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Mark Bocanegra
Nov 30, 20184 min read
Decision to do church planting.
My three PhD applications are in and we'll be waiting to hear back from then. I'm expecting that they will respond with their decision in...
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Mark Bocanegra
Oct 25, 20183 min read
An aging and struggling Church
The Presbyterian Church of Japan will be holding its General Assembly on November 23-24. It is the national gathering of all the pastors...
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Mark Bocanegra
Sep 25, 20186 min read
Presbyterian Great Commision: Make Presbyteries of all nations
Higashi Kanto Presbytery is the presbytery where my church resides. It was started on May 3, 1999 by three little house churches that had...
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Mark Bocanegra
Aug 15, 20187 min read
When contextualization turns into idolatry.
Exodus 20:22-26: The fine and dangerous line between biblical contextualization and gross idolatry First of all, my deepest apologies!...
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Mark Bocanegra
May 1, 20185 min read
“Yes, I want to study the word 'Anknüpfungspunkt' for 5 years.
There have been some who have asked me what I'd like to study for my PhD and how it would be relevant to the mission field. This month...
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Mark Bocanegra
May 1, 20184 min read
“Wait... the ten plagues as missions?!”
(Explanation of first photo: Kate is forcing her non-Christian friend to pray before they 'play eat.' Notice that Kate does not serve her...
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Mark Bocanegra
Feb 18, 20183 min read
"You just got here. Leaving already?"
Thankfully, Oyumino Christ Church has called me to be their pastor with an unanimous vote. It was both humbling and encouraging; however,...
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Mark Bocanegra
Jan 18, 20184 min read
"Pastor, I'm disappointed in you."
I guess this is another month where I share my pastoral bloopers. This month, although I still realize I'm still in the 'kiddie pool' of...
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Mark Bocanegra
Dec 10, 20173 min read
“So you're preaching Hosea for your Christmas message?”
As many pastors know, the Christmas message is probably one of the hardest messages to preach. You have to preach essentially on the same...
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Mark Bocanegra
Nov 16, 20177 min read
What does the 'rainbow' have to do with missions?
(日本語は下にあります！） Our second daughter, Nina Sakura Bocanegra, was born on 11/16 at 1:38am at 3620 grams after 15 hours of labor. Like with...
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Mark Bocanegra
Nov 1, 20173 min read
What does Luther have to do with Oyumino?
When I gently reminded the prayer group that today was the 500th Reformation Anniversary, I was given a surprised look, "Oh! That's...
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Mark Bocanegra
Sep 30, 20173 min read
“How would you bring unity in a divided church?”
That is the question I got at a session meeting. The KMGC session asked me to speak at their church retreat. They expressed their concern...
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Mark Bocanegra
Jul 31, 20174 min read
How was the first month as 'Reverend'?
In one word? Embarrassing. Here are some of my favorite pastor/missionary bloopers: - After a long hard Sunday, as I tried to recite...
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Mark Bocanegra
Jun 26, 20175 min read
Which book should a non-Christian read first?
Many say, read one book of the Gospel; most likely the book of John. Some have said Romans (which was very helpful for me when I was a...
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Mark Bocanegra
Jun 5, 20175 min read
"Are you sure you want to go to WSC?"
As one of five student representatives, I was asked to speak about my Westminster experience at the Graduation Reception. Below is my...
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Mark Bocanegra
Apr 29, 20175 min read
What is the most uncultivated mission field?
What do you immediately think of when I say an ‘uncultivated mission field’? Perhaps you’re expecting me to say the largest unreached...
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Mark Bocanegra
Mar 30, 20176 min read
How can missions split or destroy churches?
As I just passed my ordination exam, I'd like to share again one of my answers to certain questions (but this is not my exact answer on...
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Mark Bocanegra
Feb 28, 20175 min read
What is "missions" exactly?
As I just submitted my ordination exam, I'd like to share again one of my answers to certain questions ( but this is not my exact answer...
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Mark Bocanegra
Jan 31, 20173 min read
Is an expectation for numerical growth biblical?
As I approach the submission date of my ordination exam, I'd like to share again some of the questions I was asked and how I answered....
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Mark Bocanegra
Jan 1, 20176 min read
Called to Send and Suffer: Learning how to support missionaries from the Philippians
What does 'partnership' mean? I believe the Philippian Church is the best example of what supporting missionaries look like. Paul’s...
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