“Hard for who?”

In 2018, I travelled to Tokyo for two weeks. The first week, I participated in an evangelistic conference—Learn, Share, Testify, Repeat. It was a fantastic time; we saw God touch lives, and I felt honoured to be part of it. But I was hungry for more. A hunger for more of God is never a bad thing—it often becomes the very impulse that nudges us closer to His plans and helps us push past the fears holding us back.

On the final day of the conference, I stepped forward as one of the “confident ones” to form a small outreach team. Truthfully, I felt like a bit of a fraud. I was anything but confident. Still, I was partnered with a Brazilian sister and two Japanese sisters. Just to raise the stakes, we barely shared a common language.

We prayed and felt led to Shibuya Crossing—at least we knew there would be people there. When we arrived, I looked around, overwhelmed. “Where do I even begin?” I prayed silently, “Lord, who do You have for me to speak to?” And immediately, I heard a simple, “Hello.”

It was a young Japanese man, dressed in overalls with an open, kind face. We began to talk. He asked where I was from and why I was in Japan. I shared about the conference and what we had experienced. When my Japanese, and his English, hit its limit, the Japanese sisters smoothly stepped in, sharing the gospel with honour, clarity, and grace.

This young man was fully engaged. I thought, “Wow—he’s truly hungry for God.” I was energised. I felt like we had clearly communicated the love and message of Jesus. Mission accomplished. But then, the Brazilian sister stepped forward and asked him directly, “Are you ready to receive Jesus into your heart?”

He replied with an emphatic, “Yes.”

We prayed with him, gave him the contact for a local church, and stood in awe of what God had done.

That day in Shibuya, we saw two young men receive the kingdom of God. I was stunned. “What is happening? This is Japan… and Japan is supposed to be hard!”

In my spirit, I heard the Lord immediately respond:

“Hard for who?”

I had known for about seven years that I was called to Japan. But deep down, I had wondered if I really wanted to go. During that time, I was surrounded by well-meaning mission groups who all seemed to say the same thing: Japan is a hard place for mission.

Having lived in Japan previously, I understood why they said that. Despite decades of effort, the Japanese church remained small. Was there something we were missing? I didn’t want to believe that it was “too hard,” but their experience seemed so valid. I admired their sacrifice deeply.

But that day in Shibuya, I saw Japan through a new lens. No, Japan has not always been receptive to the gospel—but to say that it’s beyond the reach of the Lord? That would be false. What I learned that day was simple, yet profound: Japan is not too hard for God.

This doesn’t explain centuries of resistance to Christianity, but it gave me more than a spark of hope.

Any good fisherman will tell you: some days, you just don’t catch anything. It doesn’t always mean you’re doing something wrong. In John 21, we see a group of disciples who were themselves fishermen, toil all night and catch nothing. This was after Jesus’ crucifixion—they had returned to Galilee, unsure of what to do next. Peter went fishing, and the others followed. Despite their knowledge and skill, they came back empty-handed.

Then, a man on the shore—Jesus, though they didn’t yet recognise Him—called out:

“Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No.”
“Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”

I can just imagine the disciples exchanging looks: “Who is this guy? Doesn’t he know we’re the professionals?”

But they did it anyway. It made no sense. It wasn’t strategic. But when they obeyed, their net immediately filled—and Peter realised it was Jesus.

Mission work in Japan has felt like a long night with empty nets. Many have theories as to why. In my opinion, it’s not about poor technique or lack of understanding. Neither is it about inadequate tools.

There are likely many reasons for Japan’s slow response to the gospel. But I know this:
Japan is not too hard for Jesus.

At His direction, the nets can overflow in a moment. That doesn’t mean strategies and tools don’t matter. But it does mean the real key is learning to listen—to the voice of the Lord of the Harvest. Many believe a great catch is coming. And I believe it too. The morning light is beginning to break over Japan. The nets are ready. And there will be a catch—of many, many souls.

Now is not the time to speculate about Japan’s receptivity to the Gospel. This is a time to hold our plans, our strategies, and our initiatives a little more loosely. It’s a time to listen. What is Jesus saying?

What He speaks might not make sense. It might not align with our past experience or ministry models. It may stretch our faith simply to obey.

But He is the Lord of the Harvest, and this nation—this Japan—is not too difficult for Him.