According to the Joshua Project, only 0.57% of Japan’s 123 million people are Evangelical Christians. Japan is clearly less-reached with the gospel and the church there is definitely less-resourced. For several years God has put Japan on the hearts of students serving in euFOCUS, and has brought some brothers and sisters to us from Japan.

In 2018, Yuya Shimada was one of three international Howies (ministry trainees) serving and training with euFOCUS. He is now serving as a KGK staff worker in Japan now, and plans to return to Sydney in the next few years to complete further theological study.

Yuya during his time on staff as a Howie

In July 2022, Ritsu came from Japan for a one year exchange program, studying Economics. As he prepares to return to Japan after his exams, we’ve been reflecting on how God’s grown Ritsu in Sydney. One key change is a passion for evangelism.

‘Before coming to Sydney my perspective on Christian life was more how do I keep this small fire until the end of my life. Now I see that this Christian life is about how do I spread this fire, especially to those who are not in Christ at the moment.’

Upon arriving in Sydney Ritsu courageously attended AnCon and was surprised and encouraged by the EU’s clear values, celebrated and promoted in the evening sessions, of looking outwards – both to share Jesus with non-Christians on campus as well as to global mission among the less-reached and less-resourced parts of God’s world. This semester it’s been a privilege walking beside Ritsu, coaching him in sharing Jesus with Chinese student Daniel* in a Discovery Bible Study group, which he co-leads with an Indonesian Christian student, Jacob*.

Ritsu (far left) with others at Come Home Dinner

I’ve been encouraged by Ritsu’s growing passion to teach Daniel and Japanese seekers in his church bible study group the wonderful truths about Jesus. He has been challenging them to trust in and follow Christ, all while seeking to love them deeply through prayer and hospitality. We’ve been blessed and challenged by Ritsu’s deep desire to love and care for people, patiently building trust, putting people and prayer first before programs and structures.

Please pray that as Ritsu returns to Japan he may be able to share the fire of the gospel with his non-Christian Japanese friends in appropriate ways, continuing to build deep, loving relationships, and patiently communicating less directly than we do in Australia. Pray also that our brothers and sisters in the KGK university Christian group and in Japanese churches might be encouraged and emboldened by Ritsu’s passion for making Jesus known.

Ritsu (second from left) and Viv (far right) with others at Come Home Dinner

In the meantime, Isabelle Palmer – euFOCUS Howie 2021-22, has been in Sapporo, Japan since March 2023, while 2022 euFOCUS Senior Student leader Viv arrived in Japan on exchange in March as well. Both studied Japanese language and culture at Sydney University, and have been praying and growing a heart for Japanese people for several years.

Isabelle has been humbly and prayerfully seeking to make the most of opportunities to build relationships with neighbours and students, serving with several student groups including the KGK. I was inspired and encouraged by her initiative to give Easter chocolate baskets to her new neighbours not long after moving in, including a short message about the meaning of Easter, pointing them to Jesus. God also provided her with a great opportunity at a ‘Down Under Party’, attended by 17 students, sharing about life in Australia and inviting students to consider Jesus’ offer of citizenship in heaven.

Please pray that Isabelle will continue to deepen relationships with students and neighbours, and make the most of opportunities to share Jesus with them.

Viv and Isabelle together in Japan

Viv has been struck by how less-resourced Japan is compared to the EU:

‘…here, the number of Christians are a lot smaller and there’s not enough resources or manpower to do what EU does. Jumping from one extreme to another has been challenging to adjust and requires me to really hold fast to God and his Word for comfort and encouragement.’

Viv has had opportunities to love other students and prayerfully seek to point them to Jesus. At a Christian gathering on sharing the gospel with friends, Viv was encouraged to keep caring for and sharing Jesus with a lonely Japanese friend: ‘Please pray that God will use me to show her Christ’s love and that He will open her heart about coming to church and Christian gatherings.’

Thank and praise God with us for the ways He’s been working to mutually bless euFOCUS and Japan through our relationships, and keep praying that God would raise up and grow workers for his plentiful harvest there.

– Ben Lim, EU Senior Staff

*some names changed for confidentiality