Rounded Rectangle:

Friendship Baptist Church

2008 Missions Conference

Matt Johnson

Japan
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I was saved in a Christian school on February of 1987at the age of six.  God blessed me with a Christian home where my parents diligently taught me about Him from day one. While I knew many things about God, thanks to their faithfulness, it wasn’t until that February morning that I became aware of my own sinfulness and need of the Savior. My first grade teacher spent some extra time with me reviewing the gospel and, being careful to make sure I understood the decision I was making, led me as I prayed and accepted Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation.

 

Several months later, I began to feel a burden in my heart leading me to missionary service. My parents and teachers wisely advised to me let time and my relationship with Christ decide my calling. The burden never faded and in my early teenage years I came before the church and made public my commitment for full-time Christian service. Throughout High School and college I searched for ways to prepare myself for a life on the mission field, including various missions trips with Awana Clubs International, Friendship Baptist Church, and MTT Ministries. I spent time considering every place the Lord allowed me to go, hoping to determine where He would have me serve. After High School the Lord led me to Ambassador Baptist College, where I graduated in 2003 with a degree in Bible and Missions. The next several years were a ‘holding pattern’ in my life, spent working in Raleigh and seeking God’s will regarding a full time ministry.

 

In the summer of 2004, I spent two months serving under missionaries Ken and Vicki Mansell in Teshio, Japan, and came home with a love and a burden for the people and the ministry there. However, I desired to earnestly pray and see if God was calling me there. Over the last three years, that burden has only grown deeper and more consistent. Having considered this burden, along with the needs of the ministry in Hokkaido and the specific gifts and personality the Lord has given me, I have become persuaded that He is indeed calling me to Japan.

 

Ministry in Hokkaido consists of church planting and teaching English, with the English teaching as a secondary, but vital part of ministry. The Japanese people are very rarely open to foreign influences, and for a foreigner to gain their trust, he must be involved in the community in a way they deem useful. Once that has been established, opportunities abound for sharing the gospel.