The Japanese seem to have an allergy to the church in their city. Even if they know that a Christian church exists in a town, they are usually afraid of entering. The only way that some will go to a church is if there is a summer team in town.

One Japanese pastor said that the Asian Access Summer Team he received "removed the allergy that his townspeople had to his church."

Here's what another pastor said:

“Through the Summer Teams ministry, more people visited the church for the first time, church members and 'seekers' were encouraged, and their ministry was a good influence in our church’s neighborhood.

Many people who had never come to church before visited us because North Americans were there. Team members gave friendly smiles to those living near the church. And it gave them a good impression of the church.

When team members walked in the neighborhood, it was a good advertisement for the church, and more people visited. Through their ministry, one seeker decided to get baptized. Because they passed out flyers for our events in front of a school, many students visited the church for the first time. They worked so hard for us. They faithfully loved God and touched people’s hearts so deeply.”

— Pastor of Kamui Christ Church
(Host to 1st Pres. Church, Reading, PA team)

In 2000 alone, here were some of the results of Summer Teams:

• 851 non-Christians were touched
• 310 non-Christians came to church events for the very first time ever
• 30 children made decisions for Christ
• 2 adults became Christians so far
• 45 people became seekers, committing to examining the claims of Christ and searching for the truth about Jesus
• 8 believers made re-commitments to Christ