January 8, 2009
Praise the name of the Lord.
I would like to wish you a happy New Year, and report on equipper conference 2008 (ec 08) that we had all been praying about. First started as a place to encourage and equip (as written in Eph. 4:12) Japanese Christians who found Jesus overseas as they return to Japan, ec was held for the ninth time this time. As always, God poured out His blessings. I would like to thank each and every one of you who supported ec 08 in anyway.
Hailing from the US, Japan, Canada, Australia, China and Italy, a total of 350 attendees (including those who couldn’t stay for the entire duration) joined us. Among them, 60 came from Japan. One-third of the attendees came to the conference for the first time. Also, I felt that something distinctive of this year’s conference was the number of attendees who were saved in 2008 and had just begun their life as a Christian.
Our speakers were Rev. Mikio Yokoyama from Japan (Uchinada Bible Church), Ms. Hiroko Yamashita (central Asia), and Rev. Nobuyuki Uchimura (Chiesa Protestante Giappone di Milano) from Italy. Through Rev. Yokoyama’s breaking down of the Scriptures and inductive Bible study in small group settings, we studied the entire book of James. It was a great opportunity for young Christians to draw closer to Scripture, and learn how to read their Bibles. What all speakers had in common in their messages were the love of Jesus through the cross, repentance, being transformed into the likeness of Jesus, and by going through that process, “becoming peacemakers,” just like our theme. I am sure that God spoke and revealed to each of us differently, but we all decided to take a step forward towards something specific and left ec 08 with determination. I would appreciate it if you could continue to pray for us and our walks.
This year’s “peace” theme gave us a great opportunity to look at missionary work. We set up a Missions Booth and introduced various opportunities. Also, we connected live with Japan for the New Year’s countdown, and by showing videos of Japanese ministries in Europe and Singapore, we were able to see the works of God within the Japanese people and take the opportunity to pray for each other. I look forward to even bigger works of God that the attendees will experience.
Below are some comments from our attendees:
“I was able to prepare myself emotionally for going back to Japan.”
“I made up my mind to witness to my family.”
“Until now, I was like a closet-Christian, but from now on, I want people to see me and think it’s great to be a Christian.”
“I was able to tear down the wall I chose to build in respect to Japan, and was able to get over it.”
“I felt the importance of spreading the gospel. Also, I had never felt God’s big love this passionately before. Christian brothers and sisters who shared my problems encouraged me.”
Again, thank you so much for praying about ec 08, contributing in many different forms, and for your encouragement. This year, ec will take a break while InterVarsity’s Urbana Missions Conference (where JCFN was first established) will be going on. We are hoping next time will be the end of 2010. Please pray that a director and staff will be raised up. I pray that God’s works be expanded through each and every one of you, and may He bless you abundantly.
In Christ,
Chihiro Nakamura
equipper conference 2008 director
JCFN US staff
You can download this report in PDF format online.
Click here for download PDF ver. report!
January 6, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
equipper conference 2008 (ec 08) has finished in blessings.
Report will be posted shortly.
Here is the highlight video from ec 08. Check it out!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpVfY0h8jho
November 24
Hello Friends☆,
This is Megumi Kurata, from PR dept (of one;) for ec08.
Thanksgiving is at our door. We hope you are enjoying the season! Here are some hot news related to the ec. Check them out!
!!Non-Christian Track Small Group Leader (NCSGL) WANTED!!
In addition to the main program, we will have special tracks such as for children, youth, and English speakers.
Each track has its own team dedicated to put together a special program to suit various needs of the attendee.
Non-Christian track (NC) is one of such programs. It aims to provide a place where NC attendees can comfortably spend time and have fun.
Please encourage your NC friends to join us at the conference!
↓Below is a message from Hisho Uga, the director of NC track↓
********************
Hello,
I'm Hisho Uga, and I'm serving as the director for the Non-Christian Program (NC program). Please call me Hisho. I'm currently enjoying my college life in Los Angels and am scheduled to graduate two weeks before the ec. I'm spurting in the last stretch! At the same time I am very much rejoicing with anticipation in my preparation for the ec08. Last year I had an awesome time as the NC program assistant director, and decided to get involved with it again. I'm now writing this message in search of small group leaders (SGL) as a part of preparation for the NC program.
NC program's small group (NCSG) is made up with half and half ratio of Christians and Non Christians as a basic rule. Each group will have four to seven people. SG will be held during the Bible study hour in the morning and after the evening meeting with the main group.This gives us opportunities to talk with Non-Christians who are feeling a bit out of place in the retreat center full of Christians, yet at the same time being touched by God one way or the other. Through out the day we can be there for them to talk to, escape to, be understood by, and be friends. And when God's timing hits we can be there as NC attendee makes the decision to accept Christ. Please don't hesitate to contact us for more detailed information if you are interested.
NCSGL is guaranteed to be blessed. We can spend five days with them to shower God's love. If you are interested in becoming NCSGL, please provide answers (even the short ones) to below questions.
① Your testimony. (However long or short as you wish. I intend to read them all. I just like listening to other people's testimony).
② Your feelings for ministry to Non-Christians. (It doesn't necessarily have to do with ec. It could be something general that you are feeling in your life).
③ Your experience with ministry to Non-Christians. (Within a specific ministry group, as an individual, or even if you didn't have much of it)
④ Any questions you may have.
⑤ Anything at all!
Please don't miss out on this opportunity. Pray about it and join if you felt the calling!
I'm looking forward to serving Jesus with you.
Hisho Uga
hishotheuga@hotmail.com
************************************
↑If you are interested, please contact us↑ equipper@equipper.org
!?Did you know!?
In addition to JCFN's ec website, there are ec communities in Mixi and Facebook.
There will be ec related news update there, so please join us! There are also information exchange and fellowship online b/w attendees there. So check them out!e
Mixi: http://mixi.jp/view_community.pl?id=3733019
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=35448228014
If you have any question or comment, please contact us at equipper@equipper.org any time.
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
November 19
On Nov. 10, early bird registration has ended.
At this point, more than 250 people has registered.
Registration is still open!!!
We are looking forward to more people to registering!!!
director:
Chihiro Nakamura
November 7
!!ec☆Registration
Three days left for the early-bird special!!
Early-bird discount for the ec registration is ending on November 10th!! After 0:00AM on November 11th (Hawaii Time), the fee will go up $20 for students, $25 for working people/couples, and $10 for children.
If you are thinking about attending the conference, let's get the ball rolling and registration going. Booya=D!
Megumi Kurata
PR coordinator for ec
October 6
2 BIG NEWS!!!!
First news is...
Online registration started!!!!!
Thank you very much for waiting for this. Online registration system has just started.
This year, we hope you can enjoy (?) this renewed and upgraded system.
"Yes, I'd like to register, right now!!!"
If you thought like this, click here.
Second news is...
ec 08 Promotion Video is now available on Youtube.
Check it out!!!
September 9
Thank you very much for your patience. Online registration will begin shortly. Meanwhile, please use registraion in mail.
Click here for registration form.
Now, Here is the great news!!!
Finally, ec 08 original tee shirts are available to all! Utilize these for your fundraising.





Like these!! ⇒
Click here to check out ec 08 tee shirt designs.
Click here to check out ec 08 sweatshirt designs.
Click here for order form.
June 24
Thanks for accessing ec 08 website.
All informations for this year conference are updated here in this website.
However, online registration is still in process.
I will post here when it gets ready.
Sorry for any inconveniences.
Chihiro Nakamura
ec 08 director