Nick was prompted to go to Japan when he found out how few Christians there are in the country. ‘I had no idea the numbers were so low,’ he explains. ‘It shocked me.’
WEC: So, what are you up to in Japan?
Nick: For the most part, I am making contacts and helping with Izumi, a WEC church plant in Yamashina. This involves reaching out to the community with various events and English classes. I am also still learning the local language and culture. I help with the media team here, too.
WEC: What took you there initially?
Nick: I had a mild interest in Japan for a long time, and some of my friends at university were a bit more interested. They started introducing me to Japanese things, but it wasn’t until I saw the statistics about Christians in Japan that I really felt the desire to come here. I had no idea the numbers were so low. It shocked me. From there, I started asking God if he wanted me to go to Japan. I first came here in April 2012, for three months. After joining WEC, I returned to Japan in June 2013.
WEC: What’s the best part of your role?
Nick: I really enjoy meeting new people, especially now that my Japanese is sufficient for conversations. In a country which is almost entirely of a single culture, people are curious as to why I have come here, which leads to some of the best opportunities to share personal testimony. I also really enjoy things like language exchange and events – pretty much any opportunity for building relationships with people.
WEC: What have you seen God do through your work?
Nick: Mostly, I have been given great opportunities to share the gospel or personal testimony of what God has done for me. One of my language exchange partners wouldn’t even let me tell him a single Bible verse when we first met, but after a year or so, he was interested to hear my testimony and why I work in the church. Things seem to move slowly here, but I know God is not limited by what I see.
WEC: And what’s coming next?
Nick: Izumi is currently working to develop outreach geared towards teens and young adults. I would really like to see what a group of young Japanese Christians could do to affect this city.
Nick’s journey all started with a short-term mission. How might a trip like that change you? Contact us to find out about WEC UK’s Short Term Mission opportunities.
Find out more about our Teaching English ministry
Teaching English provides the student with a vital skill, and offers the teacher a chance to build relationships and share the gospel. WEC has many opportunities for you to teach the English language to adults and young people: to immigrants and students here in the UK, and in schools, colleges, universities or private tuition, overseas. A TEFL qualification is very useful in this, and WEC are happy to recommend several UK-based TEFL courses including Christian TEFL.
We need you to get involved
Find out more about how you could become an English teacher.
