How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Romans 10:14-15
I have often explained to people why I decided to get involved in missions to Japan. The simple answer is that there were many factors involved which, taken together, led me to believe that that was what God wanted me to do. However in this post it’s not necessarily my intention to go over those factors which led me to Japan, but rather to present some information that may lead you to be involved in the work God is doing in Japan.
Japan is an island nation, comprised of four main islands, and thousands of smaller ones. It has a throughly unique culture which means that the Japanese mindset is very difficult for westerners to grasp. Geographically the majority of Japan is covered by mountains and forests. It has a land mass roughly equal to that of California, and a population over 1/3 that of the entire United States. This explains the stark contrast between serene natural beauty and crowded, sprawling cities. Economically and politically Japan is among the most successful countries in the world.
From a spiritual perspective however, things are not so bright. Out of a population of 127 million, less than half of one percent follow Christ. The other 99.5% are trapped in materialism, Buddhism, Shintoism and ancestor worship. The suicide rate is more than double that of the United States. Though most have heard the name Jesus, the vast majority have never heard the gospel, or even know a Christian who could tell them.
The Church in Japan is small. Average attendance is less than 40 people per a congregation, and there are more than 1,600 cities towns and villages which do not have a single Church within their borders. It has been said that in order for a group to influence the population as a whole, the group must comprise at least 2% of that population. Currently the Church in Japan falls far short of that. For the last 150 years Protestant missions have been working in Japan, and yet the Church in Japan is still not large enough to evangelize the rest of the country on its own. There are few Christians that can afford to go into full time ministry, because of the high cost of living and small Christian population to support such efforts. There is a continuing need for missionaries in Japan.
Seeing this need first hand was what kept forcing me to consider whether God could use me in Japan, and if that was the direction He was calling me. I was made aware of the need, and God began to show me that He had given me the opportunity to be a part of meeting that need; that He could use me to do so. We’d like to present that need to you, and give you an opportunity to help meet the spiritual needs of the Japanese, by partnering with us to take the hope of salvation to Japan.