With evangelical Christians making up only about 0.3 percent of Japan’s population, the Japanese people are the second-largest unreached people group in the world. In the heart of Hyōgo Prefecture, four Japanese Reformed Presbyterian congregations are faithfully sharing the gospel and desire to see God glorified in their nation. Each year, RP Global Missions sends a short-term mission team to Japan to encourage these churches. This summer, I joined a team of four young adults from Canada and the United States in Kobe, Japan, to serve alongside these congregations in their weekly worship and summer outreach events.
It was an incredible joy to worship with this group of believers. What impressed upon me was how warmly we were welcomed and the churches’ deep desire to see God faithfully worshipped in Japan. Our team helped run VBS camps, shared testimonies in ESL classes, joined prayer meetings and Bible studies, took part in Kids Camp and Youth Camp, and learned to sing the psalms in Japanese.
I especially enjoyed seeing how God is at work in the next generation of believers in Japan. For many young Japanese growing up in the church, being a Christian is an isolating experience. Often the youth growing up in Christian homes leave the church as the cares and pressures of the world choke out the gospel seeds planted in their hearts. Joining in the presbytery’s youth group events and annual youth retreat gave our team the chance to connect with these young believers and hear about their unique struggles in living out their faith. It was deeply encouraging to see them singing psalms together, memorizing Scripture, and wrestling with how their faith is challenged at school or among peers.
Beyond getting to know the local RP churches, the trip was also an opportunity to experience Japanese culture, try delicious food, and learn to eat with chopsticks. We enjoyed visiting Himeji Castle with Soshi, learning to cook somen noodles with Mrs. Richardson, and singing karaoke with new Japanese friends we made. Gaining a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture has also impacted me beyond this summer. My ears perk up when I hear Japanese spoken on my university campus and I’m not daunted stopping by the local Asian Supermarket to pick up ingredients for Japanese curry.
Our limited understanding of the Japanese language did pose a barrier to our team. However, with nodding, gestures, and our small vocabulary, we successfully navigated grocery shopping, the transit system, ordering at restaurants, and even getting haircuts. We were very thankful for the translation apps that made it possible to have meaningful spiritual conversations with the people we met. The pastors were gracious in providing transcripts of their sermon notes in English so we could follow along in worship. Despite the language barrier, I felt immediately the beautiful reality that we are one body with one Lord, one faith, one baptism! What a blessing it is that despite different languages, experiences, and nationalities, we are brothers and sisters in Christ.
One of the most impactful – and surprising – parts of the trip for me was sharing testimonies. At the different churches and events, our team took turns sharing how God has worked in our life. Recalling how God so faithfully works in our lives solidified my understanding of God’s goodness and sovereignty. I appreciated hearing the testimonies of the Japanese believers and learned from their faith experiences.
Though many in Japan remain resistant to the gospel, we witnessed God’s faithfulness in sustaining His people and building His church. Please pray that these four churches—Higashisuma RP Church, Kasumigaoka RP Church, Mukonoso RP Church, and Okamoto Keiyaku RP Church—will continue to be faithful witnesses to God’s saving power and that many more would come to praise Him in Japan!
Leanne Zuiderveen, Ottawa RPC, RPCC. Leanne was the team lead for this trip to Japan. She has grown up in the RP Church of Canada and is currently studying at the University of Ottawa.
