Japan Team 2026
Newsletter

Today was our last day of ministry in Anamizu and also in Japan.
We thank God for all your prayers, as God has preserved the unity of team, allowed us to serve the local churches and community joyfully, and kept us safe in our manual labour and partnership with Noto Help and all our travels.
Please pray:
• That God would grant us journey mercies as we travel back to Melbourne tomorrow.
• That we would continue to pray for the various people, churches and ministries that we have had the privilege to meet and serve alongside with.
• That we would not be quick to forget what we have seen and learned, but to be humble, teachable, open and obedient as we continue to reflect and process these experiences in the light of God's word, leading to lasting transformation.
• That we would have opportunities, boldness and clarity in sharing about the trip that would encourage others.
• That the team would be mentally and emotionally prepared to return to life in Melbourne (withstand reverse culture

Earthquake relief/community help

As we draw near to the end of our trip, we are filled with so much gratitude that you have all partnered and journeyed alongside us in prayer.

Today we joined Noto Help, a relief organisation dedicated to serving the people on the Noto Peninsula, after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Noto two years ago.

We enjoyed a day of physical labour, providing practical aid.

* Thanksgiving that the unity in our team has been preserved by the Lord, and today was used for His good to bless and support a community that is still grieving.
* Pray that Noto Help will continue to rise up, humbly serve and witness to the community and reflect servanthood in a way that leads all to find the one true God and worship Him faithfully.

May the Lord establish the work of our hands, and use the strength He has given us today for His will to be done, as we think of the families on the Noto Peninsula who have lost so much.

* We pray for the five churches on the Peninsula that are boldly standing on the Word, that their leadership would continue in servitude and submission to truth and that seeds planted will not be snatched away by the evil one.
* We pray and cry out for the over 1,800 people who two years after the earthquake are still in temporary housing.
* ⁠We know that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and we pray that this disaster may lead them to knowing God’s grace, mercy and walk in close relationship with the God of the universe.
* ⁠Pray that these people may feel God’s hand guiding them through the valley of the shadow of death.

Day Off

Thanks for your prayers! We admittedly had a relaxed day today with some sight-seeing, followed by a fellowship dinner with a local missionary couple, which has (ideally) energised us for doing manual labour with Noto Help for the next couple of days.

Prayer points:
- Thanks for a lovely “day off” together as a team
- ⁠Thanks for Nozomi and Kyungja, the two missionary women who have blessed us with such good care since we arrived in the Noto Peninsula
- ⁠Thanks for fellowship with Simon and Seona, and their faithful ministry in Japan for 14+ years
- Prayer for Simon and Seona as they plan to move for the purpose of further mission training, followed by church planting in an unreached area of the nation
- ⁠Prayer for the work we do in the coming days; that we will have Spirit-led conversations with those we meet
- ⁠Prayer for the health of those in the team, especially those who have pre-existing illnesses/injuries which make some tasks challenging

And Evening Footsal

Today we spent the morning preparing for our final English class of the trip which was in Tonami this afternoon. Some of us split off part way through the class to go play some social futsal with a group of non-Christians.

The class went well, and the kids seemed engaged and attentive. The kids in Tonami were much more shy than those we had met in Tokyo and we were met with a wide age range we had to cater to somewhat unexpectedly.

As we grabbed a small, quick dinner on the way to futsal we ran into an American in the carpark of the convenience store who had seen a sticker on the back of our car and asked if we were Christian. Turns out he has been interested in Christianity and knows the church nearby in Nanao. He and his wife send their kids to the daycare the church runs. Australian Chris had the opportunity to encourage them to go check out the church and we encouraged them to check out some online bible resource.

The futsal was a lot of fun and we had a conversation with some Buddhist monks there. Jordan shared the gospel with them a bit through Google translate and managed to give one of them a tract from Pray Yamanote.

•Praise God for the opportunities he has given us today.
•Please pray for the kids at the English class and the missionaries running it.
•Please pray that Chris (the American, not the Australian) and his wife, Misaki, might feel encouraged by our meeting and start to visit the church and talk to the pastor there. That God might continue to work in Chris's heart and bring him to faith.
•Pray for the monks, that they might get curious about Christ and start to learn more about the gospel.
•Pray for the others in the futsal crowd, that our presence was as much a blessing to them as theirs was to us

Every Nation Tribe and Tongue

Today we split into two teams to attend two churches: Monzen Bible Church and Nanao Bible Church. Both teams sang a couple of songs for the congregations and one team member shared their testimony in each church. After the service both teams enjoyed lunch and fellowship with the church members.

Monzen.
Normally a congregation of 6, our team added 5 to their number.
The pastor's wife loved having extra people to sing in church.
The church is elderly and very small, yet the members are so faithful and have kept the church going for 30 years.
A nearby Buddhist temple has been destroyed twice by earthquakes, the church has survived both.
Noto Help's work in the area since the most recent earthquake (Jan 2024) has given the church a very positive standing in the community.

Nanao
I (Chris) had the privilege of preaching at this church this morning.
We were encouraged to hear there was a baptism last year and the year before.
There were two new people at church (one had come 6 months ago but hasn't been since, until today.)
Pray for the minister, that he would have ideas for events that the church can host to connect with the community.

Hello Noto

This morning we were sad to leave Tokyo especially after having made many new friends and connections. We had a slow morning with breakfast of our own choice. After packing our bags we left for Tokyo station to board the bullet train to the Noto peninsula. There we were met by our the OM Japan team- Nozomi and Kyung-Ja who gave us an extremely warm welcome and orientation to the second leg of our trip here.

Noto is a rural part of Japan with a much slower pace of life. The population is aging and many of the young people have left to bigger cities like Tokyo and Osaka. In 2024 a 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit this area killing 703 people. Our ministry here will include work with Noto Help which works in the area to help those who have been affected by the earthquake.

The day was mostly a full day of travelling, but we concluded with a devotion on Revelation 7 reminded that the missions exists because worship doesn’t. The church’s mission is to see every nation, tribe, tongue worship our great God!

We closed the evening with prayer, then our team practiced our songs which we will sing at the church service tomorrow.

*Pray*

-For the church services tomorrow and Japanese pastors as they preach.
-Team energy levels
-The hearts of those to whom we minister, they would be receptive to the gospel.
- That God would grant us opportunities to share our faith.

Tsukishima Primary School

Thank you again for praying for us and for the ministry here in Japan. We are really thankful to God for how our visit to Tsukishima Primary School went on Thursday.

After the typhoon changed our plans the day before, we were grateful that the visit could still happen. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the Principal, staff, and students. The Principal seemed genuinely glad to have us there, and his response afterwards was very encouraging.

The children were fantastic. They were full of energy, curious about Australia, and really got involved in the English activities. Our program had a strong Australian theme, which included Chris, Cabe, Jordan, and Jeynelle dressing up as Aussie animals. There was a lot of laughter, and it was clear the students were enjoying themselves.

This was the first time our team had run this particular program, so we were thankful that it worked so well. It felt very relational, not just like a formal classroom activity. The children responded warmly, and it was lovely to see the team encouraging them, joining in, and enjoying the moment with them.

We were also very thankful for the ladies from Grace Harbour Presbyterian Church who translated for us. They were wonderful. Their help made the whole program work, not only because they translated the words, but because they helped bridge the culture as well. They served with warmth and joy, and we were very grateful for them.

This visit was another small but important step in building trust. We would love to see this door remain open, and for Grace Harbour to have more opportunities to serve the school in the future.

Please keep praying for Pastor Seima, Grace Harbour, and the ongoing relationship with the school. Pray that trust would continue to grow, that the school would remain open to the church’s involvement, and that in God’s timing there would be opportunities for students, families, and staff to hear the gospel clearly.

We are also thankful for the way the team worked together. Everyone brought different gifts, and it was a joy to serve together. Please pray that God would keep sustaining us with energy, unity, health, and a clear focus on the gospel as we continue the mission and prepare to run the program again on Friday.

We are thankful for this open door and praying that God will use it for his glory.

Typhoon

Thank you for so faithfully supporting us in prayer as we continue serving alongside the ministry here in Japan.

Today looked a little different from what we had originally planned. We were meant to visit Tsukishima Primary School, but because of the typhoon and the bucketing rain, local schools were cancelled. As a result, our day off was moved forward from tomorrow to today, and the school visit has been rescheduled for tomorrow.

We are thankful that the change in plans was not a disappointment, but actually a helpful gift from the Lord. After a busy stretch of travel, ministry, walking, conversations, and events, the team was able to enjoy a slower day. Some had the chance to go shopping and look around, while others were able to rest and recover physically and emotionally.

Jordan also had an unexpected and encouraging opportunity to connect with a couple from Grace Harbour Church. He discovered that one of them had gone to the same high school as Janelle (his wife) in Canada. It was a lovely reminder of the surprising connections God often brings about.

We are also thankful that, despite the weather, the opportunity to visit Tsukishima Primary School has not been lost. Tomorrow we are due to join Grace Harbour’s team for what will be our first school visit of the trip.

Tomorrow, we will be teaching English classes to around 35 children per class, with students roughly 11 years old. The lessons will include games and activities, and the aim is mainly to serve practically, build relationships, and connect with the school community .

We are praying that through our care, encouragement, warmth, and interactions, the children would experience something distinct and meaningful that reflects Christ. We long for the seeds planted through this visit to be protected and nurtured by the ongoing ministry of Grace Harbour long after we leave.

Please pray that God would give us confidence, enthusiasm, and clear communication as we teach. Pray that strong relationships would be built with the children, teachers, and school staff, and that this open door would remain open for Grace Harbour to continue serving the school and its families in the future.

Yamanote Line

Praise God for the wonderful opportunity we had this morning to join Pray Yamanote, praying alongside Japanese and foreign Christians from many different churches and mission organisations.

Twenty-nine of us attended in person, with a few others joining online. Together we rode the Yamanote Line, which circles the city of Tokyo, interceding for the people of this vast city as we travelled. It was deeply encouraging to see so many others with a heart for Japan, and a comforting reminder that we are part of a much bigger global church. Although Christians are few in Japan, God has his people here, faithfully praying and longing to see Christ known.

Please pray that God would be pleased to use these prayers for his purposes, and that he would bring kingdom growth among the people of Japan.

We also thank God for the opportunity to give out evangelistic tracts at Osaki Station. This was a first experience for some members of our team. Many people declined to take one, but we were encouraged that 169 people received a tract. Please pray that those who accepted them would take the time to read them, and that God would prepare their hearts to receive the good news of Jesus Christ.

As we prayed around Tokyo today, we were especially conscious of the many different people who live and work in this city:

Office workers
Please pray that they would not seek their ultimate purpose in career, wealth, or success, but would discover true value, rest, and fulfilment in Jesus Christ.

Young people
Please pray that they would not seek their identity in trends, outward appearance, or the approval of others, but would come to know their true identity and lasting hope in God.

Those connected with the entertainment industry and red-light districts
Please pray for those caught in complex and painful circumstances, especially where economic hardship leaves people feeling trapped or without choices. Pray for protection and freedom, for healing for those who have been wounded, and that many would turn to Christ as their hope and ultimate source of security.

We also met Michaela, an American serving on a short-term mission trip in Tokyo, and were able to pray with her this morning. Two days ago, she approached an American student on a university campus and shared the gospel with her. The student has agreed to meet with Michaela again on Friday. Please pray that this student would be willing to explore Christianity further, that Michaela would have wisdom and courage as she speaks with her, and ultimately that God would graciously bring her to saving faith in Christ.

Praise God also for the wonderful opportunity Stacey, Talitha and Rachelle had yesterday afternoon to attend a Bible study and afternoon tea at the home of Karin, an American missionary in Japan with Campus Crusade for Christ.

Also at the Bible study was Yumiko, who came to faith after several years of Karin sharing the gospel with her. This was a precious encouragement and reminder that God is able to use faithful, patient witness over many years to bring people to himself.

Karin’s mother-in-law, Michiko, who is 84 and a committed Buddhist, was also present. Thank God that she has been willing to attend monthly Bible studies with Karin. Please pray that God would soften her heart, that his word would take root in her life, and that she would come to know the hope and salvation found in Jesus Christ.

Christian School

Today began with an early start and a long train journey out to the outskirts of Tokyo, where we visited a Christian school. Travelling across such a large city gave us another sense of the scale of Tokyo, and of the many communities spread throughout it. Our purpose for visiting the school was to help with a practical work project, setting up for their upcoming graduation ceremony.

When we arrived, we got straight into the work of preparing for graduation. It was simple, practical work, but a meaningful way to support the school community. Sometimes partnership means helping prepare a room, arranging what is needed, and easing the load for Christians who are faithfully serving in Japan year after year. We were thankful to be able to contribute in this small way.

After the set-up, we had the great privilege of joining the school for chapel. Students led the worship and shared their own testimonies of faith. This was a particularly moving and encouraging part of the day. Much of our time in Japan so far has made us increasingly aware of the small number of Christians here and the deep spiritual need in the wider community. It was a great joy to sit among young Christians worshipping Jesus and speaking openly about God’s work in their lives.

There was a real vibrancy in the Christian community at the school. It was encouraging to see students being nurtured in their faith and to witness a place where Christ is spoken of and worshipped in the everyday life of the school community. In a context where following Jesus can feel very uncommon and isolating, the school was a reminder that God has his people here in Japan and that he continues to preserve and grow his church.

After chapel, we enjoyed lunch together at the school, with bento boxes provided for us. Sharing a meal was a lovely part of the visit and gave us time to enjoy the hospitality of the school community after serving alongside them and joining them in worship.

We were also shown around the school, which gave us a better understanding of what Christian education and ministry can look like in Japan.

After our visit, we made the long journey back into Tokyo and turned our attention to the evening ahead. Grace Harbour Church hosted an evangelistic event built around board games and conversation, with a number of non-Christian friends who attended. Our task during the afternoon was to shop for what was needed for the evening. This proved to be a little chaotic as we attempted to navigate shops and locate supplies in a different language.

For many people in Japan, relationships and trust are an important part of being able to speak openly about deeper matters of life and faith. We are thankful to be able to support Grace Harbour Church in this ministry and to come alongside relationships that are already being built here.

Grace Harbour

On Sunday, we had the joy of worshipping with Grace Harbour Presbyterian Church for the first time. Grace Harbour is a vibrant and healthy church, and it was deeply encouraging to see how God is building his church in Japan.

The service was especially focused on children and families. The pastor preached a child-friendly sermon in both Japanese and English, helping the children to engage with God’s word across both languages. It was a wonderful reminder that the good news of Jesus is for children, families, and people from every culture.

After the service, our team led an English kids program with the support of the Grace Harbour kids ministry team. The program was designed to make English fun and accessible for Japanese children through games, songs, and interactive activities. We were also able to share a Bible story and speak clearly about the gospel in both English and Japanese, with help from the local team in communicating with the children.

The children were enthusiastic and engaged, and it was especially encouraging that some children were present who do not normally attend Grace Harbour. The program provided a natural opportunity for non-Christian children and their families to connect with the church community in a warm and welcoming setting. It was a real privilege for our team to serve alongside Grace Harbour and to have meaningful interactions with children and parents.

The kids program was followed by an Australian BBQ, which was very well attended. Families stayed, conversations continued, and we had opportunities to speak naturally about our lives in Melbourne while also sharing how our Christian faith shapes us. One thing we are learning is that friendship evangelism is an important way of sharing the gospel in Japan, where trust and genuine relationships can open doors for people to hear about Jesus.

A particularly wonderful encouragement was meeting a woman who has recently become a Christian and is preparing to be baptised soon. She brought along a friend who does not yet know Christ. Please praise God for her new faith and pray for her as she prepares for baptism. Please also pray that her friend, and the children and families who attended, would continue to be welcomed into the Grace Harbour community and come to know Jesus.

At the end of a full day, we gathered by the harbour to debrief and reflect on all that God had allowed us to be part of. It was a meaningful way to finish the day together—though one less glorious contribution from me was burning an entire tray of sausages at the BBQ!

Please pray for Grace Harbour Presbyterian Church, that God would continue to strengthen them in their faithful witness and bring lasting gospel fruit among the many children, families, and friends they are reaching.

The Shrine

Praying for Tokyo and Sharing Life Together

Our second day in Tokyo gave us a deeper glimpse into both the beauty of Japan and its profound spiritual need.

We began the day by visiting Meiji Jingu, one of Tokyo’s most significant Shinto shrines. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and impressive buildings, we watched many people entering the shrine precinct and taking part in acts of devotion. It was a confronting reminder that Japan is not simply a place of fascinating culture, order, and beauty, but a country where so many people are seeking blessing, peace, meaning, and hope apart from the living God.

As we walked through the shrine grounds, we were reminded of the spiritual lostness bound up in Shintoism and Buddhism, and of the great need for the good news of Jesus Christ in Japan. Rather than simply observing the site as tourists, we took time to pray for the people around us: that God would open blind eyes, turn hearts from idols, and make known the true hope and forgiveness found in Christ.

From there, we travelled to Harajuku and walked through the crowded and energetic Takeshita Street. It was a very different setting from the quiet shrine grounds, filled with shops, colour, young people, and crowds moving in every direction. Yet the need was the same. In the middle of such a busy and vibrant part of Tokyo, we stopped again to pray for the people of this city. We prayed that the gospel would take root here, and that God would be pleased to grow his church in a city where so few know Jesus.

The team is doing well and enjoying being together, although the amount of walking has certainly been felt by everyone! There are plenty of sore feet and tired legs, but we are thankful for good spirits, good health, and the joy of sharing this experience together.

That evening was a particularly encouraging part of the day. We were invited to a traditional tea ceremony hosted by a non-Christian friend of the Pastor (name withheld). It was a beautiful opportunity to experience Japanese hospitality and culture, but even more importantly, to begin building genuine friendship. This is someone the Pastor has already been getting to know and witnessing to, and it was a privilege for us to be welcomed into that friendship.

After the tea ceremony, we shared dinner with several non-Christian friends connected with Pastor and the Church. Much of the evening was simply about spending time together, laughing, listening, and sharing about our lives in Melbourne. Yet within those conversations, there were also some opportunities to speak naturally about our Christian faith and experience.

It was a reminder to us that mission is not always made up of dramatic moments. Often, it involves patience, hospitality, ordinary conversation, and praying that God will use each small opportunity to draw people closer to himself. We are thankful for Pastor’s faithful witness among his friends, and we count it a privilege to support and encourage the relationships he has already been building.

Arrival

Our trip began in Melbourne with prayer, committing ourselves and the journey to God. We prayed especially for safety, unity, and opportunities to share the hope of Christ. It was also a lovely opportunity to share testimonies together and begin the trip encouraged by the ways God has already been at work in our lives.

After a long and tiring night travelling through Hong Kong, we arrived safely in Japan. We settled into our hotel smoothly, full of excitement but also very ready for rest!

Our first evening in Japan included a fun shared meal at a sushi restaurant. It was a joyful beginning to our time here, with lots of laughter and excitement as we took in the fact that the trip had truly begun.

We are thankful to God for safe travel, a good beginning as a team, and the joy of arriving in Japan together. Please continue to pray that the Lord would keep us united, strengthen us after a tiring journey, and prepare us for the opportunities ahead.