Written by Taylor Montibon
Nothing is more refreshing and humbling than doing ministry outside your comfort zone. That is exactly what many of us experienced this summer as we had the opportunity to serve at the New Hope Japan Youth Summer Camp.
For the past decade, New Hope Japan has faithfully hosted youth camps, and it was incredibly special to be a part of their 10th anniversary camp. This year, they experienced record-breaking numbers, with approximately 95 students and 125 volunteers in attendance. Volunteers represented five teams from around the world—Japan, Hawai‘i, Eugene, Australia, and New York—all coming together to serve the youth of Japan.
Our team from Eugene had the privilege of joining Pastor Aaron Cordeiro, Lead Pastor of New Hope West, as we served alongside the New Hope Japan team. Although I have been involved in ministry for many years, this was, by far, one of the most challenging ministry experiences I have ever encountered.
Why, you may ask?
The simple answer is language.
Being in a place where not everyone speaks the same language can feel incredibly disarming. Experiencing that firsthand gave me a deeper understanding of what many of our international students endure when they leave behind everything they know to pursue the greater calling God has placed on their hearts here at New Hope Christian College.
The discomfort could have easily led me toward discouragement, but instead, it brought me to a place of gratitude and humility. When I couldn’t always communicate in words, all I could do was show up, serve faithfully, and do my best. And sometimes, that is exactly what ministry looks like.
I had the privilege of serving on the worship team, and I am incredibly honored that they trusted me to be a part of it. Learning an entire repertoire of worship songs in a new language was certainly a challenge. Still, at the end of the day, it was incredibly rewarding to play a small part in ministering to a room full of young people whose hearts were on fire for Jesus.
If you didn’t know, Japan is not a predominantly Christian country. In fact, statistically, Christians make up less than 1% of Japan’s population. When you consider that Japan is home to approximately 122 million people, that number can feel intimidating. Nevertheless, the believers serving there remain dedicated to reaching people with the Gospel—even when doing so goes against societal expectations.
Perhaps one of the most meaningful parts of the trip was seeing our very own NHCC students, who have been training and growing with us here in Eugene, step into ministry. Seeing the way they discipled others, served selflessly, and shared the love of Jesus gave me a glimpse of what they have been praying and preparing for. I also had the privilege of watching several of our alumni now serving in places of leadership, carrying the Gospel and investing in the next generation.
It reminded me that what happens here in Eugene extends far beyond our campus. A generation is being raised to carry the Gospel into places where it is desperately needed. There is a future and a hope for the Church in Japan, and I am incredibly grateful that we had the opportunity to witness even a small part of what God is doing there. I cannot wait to see the ministry in Japan continue to flourish, more lives encounter Jesus, and more souls be won for the Kingdom of Heaven.
