“My name is Kenji Kondo, from Japan. My family is very traditional Buddhist and Shintoist. As an atheist, I was against any religion. I came to Canada in 1995.”

That’s how Kenji started his testimony at an ISMC banquet in 2001, just two years after going forward at the altar call of a Japanese evangelist speaking in Calgary. So how did Kenji come to accept Jesus? And what has happened since?

Kenji explains salvation to unreached teenagers

God brought loving Christians into Kenji’s life while he was a student. He stayed at the home of ISMC staff, attended FOCUS Club and even Bible study. But, as a staunch atheist, he was determined not to become a Christian himself, even though Christians served and prayed for him. Kenji was amazed that anyone would pray for his struggles—and even more amazed that they believed and trusted that their God would help him. “And it was so,” said Kenji. By the time he spoke at that 2001 banquet, he had become a believer, been baptized, and was serving in Canada with Wycliffe Bible Translators. 

Kenji had no intention of returning to Japan. In 2005, he married a Canadian. Later, his family even served for two years in Asia. But God was nudging Kenji about friends and family in Japan, not one of whom knew about Jesus. There had never been a church in his hometown, and no missionaries had ever come to the place.

In 2012, Kenji’s father’s failing health forced the issue. Almost fifteen years after becoming a Christian, Kenji moved back to his hometown to take care of his dad. A few years later, Kenji’s dad miraculously accepted Jesus and was baptized before he passed away. This sparked a desire in Kenji to minister to his own people, and laid the foundation for Kenji and Sandy to join Operation Mobilization, starting a new ministry team in Japan. They served in evangelism and also started a gathering of believers.

Today, in Kenji’s hometown, there is a church plant started by one of the major denominations in Japan. Kenji and his family support Japanese pastors and struggling churches and work to break denominational and geographical barriers throughout his province of Mie. Kenji speaks and interprets at local and international events—including the once-in-seven-year conference presented by the Japanese Evangelical Association.

When a series of large earthquakes hit the Noto Peninsula this January, 360 kilometers north of Kenji’s home, Operation Mobilization was quick to help. Kenji’s coworkers in the affected region became the first to respond, while Kenji was appointed disaster response manager. He kept churches and relief organizations updated, while Operation Mobilization gathered with local pastors and denominations to start Noto Help, an interdenominational Christian disaster response organization.

That student, who was determined not to become a Christian or return to Japan, now prays that this ongoing relief effort will open doors for churches to have unity and for Christians to become salt and light in Japan.

Kenji equips Japanese Christians to share the gospel to people in an unreached area

Housing is still a huge need for international students. In today’s housing crunch, there are so many opportunities for Christians to impact the lives of international students by sharing their home. To get started, contact your local university for information about homestay programs, or check out platforms such as spacesshared.ca which match students looking for safe and affordable housing with hosts who have spare bedrooms.