In Acts 16:6-10, there is an account of a person from Macedonia, a “foreign” land, asking for a Christian witness to come to his country. Paul and Silas responded to the plea, sensing God’s leading.

            The new head of Soshin School is making a similar plea, a "Macedonian call." Please read a speech she prepared for the World Mission Conference this past summer.

            God is opening hearts and breaking down barriers that have existed here for hundreds of years. God is responding to the prayers raised up for Japan after the earthquake and tsunami.

           Please continue to pray, especially for the hundreds of thousands who have heard about Jesus through Christian mission schools. Ask the God of the harvest to give them faith to believe the truth they have been told. Ask God to enable and embolden Christian teachers to make disciples where they have been planted.

“There is still a need in Japan. 

            The translation of the Bible, building churches, founding schools, the establishment of social work, these are some of the results of 150 years of Protestant mission in Japan.

Missionary effort was evident in the rebuilding of the mission schools after WWII. Christian training shaped by the missionaries in the mission schools has influenced the formation of Japan’s modern society. In the field of girls’ education, where we lag behind Western countries, the missionaries taught the Bible and English to prepare the girls to be sent into the world.

Today, Japanese people are enjoying the benefits of Japan’s rise in economic power. Yet, in spite of our material wealth, we are spiritually poverty stricken. Because of our visible wealth, it is believed we no longer need missionaries. But now is the time of even greater need!

Japanese people are pursuing what can be bought with money. Many parents want a life of ease for their children. They believe this can be bought, so they pursue and want their children to pursue, a career where they can make a lot of money. In order to have this career, Japanese people work hard from childhood to get into a good pre-school so they can get into a good elementary school, so they can get into a good Jr. High and then Sr. High school so they can get into a good college so they can get a good job. Parents never doubt this will bring happiness.

In spite of the rise in affluence, Japan currently experiences a suicide rate twice that of the US and 3x that of England. The ability to engage in face-to-face communication is declining. Social phobia is the number one mental health problem in Japan. People are losing hope.

Japan does not have that base or pillar that sustains life. We do not have the foundation of Jesus Christ. I believe that Christian education can give light to the darkness covering our society. Non-Christian parents recognize the value of the moral teachings of the Bible even when they do not embrace Christian faith.

Currently, our schools are faced with declining student populations which may lead to school closures. Furthermore, the number of Christian teachers is also declining. At Soshin, our staff is about 70% Christian. However, a number of these Christian teachers are at or near retirement age. Some schools already have only one or two Christian teachers. In the near future there will be mission schools without a Christian staff presence. We want the Christian nature of education to continue.

My hope is that students come to faith and grow up in God’s name with a strong and tender heart. I hope they will shed Christ’s light and be real treasures to societies “poor in spirit.” Some will go, as missionaries have done for us. And the others, I hope will use their God given financial resources to benefit others in the world. For this, I rely on the work of missionaries. When we see their sacrifice in coming so far to spread the instructions of Jesus Christ, we feel their living faith.

If missionaries come from English speaking countries, I want them to teach English. I continue to feel this is an important doorway for the gospel. Relationships can be built (as a teacher) through sports and music and through worship, prayer and Bible study. I wish very strongly that some of you will come to bring the Good News to our students, their families and our staff.”

Akiko Nakajima

Superintendent of Soshin Schools

Please pray and consider answering this call from Japan!

As we serve in Japan, we are very thankful for the prayers and support from our partners. We are at 91% of our personal support goal for which we give thanks to God! At the same time, we need an additional 9% to reach our goal of 100% to continue to serve in Japan. Would you kindly and prayerfully consider a new or additional monthly pledge to our support at this time? We know many are asking and you only have so much to give. But perhaps you may think of it this way . . . God gave 100% of Himself when He sent Jesus to save us from our sins. Is it not our joy to follow His lead in giving?

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Lee Ann (and Gordon) Hwang