A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

ulated Japan, with its 110 million people (600 per square mile compared to 52 in the United States), housing was a number one problem, especially in the post-war years. With the assistance of the Thielmanns the Board of Missions was able to purchase a twelve-room house in Ikeda, a suburb of Osaka. Within two years this house became the dwelling of eight adult missionaries and six children: Ruth Wiens, Rubena Gunther, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Friesen, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Gaede, and Mr. and Mrs. Roland Wiens and family (who had lately escaped from China). As the work expanded, additional properties were acquired in various parts of greater Osaka. The initial contacts for evangelism were provided by teaching classes in conversational English. The transition from English classes to Bible classes was a natural development. Several students came to know Christ and committed their lives to Him. In family-oriented Japan, however, the planting of churches required a wider outreach which would include family-units. A multiple approach through children's classes, youth work and women's gatherings has proved highly successful. An observation of Jonathan Bartel highlights this approach: "Through laying strong emphasis on the salvation of both husband and MENNONITE BRETHREN AROUND THE WORLD 409 48. The Ishibashi M.B. Church in Osaka, Japan. wife we believe the Lord has given us some very stable congregations. Often there have been as many or more men than women." 11 Twenty years of teaching, preaching, and witnessing by some twenty missionaries has resulted in the establishment of sixteen churches and evangelism centers, fourteen of these in the Osaka area. Of these, twelve have full-time Japanese pastors. Eleven churches receive no subsidy from North America and also have full administrative control over local operations and community outreach. The Japanese M.B. Conference, with a membership of about 1000, was organized in 1967 and is responsible for a radio ministry and camping program. Although the national churches manage their local affairs and ministries very well, they still need assistance in evangelizing Japan's millions. One way to reach the masses is via radio and television. In the projections of the Board of Missions and Services in 1969 this matter was given special emphasis: "Increased utilization of the mass media must be seriously considered. Over 96 percent of Japanese homes have television; the average person watches television 22 hours per week. . . . Some films will be shown in conjunction with evangelism crusades." 18 Through its daily ten-minute program Morning Light, and through occasional telecasts, the Japanese conference endeavors to confront the masses 410 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH with the claims of Christ. It is estimated that the Morning Light pro- gram has a potential listening audience of thirty-five million. A highly literate and well-educated