A Special Message from Rev. Claudia Genung Yamamoto

Rev. John Oda greeted guests from Japan. Revs. Claudia Genung and Toshi Yamamoto. The Rev. Claudia is a Global Missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, and is currently serving as senior pastor with the Yokohama Union Church (YUC) – Japan.  She's been a missionary for 33 years serving in a variety of capacities.  Wesley UMC has been a supporter for her missionary work over the years. She presented a message of Discipleship and Jesus' invitation to hear and share the Gospel by spreading the Good News.  She also showed a number of slides talking of her journey and a life spent in Japan as a Christian missionary.

Our special guest pastors from Japan served Holy Communion.

Rev. Claudia  is shown here with her puppets she finds useful in her ministry, especially the lamb "Megumi," who  helps with her children's messages.  She also throws her voice very well.  Her other puppet she shared with us was,  Keiro, and the word FROG has significant meaning "fully reliant on God." That is what all missionaries and you as Christians do, she noted.

A reception and a brief Q n A on their missionary work was held after the service and Rev. Toshi shared his journey on becoming a Christian.  Both were later whisked away to share a lunch with the members of the Nichigo congregation.