After a few short-term missions, I realised that long-term missions as a show of commitment was important to gain the trust of the Japanese. I have been in Japan for the last 3.5 years, and together with my wife, Jacintha, we are currently pioneering Yokohama as a new city.
When the team first landed in Tokyo, we heard that it would take at least 3 months to rent a suitable place. But by the grace of God, veteran missionary Rev Louis Lau, who had been serving in Japan for many years, helped us find a place that was within our budget and big enough to host gatherings. We moved into our rental just 20 days after landing in Japan!
The late Joseph Chean once said that every country carries a deep cry of the nation. In Japan, that cry is the longing for relationships. I have seen God use the truth of the Gospel and the warmth of His community to answer this deep cry of the Japanese.
One sister in our church was initially hesitant about Jesus. But as we became closer, she opened up and started to pray and read the Bible. Last year, she shared that her friend noticed she felt a lot ‘lighter’. She realised that this change was because she joined our community and started to know God through His Word and prayer. While she has not yet called herself a Christian, there is no doubt that she believes in Jesus through the community that she experienced.
In 2024, Jacintha joined me in building Hope Tokyo. Soon after, we were asked to pioneer a church in Yokohama. We wondered if we were qualified, or even ready to move. Jacintha had just moved to Tokyo and the transition was challenging for her. As we prayed and fasted, we were reminded of the greater significance of obedience than readiness. Upon God’s assurance and our leaders’ support, we said yes.
In a country where less than 1% of locals are Christ-followers, our hope is to see more Japanese saved by local-led church communities all over the country. The same God who transformed our lives loves the Japanese more than we could ever. He is the one who changes hearts; we are merely called to be obedient. Be it in Tokyo, Yokohama or any other city, we are looking forward to sharing in His burden and joys of reaching the lost in Japan!