The ground beneath Japan shook, trembled and gave way in some parts. Buildings crumbled. Roads split apart. Fires raged.

For many, the scenes felt hauntingly familiar, echoes of the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami came flooding back. Once again, death and destruction stood in plain view.

On that New Year’s day in 2024, across the world, believers cried out: “God, please have mercy on Japan.”

How many are facing eternity without knowing the Savior? How many are searching for hope in the chaos? How long until they hear the good news, truly hear it and believe? When will hearts turn and find real LIFE in Him?

But before the earth shook on that first day of the year … something beautiful happened.

As the sun quietly rose on New Year’s morning, on a small beach in Malaysia, a different story was unfolding. Four Japanese men and women stepped into calm waters and publicly declared their faith in Jesus through baptism.

While destruction would soon grip their homeland, LIFE was already breaking through.

These were the first baptisms of Japanese believers our team has witnessed in Malaysia. A quiet moment, unseen by the world—but celebrated in heaven.

These new disciples will not walk an easy road. Opposition, rejection, and even condemnation may await them, especially if they return to Japan. Yet they have chosen their allegiance. They stand with the One who rescues us from sin and conquers death.

And this is just the beginning.

Join us in praying that they would have bold faith . . . that their witness would multiply . . . and that many more in Japan would find the NEW LIFE in Christ.

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