At this time of year in Japan, I sometimes hope for the winter barrenness and cold fronts to come to an end. But there is usually still quite a bit of frosty weather ahead. Then I have to brace myself. Thankfully, this is also exactly when the Wintersweet (also known as Wax Plum in English, or Rōbai in Japanese = 蝋梅) blooms brightly in the icy cold. It’s as if the light of the resurrection is already shining through the cracks of Lent here in Japan … This year again, the Wintersweet tree in the parking area next to our house did not disappoint at the end of January. Together with the first boisterous song of the Japanese Nightingale, after a long winter silence, we now see and hear the early signs of spring all around us. What a joy!
Lent and Something of Everything in Ministry
This seasonal reality also reflects something of what we have experienced recently in the ebb and flow of ministry in the church in Japan. There is far too much to share here, but let me mention just a few experiences.
At the end of January I was unexpectedly asked to preach at a struggling congregation where the pastor is on sick leave due to mental health challenges. Snippets from that worship service, attended by only seven people that Sunday, remain etched in my heart: the pastor’s wife’s closing prayer amid her courageous sorrow; the eager excitement of a teenage girl attending a church service for the very first time; the gratitude of an elderly woman who had not heard a Bible message together with her faith family for two decades. And the realization: seven are just as important as seven thousand. After all, Christ did not come for the healthy and strong (Mark 2:17).
On that same day, in our home congregation in Kobe, Carina told me about a man who has occasionally attended church over the past few years and who worshiped with us again that Sunday. He travels nearly three hours to get to our church. During fellowship after the service he said that, although he is not a Christian, the sermons and the Bible are changing him. So much so that he wishes he could come every week. Christian ethics and the way Christians think about life compels him to re-evaluate his own life — especially the idea of helping others. This is the reality of the small yet vibrant body of Christ in Japan. When God begins changing people’s lives, it often leads to serious, deep commitment.
This past Sunday I stood in to preach in place of a beloved and experienced pastor who suddenly became seriously ill. The congregation he serves, and especially his wife, were deeply shaken by this sudden setback. His words (in an email after the service) remain with me: Since last Wednesday we have entered the season of Lent. Just as Passover leads us from death into life, so Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross lead us into the celebration of new life in His resurrection. Through this illness I will probably come to taste and understand more deeply the mystery of faith — this transition from death to life in Christ, to whom we are united — as I am guided step by step through this season.
Other Highlights and Activities
- Our coworkers Tobie and Annalie De Wet have now moved from Niihama to Tokushima. They are currently visiting South Africa and will return at the end of April to begin a new term of ministry at the RCJ Tokushima West congregation.
- We hosted two groups of teenagers/students in our home — wonderful opportunities to grow together in faith and friendship.
- Two funerals caught us off guard. One member of our congregation and one recently retired pastor from our presbytery passed away. Their memorial services were deeply encouraging and strong testimonies to Christian hope in a 99% non-Christian context.
- Kobe Reformed Theologcal Seminary has accepted three new students who will begin studying with us in April. We are grateful!
- An important lecture and gathering on the growing phenomenon of Christian Zionism in Japan proved very instructive.
- Four different groups of students, lecturers, and church leaders from South Korea filled our seminary corridors and dining hall. This reflects our deep connection with various churches there and hopefully will encourage future students to study with us.
- An online meeting was held with leaders of the RCJ East Kantō Presbytery, following up on previous discussions (Nov. 2025) about new cooperation possibilities between Mission Japan and that presbytery in the Tōkyo region.
- It was a privilege and pleasure last week to participate in discussions in Tōkyo about disaster relief, hosted by the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association (https://jema.org). A diverse group of church leaders and ministry partners from around the world gathered, sensing a readiness for coordinated impact to serve those affected by natural disasters in Japan. One photo includes Dr. Norimichi Yokota (Director, Kyushu Christ Disaster Relief Center), who led two presentations with great passion and sober wisdom. Disaster relief in Japan is not merely humanitarian work but part of God’s life-giving hope in our fragile world. It opens doors for witness to the good news amid suffering and pain. Many church leaders in Japan have been shaped through their involvement in disaster response, learning profound lessons about resilient faith and Christlike compassion in times of crisis. We remain watchful for when the next major disaster may strike. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
Our eldest child and only daughter, Annlie, experienced a highlight when she performed the lead role (as a swan) in her ballet concert. It was a joy to see how wholeheartedly she enjoyed it—completely in her element! Perhaps also because the end of her school career is just around the corner…
Banner photo credit goes to Anna Golik.
