December 2024
Warford Ministry
Before Dea’s Word of the Month, we want to update you on what is happening with Nathan Warford, who is now in Tokyo…
“Hello to my friends, family, and supporters from Tokyo Japan! I have now been in Tokyo for 3 weeks and it has been wonderful to be back, and back to live long term! When we arrived we met with our ministry partners: a local church in the center of Tokyo, as well as our Visa Sponsors, YWAM Taito.
We had a wonderful time praying together and sharing our hearts and out testimonies of how God brought us here. We attended a gathering of multiple YWAM bases across Tokyo and worshiped together. I was able to share my testimony of how God called me to move to Tokyo 10 years ago to plant churches and the journey He has brought me on since. (See pix below)
The level of unity we experienced with the greater body and also as a team has been incredible. We are studying through the Book of Acts to learn how to apply New Testament principles in our work in Japan.
We h a v e sought to do the same by sharing with one another, meeting regularly, and spurring one another to good works and evangelism. Speaking of evangelism, our first steps were twofold. Firstly, to reconnect with old friends and ministry partners and to witness to them and their friends. Secondly, prayer walk key areas to map and break down strongholds. We visited the grounds of the largest Buddhist temple in Tokyo alongside an old bridge which was an entry point to the city. I also participated in a praise and worship ministry which sought to break down barriers and open doors for ministry in the largest red-light district of Tokyo. In a month we plan to visit Nagasaki, where much church history took place.
After the initial reuniting, forming, and storming stages we have begun to strategically evangelize with old friends but also within this key area. We visited a large park and Asakusa temple, where we played worship music and walked and talked with people, sharing the Gospel with those who were “searching for truth.” The worship greatly moved one such girl whom we met. She said she felt as if she could cry. We shared the worship lyrics of “I’m no longer a slave” with her and explained the meaning. She kept expressing that this was a miracle that felt like magic, and we assured her that we were there for her. We felt led to tell her that Jesus loved her, and she broke down and began to cry. She had no idea who Jesus was beyond a baby at Christmas. The Holy Spirit deeply touched her. This week, we’ll be meeting with her further for more discipleship. Her name is BaoLin. Pray that she not only accepts Jesus and turns from her new-age beliefs but also that she becomes the first member of our church!
This month, we need prayer for two things, especially. Firstly, that God will send the right people to our church. We need native Japanese-speaking Christians to translate for us. There’s a pastor’s son who is a strong possibility. And we need members whose hearts are hungry to grow in discipleship. Secondly, we still need to find our own apartments and a house to meet in for our church. We have applied for homes in the Northeastern part of Tokyo in an area called Arakawa in the city of Machiya. It is a strategic area where there aren’t many churches, mostly Japanese people, and many families and young adults. Unfortunately, my first house I applied for was taken before they considered me. And our house for the church is perfect but there have been some challenges getting it due to our income status as missionaries. Please pray for open doors and favor for the right apartment for me and the right house for our team to have church. We want to be in close proximity together to do ministry. We are truly a family doing ministry and meeting together in unity daily. I am incredibly thankful for you as my extended family in Christ for your support in bringing me to Tokyo. God has been faithful to answer so many prayers, many through your giving and prayers! The potential for our team and Japan is amazing, and I can’t wait to share further with you what God is doing as we enter the holiday season and the New Year. God richly bless you! The Japan YWAMers prayed over us and commissioned us to ministry here. I am just to the right of the blue baseball cap).
Thank you for sending me to fulfill my destiny in Japan! Love, Nathan Warford From Dea… Paul wrote in Romans 10:14,15 (NKJV), “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?…‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tiding of good things.” You are literally “sending” Nathan to Tokyo with your prayers and financial gifts. Nathan’s most significant need now is to find an apartment. The more money we give to this need, the better the apartment (“Do unto others”). We are hoping for enough support for him to rent a two-bedroom, two- bath apartment so that those coming for short-term missions would have a place to stay and maybe even room for his future wife and children! On the bottom of the next page is a form to send back with a check or a “God providing” pledge to give a gift by Feb. 14 (at the latest). A missionary/evangelist we are supporting where he is so dependent on our support, as virtually all foreign missionaries are. You are loved and appreciated by Warford Ministries, Evangelists Dea & Kathy Warford
Intercessors: Pray for the Spirit’s leading in continuing to schedule meetings and for souls saved and bodies healed in future meetings!
Testimonies…
“(From Kristine Gillingham) “I didn’t know that meeting you in Bosstown, Wisconsin would lead us to this place, but God did! I would go through that battle again 100 times, just knowing God was there to hold me fast! Please Continue to Pray for my Husband. Our Son Alex. you prayed for him the same night we met and,
Anxiety has left him, and he is growing spiritually.”
(From Lonnie, the man who got right with God during our home meeting when we were in Washington, D.C.)
“I have a huge testimony to share with people. I’ve came along way from who I was to who I am now. I want my life to be lifted up and to show God I’m all in. “As a human I struggle with life and the world but I’m doing my best to prevent the world from harming my soul. I want people to see the aura of love and life around me . So they can see how God touched my heart and soul.”
(Your prayers and financial gifts make these testimonies possible! God will bless you!)”
(From Kent Alston, Whittier Crossing Church) “Thank you, Dea. I appreciate you and your ministry. Thank you for your word from the Lord and for blessing my family. Every night, I lift you and your family up to God in my prayers, for your health, your finances, and protection against the evil ones. First thing in the Morning, I always look forward to reading
your Daily Word emails.
Sometimes I spend a lot of time throughout the day studying what you have to say and comparing it with the word of God. Yes, I can read through it very quickly, but I like to go back and open up my Bible and read the Scriptures you’ve mentioned. It’s my own private Bible study. When you mention a certain pastor or preacher in your life, I always look for him on the Internet, and it kind of gives me a personal connection with you. I remember you told the story once about a pastor you were housesitting for I think his name was Hayford. Then, when it came time for you to have lunch with him, he decided to go with someone else. That kind of made me mad a little bit, but I got over it, lol. Your stories about yourself are very interesting. It gives me and other readers, I hope, a personal connection with you. I’m happy for your son Nathan that he got the passport issues and the visa all straightened out. Thank you for getting me back on track and Back to the Bible. I am encouraged by God’s word everyday and find myself wanting more of what his plan is for my life.”
From the above testimony, you can see how my daily email teachings are helping others. If you aren’t signed up for them, email us at warford7@hotmail.com to sign up for daily or to switch from once a week or once a month. Just let us know by emailing, “sign me up” and we’ll help you do so. Below is a small sample from our Revelation study that we currently send out daily (NKJV used unless otherwise noted …
“The church in Laodicea (now in modern Turkey) was a center for commerce and banking. Because the city did so well economically, the local church boasted in (3:1): “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.” That wasn’t how the Lord saw them! He warned them they “do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” (So much for the cliche, “He accepts you just the way you are.”) It gets worse! “So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew (Greek: “vomit”) you out of My mouth.”
LUKEWARM CHRISTIANS MAKE JESUS SICK TO HIS STOMACH! Not only were they “lukewarm” toward Him, but Jesus spoke of, “the shame of your nakedness”
A likely metaphor for how visible their lack of commitment was to the unsaved!). Present-day America is the most shameless example of nakedness (nudity) perhaps in history!
The partial clothing that even the church has learned to overlook (like on TV) shameful to our Lord? The world can see how much we are like them. But those individuals who refuse to be among the lukewarm have a glorious promise: “To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with me on My throne” (3:21). Imagine the privilege of sitting in the throne room of heaven near Jesus! Could you imagine anything greater? To see the way out of lukewarmness and into His throne room may require a revelation: “Anoint your eyes with eye salve that you may see” (3:18). The purpose for which God sent the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles was, “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:18). People in darkness need their eyes opened. Jesus said, “anoint YOUR eyes with eye salve.” So, this is something the person has to do. God, apart from their involvement, doesn’t do it for them. It is the choice to turn to God from the darkened path and to apply truth to error. As with the other churches, there were conditions for the Laodicean church, you, and me. To sit with Jesus, We must:
- Anoint our eyes to see
- Be zealous and repent
- Overcome!
(Help send Nathan to turn a nation that is in great “darkness to Light” through your prayers and finances! Expect a good report soon!)