"Are You Christians?"
By Sharon Williams, Japan Project Manager
They heard the beautiful sound and followed it, wanting to find out who was making the music.
This group of three ladies (one of whom spoke Japanese) was part of the Jesus for Asia prayer mission trip to Japan in November 2025. That Friday, these ladies had decided to prayer walk the grounds of the Osaka Castle, a popular tourist attraction in Osaka, Japan.
They followed the music until they found a man sitting by himself playing a sanshin, a traditional Okinawan three-stringed instrument. They stood by listening as he finished his song. When he was done, they approached him to say “hello” and tell him they enjoyed the music. They introduced themselves and found out his name is Manabu.
As they talked, Manabu asked them why they were in Japan. They told him they were there praying. Surprised, he asked, “Are you Christians?” They responded, “Yes, we are Seventh-day Adventist Christians.”
Manabu was in shock. He shared with them that 12 years earlier, he had attended the SDA church in Osaka. The last time he was at that church was on the Sabbath they had a memorial service for his mother. He left and never returned. He told them that he loved God, but he didn’t believe God loved him because of all the bad things he had done.
The three ladies eagerly tried to assure him that God indeed loved him very much, but that was something he just couldn’t believe. They invited him to join our entire group at the Osaka SDA Church the next day. They prayed with him and continued walking and praying around the castle grounds.
When we arrived at church the next morning, Manabu was waiting for us with a big smile on his face. We were all so excited that he decided to attend church. Manabu joined the Japanese-speaking service with one of the ladies he had met the day before.
Our group had to leave Osaka and go on to the next city on our itinerary. But we left Manabu in the capable hands of a godly SDA woman in Osaka who remains in touch with Manabu, always seeking to lead him to the full peace and assurance of salvation in Jesus.
These three ladies were open to listening to the Holy Spirit as He pointed them to the Osaka Castle that Friday morning. God knew Manabu was there waiting to be found. I’m sure there was joy in heaven when the connection was made.
Will you join us in praying for Manabu—and others like him in Japan—who desperately need Jesus?
If you would like to learn more about Jesus for Asia's work in Japan, or help the spread of the Gospel there, please click the button below to see our Japan projects.