January 2026

 

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your offerings and intercessory prayers.

Since the beginning of the year, the United States has surprised the world with the Trump administration's military intervention in Venezuela, and has been at odds with Europe over the possibility of military intervention in Greenland. Domestically, clashes have occurred with residents due to the crackdown on illegal immigrants. Amidst what appears to be the collapse of the previously established world order under the Trump administration and the emergence of a new international order, the European team that has been sent at the end of January was a great encouragement to us, especially as we saw Its praise team being used powerfully in God’s work.

I thought we would have little snow again this year, but to my surprise, a major cold wave overlapped with a moisture‑filled front from the north, bringing our first heavy snowfall of the season. Around our home, the snow piled up to more than 40 centimeters.

Due to the heavy snow, the Sunday service in New York on the last Sunday of January was switched to an online service from home. I am grateful that it was the right decision to hold the service at home, as the snow continued to fall all day.

Also, the communion tray we had been using was too small. As we repented of our lack of faith while praying for 12 core members, we decided that beginning this Sunday, we will use a larger tray that can hold more than 12 cups. We have also completed the procedures to obtain church insurance in case of any incidents. This is part of our preparation to receive the next American team. We continue to prepare and pray for the team.

The American team’s possible schedule in February and March was postponed, and we were led to return to Japan temporarily. We will be joining the Hakuba Snergoi Camp. We look forward to what the Lord will do. Please keep us in your prayers.

<Prayer Requests>

1. For the foundation of prayer and our obedience to God

2. For the ministry through Internet, short films, and praise bands

3. To deliver a message according to God’s will and the online services

4. For the gathering and strengthening of core church members

5. For the next U.S. team

6. For the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and for the works of salvation and healing

7. For cooperative relationships according to God's will, specifically with the Jewish community in New York, and for open doors to minister in the U.S., Middle and South America, and Europe

8. For protection over our health and finances, and for safety protection from danger, accidents, crimes and terrorism

9. For our English communication skills to grow 

December 2025

 

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your offerings and intercessory prayers for us.

Today (12/28/25), although a heavy snow warning had been issued the day before, the snowfall stopped at around 10 cm, and we were able to safely hold the worship service in Manhattan. The temperature has continued to stay below freezing.

At the end of November, a family visiting from Florida came in near the beginning of the service. My wife interpreted for them, and they partook in Communion. Usually, visitors often leave partway through after the praise time, but this family stayed until the very end, and it truly brought us joy. The family came forward to us after the service and told us that during the final ministry time, through a word of wisdom and knowledge, their son’s lower back pain was healed. Hallelujah! We rejoiced together.

I also received a message from Chuck, a former coworker and friend, and was shocked to learn that he had been diagnosed with cancer. Since he lives in Manhattan, I went to see him after the service. We were happy to see each other again for the first time in five years, and as I was leaving, I was able to lay hands on him and pray for healing. He is Jewish and does not know about Jesus Christ, but I was able to leave him an evangelistic book to read. I am praying for his salvation.

I confirmed with the mission office that there will be no U.S. team in February or March. While sending a Christmas message to Pastor Stanley of the Japan–U.S. Church, I also asked whether he would be willing to hold a joint praise concert when the team comes in 2026. Thankfully, he replied, “Absolutely! I’ll schedule it.” I am praying that the team in God’s will will be sent. Please pray with us.

November 2025

 

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your precious prayers and donations.

I applied to join the Israel team two years ago, but the trip was canceled due to Hamas attacks on Israel. I received my El Al ticket back as a voucher, and the team was canceled again the following year, so I was able to participate two years later. Amid a temporary ceasefire due to President Trump's peace negotiations, I saw many tourists arriving at Tel Aviv Airport, but I was able to feel the struggle and hardships of the local people in many different ways.

We held a New Year's worship service on the shores of the Sea of ​​Galilee.  We renewed our faith of being sent from Israel, prayed on the Mount of Olives, ministered at a Russian Jewish church, held a time of praise and worship at Mount Arbel and held evening holy meetings. I am grateful to have received so many blessings and messages, while staying safe.

During my time with the team, I was shocked to hear the news that a Muslim had been elected as a new mayor of New York City --following London's current mayor. While preparing for the first service in NYC after I returned from Israel, a man sneaked in and stole the church supervisor's jacket. The new mayor is apparently trying a new approach in which social workers will respond to minor incidents and hardships in daily life, while the police focus on serious cases.  I pray that crime in New York will not increase and that people come to know Christ.

There is a possibility that a team will be sent to the U.S. in February or March, so I am praying for God's will for the specific schedule. If they come to New York, I hope we may be able to hold a joint worship concert. This will require different preparations than before. Please pray for the next team and for our preparations.

October 2025

 

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your offerings and intercessory prayers.

We were excited to hear that the long-awaited American team from Japan would be coming to the West Coast of the United States in September, and we were praying and preparing to participate in their meetings. However, the day before we left, I caught a cold and developed a high fever of 39°C. I wondered if I would actually be able to participate, but after praying to bind the spirit, wondering if I was under spiritual attack, my fever miraculously dropped to 37°C. By the time I arrived in Los Angeles, my cold symptoms had significantly improved. Both the Los Angeles and San Diego meetings were attended by some participants, and we were richly blessed.

Pastor Akimoto, who served as our deputy leader, was a couple of times in and out of the hospital in Japan, but he was completely protected during our three-day stay in the United States. We praise the Lord for sending the team and advancing America's work as we enter the full-scale occupation shown to our flock by the Lord

On October 5th, I participated in the meeting to pray for the peace of Jerusalem online and prayed live from New York with other missionaries and pastors abroad. At the meeting, the messages were delivered about the significance of praying for peace for Jerusalem and Israel, and it was very inspiring.

 I hope and pray that the Lord will send a team to New York as well next year. We have been asked to hold a joint worship concert with another church in NY when the team comes from Japan. Please pray for the next U.S. team.

September 2025

 

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your offerings and prayers

This month, three things brought me deep joy. Praise the Lord.

First, Pastor Y, from a church affiliated with TLEA, visited New York. Her first transit stop in the U.S. happened to be New York City, on her way to visit family members who have been faithfully serving online and were ordained at her church. Although it was just a brief pause during a long journey, we were blessed to spend precious time together in fellowship and prayer. She also prayed powerfully for God’s work in New York and for the upcoming American team.

Second, Sister M, an online member, submitted a hymn she had received for the upcoming release of Kaze no Hibiki Vol. 13—and it was selected as one of the 70 songs! With the arrangement, it has become an even more beautiful piece. I was surprised and truly delighted. Hallelujah!

Third, my wife and I will be joining the Israel team that will be sent in the new year. During a time when I hadn’t received a clear Word from God and couldn’t confirm or decide, I was reminded that the Word had already been given to me. Although our last two trips to Israel were canceled, we still had ticket vouchers from those journeys—and we’re now able to use them. We thank the Lord for His provision.

The American team will finally be sent on September 22nd, and we will also be participating in the team's holy meetings. Please pray that His will may be fulfilled.

August 2025

 

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your offerings and intercessory prayers.

It has cooled down in New York, and we are enjoying pleasant days. My wife recently returned from Japan and shared her testimony at our worship service. While she decided to extend her stay by a week, she was able to share the gospel with her mother, who came to believe in Jesus and prayed with her.

She testified that it was the work of the Holy Spirit that soften her mother's heart, made possible through the intercessory prayers of many faithful friends. For years, she had been praying for her salvation and sharing the gospel, even as her mother kept her heart closed. But this time, she gave thanks and praise to the Lord, recognizing that  God's appointed time for her mother’s salvation had finally come.

Having fulfilled one of the key missions of this trip, she was able to return safely. I, too, am very grateful —especially now that I can refocus on my central ministry, after carrying various responsibilities during her absence.

Pastor Paul Akimoto's R1 (missionary) visa application was approved on July 30^th, after a long period of  for delayed response from the USCIS. Praise the Lord.

We are now preparing to begin the next step –applying for the visa in the US Embassy in Japan. The timing of this approval, just before the American team is sent out in September, feels like an encouraging sign that the Lord is advancing His work in the U.S. Please continue to pray for the American team as they step into full-scale missionary work.

July 2025

 

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your offerings and intercessory prayers.

I participated in Hakuba Camp online, and even attended both the morning and evening holy meetings in real time. Sensing the Lord's presence, He spoke to my heart in many ways through the messages that were delivered. Since the World Gospel Festival was held in the daytime -- midnight in my time zone, I missed the opportunity to watch it, thinking I'd catch up later. During a prayer meeting over the phone with Sister M, she shared how deeply moved she was by the praise competition. Her words inspired and reminded me to watch the Gospel Festival two weeks later and was able to truly appreciate the praise and worship songs performed by many selected groups, just as Sister M had described. I sensed the praise band's work progressing and felt it was anointed.

This September, the American team will be dispatched to Los Angeles and San Diego—their first visit in seven and a half years. I am excited to see this happen again, marking what we call a full-scale stage of our church group’s outreach. My wife and I are praying to fly to the West Coast and participate if God wills. Please join us in praying for the team.

Meanwhile my wife was led to return to Japan at short notice. Her mother's discharge from the hospital coincided with Hakuba Camp just as she had been praying. As a result, I have continued to take on some of my wife's responsibilities. To be honest, it's been very challenging. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:37-38). I declare by faith that the workers God has prepared will gather together for the harvest of revival. Please also pray for the praise band ministry in New York and throughout the U.S.