Immanuel Ise Launching

Immanuel Ise Outreach Officially Launched!

On April 12, 2025, the Immanuel Ise Outreach was officially launched, becomingthe 9th congregation of Immanuel Christian Fellowship. The inaugural theme was “Jesus Meets You Here: A Place of Grace and Transformation.”

Drawing from Luke 19:1–10, the sermon focused on the life-changing encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus in Jericho. It was not a random event, but a divine appointment. As Pastor Niño shared,

"God is the Grand Weaver, orchestrating every moment for His glory and for our salvation.”

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The message had these points to remember:

1. The Lord arranged this moment:

• The place and time
• The encounter‍

‍2. The Lord knows you:

• Your Name
• Your longings (and even)
• Your sins (and yet)

3. The Lord wants you:

• To meet Him immediately
• To spend time with Him
• To welcome Him in your heart (why? because…)

4. The Lord loves you:

• He simply came for you (Luke 19:10
• He came to forgive you
• He came to save you

The sermon ended with the challenge:

1.     Meet Him Here! Jesus is passing by today. It is not an accident that you’re here.

2.     Invite Him in! Jesus is not just passing by. He’s stopping here, for you. He’s closer than you think and He’s calling you by name.

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A Story of Grace: How the Ise Outreach Began

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The birth of the Ise Outreach beautifully mirrors the story of Zacchaeus. Almost three years ago, on a seemingly ordinary Monday morning, Sis. Nancy was overwhelmed with life’s troubles.

In desperation, she came across Pastor Niño’s contact information on social media. Unsure but hopeful, she made the call. That simple, hesitant phone call became a turning point. Pastor Niño listened, shared the gospel, and prayed with her.

Sensing God’s leading, he connected her with Ate Ery and the Tokai 9 CARE Group. From there, God began to move.

Sis. Nancy started joining the CARE Group and would attend theTokai/Chita worship services when possible. In August 2022, she was baptized. Not long after, she began sharing the gospel with Divina and others.

‍Today, there is a growing and committed group of believers in Ise. Who would have thought that a CARE Group could become a church planting team? It’s truly amazing how the Lord works when we faithfully discern and follow His will.

‍What God Has Done

• God turned Sis. Nancy’s sorrow into joy.
• God used a simple phone call to bring the Good Newsto many.
• God empowered a small CARE group to plant a new church.

This is no accident. God is writing a bigger story, one that is bigger than all of us. We are not in Japan merely to work or provide for our families.There is a higher calling.

As Acts 17:26–27 reminds us:

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth;
and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him,
though he is not far from any one of us.”

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Let’s continue to follow the One who is always drawing near. Because Jesus meets us here.

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