Students Share Christmas Message in Japan
Students offer the gospel message at Christmas.
Christian Reformed World Missions
Several hundred people gathered at a cultural center in Okinawa, Japan, to watch their children and grandchildren perform a Christmas program. This may be the only opportunity that many of these family members will have to hear the true meaning of Christmas all season.
The Christmas program was performed by students at Okinawa Christian School International (OCSI), where Christian Reformed World Mission missionaries Michael and Kim Essenburg serve.
The concert shared a biblical message in a country where only about one percent of people profess the Christian faith.
“OCSI’s goal for this event is to help the audience understand that Jesus is a real person and Christmas is a real birthday party,” said Michael Essenburg.
The concert began with a Japanese pastor sharing his own testimony in Japanese and English. Then the kids began singing Christmas carols and sharing messages that reflected on the birth of the Savior. For some, this gospel message is the start of a larger story.
“Last year, mothers of students were baptized during Easter Sunday,” says Michael Essenburg. “It’s possible that some of these mothers were thinking about the message they heard at last year’s Christmas program.”
Opportunities to share a biblical worldview with their students through the Christmas message is one of many highlights of serving in Okinawa for the Essenburgs.
Michael Essenburg serves the school’s 400 students as superintendent, while Kim Essenburg teaches English to secondary students as well as works in curriculum development.
“We enjoy the opportunity to be involved with non-Christian families,” says Michael Essenburg. “The school families are welcoming, and being a 15 minute walk from the beach is great!”
The Essenburgs hope their students are able to articulate their faith to their parents so they can find new ways to share the gospel with them.
Along with the Christmas program, OCSI hosted a Christmas market at the school, and a class of students shared gifts of food, provided gifts, and sang Christmas carols for the elderly who live at a nearby rest home.
Pray that students and teachers at OCSI will continue to reflect Christ’s love this Christmas season and throughout the year.
