According to the Japanese Consulate, Sydney is home to approximately 18,000 Japanese people. An additional 3,000 Japanese study here in Sydney, with a further 4,000 Japanese youths making use of the Working Holiday Program. Still more, roughly 660,000 Japanese tourists come to Australia every year, most of whom visit Sydney.
Grahame and Cathy Smith are CMS missionaries working with student in Kobe, Japan. They have found an innovative way to reach Japanese young people with the gospel, by tapping into the nation's love of music.
Their church recently held a "Gospel Jam' evening, where a cappella singers presented the gospel through song and Grahame gave a short evangelistic talk. Cathy described it as "an informal evening that provided a gentle introduction to Christianity. It was also a great boost to the church youth group's confidence in evangelism."
As well as singing their way through the gospel via some traditional hymns, the group presented some contemporary touches. Cathy said, "The five guest singers finished with a jazzed up version of some modern Christian songs. During song breaks, each singer related how the hymns had touched their lives. One urged us to listen to the words carefully, as they point to Christ, his life, his death and resurrection. Another related how singing the hymns with the group had helped her regain a focus to her life, and bring her back on the path of walking with God," said Cathy.
As a prologue to the singers, Grahame and Cathy's eldest daughter Naomi was interviewed by one of the other youth group members. She spoke of her decision to be baptized this year, confirming the Christian path that she'd walked throughout her life.
Cathy said, "I think Japanese are better musically trained than Australians. (I am using my skills as a case study). Nearly all students I meet can easily sing in parts, meaning they can read music. Most unis have choir circles. It is apparently not embarrassing to sing. So at evangelistic camps and meetings with newcomers, there is always singing. The concert on Sunday was good music of its type, and Japanese are happy to listen to it. The bottom line is that people came because of friends. They would have come to any other style of music if invited. The general title Gospel Jam indicates a concern to introduce the gospel through a variety of means."
Grahame and Cathy Smith have worked with the Japanese national Christian student group KGK since 1990. They are also involved in ministry to their local community.
