MONTHLY FOCUS

From the North West to East Asia: Serving God among Japanese returnees  

 

Daisuke spent a few months studying English in Manchester and got to know Tim during this time. He was delighted when Tim offered to do bilingual Bible study with him and to continue the studies after he returned to Japan early this year. Now Daisuke has a clear understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. He is considering how Jesus is unique in being the Way, the Truth and the Life, the only route to the Father, unlike Japanese religion, which doesn’t give any assurance of salvation and relationship with God. 

 

Risa lived and worked here for several years, during which time she started attending a local church. She became interested in Christianity through a fascination with British history and Christian heritage. After studying the Bible for some time, she trusted in Jesus and wanted to be baptised. Getting baptised is a huge step for a Japanese person, signalling to society that they are very serious about being a Christian. Christians number only around 0.5% of the Japanese population. Risa experienced some family opposition to her wishes and Miho was able to talk and pray with her, helping her to prepare well for her return to Japan and the challenges involved in following Jesus there. 

 

These are just two brief stories of Japanese people (with names changed) we’ve had the joy of getting alongside and either introducing them to Jesus or encouraging them in following him after they return to Japan.  

 

We serve with OMF International, as part of their Returnee Focus team. What is Returnee Focus? We’re a global team reaching East Asians in many countries including the UK, Kenya, Australia, Korea and the US. What is our vision? Through God’s grace, Returnee Focus wants to see church and mission movements in East Asia strengthened and enriched by followers of Christ returning from around the world. This vision guides our day-to-day ministry among Japanese people in Greater Manchester and beyond. How do we put the vision into practice? We do so by: 

We have many opportunities to meet and serve Japanese people in Greater Manchester, whether they are here on business, studying at universities or languages schools or are settled here longer term. We organise a range of activities and events to connect and share the good news of Jesus with them.  

 

It’s amazing to see in the Bible the crucial place returnees have in God’s mission plans. Naaman (2 Kings 5), the Pentecost visitors to Jerusalem (who returned to their own countries after hearing and believing the gospel, Acts 2) and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8) are some significant examples. God’s mission among returnees has continued ever since and is incredibly strategic in our globalised, mobile world. It is our privilege to be a part of this this mission as we serve among Japanese people here. Thank you so much for your gospel partnership through your vital prayers and support!  

 

Tim & Miho Walker

 

Please see the following website for more on OMF Returnee Focus: https://omf.org/east-asia/returnees/