Youth Set Church on Fire

“God placed this burden on me. For the last few years, I have had this burden because less than one percent are Christian in Japan. It’s a big country with lots of people, but for some reason, the everlasting gospel is not being communicated.”

Tokyo is the world’s largest metropolitan area with almost 40 million people. The challenge of reaching a city of this size might seem impossible, but God can use anyone, even someone on the other side of the world, to spark change.

Daniel grew up in California as a third-generation Japanese-American. He always told himself he would be open to God’s plans for his life. After much prayer, he knew that God wanted him to move across the globe to work in Japan, and Daniel accepted the call to serve in Tokyo.

“Even though I grew up in America, my mom and dad helped me retain the Japanese language. I was able to communicate, read, and write. I felt like God was calling me to go to Japan to use these talents for His cause in Japan.”

He was assigned to work alongside the pastor of the Setagaya Adventist Church, where, in 2016, there were less than ten people attending each week. The church was about ready to shut down when Daniel arrived. He knew that God had bigger plans for this congregation, so he began working to researt/make the church a landmark in the community.

“Here in Japan, there’s a lot of lonely people. They just commit to work or school, and a lot of them are lonely, so they want fellowship. So I think that’s what the Japanese people need. We just need to mingle with them.”

Mingling is just one of the steps in Christ’s method. Jesus mingled with people to get to know their needs and earn their trust. Daniel decided to try to reignite this church’s mission spirit with a fresh approach. He invited young people and held evangelism training for them in the church!

“We have young people college aged, high school aged, young adults, stay in a church for three weeks. We eat meals together, we have devotions, worships, Bible studies together, and we train how to knock on doors, how to communicate with people, how to pray with people. It’s been a blessing. The students really grow a lot. They have this identity as Seventh-day Adventists and have the mission spirit.”

This once dwindling church transformed overnight into a youth training center. As the young members reached out to their local community through prayer and face to face interaction, attendance quickly grew fivefold! And word is spreading throughout the community.

“When we go out to this community, sometimes we cannot meet the people around this area, but sometimes God sends people to our church. When people come to our church, I feel that Jesus is working for this church.”

The church is now essentially run by young people with a passion to reach the people of Tokyo for Jesus. And if you ask them why they love this church…?

“This church is so special because the young people have power, passion, and energy to reach out to people.”

“They are so friendly and kind. I really enjoy spending time here with everyone.”

“It’s great to see how the young people are getting excited about God and the Bible.”

“In my experience, I have developed a stronger prayer life. I have direct communication with God as I reach out to people. I learned the joy of communicating with God.”

Daniel decided to expand the Setagaya church’s programs to include youth from all over Tokyo.

“Once a month, we have an event where young people from all over the Tokyo area come, and we stay in sleeping bags at the church. Fifty to seventy young people come, stay at the church, study the Bible, sing songs, and have fellowship. It’s been a blessing.”

This group continues to grow thanks to the efforts of reigniting the church’s mission spirit. Setagaya church members are exploring new ways to break down barriers and show the love of God to the people of Tokyo. Many people in this city are busy and isolated but still long for connection with others.

“When young people get on fire for Jesus, I believe the entire church gets on fire for Jesus. That’s why working with the young people is such an honor and privilege. I believe when we get the young people on fire, the entire country of Japan will be on fire.”

Mission challenges in Japan are real and continue to grow. Please pray for the Setagaya church members as they ask for God’s help in spreading His love throughout the largest city on earth. Your prayers and support of the mission offerings go a long way to encourage mission in Japan and around the world!