Reaching the Unreached in Sapporo, Japan

What if your boldest step of faith helped change eternity for someone who’s never heard the name of Jesus? That’s exactly what we’re stepping into as we partner with the Mustard Seed Network to help plant a brand-new church in Sapporo, Japan.

Sapporo, the fifth-largest city in Japan, is located on the northern island of Hokkaido—and it is one of the most unreached urban centers in the world. Japan as a whole is less than 1% Christian, and millions have never heard the message of Jesus. Studies show that the vast majority of people in Japan live and die without ever encountering the gospel.

This is exactly why we’re stepping in to help.

The Mustard Seed Network is a gospel-centered church planting movement focused on major cities in Japan. Their mission is to glorify God by making disciples through planting churches in urban Japan. That mission aligns beautifully with our calling to make more and better followers of Jesus.

Why does this matter to us? Because we’re called to this. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19, "Go and make disciples of all nations…" and in Acts 1:8, "You will be my witnesses...to the ends of the earth." That includes the neighborhoods around us—and the nations across the sea.

When we partner with Mustard Seed, we get to be part of planting a church where there is almost no gospel presence. We get to help build a spiritual home for people who have never heard that they are loved, seen, and known by their Creator. We get to participate in God’s plan to reach the unreached.

Here’s how you can respond:

• Pray for the people of Sapporo and the team planting the church

• Learn more about Mustard Seed Network’s mission and global impact at mustardseed.network

• Live boldly—step into generosity and mission by giving, going, or sharing the story

Scripture reminds us in Romans 10:14–15: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?" The message is clear—we go, we give, and we speak so others can hear and believe.

Let’s be a church that doesn’t settle for comfort but moves with courage. Let’s live out our faith in ways that echo across oceans and into eternity. Together, let’s plant hope in Japan—one church, one city, one soul at a time.