Aganai(Redemption) Ministries, A Call To Japan

As most of you know, I will be moving in January to Japan. The Lord has called me to give at least 3 years of my life to build His Kingdom in the city of Osaka. I am ready, willing, and more than excited to give everything I have for Him.

Listed below is the general and basic vision for the two ministries I will be planting in Japan. Thank you for sharing and joining in this adventure with me! God Bless you!

MINISTRY INFO FOR Aganai(REDEMPTION) MINISTRIES

BASIC INFO:

Who: Zach Cobos and friends; connections with Adventures In Missions

What: Men’s Discipleship House, Women’s House of Healing

Where: Osaka, Japan

When: Starting January

Why: To bring the love and FREEDOM of Christ to Japanese men and women and to teach Japanese men and women to love each other as brothers and sisters in order to radically change the misplaced heart of the Japanese culture. 

Also, because Japan is the least visited country by missionaries that is legally open to evangelism. Less than 1% believe in Christ, yet very little are doing anything about it.

BASIC OVERVIEW:

         The vision the Lord has given to me for Japan consists of two separate ministry houses that will eventually work together for greater unity.

Men’s Discipleship House (Sons of Redemption)

         The first ministry house will be a self-replicating Men’s Discipleship House. These houses will be set up with two spiritual mentors and 4-6 disciples (however many the physical house can hold).

         The men of Japan lack any real identity of manhood. Women are considered objects of pleasure in society, and cheating, even for a husband, is considered normal and necessary. Their identities are fully in their work and what they can accomplish. This causes massive depression and rampant suicide. The average suicide rate in Japan is 27,700 per year, putting them at number 10 for the countries with the highest suicide rates.

         The house will be built on biblical principles and the mentors be expected to seek the Holy Spirit on all things. The goal will be to bring the men into a genuine relationship with Christ and an understanding of their identities as men in the Kingdom of God. The disciples will be expected to participate in:

• ·      Community Living
• ·      Community Prayer
• ·      Bible Studies
• ·      Ministry Outreach
• ·      Camping Trips
• ·      Feedback
• ·      One-on-ones
• ·      Part-Time Job
• ·      Paying a minimal sum for rent

A one-year lease will be given to each disciple on arriving at the house. At the end of their discipleship year the current mentors of the house will decide if the disciple is capable of becoming a mentor and establishing a new discipleship house with one other mentor. If the disciple is not able, the house will extend the lease until the disciple is capable.

Women's House of Healing (Masumi Ministries)

The women’s house will be a home for Japanese women who have experienced traumatic circumstances, i.e. prostitution, social rejection, sexual or physical abuse. Japanese women are highly neglected in Christian Missions, and there are very few ministries that focus on them. In Japan, if one does not graduate high school they are cast out of normal society and seen as absolute rejects. For a Japanese women, this leaves few options, and none that are healthy for the women herself.

This house will be built more around the principles of sozo ministry; healing, encouragement, empowerment, and a greater understanding of their identity as daughters of Jesus Christ.

Each house will be led by one or more powerful and confident women who will listen to the Holy Spirit, and who can pour into these women.

After both ministries have reached a somewhat healthy place in their men and women’s identities, they will begin to interact with each other in order to learn what a relationship between a brother and sister in Christ looks like. This unheard of in Japan as men and women only see each other as objects to fulfill each other’s desires and needs.

These relationships will hopefully and prayerfully be the beginning of a radical change in the society of Japan that will eventually bring immense healing to the country and to the hearts of the oppressed.

NEEDS:

- Mature Disciples of Christ who have a desire for Japan, are willing to learn the language, and are capable of mentoring Japanese men in Discipleship Houses.

- Powerful women of Christ who are confident in their identity and are able to provide healing, encouragement, and empowerment to Japanese women who have experienced traumatic circumstances, i.e. prostitution, social rejection, sexual or physical abuse.

- Continual Monthly Support, both prayerfully and financially, for the beginning and future growth of the ministry.

SHORT TERM GOALS:

- Develop deep relationships with Japanese university students and men while sharing the Gospel and walking them into a genuine interest and desire for Christ.

- Invite a select number of Japanese university students or men, who have an adamant interest and desire to follow Christ and pursue a relationship with the Lord, to live at the Discipleship House and dedicate themselves to becoming Disciples.

- Spend one year discipling the group of Japanese men and teaching them how to have an honest, open, and free relationship with Christ and develop their abilities to eventually disciple other Japanese men.

LONG TERM GOALS:

- Provide a self-replicating ministry in the Men’s Discipleship House that raises up able-minded disciples into the position of Mentor, and send two of those Mentors to establish a new Discipleship house under the authority of the organization.

- Establish Women's House of Healing, a women’s house for healing that targets women who have experienced traumatic circumstances, i.e. prostitution, social rejection, sexual or physical abuse.

- After both houses come to a healthy point in their identities in Christ, to bring the men and women together in order to teach them how to love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, something that is unheard of in Japan.

To Support me and Aganai Ministries, please send MONTHLY or ONE-TIME donations by:

Going to CODE MINISTRIES and clicking on the MONTHLY or ONE-TIME donation links. After entering your Donation Amount and Credit Card information, click on the "Review Donation and Continue" link.

Then, under the "Add Special Note To Seller" box, write "FOR SAIDO MINISTRIES" and complete your donation!

OR

Write a check to CODE MINISTRIES and send to:

18 Lyons Drive

Horseheads, NY 14845

In the "For_________" line, write AGANAI MINISTRIES, and send!

Thank you for your support and prayers! I am so excited to begin the work the Lord has called me to for Japan and I hope you are too!

God Bless you for all you do!

I Want To Go To Heaven

Guys, I've got problems.

I'm dealing with a lot.

There's a lot on my plate (not literally though).

I've been sick more often than I've been healthy.

Last month I had typhoid.

I do not get enough food.

I've lost 15 pounds.

Sleep has been, at most times, short and uncomfortable.

My sleeping pad now goes flat within an hour.

The struggles of the Squad are often and intense.

Busy does not speak enough about my life.

Everything I own either breaks or gets stolen.

Someone in Cambodia is now the proud owner of my iPhone 4s.

The list is long.

And I could go on.

And also, on.

But then I would have to ask myself where that list leads.

And to be honest.

It leads to me.

Ya know where it doesn't lead?

Heaven.

Which is odd.

Because that is supposed to be where I am heading.

That is supposed to be the goal, the pursuit, the finish line.

Yet all those petty complaints I've listed point unabashedly towards myself.

You see, we've lost our focus.

Our eyes have wondered.

We have taken our sight off of Jesus.

And decided to stare fearfully into the storm around us.

We have forgotten that our destination lies beyond us.

In Heaven.

      John 14:2

      In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have           told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

      1 Corinthians 2:9

      But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.

What?

Jesus has prepared a place for me in God's house?

That is amazing!

Somewhere in Heaven, Jesus is walking around a room, stroking his beard,

And telling his angels, "Yah, put that there. Zach is going to love that."

Or, "Make sure you put a window at the top of his rock climbing wall."

Extreme Home Makeover: Heaven Edition.

I digress.

But the point is that you have a home in Heaven.

That is so majestic, that you can't even possibly imagine it if you tried.

And Jesus can not wait for you to see it.

So chill out, MTV Cribs.

So then, what does this have to do with how we live on Earth?

Oh, I don't know...Everything!

      Philippians 1:21-23

      For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain...My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

      Romans 8:18

      I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Guys, Paul got it.

I'm going to ask a couple questions.

Feel free to raise your hands if these have happened to you.

How many of you have been beaten or whipped until close to death?

How many of you have been shipwrecked more than once?

How many of you have been imprisoned for preaching the gospel?

If you're Paul, you would have raised your hands for all of those.

And yet, He is the one saying, 

"That's nothing compared to what God is going to do through and for me."

Paul had his eyes on Heaven and not on Earth.

Treasures weren't objects to hold.

But fulfillments of God's promises.

Now, I am not saying that there aren't real struggles in your life.

There are.

I believe you.

But how many of those struggles would shrink if you were able to look at it from God's point of view?

From a Heavenly mindset.

Answer: All of them.

There is so much more to life than you.

And there is so much freedom in realizing that.

Our struggles are nothing compared to what God is doing on this earth.

But the peace, joy, and comfort we receive from having our minds in Heaven will allow us to persevere through those struggles.

      Philippians 3:20-21

      But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.

You have a home in Heaven waiting for you.

Don't get stuck here on Earth.

*For more encouragement on keeping a heavenly mindset, read all of Romans 8:18-27!*

UPDATE__________________________________________
The World Race
Catch me on Twitter at NinjaZachWR
or see my pictures on Instagram at NinjaZach.

 

The Gospel in China: Two Birds, One Throne

This is a picture of one of our teams at an English Corner they put on.

Their team name is Relentless.

While they were in China they taught English and shared the Gospel.

That guy in the front making the cool pose is named Eric.

He is the teacher for the English Class.

One night the team was able to have a private Bible Study with him.

I was invited.

We talked and explained to him the joy, peace, and comfort of Christ.

And why a relationship with God is so worth it.

He wanted it.

Like, he admitted he wanted it.

But he needed more time to "think about it."

I'll admit I get a little pushy in those cases.

"Why wait?" I asked him.

"Why wait if you know the value?

If you know you are searching for something.

And you know that Jesus can fill that void."

Makes no sense to me personally.

I gave him a choice and told him it was the only time I was gonna ask him.

That night at least.

"So, yes or no?

Jesus or yourself?"

Defeated, he looked down and decided that he just needed more time.

I said alright and we began to talk about other things.

That's when Jesus pulled out his wild card.

God likes to have fun, too.

In walks Kari, another teammate, with another Chinese friend.

His name was Thomas.

He came for the Bible Study too.

Adam, a member of the team, began to share the gospel story with him.

He had never heard it before.

He also did not speak very good English.

So Eric got to listen as we explained the simplified version to Thomas.

Adam hadn't even finished before Thomas excitedly declared:

"Yes! I want it! I want that! I want Jesus!"

I'll be honest. 

We were all a bit taken back at his earnest eagerness.

But the joy and excitement in his face told us he was ready.

So, Kari tried to walk through the "Salvation Prayer" with him.

But it was a bit difficult through the language barrier.

So instead, we had Eric translate what Kari was saying.

Yup.

The man who had just rejected Christ was now translating the prayer.

Amen.

After Thomas finished we could see the joy fluttering in his eyes.

We congratulated him and explained he was now part of a new family.

The Royal Family of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Praise God.

What a great night, right?

I'm not done yet, though.

Eric slowly and shyly opens his mouth.

"Okay. I have decided.

I want Jesus too."

You can imagine our elation.

"Yah you do!" I said.

And that night we gained two new brothers.

Guys.

This is one small story out of the hundreds that occurred in my squad.

In just one month.

Hundreds of Chinese people were given a new hope that they'd never had.

Seeds were planted.

Hearts brought to salvation.

And all because we decided to open our mouths.

So what would happen if you decided to do the same?

How many lives would be saved if you opened your mouth?

What crazy amazing things could you do for the Kingdom if you spoke up?

And here is the kicker:

What stories is Jesus going to get to tell His Father about what you've done?

Are there any?

Shouldn't there be more?

What else could you do for the Creator of the Universe?

Who actually loves you and chose to have a relationship with you?

I bet you can think of something.

This is so important, guys.

You have been given a gift.

And God has asked us to share it.

So how can you not?

You're not just saving them from Hell.

You're not just giving them a free ticket Heaven.

You are doing those things, for sure.

But you are also saving them from a life of emptiness, wandering, and loss.

And exchanging it for a life of satisfaction, purpose, and abundance.

Jesus is worth it.

He is.

And He is waiting to share your stories with His Father.

Go give Him something to say.

UPDATE__________________________________________
The World Race
Catch me on Twitter at NinjaZachWR
or see my pictures on Instagram at NinjaZach.

Excavating the Underground Church

China.

Sneaking in Bibles.

Dropping pointed hints about the fact that you are a Christian.

Hoping the other side is either a friend, or at least won't take you to prison.

Covertly searching for clues that will lead you to some underground church.

Somewhere hidden.

Somewhere disguised.

A safe haven for those who believe Christ in Communist China.

Sounds like a James Bond movie, doesn't it?

So why was The World Race sending a squad of 47 people there?

It didn't seem safe.

And I know that one of AIM's biggest priorities is that everyone is safe.

So what were we doing in a "closed country?"

To be honest, I was a little excited as well.

I mean, come on.

Every guy wishes at least a little bit to be a real 007.

Alas, when I got there, I got a pretty big reality check.

Our contact, Jake Taube, explained that we didn't need to hide our faith.

Nor should we.

(And yes, he gave us all permission to use his name and ministry)

So I started thinking about it.

I've never read anything in the Bible that resembled a 007 Christian.

In fact, Jesus challenges his those that were following him with this:

"Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)

Pretty heavy stuff.

Now I am not saying there isn't also wisdom and discernment in situations.

But I am saying, or rather Jesus is saying, that we need to declare Christ.

Church, we need to be bold.

We can't be more concerned with ourselves,

With our reputation,

Even with our own lives,

Than we are with sharing the Good News of Christ's redeeming Love.

Jake did not know how he would be received when he came to China.

He just decided that he was going to openly share the gospel.

Whatever happened to him after that was all for the glory of the Lord.

Good or bad.

Praise Jesus that it ended up being good.

If you google "missionary in China" you will find his website.

Fifth link from the top.

And the first four are wikipedia.

In fact, here is the link:

gospelinchina.com

Guys.

He has only been there for 7 years.

And he is one of the most known missionaries in China, according to google.

Now I won't say he is the biggest.

Neither would he.

He is just the most known.

Because he is unafraid and unashamed of the gospel.

All he did was act in faith and open his mouth.

And then God moved.

This month my squad decided they could no longer keep theirs shut.

They spread out through all of Harbin and began to reach people.

Through English Corners, Cafe Dates, and Bible Studies.

Hundreds of people heard the Gospel.

Some for the first time in their lives.

Jesus moved and opened people's hearts to a hope they never had.

Because we chose to act in faith and open our mouths.

So how many of you are keeping yours closed?

Let me show you what happens when you do open it.

The link below will bring you to just one example of how God can use you.

But you have to choose it.

He won't force you.

But I promise,

If you don't,

You will never receive the gift of watching someone come to salvation.

And trust me.

It is the best gift you can receive outside of your own salvation.

So read it.

And be encouraged.

Your words have worth and power.

Go spread em.

The Gospel In China: Two Birds, One Throne

UPDATE__________________________________________
The World Race
Catch me on Twitter at NinjaZachWR
or see my pictures on Instagram at NinjaZach.

You haven't peaked.

So, going on The World Race last year was absolutely amazing.

It was the hardest, funnest, most challenging, most rewarding, most broken, and most growing experience of my entire life.

But it was not my peak.

I want you guys to really get this.

It was not my peak.

See because God never stopped using me.

He still calls on me every day to bring about His glory and His Kingdom.

This month starts my first month Squad Leading a World Race Squad that will last for five months and will go to five countries in Asia.

Guys.

I am in love with them.

They are all so beautiful and majestic and imperfect.

And I love them.

I wish I could express in words how much.

But love is a hard thing to capture with just words.

I can't wait to watch them grow closer to the Lord and understand more of their true identity in Christ.

I can't wait to watch them work miracles in people's lives and bring hope to those who have never had it before.

And I can't wait for God to change me and stretch me into more of the man He has called me to be.

But this year won't be my peak.

After these five months are finished I am moving to Japan to start an Adventures In Missions base in Osaka, Japan.

There I will facilitate a growing team of Long Term Missionaries in Japan for several years.

Together we are going to take the nation of Japan to reign down the Kingdom of Heaven.

We are going to take Japan for Jesus.

We are also going to raise Japanese nationals to become missionaries to the rest of the world.

Imagine that.

It is going to be glorious.

Now listen to me.

Those years will not be my peak.

I can promise you, they won't.

I'm sure you guys are sensing a pattern by now.

Here's the crux.

I will never ever, not once, have a peak.

There will never be a day that comes where God stops using me.

There will never be a time where the Lord says "You've done enough."

Not until He brings me home.

Not until death.

Church, I need you to here this.

You have not, nor will ever have a peak.

God will never stop using you.

The author of Hebrews (probably Paul) challenged us with this: 

"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

There are some people who are jogging the race.

There are some people who are walking the race.

And then there are those who are sitting on the bleachers watching other people run the race.

But we are commanded to run the race.

We are commanded to keep going until the end.

Paul says it this way to the Philippians, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Stop jogging.

Stop walking.

Stop sitting on the sidelines.

Sprint.

He never gave you a break.

He never said you were finished.

He only said run.

Come to me.

Finish.

Guys, the reward at the end is so unfathomably worth it.

The reward is eternity with Him.

Eternity with joy and peace and love.

Heaven is going to be an eternal party.

Doesn't that make giving our entire life on this Earth for Him worth it?

Paul thought so.

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." (Phil. 3:20-21)

Yup.

Sounds pretty worth it.

Count me in.

You are not done.

You haven't peaked.

God still has so much to do through you and show you.

And all of it will bring you closer to him.

So, get up.

Get off your butt.

And start sprinting.

Retirement is not an option.

There is so much more to do.

Praise God I will never be out of a job in His Kingdom.

UPDATE__________________________________________
The World Race
Catch me on Twitter at NinjaZachWR
or see my pictures on Instagram at NinjaZach.