by James Ray

This young man with piercing, burning eyes stood before his graduating class to proclaim, “I never knew there was a world like this.” It is hard for Americans to understand a world where Christianity is unknown and idolatry and paganism rule supremely.

Recently it was my privilege to travel to Japan and to speak at the Kansai Independent Baptist Bible College graduation. The college was started by BIMI missionaries many years ago. It is now completely indigenous–led by Japanese nationals and supported by Japanese churches. My heart was in my throat as I watched and heard the Japanese choir sing with fervor the great hymns of the Redeemer.

The young graduate rejoiced that he had been delivered from a world of darkness. Many years ago BIMI missionaries Don Sisk, David Marcum, Les Frazier, and Ron White, along with others, went into this world of darkness and told the people about the True and Living God. They explained that Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, came from Heaven, took on a human body, and walked among men.

Now, most of those missionaries have moved on to other ministries, but the converts operate a Bible institute and a national mission board.

I also spoke at the Alumni Banquet and met various Japanese missionaries who were present. One by one the national preachers rose to testify. Most of them had paid a terrific price for their decision to follow Jesus Christ. For centuries their families had worshipped stone images and idolatrous gods. That worship was ingrained and embedded. To add a new god might have been forgivable but to accept a God who demanded renunciation of all other deities was unfathomable.

Their fathers and mothers and ancestors for centuries before them had bowed their knees to the gods of stone and wood. As little children they had been led by the hand to the graves of their departed ancestors to pray to them. To denounce the worship of their deceased family members and the idol gods was to denounce family, friends, neighbors–a nation and history itself. To turn to Christianity as the one and only true way to Heaven was to pronounce damnation on those mothers, fathers and grandparents lying out in the graves. Such an act would be nothing less than betrayal–an insult to generations.

These people I now heard singing had crossed such a bridge. They had endured the pleading of dear ones to “turn back and not forsake the family honor.” They had languished in their souls at the pain their decision had caused the people they loved.

They had heard of a God who came from Heaven and indwelt a human body to walk among men. They had heard of His compassion and love and forgiveness of sins. The cold stone statues of Buddha no longer held them in bondage. They opted for a God who loved them personally, knew them, and One whose presence could be felt.

They burned every painful bridge behind them, but even more, they burned their idols. As the smoke of burning idols rose toward Heaven amidst the shame of loving relatives, their hearts burned within them. There could now be no turning back. Western Christians have no concept of the price paid in Japan when one commits to Jesus Christ.

A young preacher, Isaiah Ogawa, the son of one of Don Sisk’s first converts, rose to lead in song. The congregation of the redeemed stood to their feet and filled the church with voices of praise that vibrated the rafters. There was not here the soppy, muffled, night-club tones but clear and distinct notes. They sang:

“Amazing love, How can it be,
that Thou my God, shouldst die for me.”

The young preacher proclaimed, “I never knew that there was a world like this,” and most of the millions of Japan . . . still do not know.

Pray for Japan and the other 99 nations of The Hundred Nations Project.