Yuji Uno

Yuji Uno

Japan

WHAT IS HE LEARNING IN STM?

Support Team Ministry (STM) keeps me on my knees! Only God can move the hearts of giving partners. Without God not one dollar will come in.

Also, it is so unpredictable! Those whom I think will "say yes" often don't, and those I think will "say no" often do!

The other lesson is that when I stopped trying to raise funds, funds started coming in. Previously, I had my mind "on raising fund to meet my financial needs" more than on giving friends opportunities to partner with me in the glorious Gospel. So, I did not feel freedom. But now I feel more relaxed because it is not about my needs anymore. Our friends are more relaxed too. As a result, I have a much better response.

WHAT KEEPS HIM GOING IN STM?

I experience God when I am engaged in biblical STM, just like Elijah experienced God when he went to Zarephath to invite a widow to partner with him in God's work.

Secondly, I find that when I make an invitation for someone to become a financial partner, they say yes! Not every time, but most of the time! That means people are telling me they want to support me in my calling. That is encouraging. I am not alone.

HOW DOES HE RELAX?

I like hiking, tennis and swimming. 

A FAILURE IN STM?

In the past, some people felt pressure in the way I presented my ministry appeal. I was demanding -- not inviting! Some felt they "must" give because they met the Lord through my ministry. It was not the words I said, but the "pushy" attitude I communicated.

The Lord used these experiences to "break" me and made me a better disciple. 

LIFE VERSE

Matthew 4:19 is a verse God gave me in my first year of my Christian life and this promise has stayed with me the last 48 years. 

"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

"Fishing for men" for eternity is the greatest pleasure I can do. I am a communicator, and I like to communicate the glorious gospel to people wherever I go. And people come to Christ when the gospel is shared. This verse reminds me that we are not merely "raising funds" but funding the expansion of the greatest news on earth!

WHAT IS HE READING?

For relaxation I tent to read secular books rather than sacred ones. Also, as a communicator, I am constantly looking for things that will help me communicate the Gospel effectively to non-believers where they are at.