In the fall of 2018, Doxa church officially opened its doors. Lives were changed, people were baptized, and God proved faithful over and over again. And from the very start, we’ve always had the dream to see more Gospel centered, multigenerational churches planted out of ours, specifically in university cities across the country.
But as the months went on, we began to feel as a leadership team more and more pulled toward global church planting. As our church family grew, we were convicted to further prioritize seeing the Gospel go to the nations. And in 2019, our elder team made the commitment to try and see an individual, a team, or a church plant sent out globally for every church planted here in the States. And by God’s grace and his divine providence, that’s exactly what has happened.
In 2022, Doxa sent out its first global church plant to Osaka, Japan.
Why Japan?
A Gospel Call
Japan is one of the world's largest economic powers, a nation highly advanced in technology and industry, and the home of a culture rich in history and heritage. One may ask, "Why plant churches in Japan?" The answer is simple: the Japanese do not yet know the good news of Jesus Christ!
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” - Romans 10:14-15
an Unreached people
The Japanese are the second largest unreached people group in the world, meaning they have little to no access and/or exposure to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For example:
With a population of 127 Million people, only 0.5% identify as evangelical Christian
It’s estimated that 95% of Japanese people have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Most people in Japan have never heard the Gospel, have never read the Bible, have never been to church, and have no Christian friends. With all this held in light of Jesus’ command that we make disciples of all nations, we feel compelled to go and bring the Gospel to a people who have in large part not yet heard it.
a Church Planting Need
The greatest and most urgent need in Japan is the planting of new churches who are passionate about the next generation.
There is only 1 church for every 16,700 people in Japan
(In comparison, there is 1 church for every 800 people in the USA)
72% of pastors in Japan are over 60 years old
When a church is planted in a city, it becomes a witness for the gospel in that city. Disciples will be made, God will call some of those disciples to become leaders, and some of those leaders will go start new churches— beginning the cycle of multiplication again.
Why Osaka?
In light of all of the above, we know with certain clarity that our next calling is to Japan. But why Osaka specifically? This is for a number of reasons: Osaka is the second largest urban area in Japan, with over 19 million people calling it home; there are 32 universities in Osaka, with more than 125,000 university students in total; and finally, Osaka is a national and global hub of movement, making it strategic for future church planting efforts.
Osaka has long been known as a city of entertainment and productivity. It is filled with university students and a growing number of young families. We believe that reaching the next generation is the key to Japan. As students encounter the transforming hope of the Gospel, we pray and hope to see university campuses transformed. As campuses are transformed, we pray and hope that they will be the launching point for the city to be transformed. And as major cities in Japan, beginning with Osaka, are transformed by God’s people through the power of the Gospel, we pray and hope to see the country begin to be transformed.
Our Team
The Osaka Church Plant Team, Fall 2023
How you can get involved
PRAY
Luke 10:2, that God would send more workers into the harvest field of Japan.
1 Peter 2:9-10, over the Japanese people.
GIVE
Be part of God’s mission in Japan by helping meet the financially need to accomplish this mission. Pledge below:
GO
If you are interested in knowing more about how to go and be part of planting churches in Japan, please fill out the interest form:
