Ministry in Japan with SIM USA: Evelyn’s Story
Evelyn served with SIM USA in Japan for 16 years, teaching English and Bible classes that included chapel sessions, where students learned about Jesus. The classes provided many gospel outreach opportunities to people who had never heard it. According to the Joshua Project, around 97 percent of the population in Japan is unreached, making it a critical mission field.
In Japan, there are a variety of religious traditions, including Buddhism and Animism. Many people pray to natural elements such as the sun, mountains, and trees, believing each element represents a different god. Since their worldview includes multiple gods, the idea of one all-powerful God is foreign to many Japanese people. This makes public conversion to Christianity a significant challenge in Japan.
“They are not sure who they’re praying to,” Evelyn explained. “They think they have to pray to every separate god for something different.”
Discovering the One True God
One of the students in Evelyn’s English classes was Misaki. During the classroom chapel sessions, Misaki was touched by the idea of a God so powerful that His people didn’t need to pray to any other gods. This starkly contrasted with her practice of regularly praying to the tree outside her apartment. Until then, she had never considered praying to Jesus Christ.
The gospel message shared in Evelyn’s class deeply resonated with Misaki. While she had previously met English-speaking Christian missionaries, this was the first time she heard the gospel spoken in her heart language. She was captivated as she listened to her Christian classmates share their testimonies of faith.
Misaki had always believed Christianity was a foreign religion because she had never learned about it in her own language. But now, she realized that Christianity wasn’t just for other countries—it was for her, too.
When Misaki left the classroom that day, she continued to think about Jesus Christ. As she went about her days for the next few weeks, her fascination with Jesus grew.
Weeks later in English class, Misaki approached Evelyn before class began. She had wonderful news to share!
“I no longer pray to the tree in front of my apartment complex,” Misaki said. “I now pray to Jesus.”
Misaki’s journey to faith is a testament to God’s faithfulness in revealing His extraordinary love to those who have never heard of it. Please join SIM USA in praying for the unreached in Japan—pray that many more like Misaki would come to know Jesus as their Savior.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
From Skepticism to Salvation
For months, Evelyn and her ministry team had been praying for Akito. He was a Japanese businessman whose wife was a Christian. However, Akito resisted learning more about the gospel. Having been hurt by religion during his life, he saw it as a strict set of rules, not a relationship with God.
His wife longed for Akito’s salvation. She prayed that one day she and her husband could be baptized together. This was a big request, but Evelyn and her team prayed alongside Akito’s wife, believing God could soften his heart and bring him to faith in Jesus Christ.
One day, when Evelyn invited Akito to join their ALPHA class, he finally expressed his true feelings.
“I hate religion!” Akito declared.
Evelyn paused for a moment, then smiled.
“I hate religion, too,” she said.
Akito blinked in surprise, his eyes widening in confusion. How could this Christian missionary hate religion?
“Religion is a bunch of rules—don’t do this, don’t do that. You have to follow all these rituals,” Evelyn explained. “Christianity is different. Christianity is about being in a right relationship with God.”
Akito was intrigued. How could Christianity be so different from other religions?
“Okay. I’ll come to the class,” he said.
Intrigued, Akito agreed to join his wife in attending an ALPHA course, a space designed for exploring questions about faith. Week after week, he listened, wrestled with the message, and asked questions. Even though he hadn’t yet believed, he took another step—attending the church’s baptism class.
Akito was touched as he learned about this man named Jesus. He realized this Christian gospel was not just a set of rules to be followed. It was truly about being in an eternal relationship with a loving God.
Akito attended the classes with his wife regularly after his first session. His interest grew, and eventually he accepted Jesus! God answered his wife’s prayers—she and Akito were baptized together!
Akito discovered that Christianity is not just a set of rules but a transformative relationship with a loving God. As more individuals in Japan come to know Jesus, we can trust that God will continue to work in their hearts, drawing them into a loving relationship with Himself.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Join SIM USA in Japan!
Around 120 million people are still waiting to hear the gospel in Japan, making it the largest unreached homogenous community in the world. This is a ripe and crucial place for sharing the gospel, filled with people searching for a love that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
“Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38
Are you interested in serving God cross-culturally? SIM USA offers many missionary opportunities. To learn more about how you can get involved, contact a mission coach here.
Names have been changed for the privacy and safety of our workers, ministry partners, and those we serve.