Symbols
Workshop Schedule
Workshop Description
EC17 workshops are designed to focus on the participants’ growth as Christ followers. This year we prepared 22 workshops, providing opportunities to grow up as Christians, tailored to modern life and the issues that participants may face in the future. There are 7 interest categories in the workshops. Following are the symbols for each of the categories. Those symbols are also on the workshop descriptions, so we hope that it will help with narrowing down your choices when deciding which workshops you would like to attend.
1) Returnees (Symbol: RN)
If you or a close friend of yours are going back to Japan in the near future, or if you are the one to accept those who come back to Japan, these are the workshops for you. We provide opportunities to learn how you should prepare before going back to or visiting Japan, and what to expect in Japan. These workshops are filled with concrete examples and advice from speakers who live in Japan and those who accept and support returnees in Japan.
2) Growing & Discipleship (Symbol: GD)
Would you like to learn more about God, get close to Him or grow to serve His purpose? These are the workshops for YOU! What's the meaning of salvation? How did God design you for His purpose? What does God expect from you? God uses different opportunities and various methods and places to learn.
3) Missions (Symbol: MS)
It is God's command to reach out to the world and spread the Gospel. How does God work all around the world? What does God expect of us? How about people who are already in mission work for God? God made us to serve His purpose to spread the Gospel to all of the people in the world and where you are placed.
4) General (Symbol: GEN)
These are workshops for more generalized learning. The topics we cover in this category are: dating, marriage, evolution and creationism, spiritual gifts, small groups and so on. If you have special interest in certain topic that we cover, please join us in our workshops!
5) Seeker's Program (Symbol: SK)
Seeker’s is for all the non-believers seeking to know who God is. Some programs, including Bible studies, small groups, and workshops, are designed specifically for them. This year we'll spend time together knowing and experiencing Jesus who is the gate (John 10:9).
6) Youth Program (Symbol: YH)
Youth Track is a bilingual program aimed for our youth attendees (middle school and high school). It includes special youth workshops and various games and activities to bring the youth closer together. With the theme of “You are loved as who you are,” EC17 youth will learn what it means to be loved by God as who we are, and what it means to live in freedom by knowing that truth.
7) RJC (Reaching Japanese for Christ) Program (Symbol: RJC)
The RJC program provides relevant training for those who pray for and support the growth of Japanese Christians. If you are interested in spreading the Gospel to Japanese people, would like to help the growth of Japanese Christians, or are currently engaged in fellowship with Japanese people, these workshops are for you. They are presented by men and women with many years of experience in reaching the Japanese for Christ. This will be a great opportunity to hear their real life experiences and advice, so bring your questions and an open mind and let's interact with these godly leaders.
Workshop 1
Day 3: Dec. 29th, 1:15-2:30 pm
How to Make a Bible Study Text (GD)
Haruhiko Hirayu
Location: Auditorium Foyer
Maybe you have struggled with wanting to do a Bible study with seekers or other Christians, but you haven’t been able to find a text to fit them. In that case, you, the leader, should make your own text. With seven or eight good questions, you can have an hour long Bible study. In this workshop, we will learn the specifics of how to make a text.
Let’s make a kamishibai(?)! (MS)
Nobu Sakakibara
Location: Theater
In Japan (and overseas), this is a tool that you can use to serve at your church. If you are from Japan, you have probably seen these used in Sunday school (the way flannelgraphs are used in the U.S.). If you have ever suddenly been asked to tell a Bible story, this will help you! So come and try making your own kamishibai, which has been used to grab kids’ attention for many years. Even though it was paper in the past and is digital now, the spirit is the same. Pastor Nobu has been making kamishibai for 25 years, and he would love to share with you how to use this tool for evangelism at your church.
Talking honestly about marriage (GEN)
Yoshinosuke & Makiko Nakao
Location: Sanctuary
What should a romantic relationship be like? How can I find a partner? Before you worry about things like that, there’s something I want you to do. God is already working to prepare a perfect partner for you. Let’s think about love and dating together!
Blessings of Forgiveness (GEN)
Ben Kagiwada
Location: Grace
Many people feel that they cannot easily forgive, especially if they have been hurt physically, emotionally, or financially. In most cases, people struggle not with whether not they should forgive, but rather whether or not they can. However, Jesus expects us, who have ourselves been forgiven of our sins, to forgive others in order to receive the gospel of truth. Let's take some time together to consider this in order to gain the courage to forgive.
Christianity and Tea Ceremony (GEN)
Shinji Seki
Location: Classroom D
You will be surprised at how much influence Christianity has had on tea ceremony. This workshop will introduce the appeal of tea ceremony and explain how it might be used for Japanese ministry.
Seekers Q&A: Ask and you shall know more! (SK)
Seeker's Program
Location: Classroom C
Are there any lingering questions you want to ask about Jesus? Then this workshop is for you! Pastors will be here to answer your questions.
What is Love? (YH)
Youth Program
Location: Classroom A
In this workshop, we will think about what love is, and what God’s love is. What makes you feel loved? We will learn about love as we split up into groups for discussion and do other activities together.
Reaching the Japanese through Multi-Cultural Ministry (RJC)
Hisashi “Tobi” Ishitobi
Location: Classroom B
At one point, I had to choose what my focus is to reach the Japanese in the US: to create a Japanese-speaking ministry, or reaching them as a part of an English speaking multi-cultural church. Considering the future, I chose the latter and that has been the best choice I’ve made in utilizing my bilingual/bicultural background. Come and hear the story of RIZE Church and find out how God is opening the door to reach the Japanese through a multi-cultural church plant!
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Workshop 2
Day 4: Dec. 30th, 4:00-5:15 pm
What to Do About Family Ceremonies (RN)
Haruhiko Hirayu
Location: Classroom A
Japanese Christians are often at a loss when attending Buddhist funerals or being involved in other traditional activities, which are often related to Buddhism and Shintoism. In this workshop, we will learn about these ceremonies from both a biblical and practical perspective. We will discuss three attitudes, causes of failure, and what the Bible has to say, Fleming’s right-hand rule about these ceremonies, what Buddhism is, practical ways to prepare, the two J’s, and more. We will also have discussions in small groups. Let’s have fun learning together!
Finding Your Gifts (GD)
Yuichiro Inatomi
Location: Classroom D
All Christians have been given spiritual gifts. However, when we don’t know what they are, we don’t know how to serve in the church to be used by God. For example, if you don’t have the gift of teaching, but you teach Sunday school to kids, it will be painful for them, you, the people in the church who do have the gift of teaching, and most of all, God, who is watching the whole situation. So, you should find out what your gifts are, start using them joyfully for God, benefit your church, and help everyone to have joy in their faith. This seminar will help you do that.
Holy Discontent (GD)
Makito Kawata
Location: Theater
Everything begins with vision. Whether it be a global corporation or a small local church, vision should be at the core of every organization. This is repeatedly taught in leadership conferences all around the world. However, how exactly is vision born? Through what process do people come to embrace their vision? How is vision sustained? In this workshop, we will explore how visions are born and how God uses these visions to call us to take part in His kingdom work. Let’s have Jesus set our hearts ablaze!
Maturing As A Parent: An Approach From Job (MS)
Naoto Kamano
Location: Sanctuary
It might seem like Job was perfect, but there was actually something lacking. He was overprotective of his children. However, through trials, arguments, and the manifestation of God, he discovers through experience a new model of what it means to be a father. In this workshop, we will discover what the book of Job tells us about this, things we should look out for, and the origin of that model of fatherhood.
Can science and Christianity co-exist? (GEN)
Charles Chen, Yuji Ishitsuka
Location: Classroom C
Is it really true that science and theology are in conflict? Why do some people say that science can disprove the existence of God? As a Christian, how can I bring my knowledge of God and the Bible together with modern-day science? In a small group discussion format, we will explore various ways in which we can integrate science and theology. We will look at some case studies (e.g., creation & evolution, heliocentrism), and consider how our faith in Christ can enhance science and how science can enhance our faith.
Evangelism in Japan (RJC)
Ariel Lee
Location: Classroom B
Japan is known as one of the hardest countries in the world to share the gospel. We’ve heard reports that Japanese take an average of 7 years before they accept Christ or that some missionaries have not really seen anybody come to Christ in their years of service. But is that really true? In this workshop, we will go over some of the history of missions and evangelism in Japan and reconsider what we mean by the term evangelism. Hopefully myths will be dispelled as you learn how God is moving in Japan.
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Workshop 3
Day 5: Dec. 31st, 4:00-5:15 pm
Living Together As the Body of Christ (RN)
Ben Kagiwada
Location: Theater
Faith is a personal relationship with Jesus. However, we are meant to live together as the body of Christ, which is the church, and to walk together with other Christians. As we understand what it means to be a part of the body of Christ, we will also consider how we might deal with some common problems that arise in churches.
How To Be Used As A Mentor (GD)
Wakako Minamoto
Location: Classroom D
This workshop is designed for people who want to try being a mentor, or who want to help the people they mentor to grow in their faith. We will look at the importance and effectiveness of mentoring, as well as about the attributes and attitudes we can learn from Jesus. There is someone who needs you as a mentor! Even now, during EC, will you start praying for your perfect “mentee”?
How To Give A Testimony (MS)
Haruhiko Hirayu
Location: Auditorium Foyer
This workshop will introduce how to use your salvation testimony to reach your family and friends for Christ. Practically speaking, you will learn how to write a testimony, the essential components of a testimony, how to include your own unique perspective, how to make opportunities to share your testimony, things to look out for when giving your testimony, etc, complete with a demonstration.
Sports Ministry: A challenge for 70% of the population (MS)
Megumi Takezawa
Location: Sactuary
The word “sports” has many meanings: sports clubs, sports as a hobby, recreation for both kids and adults, the rugby world cup, big events like the Olympics and Paralympics, support for athletes, and more. The only thing in common is a love for sports. There’s a way for anyone like that to be involved. Let’s consider how to use sports to worship God and the meaning of playing sports as a Christian as we listen to the testimony of a Christian athlete.
Changing Lives Through Small Groups (GEN)
Hiromi Kakehashi
Location: Reflection
Maybe you feel like you are passionate about following up with returnees, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going well. Or maybe somewhere along the line it became hard to contact someone, and now you haven’t heard from them in a while. Maybe there’s no small group near your home or at your church. Maybe you don’t know how to grow as a Christian. We will be learning about how to solve those problems and a way for anyone to easily start a healthy small group. Are you giving up because you don’t have the gift of leadership? You will be encouraged!
Jesus changed my life! Testimony Time (SK)
Seeker's Program
Location: Classroom C
Seeker leaders have prepared their testimonies.. They will share about how Jesus came into their lives and how they have been transformed by his love.
Testimony Time (YH)
Youth Program
Location: Classroom A
This will be a time for the youth to share what they’ve learned and experienced at EC and to look back at how they have changed.
How English Speakers can Build Relationships with Japanese (RJC)
David Robinson
Location: Classroom B
English speakers have many unique opportunities to connect with Japanese both in the US and Japan. This workshop will help you understand some of the basics of Japanese culture and suggest ways of approaching and building relationships both with Japanese living abroad and in Japan, and how such relationships can lead to opportunities for evangelism and discipleship.
