Japanese Suicide Attempter Introduced to Christians
November 2024
Something keeps drawing Kento* back to the outreach events hosted by Encompass’s team in Osaka. He’s not quite sure what it is—maybe curiosity, maybe a sense of belonging—but he faithfully shows up to event after event so he can build friendships, read the Bible, and ask questions. Our team reads Ecclesiates with him, which really resonates with his experience. He used to spend much of his time indoors and alone—which felt meaningless—but since meeting the Encompass team, he now has a community, friendships, and an interest in Jesus.
Then one day, Kento receives a desperate call from Tokyo. His close friend Shun* has attempted suicide. While Japan has the highest suicide rate among developed nations, the news still leaves Kento feeling shocked and shaken. As he thinks about his friend, he reflects on the countless times he’s felt our Osaka team radiate Jesus’ love and hope.
In that moment, he thinks to himself, “Shun needs to have Christians in his life.”
Ready to help, our Osaka team rallies around Kento and helps him make a trip to Tokyo, so he can visit his friend. Kento isn’t even a believer yet, but he’s already walking out the Great Commission unknowingly. He experienced God's love through Christians, so now he wants to share that with his struggling friend. When Kento arrives, he takes Shun to visit a local church. For what might have been the first time in years, Shun steps into a space filled with warmth, peace, and community—a stark contrast to the isolation that had nearly overwhelmed him.
God uses His church in Tokyo to welcome and embrace Shun, making it clear that he isn’t alone.
We praise God for revealing Himself so strongly to Kento that he felt compelled to introduce his struggling friend to Christians. God, please continue drawing Kento and Shun closer and closer to Yourself.
*Names changed for security
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