January 24, 2022 • 58 mins
Our guest on the show today is Bungo Kubota. Bungo is the founder and senior leader of Kingdom Seekers Church in Tokyo, Japan.
https://www.kingdomseekers.jp/
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Mark Banyard (00:09):
Welcome to Kingdom talk, the podcast where we talk
all about things kingdom. I'myour host, Mark Banyard, and
I'll be interviewing a varietyof people who through their
lives and ministries have beencommitted to advancing the
kingdom of God, church planters,church leaders, pioneers of
missions and ministries both athome as well as abroad. So let's
(00:33):
go straight to today's episodeof Kingdom talk.
My guest today on the show isBungo Kubota. Bungo is the
founder and senior leader ofKingdom Seekers church in Tokyo,
(00:55):
Japan. Well, good morning,Bungo. Nice to have you on our
show.
Bungo Kubota (01:02):
Hi, Mark. It's my honor to be here. Thank you very
much for having me.
Mark Banyard (01:06):
Oh, you're so very welcome. And it's it's really
our delight to have you as ourguest today.
Bungo Kubota (01:13):
Thank you, for your ministry for our church,
and especially for the youngergeneration. They are now rising
up and are filled with the HolySpirit by your ministry and
prayers. Thank you so much.
Mark Banyard (01:23):
Oh, my It's been my privilege. I'm looking
forward to when we can get backto Japan. As soon as the borders
open, we will be on that plane.
Bungo Kubota (01:32):
We really need your help. Thank you.
Mark Banyard (01:36):
Bungo, I'd like to begin by just asking about your
own conversion experience. Howdid you become a Christian in
Japan?
Bungo Kubota (01:45):
Okay, I was born in Tokyo, Japan, and I was born
again in Tokyo, Japan also. SoI'm very made in Japan,
Christian. It's very rare. And Ihave a unique background as a
follower of Jesus in Japan, Ithink Can I have a little short
testimony about how I came tothe Lord?
Yeah, I was born in veryordinary Japanese family, and I
(02:09):
went to church by myself when Iwas in the fifth grade of
elementary school. This is quiteunique. And it was very
beginning of the small housechurch. And there was no any
fancy, attractive program forkids or youth, this as just a
five or six other people sittingon the Japanese tatami mat, you
(02:31):
will remember that?
Mark Banyard (02:32):
Yes, sure. Do. I remember the smell too.
Bungo Kubota (02:37):
So nothing that's direct to me except the Word of
God. And at that time I did notunderstand any doctrine about
the cross, but I realized thatJesus is true God. And then
sometime later, I found myselfpraying in tongues during
(02:59):
worship on Sunday. And I didn'tknow anything about the Holy
Spirit. But I do remember thatthe other people surrounding me,
they are so excited about it.
Mark Banyard (03:11):
Wow, they must have been.
Bungo Kubota (03:13):
Yeah. So far..., well, this sounds like very
story of the spiritual elite.
But after that, I didn't go tochurch so much during my junior
high or high school days. Soafter I graduated my university,
so after the long backslidingseason, I'll skip the story, but
after I graduated from myuniversity, my life became very
(03:36):
hard. And I lost the meaning oflife. And suddenly thought,
well, oh, let's go back tochurch - my home. Jesus is True
God so let's go back to him. Soit's a very, the return of the
prodigal Son, I think.
So, I went back to church whereI had been saved and started to
(03:59):
work and doing someadministration in the church and
taking care of the youth group.
And during those years, I gotmarried and had children. So,
while I was serving, while I wasserving in my local church, I
feel that God gave me theanointing of teaching the Bible,
biblical understanding,revelation, etc., these kinds of
(04:25):
things. So this is my early daysof my believing the faith life.
Mark Banyard (04:36):
Now, how old were you when you were married?
Bungo Kubota (04:39):
26
Mark Banyard (04:41):
Was your wife.
your wife was a believer at thattime to?
Bungo Kubota (04:44):
No, I evangelized to her.
Mark Banyard (04:49):
Wonderful! She's a strong Christian woman, too.
Bungo Kubota (04:54):
She is very prophetic and revelational, and
she's full of wisdom and she isa wonderful wife. And it's very
unique because me and my wifealso, both of us, are first
generation Christians. This isvery rare, I think, in Japan.
Mark Banyard (05:12):
Very rare. Yes.
Yeah, very rare. Well praise theLord.
When did you first have a senseof calling? You talked about
having a teaching gift, arevelation of Scripture, so on
and so forth, but when did youor how did you come to
(05:32):
understand there was a callingon your life?
Bungo Kubota (05:34):
So after a few years of my early days of the
Christian life, I got theopportunity to work on the
Christian media company inJapan, back to 2005. So I became
a reporter of the newspaper,Japan's Christian newspaper,
called the Revival Times Japan
Mark Banya (05:53):
Revival Times Japan,
Bungo Kubota (05:57):
It's a newspaper for Pentecostal church leaders.
Mark Banyard (06:00):
Okay. And you were called to be a journalist?
Bungo Kubota (06:04):
Yes, yes. And I had originally written some
articles for secular magazine.
So my writing skill was alreadydeveloped before I got into this
company. So I was able to doresearch and editing and writing
etc. And going along to manychurches.
So I enjoyed this job. And soonI was promoted to Editor in
(06:29):
Chief. So I traveled not onlyinside Japan, but also other
countries and to interview manypastors and also many apostolic
leaders. And as I continued todo my research, I noticed that
many apostolic and propheticleaders and, all over the world,
(06:52):
they start to talk somethingnew. This was season of the
midst of the new revelation. I think.
Mark Banyard (07:01):
So you began, you began to hear them saying the
same kind of thing?
Bungo Kubota (07:07):
The apostolic leaders, up until then, usually,
they had been talking about thechurches. But they were now
speaking more about the Kingdom.
So but you know, at the time,the difference between the
Church and the Kingdom was stillgenerally bad. Not so clear.
Mark Banyard (07:29):
Not too clear at all. No,
Bungo Kubota (07:31):
No. And very only few people could explain exactly
how are they different betweenChurch and Kingdom? You
understand that?
So, and also the concept, newconcept, of the transformation -
the word "transformation" isrising up as well as "revival".
Mark Banyard (07:52):
And so that really got your attention
Bungo Kubota (07:54):
Yeah, yes. Yes. So I feel, what is what's going on
now? And what is the Holy Spiritdoing? And among these anointed
leaders, what is this kind ofrevelation? So I was very
interested in that.
Mark Banyard (08:09):
Now, this was back in 2000...?
Bungo Kubota (08:11):
It was from 2005 to2008, I think.
Mark Banyard (08:16):
Okay. So, here you are, you're working as a
journalist for a PentecostalChristian newspaper. And you're
getting this great opportunityto travel to interview apostolic
figures, prophetic people,...you start to hear the voice
of God, you start to hear aboutthe Kingdom. Not just about the
(08:40):
Church. So what took you frombeing a journalist to actually
being a church planter?
Bungo Kubota (08:46):
Yes. One day the Lord told me to make the list of
the disciples, churches andKingdom with a division of the
visions and missions and goals.
Mark Banyard (08:59):
Okay, all right.
So that say that again, he hegot you to write a list of with
three things
Bungo Kubota (09:05):
...individual disciples, ...individual local
churches, ...and the Kingdom,...with each vision, mission,
goals.
Mark Banyard (09:22):
Okay, like a blueprint. That's interesting.
Bungo Kubota (09:28):
It is like unpacking from the Bible, a
blueprint, as you said, Yes. So,for next few years, I continue
to make that list. So, and whenI finish it, I realized that we
need a church that can unleash,release, the kingdom, not just
(09:50):
for the pastoring of individualpeople. So this kind of concept
came to me, it's because I havea gift of journalistic analysis.
I think.
Mark Banyard (10:01):
Right, so, ...God was speaking to you but that
ability to analyze was helpingyou to actually process all of
this.
Bungo Kubota (10:15):
Yes. So I think the Holy Spirit very uniquely
guided me, led me to make thiskind of blueprint of the what is
Kingdom?
Mark Banyard (10:26):
So when did you take the blueprint and begin to
feel a release to move upon it?
Bungo Kubota (10:33):
Yeah, it has before I think 2008 Because in
the year 2008, I started my newchurch planting. Yeah. Because
unfortunately, I couldn't findsuch a church, which I have in
my heart. So, in 2008, I startedto small church planting. So it
(10:56):
was a church planting, but Ithink it was a Kingdom planting.
Mark Banyard (11:00):
Did you find at that time that you had a lot of
support from other people or...,
Bungo Kubota (11:04):
Never, never. I had no leadership team, no
budget, no strategy, just onlyhave the revelation of the Word
of God. So it as very tough workfor me.
Mark Banyard (11:16):
Wow! So give us a picture of what that looked
like, in terms of, were you justmeeting in your house? Or how
many people and how did you doit? What was your strategy?
Bungo Kubota (11:29):
My strategy?
First, I feel, I think, Ithought I could do more
effective church planting with ahouse net, house church style.
But because, you know, it isvery difficult to do church
planting in Japan. Yes.
Mark Banyard (11:48):
And it is anywhere in the world, particularly in
Japan!
Bungo Kubota (11:51):
Japanese culture, mentality and system and
customs, everything resistedchurch planting in Japan, you
understand that?
Mark Banyard (11:59):
Yes, I certainly do.
Bungo Kubota (12:01):
And you know, in addition, the vision, which I
was given was very, how to say,spectacular, it is so huge
vision. So, I need not only leadpeople to salvation, but also
help them to understand themeaning of this vision.
Mark Banyard (12:20):
So you not only wanted to see people come to the
Lord, to put their faith inJesus' work on the cross. But
you had a heart to disciple themin the things of the Kingdom as
Bungo Kubota (12:31):
Yes, yes, yes, exactly. And it is very hard to
well.
explain something that hasn'tbeen realized or seen yet. And
simply say, we don't aim to bethe church just to wait for
people to finish their life onthe earth. And just to go to
(12:53):
heaven, no. But we need thechurch to unleash heaven to
earth.
Mark Banyard (12:58):
...to be activated by the Holy Spirit, trained and
prepared and released,activated, in their calling in
their destiny and purpose.
Bungo Kubota (13:09):
So I want to produce more, raise up more
Overcomers who can change andtransform the world.
Mark Banyard (13:18):
And that's, and that's what you're doing? Yes.
Bungo Kubota (13:20):
And, uh, you know, it's very funny, even now, some
church members, who have been inmy church for 10 years,
sometimes say to me,"PastorBungo. Now, I finally
understand what you say!"
Mark Banyard (13:35):
Yep, I know what that's like. But it's important
that you keep on, you keepfocused and moving forward. And,
and eventually, people come intoit. There's a revelation of the
Spirit that comes.
Bungo Kubota (13:55):
Of course, for church, the ordinary pastoral
function is very absolutelynecessary, I think. But that
alone is not enough to manifestthe fullness of Jesus' glory, I
think. So the church shouldunleash, release the destiny of
(14:17):
not only people's lives but alsocities and nations.
Mark Banyard (14:22):
Yes, yes, I agree.
Bungo Kubota (14:24):
This kind of passion arose in me, and intense
passion to prove that truepotential of the church, ...as a
Kingdom channel, I say I couldnot allow the Lord's church to
(14:47):
be underestimated. So, I wantthese so I want to spend my
whole life to prove this.
Mark Banyard (14:57):
Well, that is a noble cause. And, also one that
I believe is on God's heart. Sohe wants to help us in that.
Yeah.
Bungo Kubota (15:08):
So you know, this even I had this passion, I have
no power or no ability or nowisdom in myself. So always by
grace, step by step, the Lordleads me to the fulfill of my
destiny, I think.
Mark Banyard (15:27):
Yes. So you started back in 2008? Yes. Have
I got the date? Right? Okay. Andjust with a few people, and now
you've grown and God has reallyblessed you and not without
challenge. But you've reallygrown in what the Lord's called
(15:52):
you to do? And why don't youtell us a little bit about that?
Bungo Kubota (15:57):
I think I was never called to be a pastor, as
a title. You know, this is avery funny expression. But
because sometimes people askedme, "Pastor Bongo, how do you do
your church planting?" But yeah,it's by much helping with other
(16:23):
leaders and other apostoliccovering, prophetic covering, so
many people always helped me.
And we are originally only twofamilies, we started in the
small house meeting. And step bystep God, gave me more workers,
more people who have a passion,heart desire. And, yeah, it is
(16:49):
very amazing. I feel day by day,I mean, the very miracle of God.
This was where I think it wasvery, totally crazy, and crazy
to do church planting in Japanwithout any any budget or any
strategy. But even after theCorona Virus, you know, however,
(17:11):
God blessed this small flock,for many, many years. So God is
faithful, I think, I really sayGod is so faithful. And even
after the corona pandemic, ourchurch did not cancel in person
Sunday service, not even onlyonce.
Mark Banyard (17:30):
Wow, so you continued meet.
Bungo Kubota (17:33):
...and the more than two years have passed
without a single person beinginfected.
Mark Banyard (17:40):
Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus!
Bungo Kubota (17:40):
And so we feel the powerful protection of the
Lord's blood. And also, as Isaid, now, our church has become
well established as a localcommunity. We are recognized as
a religious corporationsatisfied by the agency for the
cultural affairs of JapaneseGovernment. Sounds so good?!
Mark Banyard (18:03):
That's very official.
Bungo Kubota (18:05):
And now we are working with a Shibuya local
government office as a satisfiedNPO food bank project.
Mark Banyard (18:16):
And you have you have been recognized for the
great work you're doing Iunderstand.
Bungo Kubota (18:23):
So this is God's divine favor. I really, I feel I
really appreciate Jesus forusing us as his vessel. And this
is a, yes, this is a part of ourvision to be a blessing to the
local people, to be a blessingto the local cities and nations.
Mark Banyard (18:49):
Just for our listeners, Bungo, I know Shibuya
when we lived in Nakameguro, wewere probably there, I don't
know, five times a week fordifferent meetings and things
like that. But Shibuya is partof Tokyo. But it's its own city.
Is that correct?
Bungo Kubota (19:05):
I think Tokyo is a very huge city and Shibuya is a
one of the center districts, Ithink.
Mark Banyard (19:12):
And how many, what would be the population of
Shibuya?
Bungo Kubota (19:14):
Okay, Shibuya's population is 400,000 people,
...400,000 people.
Mark Banyard (19:27):
That's a lot of people in just one area.
Bungo Kubota (19:29):
Yes. Yes. Because
Mark Banyard (19:31):
...and is it? Is it cheap to to rent a building
there?
Bungo Kubota (19:35):
No, no, no, Tokyo is the highest cost. Many
missionaries they want to cometo do their mission in Tokyo.
But when they come to Tokyo,what they face is what a high
price they have to cost.
Mark Banyard (19:51):
Yeah, yeah. Very, very expensive. You recently
moved to a new building. Butwhen you first had a building in
Shibuya it was, oh, I don'tknow, how many tatami mats was
that, it was not very big. Butyou were there for several years
praying and, and, and seekingthe Lord and also interceding
(20:16):
into the city and takingauthority over some of the
strongholds that you needed todeal with before you can move
forward. I know, I know thatthat was not necessarily an easy
process, but tell us where youare now.
Bungo Kubota (20:30):
Now we are moving to new building and but also
because of this currentpandemic, we're a little bit
modifying our strategy, andstill we pray, we are worshipers
and we are prayer warriors. So Ibelieve we don't, I believe we
should not stop the gathering.
(20:52):
Now, so now, God gave us the newstrategy. So alternatively,
bi-weekly, we gather in oneplace and we gather in house
meetings. One of the reasons whywe do the separate house meeting
style is because now graduallywe are getting more bigger as a
(21:15):
church as a local church, thenwe cannot find enough place in
Shibuya city. Because in Shibuyacity there are many buildings
but every place is very small,and if we want to find a much
huge place, it costs too much.
And you know, this is noteffective for us to have much
better, much bigger place insideShibuya. And, also, this is a
(21:36):
very City Church. So people comefrom many places. Actually, no
one is living in Shibuya city,you understand, people from
other prefectures or other wardsor other district. So, the more
people gather in our church, themore we need a location where
people can gather as a localgathering.
Mark Banyard (22:03):
Right? That makes a lot of sense. Has anybody
suggested to you that perhapsyou should move way outside of
Tokyo where the land is cheap?
And?
Bungo Kubota (22:15):
Well? Well, as a human being, I myself think
about it. But Holy Spirit stillreminds us inside Tokyo. So...,
Mark Banyard (22:28):
You have such a focus and calling to Tokyo
Bungo Kubota (22:33):
This is a kind of dilemma, you understand that
because if we go to the suburbside or outside Tokyo, we can
rent much bigger buildings, wecan buy some good place, some
good house, but somehow HolySpirit asked me to stay inside
Tokyo and that's okay. What Ican do is only be submissive.
(22:56):
You know, because always God'sstrategy or God's wisdom is much
better than my wisdom.
Mark Banyard (23:03):
Yeah, amen.
I'm reminded of the words ofJesus, when He said, apart from
me, you can do nothing. And sowhen we, when we go off with our
own ideas of what we want to do,we start to draw away from that
place of submission. Don't we?
But when we stay there, andwe're willing, God blesses it.
(23:28):
And that's certainly part ofyour testimony.
Bungo, I want to ask you, if wecan talk a little bit more about
the Kingdom of God and theChurch of Jesus Christ. Your
church happens to be calledKingdom Seekers, which I think
(23:48):
is a wonderful name, but a veryunusual name. But I'm wondering
if we could take a few minutesif we let's just talk about what
the difference in your mind is,or the similarities between the
Kingdom of God and the Church. Iknow in my own personal
experience, and you've alreadysaid it already, today, is that
(24:10):
for a long time, people didn'ttalk about anything but the
church or if they talked aboutthe kingdom, it was something
that was it wasn't wellexplained, there was a lot of
confusion about it. So why don'tyou just just tell us a little
bit about your understandingnow.
Bungo Kubota (24:25):
Of course, I don't deny any or any definition about
the local churches, as manypeople shared. Of course, I love
local churches, I reallyunderstand how important it is.
But also when we connect thisconcept of the Kingdom, it's
going to be more effective, Ithink. And the kingdom of God is
like a realm of God's gloriousreign. The realm where the
(24:50):
truths of the world and thepower of the Holy Spirit are
manifested, they are realized,Just like, like a wifi
connection, wifi signal or nowthis is inside a wifi realm, so,
we can download, we can access,we can operate the iPhone, a
smartphone, like that. So,
Mark Banyard (25:11):
Right? ...run different software programs...
Bungo Kubota (25:15):
So, when we say Kingdom of God, that is the
place where God's glorymanifests`, and God's Word is
applied, and the principle orany..., the promises of the Word
of God will be fulfilled. Ofcourse, until the last second
(25:36):
coming, that will not befulfilled, fully possible I
think. Now we are in the seasonoverlapping of that. The Kingdom
has already come, and kingdom isnot yet come. The first coming
to second coming. So this isthis decision.
Ephesians 1 (25:59):
10 says as a plan for the fulness of time, (He
will) unite all things in Him,things in heaven and things on
earth. So the goal of Kingdom ofGod is a complete connection of
heaven and earth. So the churchmust be this connection point, I
(26:22):
think. It's like a dam in themountain. Like, like, dam, the
river, the water?
Mark Banyard (26:33):
Oh, yes, a dam, yes.
Bungo Kubota (26:36):
So from upstream, the water comes, and they keep
it, and then they unleash it tothe downstream. So churches are
like this. We open heaven andaccept the power of the Holy
Spirit, Presence from the Lordor the glory of the Lord, then
we keep it and then we releaseit to the earth. So the church
(27:00):
must be the channel of thekingdom. This is my basic
understanding.
So our strategy is open heavenand open earth. In some
churches, they are very good toopen heaven, they are very good
to worship, prayer. So they canhost, they can welcome the
(27:23):
Presence of the Lord. Butsometimes they are not good to
release it on this earth.
Mark Banyard (27:31):
Well said.
Bungo Kubota (27:31):
But some churches, they are very good to really
open earth. They do many worksactivities, and they have a
people and they have a goodhospitality. And they like
to..., they are good to connectwith the local governments. But
sometimes they are not good toopen heaven. So they lose the
(27:55):
more spiritual aspect. They losethe Holy Spirit, power of the
Holy Spirit. And then theybecome just one of, like a
volunteer organization. So Ithink both are important, open
heaven-open earth, and we can wecontinue to release the life
flow of the water (Word) of life.
Mark Banyard (28:19):
Very good. I remember years ago, when I first
went into ministry, I was veryfocused on the church, local
church, being a pastor. And oneday I was reading just in the in
the Bible where Jesus taught hisdisciples how to pray. And, of
(28:41):
course, the beginning of theLord's Prayer is our Father who
art in heaven, hallowed be thyname, thy kingdom come, thy will
be done on earth, as it is inheaven. At that point, I had a
revelation of heaven and earthcoming together. And of the
church being the conduit. Yes.
And that's what that's thepicture you have, of heaven upon
(29:04):
the earth. That's why we'rehere..., that's our call
calling, that's the church'sdestiny and purpose. It's not
that the Kingdom was made forthe Church, but the Church was
made for the Kingdom because,Jesus is the King.
(29:25):
Speak to me about, let's talkabout the importance of the Holy
Spirit in the church.
Bungo Kubota (29:31):
You know, as you said, the Lord's prayer, Matthew
6 (29:34):
10, "Your kingdom come, your will your will be done on earth
as it is in heaven." I want toadd one word: By the Church,
through Church!
Mark Banyard (29:48):
Amen.
Bungo Kubota (29:48):
So the church is called not only to pray this
prayer, but also, to be theanswer of this prayer. In that
way, we really need the HolySpirit. And I think the Japanese
church is, mostly in theJapanese church, we're still
(30:11):
struggling, we are still in thedifficult, have some difficulty
to understand how to be, how tohave an intimate relationship
with the Holy Spirit. But, Ithink the last 10 years or 20
years, things have graduallybeen changing. People open their
(30:33):
hearts more, and people start tolisten to Holy Spirit more and,
I feel a kind of spiritualbarrier is now coming to break,
little by little. No, I say notonly inside Japanese church.
This is what I feel amongst theordinary Japanese people in
(30:53):
Japan's culture. And I also wantto say that emphasize this: Holy
Spirit has a very uniquestrategy for Japanese churches,
in many ways.
Mark Banyard (31:06):
Oh! ...tell us about that.
Bungo Kubota (31:09):
Like, evangelism or like worship, or like even
the Bible study, I believe Godwants to redeem the gift of
Japan. We're still, Japan'schurches, we are following the
(31:29):
Western Church style. Maybe,maybe you understand that one.
Mark Banyard (31:35):
Yes. Yeah, absolutely.
Bungo Kubota (31:38):
You know, I have heard many discussions about the
revival in Japan. I don't knowthe answer yet. But, what I
understand is that the methodsand programs that have worked in
other countries will not work inJapan. So Japan's churches, we
leaders, we need to have moreconfidence that we can listen
(32:00):
from Holy Spirit, we can hearthe voice of Holy Spirit, and we
can have our own identity asJapanese churches. But you know,
when we want to restore ouridentity definitely, we need to
be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Mark Banyard (32:24):
And it's interesting that when you told
us about your testimony, as achild, that you just started
speaking in tongues, that youwere, you had been filled with
the Holy Spirit. And all theseyears later, you know, you're, I
think one of the key leaders inJapan today, with regard to a
(32:45):
revelation of the Church as theanswer to Jesus' Prayer.
Bungo Kubota (32:51):
Yes, yes. So I think God gave me a very unique
gift and a unique calling. Andstill, you know, I'm not sure
what am I for?
Mark Banyard (33:05):
Maybe that's a good thing.
Bungo Kubota (33:08):
Well, what I understand is that God gave me
the eyes to observe deeper, witha deeper journalistic sense
about what's going on in Japan,especially, what does Holy
Spirit want to do in Japan? Ithink, also, what I feel now is
(33:31):
that Japan's churches, we needmore spiritual fathers and
mothers. Paul said that thereare many instructors, but not
many fathers, he said. So Itotally agree that that's right.
We need role models, who areanointed, who have a more
(33:52):
apostolic sense and who want toedify and who want to release
the destiny of the nextgeneration. But you know, when
we want to be a father ormother, first we have to learn
sonship or daughter-ship, right?
But without Holy Spirit, wecannot find it.
Mark Banyard (34:15):
So true. So true.
Bungo Kubota (34:18):
So, even though I was born in a very ordinary
Japanese family so I don't haveenough sense about what is
father what is mother, but aftermany, many years, the Holy
Spirit gradually teach me whatis father-ship or what is
sonship, these kind of things.
So, I believe the Japanesechurch, we are, of course, we
(34:40):
need the signs and wonders andmiracles, of course, but also we
have to understand more identityabout ourselves or identity what
what is father, what is son,this kind of relationship, what
is family. This revelation mustbe in such different churches.
Mark Banyard (35:00):
We know, too, that the beginning of cultural
transformation in any nationrequires an individual personal
transformation. And so identityis foundational. Wouldn't you
agree?
Bungo Kubota (35:17):
Yes, yes, yes.
First we need to find ouridentity then we can change our
culture, not opposite way. So,many churches they tried to
emphasize and praise theculture, but before culture, we
have to find identity.
So, I think there are threesteps. This is also our mission
(35:42):
statement in the church that,first, raising up the children
of God. Second, building up thehouse of God
Mark Banyard (35:51):
...building up the house of God,
Bungo Kubota (35:53):
Then, third, expanding the Kingdom of God.
Mark Banyard (35:59):
Wonderful.
Bungo Kubota (36:00):
So, in other words, there are three stages:
identity, culture and destiny.
Mark Banyard (36:07):
Very good, very good.
Bungo Kubota (36:11):
This is a step I think, first we need to have
individual identity as sons anddaughters of God. Then, next, we
can gather and make a family andmaking, produce, a new Kingdom,
heavenly culture. Then we canunderstand what is our destiny?
Because when we find our family,we can find our destiny, right?
Mark Banyard (36:35):
Yes. So true. And so what does revival in Japan
look like to you?
Bungo Kubota (36:44):
Oh, that is a huge, huge thing, and it's
difficult to explain in only oneword. Basically revival is a,
...revival as serving,...Lordship, not what we do, but
what Jesus does. So it will notcome according to our
(37:04):
convenience or our agenda. Buthowever, God is looking for a
place where He can dwell, youknow, yes, a dwelling place. And
I think the Japanese gift is,one of the Japanese gifts, is a
priestly gift. It's very, it'svery fine that even non
(37:31):
Christians, non believers, butin Japanese culture, we have
something like very, openheaven concept. And Japanese
temples or Japanese shrines,some Buddhist Shintoism people.
When we talk about, when we talkwith them, they have something
(37:55):
like this concept youunderstand?
So once they are redeemed, andonce they really understand the
true God, I think they are morehungry to welcome or to host the
true God. And I believe thatJapan's church leaders, we have
(38:16):
a gift to be worshipers, reallyworshipers - genuine, authentic
worshipers. Because you know, weare the descendants of Samurai,
Samurai Warriors. And the word"samurai" was..., Samurai,
orignally the meaning is of aservant, did you know that?
(38:39):
And we are very, ...we havepassion to sacrifice ourselves,
to the Lord, to the Master. Sothis kind of our gift, as a
worshiper, should be redeemedand then we can welcome a lot
(39:00):
more and more.
And also, now I'm concentratingon evangelism to Generation Z.
Yes. Because always revival isfrom the, I think, the new
generation. And now, I'm no morenew generation I think. I must
(39:26):
find a new generation. I mustraise up a new generation. And
the Japanese history, in Japan'sChristian history we never take
over one generation yet.
Mark Banyard (39:39):
Interesting.
Bungo Kubota (39:42):
Japan's society is now getting more old, old aged
society. No more a youngergeneration not like other
continents, other nations, nowJapan's average age is getting
older and older and more we haveto concentrate on taking care of
the next generation, and we haveto find a kind of remnant of the
(40:06):
next generation. And I believethey will have more anointing
than us. And I believe, to raiseup this generation, we need
apostolic fathers and mothers.
And what if I say more, we needto fivefold ministry, to raise
up the new generation.
Mark Banyard (40:25):
But I do think that, the revival in Japan will
be something that, as you said,is unique to Japan as well.
Bungo Kubota (40:36):
I think in Japan's revival, God wants to use very
ordinary leaders, not like onesuperstar. I hope that God
anoints his ordinary people,ordinary pastors and leaders, as
(40:58):
fathers and mothers. Because nowwe are in the very, in the very,
...we can access by smartphone, we can access any kind of
intelligence and any kind ofinformation. So, only to this
information, only to knowledge,people can not be attracted
(41:22):
anymore.
But when they findthe fathers and mothers, this is
Mark Banyard (41:24):
Right.
not something in the internet.
More human relational and moreheart to heart relationship, and
always the power of the HolySpirit comes through the vessel,
not by the Internet ...you Yes.
understand that?
Bungo Kubota (41:45):
I believe that God wants to establish more leaders
who have a heart of fathers andmothers who can sacrifice
themselves for the nextgeneration. And who can raise
up, not for for themselves, butto just to bless, and love and
serve the next generation. If wefind these kinds of images, that
is a very big transformation.
Mark Banyard (42:08):
Oh, I believe it, I believe it was a common
problem in Japan, in the churchhas been church planters that
are now very old, yes. Maybe 80or 90, or something like this.
And they haven't been able toraise up anybody. And so
(42:29):
basically, they're about to go.
And there's nobody, basically tohand the church over to. And
that speaks to what you weresharing with us a few minutes
ago, is that God's work is fromgeneration to generation. And
there needs to be a generation,something passed on to the next
generation that hasn't happenedin the past. And I think that
(42:50):
that's when you are standing inthe gap. And that you are, I
believe, you and others like youare our game changers. You know,
you've got to, you carry arevelation of God, a cross
generational God who moves fromgeneration to generation until
Jesus returns. That what's keyfor what's going to happen in
(43:14):
Japan, it's about leadersgetting revelation of raising up
the next generation that raisesup the next generation. And we
keep doing that faithfully untilthe Lord returns.
Bungo Kubota (43:26):
So I think that every church must be
generational. And what we haveestablished in our generation
must be the foundation of thenext generation.
Mark Banyard (43:43):
Yes, I agree.
Bungo Kubota (43:44):
So sometimes people say the Japanese church
is not so big. We don't have anymega church in Japan. But it's
okay. Small church is okay. Butevery church must have their
spiritual successor, spiritualson and spiritual daughter. You
know, in many churches it's easyto find the staff, the
(44:07):
employees, ...servants, but it'svery few who find the spiritual
sons and the daughters. We needmore spiritual sons and
daughters who can carry, not theministry, but who can carry the
heart of fathers and mothers.
Because the way of the method ofthe ministry, it always changes.
(44:29):
You know, every generation,every season, the way of
talking, the way of preaching,this kind of things will be not
eternal, always must be changed,change, changes, you know. But
the heart to take care of thenext generation, the heart of
the shepherd, which will neverend. So we can find some new
(44:50):
generation who can carry thisheart and the heart which is
really keeping the hunger beforethe Lord. This kind of heart we
have to, we have to impart.
(45:12):
Like, it's like Moses, andJoshua, just like Moses and
Joshua. When Moses came to themeeting tabernacle, after that,
after Moses left, still Joshuawas in the meeting Tabernacle.
The Presence of the Lord wasstill there. So Joshua, he
studied a lot from Moses, not byteaching, but by his lifestyle.
Mark Banyard (45:38):
Observing,
Bungo Kubota (45:38):
...observing the lifestyle, yes, yes.
Mark Banyard (45:43):
Yeah, I think and that's a really key thing, I
think what you're emphasizing isthat it's not just teaching
people, but it's modelingsomething. And that's actually
got to come from people likeyou. And I think one of the
changes is, and again, there areother people out there, who who
(46:05):
are walking in this, but there'sgot to be a strength in
leadership, yet a humility inhow you live in front of your
people, I think sonship anddaughterhood are, it's something
that they have to understandwhat it is that you've said so
well, that they feel thatthey've been loved and affirmed
(46:27):
and lifted up. But then they'veactually watched you do it consistently.
Bungo Kubota (46:32):
And I think this, this kind of things, is not our,
how to say...., in Japan'sculture, we don't have this kind
of family style. So we have tolearn from the beginning about
what is fathership, what issonship. And, also, we have
(46:56):
adapted in our Japan'smentality. So it's not like just
And what a good purpose, what avery good purpose
a three days program. This isnot just five days youth camp,
but we have to spend years andyears and years. So, that is
family, that is the purpose ofthe local church, I believe.
(47:29):
Jesus never ordered us to buildup the church. But the Bible
often asked us, to be thefamily, to unite, to love each
other, to have a responsibilityto take care of each other. What
(47:51):
God says is we, we're, what Godwants us to be is, we will be
the family. Then if we canconnect each other well, if we
can love each other well, Godcan anoint this team, God
anointed this family, God cangive us the authority, ...that
(48:14):
is His church. We don't have aresponsibility to build up the
church, but we have aresponsibility to build up the
relationship. Then God will makeit as a church.
Mark Banyard (48:30):
Jesus said, "A new command I give to you to love
one another. As I have lovedyou." In so that's, that's what
I hear you talking? Yes.
Bungo Kubota (48:38):
Yes, yes, yes.
Mark Banyard (48:40):
Yeah, very good.
One last question. This has beenso good. And but one last
question. I'd like to ask you asa leader in Japan, and not an
old one, but not a young one.
What what do you consider to beyour greatest challenge right
(49:03):
now?
Bungo Kubota (49:04):
My greatest challenge, I have many greatest
challenges. But the one thing isbecause of this current
pandemic, we have to find a newway of how, a new way of the...,
(49:24):
say, a new wineskin as a localchurch, as a Kingdom successor.
This is a very big challenge,especially in the very Tokyo
side. As you said, as we said,this is a very high cost place.
And if we cannot get togetherconstantly, how can we connect
(49:45):
each other, only by internet andzoom? Or should we have a more
house meeting style, etc. Thiskind of new wineskin is a very
urgently needed thing for us.
And also the biggest spiritualchallenge is how can we keep
(50:09):
concentrating on the Lord Jesus,because we have much information
in this era and we have manysocial changing situations. But
even in among this stream, howwe can find the will of God? You
(50:30):
know, when we read the Bible, weautomatically interpret these
things for our life, You know?
But the way of interpretationmust be changed more and more.
Mark Banyard (50:51):
How so?
Bungo Kubota (50:52):
Yes. You know, the, because the human
relationships or governmentsituation, financial situation,
etc, these things are changing,changing. So, we have to follow
up, we have no, we have tofollow what is the newest way of
the will of God? Maybe this is alittle bit difficult to explain
(51:15):
in English.
Mark Banyard (51:17):
Okay. So what I understand you saying is that,
in light of the times that we'rein, we need to continue to read
the Scripture, seek God the HolySpirit and let him bring a
freshness to our understandingof what he's saying in the
moment that we're living,
Bungo Kubota (51:38):
Yes. For our daily life, the application how, how
can we apply the Word of God,and especially for the next
generation, like Generation Z.
For them, our old interpretationstyle or our old preaching style
or our old message doesn't work.
(52:00):
So we have to rethink about whatJesus wants to say to this next
generation, this kind of thing.
Of course, the truth will neverchange. But application must be
changed more.
Mark Banyard (52:13):
Right? Right.
Yeah, very good. Well, I wouldlike to ask you, just before we
say goodbye, if you would pray.
For those who are listeningtoday, there are some people who
might have a heart for Japan.
And they'll tune in andthinking, "Oh, I'd like to go
and serve in Japan." But moreespecially for those who are in
(52:37):
Japan, and who are wondering ifthere's anything more? Is it
just going to church to aservice? And is it just me being
like a servant? Is thereanything more from my life? Is
there a calling on my life? Isthere a destiny and purpose on
(52:59):
my life?
Bungo Kubota (53:03):
Father in heaven, thank you for this wonderful
opportunity to talk with ourbeloved brother, Mark Banyard,
and thank you, because God,among this conversation, you
give us some wisdom, and yougive us a new revelation, and
you encourage the listeners tofulfill their destiny in the Lord.
(53:25):
Lord, thank you now, especiallywe pray for the people who want
to come, who have concerns forJapan. Lord, please send more
people, please send moreanointed leaders. And please
send the people who have aburden for the salvation of the
people of Japan. Well, thankyou, because you are the
(53:48):
faithful one, and you arefaithful, you are a faithful
leader and you will leadeverybody, every servant, to
fulfill your destiny and Lord,please release the Kingdom
culture upon this nation. Andalso please help and encourage
the people who are attending aSunday service and, Lord, please
(54:10):
reveal their destiny. Pleaseopen their eyes and please open
their hearts because they arenot called just to sitting down
on the chair. But you want touse them for your glory because
they are part of the Body of theChrist. Lord, please let them
feel that honor. Let them feeltheir special privilege which
(54:35):
they have (been) given. Thankyou, because you pour out the
Holy Spirit to each one of them.
So they can be Christ-likecharacter and they can be the
ministry as you have done onthis earth.
Lord, please release yourKingdom through us, through
churches, through individualdisciples and, Lord, we really
(55:00):
need your help under you. Yougive us much grace, more and
more, so that we can fulfillour purpose and our destiny.
And, Lord, please, let theJapanese church rise up, please,
let the Japanese church rise up.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
(55:21):
I also appreciate all themissionaries who have come to
Japan and faithfully servedJapan churches and Japanese
people. Lord, please bless them.
Lord, you know how much theyhave been sacrificing their life
to Japan. So, Lord, pleasereward them. Please bless them,
please give them more grace. Andplease give them more anointing
(55:43):
so that they can be moreeffective to the Japan society.
Lord thank you so much, so much.
Mark Banyard (55:53):
Thank you, Lord.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen. Amen. Well, thank you,Bungo, I so much appreciate your
time and your insights and justsharing a bit of your life story
with us today.
Bungo Kubota (56:09):
Thank you very much for having me.
Mark Banyard (56:11):
You are more than welcome. And we just send our
love to your family, wife, kidsand to the body of Christ there.
Please let them know that wethink of them often and are
praying for them.
At the end of the show, in thenotes, there will be links to
(56:32):
Kingdom Seekers Japan andperhaps Bungo will be kind
enough to give us some sort oflink where people who want more
information, how they can getthat about what he's doing in
Japan. And so once again, thankyou, we so much, ...we bless
you and thank you for for allthat you're doing. And we're
(56:53):
glad to be partners with you inwhat God's doing in Japan.
Bungo Kubota (56:57):
Thank you so much.
It's my pleasure to join withyou. Thank you for always
helping and encouraging us as anapostolic father. Thank you,
because you are one of ourspiritual fathers.
Mark Banyard (57:11):
Bless you. Bless you. Okay, well, bye for now.
Bungo Kubota (57:15):
Okay, see you. Bye bye.
Mark Banyard (57:25):
And that's our show for today. Thanks for
listening. We hope you enjoyedthis episode of Kingdom talk.
You can find all the notes andlinks for today's show at our
website,www.kingdomadvanceministries.com/podcast.
And once again, if you enjoyedour show, be sure to subscribe
(57:47):
so that you won't miss any ofour upcoming episodes. Bye for
now, and may God bless!
Welcome to Kingdom talk, the podcast where we talk
all about things kingdom. I'myour host, Mark Banyard, and
I'll be interviewing a varietyof people who through their
lives and ministries have beencommitted to advancing the
kingdom of God, church planters,church leaders, pioneers of
missions and ministries both athome as well as abroad. So let's
(00:33):
go straight to today's episodeof Kingdom talk.
My guest today on the show isBungo Kubota. Bungo is the
founder and senior leader ofKingdom Seekers church in Tokyo,
(00:55):
Japan. Well, good morning,Bungo. Nice to have you on our
show.
Bungo Kubota (01:02):
Hi, Mark. It's my honor to be here. Thank you very
much for having me.
Mark Banyard (01:06):
Oh, you're so very welcome. And it's it's really
our delight to have you as ourguest today.
Bungo Kubota (01:13):
Thank you, for your ministry for our church,
and especially for the youngergeneration. They are now rising
up and are filled with the HolySpirit by your ministry and
prayers. Thank you so much.
Mark Banyard (01:23):
Oh, my It's been my privilege. I'm looking
forward to when we can get backto Japan. As soon as the borders
open, we will be on that plane.
Bungo Kubota (01:32):
We really need your help. Thank you.
Mark Banyard (01:36):
Bungo, I'd like to begin by just asking about your
own conversion experience. Howdid you become a Christian in
Japan?
Bungo Kubota (01:45):
Okay, I was born in Tokyo, Japan, and I was born
again in Tokyo, Japan also. SoI'm very made in Japan,
Christian. It's very rare. And Ihave a unique background as a
follower of Jesus in Japan, Ithink Can I have a little short
testimony about how I came tothe Lord?
Yeah, I was born in veryordinary Japanese family, and I
(02:09):
went to church by myself when Iwas in the fifth grade of
elementary school. This is quiteunique. And it was very
beginning of the small housechurch. And there was no any
fancy, attractive program forkids or youth, this as just a
five or six other people sittingon the Japanese tatami mat, you
(02:31):
will remember that?
Mark Banyard (02:32):
Yes, sure. Do. I remember the smell too.
Bungo Kubota (02:37):
So nothing that's direct to me except the Word of
God. And at that time I did notunderstand any doctrine about
the cross, but I realized thatJesus is true God. And then
sometime later, I found myselfpraying in tongues during
(02:59):
worship on Sunday. And I didn'tknow anything about the Holy
Spirit. But I do remember thatthe other people surrounding me,
they are so excited about it.
Mark Banyard (03:11):
Wow, they must have been.
Bungo Kubota (03:13):
Yeah. So far..., well, this sounds like very
story of the spiritual elite.
But after that, I didn't go tochurch so much during my junior
high or high school days. Soafter I graduated my university,
so after the long backslidingseason, I'll skip the story, but
after I graduated from myuniversity, my life became very
(03:36):
hard. And I lost the meaning oflife. And suddenly thought,
well, oh, let's go back tochurch - my home. Jesus is True
God so let's go back to him. Soit's a very, the return of the
prodigal Son, I think.
So, I went back to church whereI had been saved and started to
(03:59):
work and doing someadministration in the church and
taking care of the youth group.
And during those years, I gotmarried and had children. So,
while I was serving, while I wasserving in my local church, I
feel that God gave me theanointing of teaching the Bible,
biblical understanding,revelation, etc., these kinds of
(04:25):
things. So this is my early daysof my believing the faith life.
Mark Banyard (04:36):
Now, how old were you when you were married?
Bungo Kubota (04:39):
26
Mark Banyard (04:41):
Was your wife.
your wife was a believer at thattime to?
Bungo Kubota (04:44):
No, I evangelized to her.
Mark Banyard (04:49):
Wonderful! She's a strong Christian woman, too.
Bungo Kubota (04:54):
She is very prophetic and revelational, and
she's full of wisdom and she isa wonderful wife. And it's very
unique because me and my wifealso, both of us, are first
generation Christians. This isvery rare, I think, in Japan.
Mark Banyard (05:12):
Very rare. Yes.
Yeah, very rare. Well praise theLord.
When did you first have a senseof calling? You talked about
having a teaching gift, arevelation of Scripture, so on
and so forth, but when did youor how did you come to
(05:32):
understand there was a callingon your life?
Bungo Kubota (05:34):
So after a few years of my early days of the
Christian life, I got theopportunity to work on the
Christian media company inJapan, back to 2005. So I became
a reporter of the newspaper,Japan's Christian newspaper,
called the Revival Times Japan
Mark Banya (05:53):
Revival Times Japan,
Bungo Kubota (05:57):
It's a newspaper for Pentecostal church leaders.
Mark Banyard (06:00):
Okay. And you were called to be a journalist?
Bungo Kubota (06:04):
Yes, yes. And I had originally written some
articles for secular magazine.
So my writing skill was alreadydeveloped before I got into this
company. So I was able to doresearch and editing and writing
etc. And going along to manychurches.
So I enjoyed this job. And soonI was promoted to Editor in
(06:29):
Chief. So I traveled not onlyinside Japan, but also other
countries and to interview manypastors and also many apostolic
leaders. And as I continued todo my research, I noticed that
many apostolic and propheticleaders and, all over the world,
(06:52):
they start to talk somethingnew. This was season of the
midst of the new revelation. I think.
Mark Banyard (07:01):
So you began, you began to hear them saying the
same kind of thing?
Bungo Kubota (07:07):
The apostolic leaders, up until then, usually,
they had been talking about thechurches. But they were now
speaking more about the Kingdom.
So but you know, at the time,the difference between the
Church and the Kingdom was stillgenerally bad. Not so clear.
Mark Banyard (07:29):
Not too clear at all. No,
Bungo Kubota (07:31):
No. And very only few people could explain exactly
how are they different betweenChurch and Kingdom? You
understand that?
So, and also the concept, newconcept, of the transformation -
the word "transformation" isrising up as well as "revival".
Mark Banyard (07:52):
And so that really got your attention
Bungo Kubota (07:54):
Yeah, yes. Yes. So I feel, what is what's going on
now? And what is the Holy Spiritdoing? And among these anointed
leaders, what is this kind ofrevelation? So I was very
interested in that.
Mark Banyard (08:09):
Now, this was back in 2000...?
Bungo Kubota (08:11):
It was from 2005 to2008, I think.
Mark Banyard (08:16):
Okay. So, here you are, you're working as a
journalist for a PentecostalChristian newspaper. And you're
getting this great opportunityto travel to interview apostolic
figures, prophetic people,...you start to hear the voice
of God, you start to hear aboutthe Kingdom. Not just about the
(08:40):
Church. So what took you frombeing a journalist to actually
being a church planter?
Bungo Kubota (08:46):
Yes. One day the Lord told me to make the list of
the disciples, churches andKingdom with a division of the
visions and missions and goals.
Mark Banyard (08:59):
Okay, all right.
So that say that again, he hegot you to write a list of with
three things
Bungo Kubota (09:05):
...individual disciples, ...individual local
churches, ...and the Kingdom,...with each vision, mission,
goals.
Mark Banyard (09:22):
Okay, like a blueprint. That's interesting.
Bungo Kubota (09:28):
It is like unpacking from the Bible, a
blueprint, as you said, Yes. So,for next few years, I continue
to make that list. So, and whenI finish it, I realized that we
need a church that can unleash,release, the kingdom, not just
(09:50):
for the pastoring of individualpeople. So this kind of concept
came to me, it's because I havea gift of journalistic analysis.
I think.
Mark Banyard (10:01):
Right, so, ...God was speaking to you but that
ability to analyze was helpingyou to actually process all of
this.
Bungo Kubota (10:15):
Yes. So I think the Holy Spirit very uniquely
guided me, led me to make thiskind of blueprint of the what is
Kingdom?
Mark Banyard (10:26):
So when did you take the blueprint and begin to
feel a release to move upon it?
Bungo Kubota (10:33):
Yeah, it has before I think 2008 Because in
the year 2008, I started my newchurch planting. Yeah. Because
unfortunately, I couldn't findsuch a church, which I have in
my heart. So, in 2008, I startedto small church planting. So it
(10:56):
was a church planting, but Ithink it was a Kingdom planting.
Mark Banyard (11:00):
Did you find at that time that you had a lot of
support from other people or...,
Bungo Kubota (11:04):
Never, never. I had no leadership team, no
budget, no strategy, just onlyhave the revelation of the Word
of God. So it as very tough workfor me.
Mark Banyard (11:16):
Wow! So give us a picture of what that looked
like, in terms of, were you justmeeting in your house? Or how
many people and how did you doit? What was your strategy?
Bungo Kubota (11:29):
My strategy?
First, I feel, I think, Ithought I could do more
effective church planting with ahouse net, house church style.
But because, you know, it isvery difficult to do church
planting in Japan. Yes.
Mark Banyard (11:48):
And it is anywhere in the world, particularly in
Japan!
Bungo Kubota (11:51):
Japanese culture, mentality and system and
customs, everything resistedchurch planting in Japan, you
understand that?
Mark Banyard (11:59):
Yes, I certainly do.
Bungo Kubota (12:01):
And you know, in addition, the vision, which I
was given was very, how to say,spectacular, it is so huge
vision. So, I need not only leadpeople to salvation, but also
help them to understand themeaning of this vision.
Mark Banyard (12:20):
So you not only wanted to see people come to the
Lord, to put their faith inJesus' work on the cross. But
you had a heart to disciple themin the things of the Kingdom as
Bungo Kubota (12:31):
Yes, yes, yes, exactly. And it is very hard to
well.
explain something that hasn'tbeen realized or seen yet. And
simply say, we don't aim to bethe church just to wait for
people to finish their life onthe earth. And just to go to
(12:53):
heaven, no. But we need thechurch to unleash heaven to
earth.
Mark Banyard (12:58):
...to be activated by the Holy Spirit, trained and
prepared and released,activated, in their calling in
their destiny and purpose.
Bungo Kubota (13:09):
So I want to produce more, raise up more
Overcomers who can change andtransform the world.
Mark Banyard (13:18):
And that's, and that's what you're doing? Yes.
Bungo Kubota (13:20):
And, uh, you know, it's very funny, even now, some
church members, who have been inmy church for 10 years,
sometimes say to me,"PastorBungo. Now, I finally
understand what you say!"
Mark Banyard (13:35):
Yep, I know what that's like. But it's important
that you keep on, you keepfocused and moving forward. And,
and eventually, people come intoit. There's a revelation of the
Spirit that comes.
Bungo Kubota (13:55):
Of course, for church, the ordinary pastoral
function is very absolutelynecessary, I think. But that
alone is not enough to manifestthe fullness of Jesus' glory, I
think. So the church shouldunleash, release the destiny of
(14:17):
not only people's lives but alsocities and nations.
Mark Banyard (14:22):
Yes, yes, I agree.
Bungo Kubota (14:24):
This kind of passion arose in me, and intense
passion to prove that truepotential of the church, ...as a
Kingdom channel, I say I couldnot allow the Lord's church to
(14:47):
be underestimated. So, I wantthese so I want to spend my
whole life to prove this.
Mark Banyard (14:57):
Well, that is a noble cause. And, also one that
I believe is on God's heart. Sohe wants to help us in that.
Yeah.
Bungo Kubota (15:08):
So you know, this even I had this passion, I have
no power or no ability or nowisdom in myself. So always by
grace, step by step, the Lordleads me to the fulfill of my
destiny, I think.
Mark Banyard (15:27):
Yes. So you started back in 2008? Yes. Have
I got the date? Right? Okay. Andjust with a few people, and now
you've grown and God has reallyblessed you and not without
challenge. But you've reallygrown in what the Lord's called
(15:52):
you to do? And why don't youtell us a little bit about that?
Bungo Kubota (15:57):
I think I was never called to be a pastor, as
a title. You know, this is avery funny expression. But
because sometimes people askedme, "Pastor Bongo, how do you do
your church planting?" But yeah,it's by much helping with other
(16:23):
leaders and other apostoliccovering, prophetic covering, so
many people always helped me.
And we are originally only twofamilies, we started in the
small house meeting. And step bystep God, gave me more workers,
more people who have a passion,heart desire. And, yeah, it is
(16:49):
very amazing. I feel day by day,I mean, the very miracle of God.
This was where I think it wasvery, totally crazy, and crazy
to do church planting in Japanwithout any any budget or any
strategy. But even after theCorona Virus, you know, however,
(17:11):
God blessed this small flock,for many, many years. So God is
faithful, I think, I really sayGod is so faithful. And even
after the corona pandemic, ourchurch did not cancel in person
Sunday service, not even onlyonce.
Mark Banyard (17:30):
Wow, so you continued meet.
Bungo Kubota (17:33):
...and the more than two years have passed
without a single person beinginfected.
Mark Banyard (17:40):
Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus!
Bungo Kubota (17:40):
And so we feel the powerful protection of the
Lord's blood. And also, as Isaid, now, our church has become
well established as a localcommunity. We are recognized as
a religious corporationsatisfied by the agency for the
cultural affairs of JapaneseGovernment. Sounds so good?!
Mark Banyard (18:03):
That's very official.
Bungo Kubota (18:05):
And now we are working with a Shibuya local
government office as a satisfiedNPO food bank project.
Mark Banyard (18:16):
And you have you have been recognized for the
great work you're doing Iunderstand.
Bungo Kubota (18:23):
So this is God's divine favor. I really, I feel I
really appreciate Jesus forusing us as his vessel. And this
is a, yes, this is a part of ourvision to be a blessing to the
local people, to be a blessingto the local cities and nations.
Mark Banyard (18:49):
Just for our listeners, Bungo, I know Shibuya
when we lived in Nakameguro, wewere probably there, I don't
know, five times a week fordifferent meetings and things
like that. But Shibuya is partof Tokyo. But it's its own city.
Is that correct?
Bungo Kubota (19:05):
I think Tokyo is a very huge city and Shibuya is a
one of the center districts, Ithink.
Mark Banyard (19:12):
And how many, what would be the population of
Shibuya?
Bungo Kubota (19:14):
Okay, Shibuya's population is 400,000 people,
...400,000 people.
Mark Banyard (19:27):
That's a lot of people in just one area.
Bungo Kubota (19:29):
Yes. Yes. Because
Mark Banyard (19:31):
...and is it? Is it cheap to to rent a building
there?
Bungo Kubota (19:35):
No, no, no, Tokyo is the highest cost. Many
missionaries they want to cometo do their mission in Tokyo.
But when they come to Tokyo,what they face is what a high
price they have to cost.
Mark Banyard (19:51):
Yeah, yeah. Very, very expensive. You recently
moved to a new building. Butwhen you first had a building in
Shibuya it was, oh, I don'tknow, how many tatami mats was
that, it was not very big. Butyou were there for several years
praying and, and, and seekingthe Lord and also interceding
(20:16):
into the city and takingauthority over some of the
strongholds that you needed todeal with before you can move
forward. I know, I know thatthat was not necessarily an easy
process, but tell us where youare now.
Bungo Kubota (20:30):
Now we are moving to new building and but also
because of this currentpandemic, we're a little bit
modifying our strategy, andstill we pray, we are worshipers
and we are prayer warriors. So Ibelieve we don't, I believe we
should not stop the gathering.
(20:52):
Now, so now, God gave us the newstrategy. So alternatively,
bi-weekly, we gather in oneplace and we gather in house
meetings. One of the reasons whywe do the separate house meeting
style is because now graduallywe are getting more bigger as a
(21:15):
church as a local church, thenwe cannot find enough place in
Shibuya city. Because in Shibuyacity there are many buildings
but every place is very small,and if we want to find a much
huge place, it costs too much.
And you know, this is noteffective for us to have much
better, much bigger place insideShibuya. And, also, this is a
(21:36):
very City Church. So people comefrom many places. Actually, no
one is living in Shibuya city,you understand, people from
other prefectures or other wardsor other district. So, the more
people gather in our church, themore we need a location where
people can gather as a localgathering.
Mark Banyard (22:03):
Right? That makes a lot of sense. Has anybody
suggested to you that perhapsyou should move way outside of
Tokyo where the land is cheap?
And?
Bungo Kubota (22:15):
Well? Well, as a human being, I myself think
about it. But Holy Spirit stillreminds us inside Tokyo. So...,
Mark Banyard (22:28):
You have such a focus and calling to Tokyo
Bungo Kubota (22:33):
This is a kind of dilemma, you understand that
because if we go to the suburbside or outside Tokyo, we can
rent much bigger buildings, wecan buy some good place, some
good house, but somehow HolySpirit asked me to stay inside
Tokyo and that's okay. What Ican do is only be submissive.
(22:56):
You know, because always God'sstrategy or God's wisdom is much
better than my wisdom.
Mark Banyard (23:03):
Yeah, amen.
I'm reminded of the words ofJesus, when He said, apart from
me, you can do nothing. And sowhen we, when we go off with our
own ideas of what we want to do,we start to draw away from that
place of submission. Don't we?
But when we stay there, andwe're willing, God blesses it.
(23:28):
And that's certainly part ofyour testimony.
Bungo, I want to ask you, if wecan talk a little bit more about
the Kingdom of God and theChurch of Jesus Christ. Your
church happens to be calledKingdom Seekers, which I think
(23:48):
is a wonderful name, but a veryunusual name. But I'm wondering
if we could take a few minutesif we let's just talk about what
the difference in your mind is,or the similarities between the
Kingdom of God and the Church. Iknow in my own personal
experience, and you've alreadysaid it already, today, is that
(24:10):
for a long time, people didn'ttalk about anything but the
church or if they talked aboutthe kingdom, it was something
that was it wasn't wellexplained, there was a lot of
confusion about it. So why don'tyou just just tell us a little
bit about your understandingnow.
Bungo Kubota (24:25):
Of course, I don't deny any or any definition about
the local churches, as manypeople shared. Of course, I love
local churches, I reallyunderstand how important it is.
But also when we connect thisconcept of the Kingdom, it's
going to be more effective, Ithink. And the kingdom of God is
like a realm of God's gloriousreign. The realm where the
(24:50):
truths of the world and thepower of the Holy Spirit are
manifested, they are realized,Just like, like a wifi
connection, wifi signal or nowthis is inside a wifi realm, so,
we can download, we can access,we can operate the iPhone, a
smartphone, like that. So,
Mark Banyard (25:11):
Right? ...run different software programs...
Bungo Kubota (25:15):
So, when we say Kingdom of God, that is the
place where God's glorymanifests`, and God's Word is
applied, and the principle orany..., the promises of the Word
of God will be fulfilled. Ofcourse, until the last second
(25:36):
coming, that will not befulfilled, fully possible I
think. Now we are in the seasonoverlapping of that. The Kingdom
has already come, and kingdom isnot yet come. The first coming
to second coming. So this isthis decision.
Ephesians 1 (25:59):
10 says as a plan for the fulness of time, (He
will) unite all things in Him,things in heaven and things on
earth. So the goal of Kingdom ofGod is a complete connection of
heaven and earth. So the churchmust be this connection point, I
(26:22):
think. It's like a dam in themountain. Like, like, dam, the
river, the water?
Mark Banyard (26:33):
Oh, yes, a dam, yes.
Bungo Kubota (26:36):
So from upstream, the water comes, and they keep
it, and then they unleash it tothe downstream. So churches are
like this. We open heaven andaccept the power of the Holy
Spirit, Presence from the Lordor the glory of the Lord, then
we keep it and then we releaseit to the earth. So the church
(27:00):
must be the channel of thekingdom. This is my basic
understanding.
So our strategy is open heavenand open earth. In some
churches, they are very good toopen heaven, they are very good
to worship, prayer. So they canhost, they can welcome the
(27:23):
Presence of the Lord. Butsometimes they are not good to
release it on this earth.
Mark Banyard (27:31):
Well said.
Bungo Kubota (27:31):
But some churches, they are very good to really
open earth. They do many worksactivities, and they have a
people and they have a goodhospitality. And they like
to..., they are good to connectwith the local governments. But
sometimes they are not good toopen heaven. So they lose the
(27:55):
more spiritual aspect. They losethe Holy Spirit, power of the
Holy Spirit. And then theybecome just one of, like a
volunteer organization. So Ithink both are important, open
heaven-open earth, and we can wecontinue to release the life
flow of the water (Word) of life.
Mark Banyard (28:19):
Very good. I remember years ago, when I first
went into ministry, I was veryfocused on the church, local
church, being a pastor. And oneday I was reading just in the in
the Bible where Jesus taught hisdisciples how to pray. And, of
(28:41):
course, the beginning of theLord's Prayer is our Father who
art in heaven, hallowed be thyname, thy kingdom come, thy will
be done on earth, as it is inheaven. At that point, I had a
revelation of heaven and earthcoming together. And of the
church being the conduit. Yes.
And that's what that's thepicture you have, of heaven upon
(29:04):
the earth. That's why we'rehere..., that's our call
calling, that's the church'sdestiny and purpose. It's not
that the Kingdom was made forthe Church, but the Church was
made for the Kingdom because,Jesus is the King.
(29:25):
Speak to me about, let's talkabout the importance of the Holy
Spirit in the church.
Bungo Kubota (29:31):
You know, as you said, the Lord's prayer, Matthew
6 (29:34):
10, "Your kingdom come, your will your will be done on earth
as it is in heaven." I want toadd one word: By the Church,
through Church!
Mark Banyard (29:48):
Amen.
Bungo Kubota (29:48):
So the church is called not only to pray this
prayer, but also, to be theanswer of this prayer. In that
way, we really need the HolySpirit. And I think the Japanese
church is, mostly in theJapanese church, we're still
(30:11):
struggling, we are still in thedifficult, have some difficulty
to understand how to be, how tohave an intimate relationship
with the Holy Spirit. But, Ithink the last 10 years or 20
years, things have graduallybeen changing. People open their
(30:33):
hearts more, and people start tolisten to Holy Spirit more and,
I feel a kind of spiritualbarrier is now coming to break,
little by little. No, I say notonly inside Japanese church.
This is what I feel amongst theordinary Japanese people in
(30:53):
Japan's culture. And I also wantto say that emphasize this: Holy
Spirit has a very uniquestrategy for Japanese churches,
in many ways.
Mark Banyard (31:06):
Oh! ...tell us about that.
Bungo Kubota (31:09):
Like, evangelism or like worship, or like even
the Bible study, I believe Godwants to redeem the gift of
Japan. We're still, Japan'schurches, we are following the
(31:29):
Western Church style. Maybe,maybe you understand that one.
Mark Banyard (31:35):
Yes. Yeah, absolutely.
Bungo Kubota (31:38):
You know, I have heard many discussions about the
revival in Japan. I don't knowthe answer yet. But, what I
understand is that the methodsand programs that have worked in
other countries will not work inJapan. So Japan's churches, we
leaders, we need to have moreconfidence that we can listen
(32:00):
from Holy Spirit, we can hearthe voice of Holy Spirit, and we
can have our own identity asJapanese churches. But you know,
when we want to restore ouridentity definitely, we need to
be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Mark Banyard (32:24):
And it's interesting that when you told
us about your testimony, as achild, that you just started
speaking in tongues, that youwere, you had been filled with
the Holy Spirit. And all theseyears later, you know, you're, I
think one of the key leaders inJapan today, with regard to a
(32:45):
revelation of the Church as theanswer to Jesus' Prayer.
Bungo Kubota (32:51):
Yes, yes. So I think God gave me a very unique
gift and a unique calling. Andstill, you know, I'm not sure
what am I for?
Mark Banyard (33:05):
Maybe that's a good thing.
Bungo Kubota (33:08):
Well, what I understand is that God gave me
the eyes to observe deeper, witha deeper journalistic sense
about what's going on in Japan,especially, what does Holy
Spirit want to do in Japan? Ithink, also, what I feel now is
(33:31):
that Japan's churches, we needmore spiritual fathers and
mothers. Paul said that thereare many instructors, but not
many fathers, he said. So Itotally agree that that's right.
We need role models, who areanointed, who have a more
(33:52):
apostolic sense and who want toedify and who want to release
the destiny of the nextgeneration. But you know, when
we want to be a father ormother, first we have to learn
sonship or daughter-ship, right?
But without Holy Spirit, wecannot find it.
Mark Banyard (34:15):
So true. So true.
Bungo Kubota (34:18):
So, even though I was born in a very ordinary
Japanese family so I don't haveenough sense about what is
father what is mother, but aftermany, many years, the Holy
Spirit gradually teach me whatis father-ship or what is
sonship, these kind of things.
So, I believe the Japanesechurch, we are, of course, we
(34:40):
need the signs and wonders andmiracles, of course, but also we
have to understand more identityabout ourselves or identity what
what is father, what is son,this kind of relationship, what
is family. This revelation mustbe in such different churches.
Mark Banyard (35:00):
We know, too, that the beginning of cultural
transformation in any nationrequires an individual personal
transformation. And so identityis foundational. Wouldn't you
agree?
Bungo Kubota (35:17):
Yes, yes, yes.
First we need to find ouridentity then we can change our
culture, not opposite way. So,many churches they tried to
emphasize and praise theculture, but before culture, we
have to find identity.
So, I think there are threesteps. This is also our mission
(35:42):
statement in the church that,first, raising up the children
of God. Second, building up thehouse of God
Mark Banyard (35:51):
...building up the house of God,
Bungo Kubota (35:53):
Then, third, expanding the Kingdom of God.
Mark Banyard (35:59):
Wonderful.
Bungo Kubota (36:00):
So, in other words, there are three stages:
identity, culture and destiny.
Mark Banyard (36:07):
Very good, very good.
Bungo Kubota (36:11):
This is a step I think, first we need to have
individual identity as sons anddaughters of God. Then, next, we
can gather and make a family andmaking, produce, a new Kingdom,
heavenly culture. Then we canunderstand what is our destiny?
Because when we find our family,we can find our destiny, right?
Mark Banyard (36:35):
Yes. So true. And so what does revival in Japan
look like to you?
Bungo Kubota (36:44):
Oh, that is a huge, huge thing, and it's
difficult to explain in only oneword. Basically revival is a,
...revival as serving,...Lordship, not what we do, but
what Jesus does. So it will notcome according to our
(37:04):
convenience or our agenda. Buthowever, God is looking for a
place where He can dwell, youknow, yes, a dwelling place. And
I think the Japanese gift is,one of the Japanese gifts, is a
priestly gift. It's very, it'svery fine that even non
(37:31):
Christians, non believers, butin Japanese culture, we have
something like very, openheaven concept. And Japanese
temples or Japanese shrines,some Buddhist Shintoism people.
When we talk about, when we talkwith them, they have something
(37:55):
like this concept youunderstand?
So once they are redeemed, andonce they really understand the
true God, I think they are morehungry to welcome or to host the
true God. And I believe thatJapan's church leaders, we have
(38:16):
a gift to be worshipers, reallyworshipers - genuine, authentic
worshipers. Because you know, weare the descendants of Samurai,
Samurai Warriors. And the word"samurai" was..., Samurai,
orignally the meaning is of aservant, did you know that?
(38:39):
And we are very, ...we havepassion to sacrifice ourselves,
to the Lord, to the Master. Sothis kind of our gift, as a
worshiper, should be redeemedand then we can welcome a lot
(39:00):
more and more.
And also, now I'm concentratingon evangelism to Generation Z.
Yes. Because always revival isfrom the, I think, the new
generation. And now, I'm no morenew generation I think. I must
(39:26):
find a new generation. I mustraise up a new generation. And
the Japanese history, in Japan'sChristian history we never take
over one generation yet.
Mark Banyard (39:39):
Interesting.
Bungo Kubota (39:42):
Japan's society is now getting more old, old aged
society. No more a youngergeneration not like other
continents, other nations, nowJapan's average age is getting
older and older and more we haveto concentrate on taking care of
the next generation, and we haveto find a kind of remnant of the
(40:06):
next generation. And I believethey will have more anointing
than us. And I believe, to raiseup this generation, we need
apostolic fathers and mothers.
And what if I say more, we needto fivefold ministry, to raise
up the new generation.
Mark Banyard (40:25):
But I do think that, the revival in Japan will
be something that, as you said,is unique to Japan as well.
Bungo Kubota (40:36):
I think in Japan's revival, God wants to use very
ordinary leaders, not like onesuperstar. I hope that God
anoints his ordinary people,ordinary pastors and leaders, as
(40:58):
fathers and mothers. Because nowwe are in the very, in the very,
...we can access by smartphone, we can access any kind of
intelligence and any kind ofinformation. So, only to this
information, only to knowledge,people can not be attracted
(41:22):
anymore.
But when they findthe fathers and mothers, this is
Mark Banyard (41:24):
Right.
not something in the internet.
More human relational and moreheart to heart relationship, and
always the power of the HolySpirit comes through the vessel,
not by the Internet ...you Yes.
understand that?
Bungo Kubota (41:45):
I believe that God wants to establish more leaders
who have a heart of fathers andmothers who can sacrifice
themselves for the nextgeneration. And who can raise
up, not for for themselves, butto just to bless, and love and
serve the next generation. If wefind these kinds of images, that
is a very big transformation.
Mark Banyard (42:08):
Oh, I believe it, I believe it was a common
problem in Japan, in the churchhas been church planters that
are now very old, yes. Maybe 80or 90, or something like this.
And they haven't been able toraise up anybody. And so
(42:29):
basically, they're about to go.
And there's nobody, basically tohand the church over to. And
that speaks to what you weresharing with us a few minutes
ago, is that God's work is fromgeneration to generation. And
there needs to be a generation,something passed on to the next
generation that hasn't happenedin the past. And I think that
(42:50):
that's when you are standing inthe gap. And that you are, I
believe, you and others like youare our game changers. You know,
you've got to, you carry arevelation of God, a cross
generational God who moves fromgeneration to generation until
Jesus returns. That what's keyfor what's going to happen in
(43:14):
Japan, it's about leadersgetting revelation of raising up
the next generation that raisesup the next generation. And we
keep doing that faithfully untilthe Lord returns.
Bungo Kubota (43:26):
So I think that every church must be
generational. And what we haveestablished in our generation
must be the foundation of thenext generation.
Mark Banyard (43:43):
Yes, I agree.
Bungo Kubota (43:44):
So sometimes people say the Japanese church
is not so big. We don't have anymega church in Japan. But it's
okay. Small church is okay. Butevery church must have their
spiritual successor, spiritualson and spiritual daughter. You
know, in many churches it's easyto find the staff, the
(44:07):
employees, ...servants, but it'svery few who find the spiritual
sons and the daughters. We needmore spiritual sons and
daughters who can carry, not theministry, but who can carry the
heart of fathers and mothers.
Because the way of the method ofthe ministry, it always changes.
(44:29):
You know, every generation,every season, the way of
talking, the way of preaching,this kind of things will be not
eternal, always must be changed,change, changes, you know. But
the heart to take care of thenext generation, the heart of
the shepherd, which will neverend. So we can find some new
(44:50):
generation who can carry thisheart and the heart which is
really keeping the hunger beforethe Lord. This kind of heart we
have to, we have to impart.
(45:12):
Like, it's like Moses, andJoshua, just like Moses and
Joshua. When Moses came to themeeting tabernacle, after that,
after Moses left, still Joshuawas in the meeting Tabernacle.
The Presence of the Lord wasstill there. So Joshua, he
studied a lot from Moses, not byteaching, but by his lifestyle.
Mark Banyard (45:38):
Observing,
Bungo Kubota (45:38):
...observing the lifestyle, yes, yes.
Mark Banyard (45:43):
Yeah, I think and that's a really key thing, I
think what you're emphasizing isthat it's not just teaching
people, but it's modelingsomething. And that's actually
got to come from people likeyou. And I think one of the
changes is, and again, there areother people out there, who who
(46:05):
are walking in this, but there'sgot to be a strength in
leadership, yet a humility inhow you live in front of your
people, I think sonship anddaughterhood are, it's something
that they have to understandwhat it is that you've said so
well, that they feel thatthey've been loved and affirmed
(46:27):
and lifted up. But then they'veactually watched you do it consistently.
Bungo Kubota (46:32):
And I think this, this kind of things, is not our,
how to say...., in Japan'sculture, we don't have this kind
of family style. So we have tolearn from the beginning about
what is fathership, what issonship. And, also, we have
(46:56):
adapted in our Japan'smentality. So it's not like just
And what a good purpose, what avery good purpose
a three days program. This isnot just five days youth camp,
but we have to spend years andyears and years. So, that is
family, that is the purpose ofthe local church, I believe.
(47:29):
Jesus never ordered us to buildup the church. But the Bible
often asked us, to be thefamily, to unite, to love each
other, to have a responsibilityto take care of each other. What
(47:51):
God says is we, we're, what Godwants us to be is, we will be
the family. Then if we canconnect each other well, if we
can love each other well, Godcan anoint this team, God
anointed this family, God cangive us the authority, ...that
(48:14):
is His church. We don't have aresponsibility to build up the
church, but we have aresponsibility to build up the
relationship. Then God will makeit as a church.
Mark Banyard (48:30):
Jesus said, "A new command I give to you to love
one another. As I have lovedyou." In so that's, that's what
I hear you talking? Yes.
Bungo Kubota (48:38):
Yes, yes, yes.
Mark Banyard (48:40):
Yeah, very good.
One last question. This has beenso good. And but one last
question. I'd like to ask you asa leader in Japan, and not an
old one, but not a young one.
What what do you consider to beyour greatest challenge right
(49:03):
now?
Bungo Kubota (49:04):
My greatest challenge, I have many greatest
challenges. But the one thing isbecause of this current
pandemic, we have to find a newway of how, a new way of the...,
(49:24):
say, a new wineskin as a localchurch, as a Kingdom successor.
This is a very big challenge,especially in the very Tokyo
side. As you said, as we said,this is a very high cost place.
And if we cannot get togetherconstantly, how can we connect
(49:45):
each other, only by internet andzoom? Or should we have a more
house meeting style, etc. Thiskind of new wineskin is a very
urgently needed thing for us.
And also the biggest spiritualchallenge is how can we keep
(50:09):
concentrating on the Lord Jesus,because we have much information
in this era and we have manysocial changing situations. But
even in among this stream, howwe can find the will of God? You
(50:30):
know, when we read the Bible, weautomatically interpret these
things for our life, You know?
But the way of interpretationmust be changed more and more.
Mark Banyard (50:51):
How so?
Bungo Kubota (50:52):
Yes. You know, the, because the human
relationships or governmentsituation, financial situation,
etc, these things are changing,changing. So, we have to follow
up, we have no, we have tofollow what is the newest way of
the will of God? Maybe this is alittle bit difficult to explain
(51:15):
in English.
Mark Banyard (51:17):
Okay. So what I understand you saying is that,
in light of the times that we'rein, we need to continue to read
the Scripture, seek God the HolySpirit and let him bring a
freshness to our understandingof what he's saying in the
moment that we're living,
Bungo Kubota (51:38):
Yes. For our daily life, the application how, how
can we apply the Word of God,and especially for the next
generation, like Generation Z.
For them, our old interpretationstyle or our old preaching style
or our old message doesn't work.
(52:00):
So we have to rethink about whatJesus wants to say to this next
generation, this kind of thing.
Of course, the truth will neverchange. But application must be
changed more.
Mark Banyard (52:13):
Right? Right.
Yeah, very good. Well, I wouldlike to ask you, just before we
say goodbye, if you would pray.
For those who are listeningtoday, there are some people who
might have a heart for Japan.
And they'll tune in andthinking, "Oh, I'd like to go
and serve in Japan." But moreespecially for those who are in
(52:37):
Japan, and who are wondering ifthere's anything more? Is it
just going to church to aservice? And is it just me being
like a servant? Is thereanything more from my life? Is
there a calling on my life? Isthere a destiny and purpose on
(52:59):
my life?
Bungo Kubota (53:03):
Father in heaven, thank you for this wonderful
opportunity to talk with ourbeloved brother, Mark Banyard,
and thank you, because God,among this conversation, you
give us some wisdom, and yougive us a new revelation, and
you encourage the listeners tofulfill their destiny in the Lord.
(53:25):
Lord, thank you now, especiallywe pray for the people who want
to come, who have concerns forJapan. Lord, please send more
people, please send moreanointed leaders. And please
send the people who have aburden for the salvation of the
people of Japan. Well, thankyou, because you are the
(53:48):
faithful one, and you arefaithful, you are a faithful
leader and you will leadeverybody, every servant, to
fulfill your destiny and Lord,please release the Kingdom
culture upon this nation. Andalso please help and encourage
the people who are attending aSunday service and, Lord, please
(54:10):
reveal their destiny. Pleaseopen their eyes and please open
their hearts because they arenot called just to sitting down
on the chair. But you want touse them for your glory because
they are part of the Body of theChrist. Lord, please let them
feel that honor. Let them feeltheir special privilege which
(54:35):
they have (been) given. Thankyou, because you pour out the
Holy Spirit to each one of them.
So they can be Christ-likecharacter and they can be the
ministry as you have done onthis earth.
Lord, please release yourKingdom through us, through
churches, through individualdisciples and, Lord, we really
(55:00):
need your help under you. Yougive us much grace, more and
more, so that we can fulfillour purpose and our destiny.
And, Lord, please, let theJapanese church rise up, please,
let the Japanese church rise up.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
(55:21):
I also appreciate all themissionaries who have come to
Japan and faithfully servedJapan churches and Japanese
people. Lord, please bless them.
Lord, you know how much theyhave been sacrificing their life
to Japan. So, Lord, pleasereward them. Please bless them,
please give them more grace. Andplease give them more anointing
(55:43):
so that they can be moreeffective to the Japan society.
Lord thank you so much, so much.
Mark Banyard (55:53):
Thank you, Lord.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen. Amen. Well, thank you,Bungo, I so much appreciate your
time and your insights and justsharing a bit of your life story
with us today.
Bungo Kubota (56:09):
Thank you very much for having me.
Mark Banyard (56:11):
You are more than welcome. And we just send our
love to your family, wife, kidsand to the body of Christ there.
Please let them know that wethink of them often and are
praying for them.
At the end of the show, in thenotes, there will be links to
(56:32):
Kingdom Seekers Japan andperhaps Bungo will be kind
enough to give us some sort oflink where people who want more
information, how they can getthat about what he's doing in
Japan. And so once again, thankyou, we so much, ...we bless
you and thank you for for allthat you're doing. And we're
(56:53):
glad to be partners with you inwhat God's doing in Japan.
Bungo Kubota (56:57):
Thank you so much.
It's my pleasure to join withyou. Thank you for always
helping and encouraging us as anapostolic father. Thank you,
because you are one of ourspiritual fathers.
Mark Banyard (57:11):
Bless you. Bless you. Okay, well, bye for now.
Bungo Kubota (57:15):
Okay, see you. Bye bye.
Mark Banyard (57:25):
And that's our show for today. Thanks for
listening. We hope you enjoyedthis episode of Kingdom talk.
You can find all the notes andlinks for today's show at our
website,www.kingdomadvanceministries.com/podcast.
And once again, if you enjoyedour show, be sure to subscribe
(57:47):
so that you won't miss any ofour upcoming episodes. Bye for
now, and may God bless!
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