his Church through encouraging the EFC of Japan to plant and nurture healthy churches.

No Change in Ministry Status

Our church planting and theological education ministries remain the same as before our change in mission status. Regarding our church planting ministry, we continue to minister as cooperating missionaries at Sunrise Chapel until August 2004. Under Pastor Hayasaka’s leadership the church is now setting its own direction and vision, including clarification about how we might stay involved. For example, this summer we will once again be welcoming a team of short termers for one week of intensive English outreach classes at Sunrise. At the same time, we continue to seek the Lord’s will for our next church planting leadership involvement in the greater Tokyo area. One good part time placement possibility is currently under discussion. As the details become available we will keep you informed.

Dale continues his ministry in theological education. For the first semester again this academic year, beginning in April, Dale will be teaching the fourth year class on Contemporary Theology at Japan Bible Seminary. This is now his fourth year there as a part time lecturer. Discussion continues as to his future involvement in teaching part time at another seminary in the Tokyo area or elsewhere. Finally, Dale intends to continue his regular contribution on church planting theology in the quarterly journal, Japan Harvest. His articles are posted on one of his websites, www.cptheo.net.

Fall 2004 Home Assignment

During our home assignment in the fall of 2002 we were based in BC, and gave priority to our Canadian supporters. Our next home assignment from mid-August through December is rapidly approaching. This time we will be based in the Portland, Maine area. Our desire is to visit all our US supporters during the fall, and we plan to contact each US supporting church in order to work out a schedule. Both Ann and Dale (and maybe our boys) will likely be able to travel to supporting churches located in the northeast. However, for churches in other locations, Dale will likely be the only one visiting.

We plan to take a home assignment every other fall, alternating between Maine and BC, but are willing to consider visiting churches even when not on home assignment. Dale travels to North America about twice a year, and would be glad to arrange a visit to a supporting church during those visits. During certain times of the year the airfare is quite reasonable and Dale would be willing to visit a church if transportation fees were covered. For example, Dale spoke at the annual missions conference of the Lethbridge EFC (Alberta, Canada) on March 14. If as a supporting church, you would like to have more frequent contact than our home assignments, please feel free to contact us.

Special Project

We have received permission to raise CN$3000 (US$2200) for a replacement laptop computer. Our laptop is now six years old and has been limping along. Dale has done a number of upgrades to it, and repaired it several times. But it is now time to retire it. If you or your church would like to make a contribution, please mark your donation as “computer project for the Littles.” Either mission address below can be used.

Kids Korner: Meet Strider

The newest and by far the littlest member of the family is Strider, a black/grey/white dwarf hamster. (Yes, he is even smaller than parakeet Skittles!) For Christmas Matthew asked for a hamster because he wanted a pet that could be handled and touched (Skittles is not fond of being petted!) Two days after Christmas, Matthew got to choose and take home Strider, a lively, gentle, curious hamster. Strider has already enjoyed (?!) hours of petting and playing. Any guesses as to where his name came from?

Prayer and Praise

*Praise that our church plant in Tokyo (Sunrise Chapel) has been fully handed over to a Japanese pastor.
*Pray for guidance for our next church planting placement and for the degree of involvement we should retain at Sunrise.
*Pray that we will see a full slate of six teachers for this summer’s outreach English classes at Sunrise Chapel.
*Pray that we will be able to plan our fall home assignment so that we can visit all our US supporters and find some family time.
*Give thanks that our transfer to the EFC of Canada Mission has gone smoothly.

Dale and Ann Little