Hello everyone! My name is Esther Kamura, and I’m the Executive Director for EC26!

The theme for this year’s EC is “Rinzai — Lost in Him.”

As Christians, there are certain realities we cannot avoid. For some of us, it may be the reality of returning to Japan. For others, it may be the confusion, loneliness, stumbling blocks, and trials we encounter in our everyday lives. No matter where we “return” to, we can find ourselves consumed by work, feeling hurt or stumbling in our communities, churches, or fellowship groups. There may even be moments when we feel overwhelmed with uncertainty and wonder, questioning ourselves what we’re doing — moments when Jesus seems to fade from our sight. Some of us may enter seasons of spiritual warfare precisely because we believe in Jesus, while others may find themselves in seasons marked by nothing but silence. As long as we are living here on earth, wherever we may “return” to, spiritual battles await us until we reach our true home, which is the Kingdom of God.

And yet, we need the Holy Spirit to remind us of this truth: the reason we wake up each morning and find ourselves still here on earth is that the Lord has given each of us a calling for that very day. That calling does not change, no matter where we find ourselves. And as each of us, as saints, “returns” to the place and season where the Lord has sent us, we need to receive His calling and grow deeper in our experience of fellowship with Him.

To equip someone, I believe, means that no matter what circumstances or environments they return to, they are given a spiritual hunger that cries out, “I want to behold the face of the Lord. I want to draw near to Him.” It means being able to come boldly before the Lord just as we are, to cry out to Him, to become completely captivated by Him, and to be immersed in the overwhelming depth of His love.

Lost in Him — In His Presence!

I pray and anticipate that the Lord will allow us to experience his goodness at EC, as we boldly enter His presence together, just as we are.

We can’t wait to see you all there!