After 14 years in the United States, and 10 years of pastoral service to the Japanese-American church in the Southern California Conference, Nozomu Obara, together with his wife, Sachiko, and their three children, sensed God’s call to missions. At the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Obara family made the difficult yet rewarding decision to leave behind their comfortable life and embark on a faith-filled journey of service in Nozomu’s native Tokyo.
Their transition was not without difficulties. Readapting to life in Japan after many years abroad, navigating the educational needs of their children, and grappling with financial uncertainties were among their challenges. But God gave them a vision for church planting. That vision, however, required patience. Looking back, Nozomu reflects: “I now understand why God had me wait seven years before I started church planting.” During this period he immersed himself in ethnographic research, studying Japanese culture, societal nuances, and the specific needs of the Japanese Adventist community.
Nozomu now works as the assistant director of Mission Unusual Tokyo in the heart of Tokyo’s dynamic neighborhoods of Nakano and Arai. He collaborates with missionary families and local Adventist pastors and congregations to cultivate vibrant churches and nurture a spirit of discipleship. Together with Yure Gramacho, the program director, the team is fervently working to ignite a nationwide movement of faith across Japan.
The Day-to-Day
For the Obara family, each day begins with prayer and devotions. “Walking with Christ, listening to His voice, and following God’s plan are of utmost importance,” Nozomu says. He has learned the lesson of surrendering personal ambitions to fully embrace God’s guidance. “Each day I am reminded of Acts 6:4: ‘But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ The Word of God and the Spirit of Prophecy serve as our daily source of inspiration and direction.”
A cornerstone of their ministry in Tokyo is the Urban Center of Influence (UCI), located in Nakano. The UCI’s mission is to promote wholistic health while addressing Japan’s escalating social challenges, such as loneliness, social isolation, and an alarming rise in suicide rates. In a society in which many individuals feel disconnected, the center plays a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community and creating a safe haven for meaningful connections. Programs such as NEWSTART and CREATION Life are gently introduced to the neighborhood, providing practical ways for individuals to enhance their physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Nozomu remembers when a 10-month-old baby in the community who had suffered a burn from boiling water came to the UCI. After treating the injury, UCI staff accompanied the family to a medical facility. Thankfully, the child was OK. Later that evening the Obaras visited the family to check on them, expressing their concerns and extending their sympathies for their distress. The parents were deeply moved, remarking, “We are more concerned about our child’s health than anything else, and cannot thank you enough for all that you and your team have done for us.”
Nozomu views every interaction, steeped in prayer, as an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to work. Despite the fact that many in their Tokyo neighborhood have never heard of Christ, the Obaras see each day as an opportunity to build trust, sow seeds of faith, and reflect God’s love in tangible and meaningful ways.
Step out in faith. Trust that God’s plans for you are far greater than anything you could ever imagine.
Patient Faithfulness
Seven years into their time in Tokyo, the Obaras’ work seems just now to be beginning in earnest. “God is teaching us to rely on Him completely,” Nozomu says. “It’s not about our plans or abilities, but about His power working through us.” As they continue their ministry in one of the most densely populated cities in the world, the Obaras welcome both prayers and partnerships for the mission to share the light of Christ across Japan.
To those feeling the gentle call of God stirring in their hearts, Nozomu extends this encouragement: “Step out in faith. Trust that God’s plans for you are far greater than anything you could ever imagine. The journey may be fraught with challenges, but the blessings derived from serving Him and witnessing His work in our lives are truly beyond measure.”
As the second coming of Christ draws ever nearer, the mission to reach the world with the gospel becomes even more urgent. As Seventh-day Adventists, we are called to be vigilant as we vibrantly share the gospel. The Obaras begin their ministry with prayer, rooted in Scripture. So it is through prayer that we align our hearts with God’s will, seek His guidance, and prepare ourselves for the work He has called us to do.
God may call some to return, as have the Obaras, to their native lands, where the gospel faces missional challenges. It can be a difficult decision to return, but God’s power will sustain us where His Spirit leads us. The work may seem slow, and we may be tempted to discouragement, but we can trust that the One who called us will fulfill His calling in us. Ours is to remain faithful.
The seeds being planted through the UCI and the Obaras’ community involvement, meeting people where they are and addressing their felt needs, will bear precious seed in due season. For now, focusing on wholistic health and fostering connections create a welcoming environment for individuals who may otherwise feel estranged from the church.
So the question comes to us: Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones? It may not be to a distant land, but are we prepared to offer genuine support and love to those in our neighborhoods who are struggling with issues such as loneliness or despair? Every act of kindness, every moment of compassion, can open doors to share the love of Christ.
Ultimately, Nozomu’s challenge to us to return to the foundational practices of prayer, Bible study, and Christlike ministry is a message that invigorates our spiritual lives and empowers our mission: “I would like to invite you to join the quest to be faithful witnesses in a rapidly changing world.” By prioritizing a life centered on prayer and the Word, we position ourselves to be instruments of God’s grace and light. Let this be our collective vision and mission as we seek to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, reaching a world in need.
