Mark Bocanegra
We do not 'support' missionaries, but joyfully 'co-suffer' with them.
Hello again from sunny California! For those who don't know, we have closed our first chapter/term and now transitioning into our second...
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Mark Bocanegra
- Jan 8, 2019
- 5 min
What does 'sojourning' have to do with missions?
Sarah's Japanese characters are 幸来(さら), which means "The Blessings that are to Come." Background Our three daughters are based on...
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Mark Bocanegra
- Dec 26, 2018
- 11 min
Baking on human dung for the sake of the Gospel.
I was planning to share a little about what kind of team I'm praying for in the future; however, as I was reading through Ezekiel for my...
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Mark Bocanegra
- Nov 30, 2018
- 4 min
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, 2018
- 3 min
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, 2018
- 6 min
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, 2018
- 7 min
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, 2018
- 5 min
“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, 2018
- 4 min
“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, 2018
- 3 min
"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, 2018
- 4 min
"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, 2017
- 3 min
“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, 2017
- 7 min
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, 2017
- 3 min
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, 2017
- 3 min
“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, 2017
- 4 min
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, 2017
- 5 min
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, 2017
- 5 min
"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, 2017
- 5 min
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, 2017
- 6 min
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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