Led by Dr. Arden Jensen, associate professor of English and director of the Lee University Asian Studies Program, “Advent Now!,” a Lee musical ensemble, went to Japan to aid churches in evangelism by performing Christmas music.
Dr. Austin Patty, assistant professor of music, was in charge of the performances. He selected and arranged various pieces, ranging from traditional carols and spirituals to two compositions in Latin by contemporary composers. The ensemble also led the gatherings in singing “Silent Night” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” in Japanese.
Advent Now! performed at three Church of God congregations as well as at three universities, a kindergarten, three other churches, and a city-wide meeting held at a wedding chapel. In all, the group had 22 performances in seven cities during the two weeks they were in Japan. The venues had audiences ranging from almost full to standing room only. At least one church had a record number of people in attendance.
The trip grew out of a suggestion by William Lamb, director Lee’s Leonard Center. He told Jensen that Lee should consider service opportunities in Japan, where fewer than one person in 100 is a Christian. As a result of a summer 2009 research grant, Jensen was able to discover needs of the Japanese churches and arrange the trip.
The Christmas message of salvation was presented in sermons or short testimonies at the concerts. Jensen gave greetings in Japanese and preached through a translator at the three Church of God congregations.
In addition to the concerts, the Lee students worked with Japanese children, teens, and college students through activities ranging from arts and crafts through English conversation practice and even impromptu jam sessions.
Advent Now! was formed specifically for the trip to Japan. In addition to Patty, who directed and played the violin, the following students were in the ensemble: Elizabeth Franks, violin; Alan Hale, viola; Sarah Eskola, cello; Jennifer Braddy, soprano; Sabbath Ward, mezzo soprano; Betsy Joy Barrett, alto; Gaius Ponto, tenor; Daniel Powers, base; and Knar Abrahamyn, keyboardist.
As a result of the trip, not only did the group express the Christmas message in song and word, but churches presented other service opportunities. The Church of God needs at least one missionary to reach out to communities by teaching English conversation classes. MeySen Academy needs teachers, interns, and children’s ministry workers. Oyumino Church needs short- and long-term workers to teach in their Christian school, teach English conversation classes, and work with Japanese college students.
For more information about this trip or the ongoing needs in Japan, please contact Dr. Arden Jensen at 423.614.8207 or by email at ajensen@leeuniversity.edu.