After looking through these pages, you may be wondering, "What can I do to help the Lavermans in their work? What can I do from --- town, USA?" This is a question that we love to hear. It shows that you really want to change your world for Christ.

Don't like the world you live in? It's easy to curse the darkness around us, but have you thought about turning on the light? Have you thought about changing it for God's glory?

God's kingdom is moving forth like an unstoppable force in every tongue, tribe, and people group across this world. Never before in history has there been the kind of revival and awakening in countries around the world than we are experiencing today. The greatest part of this is that you and I have the privilege (and responsibility) to be a part of the process of this revival. Before Christ returns, if you are planning to do something for Him, sometime in the future, would you do it now? God may not be leading you to become a overseas missionary, but he has called you to be missional: intentionally reaching people for Christ in every means possible. You can help us in Japan as well. Read on to find out how.

Is it possible to change another part of the world from your living room? Absolutely! Read how you can bring in a spiritual harvest in Kawasaki, and other parts of the world.

What's P.R.A.Y.E.R? We’ve come up with this acrostic for six ways that you can help better serve and glorify God overseas. It’s not just a matter of taking out the checkbook either! Here are a few ways.

P=Prepare mission-minded hearts and lives. Some of you are teachers. God has gifted and equipped you to creatively and effectively share His Word. We believe that you can also use that gift to educate people in your church, small group, or circle of friends about missions in general, and ministry in Japan in specific. It could be something as simple as linking our website or blog to your wesite or blog (definitely a generation X and Y thing, but you baby boomers and busters know how, too). You can even get a code snippet HERE.

A generation of baby-boomer missionaries are returning home after years of faithful service. Who will take their place? You have the opportunity to train and prepare mission-minded hearts and lives now that may someday (perhaps sooner than you think) travel overseas to serve God there, or at the very least become people who are enthusiastic and supportive of missionaries and God's global mission.

R=Reinvest in kingdom-building work overseas. God has given some of you the gift of giving. He has blessed you with resources far beyond your needs so that you may bless others. Consider what part you might have in changing the world by trimming back your vacation plans for next summer.

God has blessed us in Japan with a wonderful prayer and financial support team back in the States. Many churches and individuals are giving generously so that we might focus on the work God has called us to here. We consider them our partners in ministry!

Perhaps God is challenging you to trust Him more with your resources and join our network of financial and prayer backers. Could we humbly ask you to consider a part in this work in Japan? There are some giving opportunities to the right and below. It is an eternal investment that pays dividends that are out of this world!

A=Ask God for a spiritual harvest. We know that God has called some of you to be faithful "prayer warriors" for us. We know this because you have told us so, and we have felt sustained by your prayer support. This is a significant ministry you can have for us, and the global task of missions.

Upon seeing the spiritual need around him, it is somewhat surprising to me that Jesus instructs his disciples in Matthew 9:38 to pray. Not act, but first pray. It seems like such a subtle need. We forget that God's kingdom is advancing on its knees, as people like you and I get down to ask God for a harvest, and for harvesters. Would you pray for us?

At the left of this column are some helps for you to know how to pray specifically and effectively. Just think! You could someday meet someone in heaven from a different country who is there because you were faithful in raising his/her name up before our Lord in prayer.

Y=You Come and Help. This may sound outrageous. You may ask yourself, "How could I go and help? I don't have the money. I don't have the time. I don't even know Japanese." But can you speak English? If you can there are some 126 million Japanese in Japan that would love to get to know and learn from you!

Possibilities in your short-term ministry here include anything English (English classes, camps, international nights, special 5-day school), music, tracting, prayerwalking, train station evangelism, testimonies, puppets, children's events or English, VBS or summer Bible school related events, etc, etc. Whatever talent or sill you have we can put to use for God's work here. What if, instead of remodeling the basement this year, you were to use those resources to give to someone who would come to Japan, or even come yourself? Imagine the investment that you would be making in changing hearts and lives in another part of the world.

We currently have needs for people to come (either individuals or church-based teams) and help us in some specific areas in Japan. The Japan field is blessed with its own short-term coordinator in-country who will help coordinate the details of preparation, travel, orientation, on-field transportation and ministry support, and debriefing. She can set up an opportunity for committed Christians to work (she will give you time for sightseeing, too). Click on the link under "How to Go" in the margin at right for a brochure. Yes, you definitely could make a difference in your world, in yourself, and in the lives of people in Japan by coming to help us. If you have been waiting for your Macedonian call, this is it!

E=Encourage Your Missionaries. Believe it or not, your missionaries are real people! We are not spiritual Superpeople. We get discouraged, tired, frustrated, and lonely just like you. These feelings are often heightened by working away from friends and loved ones overseas in isolated situations, and by working in a field that is "thorny soil" where results come slowly. It can be overwhelming at times. We really value your encouragement. We know that God has given many of you the unique ability to be a "Barnabas," coming alongside of a missionary to support and encourage them emotionally in tangible ways.

Some churches or individuals may be interested in sending a care package, birthday card or Christmas present. Our birthdays are listed HERE. Some items that are hard to find in Japan and that we really appreciate include: the latest news magazine, microwave popcorn, American snack items, jello, brownie/cake mixes, Christian instrumental or worship CDs, lego blocks (Justen), Christian children's books, American candy bars, the latest Christian magazine, popular Christian book titles, Tylenol and cold or flue medicines, clothing items (ask size). Resources for our church and ministry: CE items, children's craft supplies, American snacks, instrumental worship, handchimes, Christian decorative items for giveaway, greeting cards (Christmas, sympathy, thank you, birthday), Christian resources bought with funds locally.

R=Relay Japanese contacts and networking information. One of the ways that you can partner with us in Japan is by introducing us to people you may know who are living or moving to our area in Japan, or by connecting us with people who can help us in a specific way. Or, how about adding website as a link on your blog, personal or business website? Use the links at right for these things.

Our church has a number of people with international exposure. We feel that it may fit those with similar backgrounds, that is, those Japanese who have lived in the States or abroad at some point.

Think for a minute: 1) Do you know of any Japanese exchange students who may be returning to, or have returned to, the Tokyo, Kawasaki or Yokohama area? 2) Do you know of any Japanese families (believers/unbelievers) that you/your church have had a connection with and live in the Tokyo area? 3) Do you know of any American Christian professionals or military personnel who either reside in Japan or travel to Japan frequently? 4) Do you know of a mature believer in the Tokyo area with an evangelical background, and perhaps Navigator training, that may be interested in helping with discipleship? 5) Do you know of someone, perhaps in your church, who might be willing to be involved in short-term ministry with Denen Grace Chapel in Japan, and who you would feel comfortable referring to us/CBInternational? No experience is necessary, but a teachable spirit, willing heart, "do anything" attitude and spiritual maturity are a must.