Immigrants, internationals, and refugees are our neighbors. They may be refugees who have experienced significant trauma in their journey to our country. Others have immigrated to join family members or to find a safer and a more economically viable life. Some are here working in international business.
Many come from countries closed to the gospel and yet, here in the US we have freedom to reach them. They are contributing to a revitalization of the church in America.
Did you know...
- That one in seven US residents is foreign born?
- More than 81 million Americans – about one quarter of the country – are first generation (45 million) or second generation (36 million) diasporans
- Looking ahead, immigrants and their descendants are projected to account for 88% of U.S. population growth through 2065, assuming current trends continue. (Pew Research)
Meet Rose
The North Korean refugee experience, along with the impact of generational trauma, has been a significant part of Rose’s family history and journey, and she has long desired to reach the broken-hearted in the intersection of evangelism and mercy.
Rose worked in D.C. from 2007-2013 as a congressional staffer as well as a Deloitte consultant. During that time, she met Christ and grew an insatiable desire to live and share the gospel as her full-time vocation during that time. Upon meeting her now husband, Mike, in their local church, she joined Cru as full-time staff.
Meet Mike
Mike’s family immigrated from Japan, with Mike becoming the first known Christian in his entire lineage, followed by his mother a decade later.
Christ's work in Mike's life beginning freshman year of college moved him from being an "outsider" to experiencing everlasting nearness to God and His people and being transferred from darkness to God's marvelous light (Col. 1:13). Cru has greatly helped immerse Mike in the gospel that captivates hearts, transforms lives and cultivates communities of refuge that further proclaim and demonstrate the story of Jesus to a world that is waiting.
We are partnering with an ESL program that provides free daycare and proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ, featuring Bible lessons as part of their English curriculum to 100+ adult students, 80% of whom say they are Muslims. Mike's current role entails English teacher assistance, leading Bible studies, and co-leading an ESL class for drop-in Uber/Lyft drivers.
In tandem, we are ministering within/through our local church, One Voice Fellowship, a three-year-old church plant of/for internationals, involving expressions of community and worship in Amharic, Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Spanish, Urdu, and Uyghur.
Our role as Cru staff enables us to fulfill a vital need of the ESL program and church, engaging the spiritually curious and training, equipping, and mobilizing the follower so that everyone and every nation can find their place in God's redemptive story.
Our Roles as Cru Staff:
- Engage the curious with the message of the gospel
- Train, equip, and mobilize followers of Jesus to reach their families, communities, and distinct people groups
- Help newly arrived families through the transition to the US and meet basic needs
- Facilitate groups on topics such as trauma, family life and English conversation
- Practice hospitality and pray without ceasing
Mike is giving leadership to the men's discipleship at One Voice Fellowship. All men are invited to gather monthly for Men's Prayer "MEATings" of food, fellowship, and prayer.
Many of these men are immigrants, internationals, and refugees who are being strengthened in the Lord by walking together as a band of brothers.
What impact does it make for men experiencing deeper connection, encouraging one another to live out their unique calling and witness in Jesus within their own families and communities?
Alongside partnerships and relationships, we are exploring innovative approaches to Cru City's vision of "uniquely restoring every community with the good news of Jesus."
Mike's background/passions in Judo and poetry have shown themselves as inroads to connecting with people across various audiences. He is also learning to meet people on their turf as well, such as with fútbol (soccer)! We are eagerly exploring these outlets as potential avenues in ministering amongst immigrants, internationals, and refugees in D.C.!
We are privileged as Cru staff to intentionally come alongside our neighbors in their transitions to life in a new country and local community. What difference might it make to have a friend and advocate who cares about who they are and their journey (past, present, and future) through tangible support and God's word?
We wish to honor Jesus who has gone ahead of us to prepare a home for us, to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, and to show the power and hope of the gospel.
Our privilege as Cru staff is partnering with individuals and churches in the Lord’s work for the abounding and flourishing of the gospel in hearts, lives, and communities.
The prayers and financial generosity of our partners are eternal investments into the transforming love of Jesus reaching the whole city through relationships, innovative approaches and partnerships.
We, Mike and Rose, are committed to faithful financial stewardship, seeking ongoing equipping and flourishing as a family on mission, dedicating and investing every fiber of our being into God's manifold work, praying for our partners, and seeking to encourage your faith by relaying the stories the Lord is bringing about on the field.
Late author, speaker, and spiritual leader, Henri Nouwen, once stated, “God’s Kingdom is the place of abundance where every generous act overflows its original bounds and becomes part of the unbounded grace of God at work in the world.”
2 Corinthians 9:10-12 (CSB) states, “10 Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God."
Can you sense the abounding and advancement of the Kingdom of God as a result of this partnership with you, us, and the neighbors we are reaching?
Apostle Paul wrote to his partnering church in Philippians 4:17, "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account." Do you sense that you would be spiritually blessed in partnering with us in the Lord’s work?
We hope and pray we would ultimately be mutually blessed, loved, and strengthened in partnership!
Please fill out this contact form if you'd like to connect! You may also reach us via our contact below. We hope to be as generous as God is to us through peoples like yourselves.
Romans 15:5-7 (CSB): “5 Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice. 7 Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God.”
In finding home again,
Mike and Rose Fujimoto
—with (L-R): Selah, David, and Ethan