Tokyo: The City of Lights that Doesn’t Know the Story
Reflecting on a defining moment in Japan and the urgent cry for laborers in the harvest.
|
6 min read
Written by:
David Hawkins
Founder, Ekballo International
Tokyo: The City of Lights that Doesn’t Know the Story
Written by:
David Hawkins
Founder, Ekballo International
Share this to:
In December 2025, I stood in the heart of Tokyo, surrounded by the world’s most elaborate Christmas displays. The streets were flooded with vibrant lights, beautiful decorations, and the sounds of carols. Yet, as we engaged with the people around us, a staggering reality surfaced: almost no one could tell us the story of Christmas or why they were celebrating.
A Spiritual Sahara
Japan is home to over 120 million people, but it remains one of the largest unreached nations on earth. With less than half a percent identifying as Christian, it is a spiritual desert hidden behind a curtain of modern prosperity. What I expected to be a brief time of rest became a defining moment of calling; I sensed the tangible cry of God for laborers to be sent into this specific harvest.
From Encounter to Establishment
The need in Japan is not just for a moment of evangelism, but for the establishment of lasting communities of faith. We cannot simply pass through; we must base ourselves here, submerse ourselves in the culture, and walk with people from their first encounter to ongoing transformation.
The Force of Ekballo
This is why the word Ekballo is so vital. It is not a gentle invitation; it is a sending with a force that cannot be resisted. The harvest in Japan won't wait. It requires laborers who are willing to move permanently, learn the language, and build the connections necessary for the Gospel to take root.
Key Takeaways
Japan is less than 0.5% Christian and deeply unreached.
We must move beyond "projects" to permanent church planting.
Success requires language immersion and local relationship building.
The Ekballo mandate requires a forceful, purposeful sending.
