Through the Kingdom Come Discipleship Initiative, financial generosity is supporting the work of Jesus around the world. But giving is only part of the story. As God’s grace transforms people’s hearts, many are discovering that following Jesus also means becoming personally involved, sometimes by joining a short-term mission trip.

In Japan, choosing to follow Christ can be especially difficult. The culture places a high value on harmony and shared identity, so becoming a Christian may create tension within a family. New believers can face anger, rejection, or even the possibility of being disowned. Despite these challenges, God is changing lives. After attending a “Texas Night” hosted by a visiting mission team, one man began attending church, heard the gospel, placed his faith in Jesus, and was recently baptized.

Churches across Japan have seen more people come to Christ and be baptized during the past two years. Although the spiritual soil can feel difficult, God is bringing new life and working through partnerships between local churches and visiting teams. Stories like this remind us that every act of generosity, every trip, and every invitation can help someone take a life-changing step toward Jesus.