Japan

Ministry to those in Osaka, Japan

Osaka, Japan

Christians are losing the battle for the hearts of the Japanese people -- as Christianity has decreased 50 percent in Japan in the last 20 years. There are fewer Christians in Japan than in North Korea and about the same number as in Iraq (less than 1.5 percent). Japanese churches are dying because the younger generation is not coming to Christ. Ironically, this is in a country where their Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and believers can share openly.

Most Japanese see Christianity as a foreign religion irrelevant to them and are skeptical of established religion, following Shintoism and Buddhism and focusing on ancestor worship, materialism, and group conformity. Spiritual oppression engulfs Japan and suicide is on the rise.

Our Partners

Will & Elizabeth Peevy, The Hikari Project

Because we believe God wants to bring new life through Jesus to the Japanese people, Grace Point is partnering long term with the Hikari Project, Will and Elizabeth Peevy’s ministry in Osaka.

Osaka is the home of Japanese soul food and comedy, and Osakans are warm and vibrant.

The Peevys’ outreach is mainly to working people, sharing Christ to make Japanese disciples who can reach their country for Christ.

Prayer is the key to a mighty work of God in Japan, so please join us in praying for the people and the work. Also consider joining us on a short-term trip by completing the form above or emailing us for more information at the link below.

We are asking God to fulfill the promise he made to Jesus in Psalm 2:8, “Ask me and I will make the nations your inheritance.” You are part of the answer to that prayer.

Upcoming Trips

July 23-31, 2024

Team size: 8-10
Age: Must have completed the first year of college or older to participate because the Hikari Project ministers to working adults.
Estimated Trip Cost: $2700

The Japanese festival season will be in full swing in July, with the Tenjin Festival, one of the largest in Japan (1 million people), happening on July 25th in Osaka. At the festival, you will have chance to meet people and experience culture. The Paris Olympics also begin that week and you will invite people to attend Olympic watch parties/cultural exchange parties, which you will help Will and Elizabeth, with the Hikari Project, host. You may also attend small neighborhood festivals, hand out items to promote the Hikari Project’s events, prayer walk, and meet people at a Hanshin Tigers baseball game.
 
Trip members must be prepared to walk 5 to 10 miles per day and climb stairs; and be okay in large crowds and crushes of people.  In July daytime temps will be between 85 to 100 degrees, nighttime between 75 and 85 degrees with high humidity. You will be outside a lot. Also, know that language may also be a barrier.

Group pre-trip orientation sessions are required before the trip.

December 12-20, 2024

Team Size: 8-10
Age: Must have completed the first year of college or older to participate because the Hikari Project ministers to working adults.
Estimated trip cost: $2500

Japanese people love Christmas themes, even though few celebrate the day itself. December 25th is a regular working day across the country, so many people like to celebrate throughout the month. Christmas decorations are everywhere, and Japanese are very curious about and love Christmas, but don’t understand the true meaning of it.  Because of their curiosity, this is a good time to talk about Jesus and what Christmas means. On this trip you will help Will and Elizabeth host a big Christmas party. One day will be spent preparing snack bags, cookie decorating, etc for the event, with the party in the afternoon/evening. (The team will be responsible for bringing some supplies from the U.S.) The team will invite party attendees to hang out again and go to local Christmas markets.

Other activities include 5-minute English (talking to people on the street about Christmas), caroling (you don’t have to sing well), prayer walking, and handing out items to promote the Hikari Project.

Trip members must be prepared to walk 5 to 10 miles per day and climb stairs; be okay in large crowds and crushes of people. In December daytime temps will be between 50 to 60 degrees, nighttime between 30 to 40 degrees with high humidity, so it will feel colder than the actual temperature. Also, know that language may be a barrier.

Group pre-trip orientation sessions and some materials prep are required before this trip.
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