Japan

Japan is a very wealthy country with a highly efficient, highly diversified, and very competitive economy. The Japanese people are polite and hardworking, and many spend time pursuing material things, higher education, or advancement in their company. Most Japanese are not active spiritually but their lives are deeply influenced by Shinto and Buddhist customs, practices, and beliefs. Only about 1 percent of Japanese people are Christians and there is only one church for every 16,000 people. In this group-oriented society, it is difficult for Christians to live out their faith on a daily basis due to family and cultural pressures to conform.

The Japan MB conference (JMBC) was founded just after WWII and now has over 1,500 members in over 25 congregations. MB Mission partners with the JMBC by sending English teachers to give classes as part of the churches' evangelical outreach vision. Church planting has also been the center of our partnership.

Please pray:

• That the Teaching English as a Second Language ministry in Japan would continue to be an effective bridge between local MB churches and their communities
• That the partnership between MBMSI and the Japan MB Conference would strengthen as Japanese missionaries are sent out to other nations
• That the people of Japan will realize that their accomplishments and wealth do not bring satisfaction, and will turn to Jesus for true fulfillment and joy