Eager to Learn

A writer. Two engineers. A man who likes to gamble in Las Vegas. Another who enjoys touring on his motorcycle. A volunteer Japanese teacher. A young Korean woman. What do all these people have in common?

These people are all eager to learn English. They attend the English conversation classes that are offered at the Amagasaki MB Church in Japan. Many of them would not usually go to church and don’t know anything about Jesus.

Doris Goertz , a missionary serving with MB Mission, teaches these ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, and sees it as an effective way to introduce Japanese people to the good news of Jesus Christ.

At the end of each English class, there is a short chapel time where the gospel is shared with the students. There is also a 30-minute teatime where teachers and students have the opportunity to continue talking in a relaxed atmosphere.

Doris is encouraged to see that people from the church are also getting involved in this ministry. Several people look after the administrative part of the ESL classes and also lead the chapel times. This is a new experience for some, but it is also an amazing opportunity for them to grow in their faith as they share the gospel with other Japanese people.

Praise God for all the different people that He has gathered together to learn English and hear the gospel. Pray that the chapel times will spark a curiosity in the hearts of students, and that their eagerness to learn English will be accompanied by a strong desire to know Jesus. Pray for the salvation of the people of Japan!

All the nations You have made will come and worship before You, O Lord; they will bring glory to Your name. For You are great and do marvelous deeds; You alone are God. – Psalm 86:9-10