A people we deeply love
Our burden for Japan is rooted in genuine affection and gratitude for the people, culture, and relationships God has already used to shape our hearts.
Serving, learning, and walking in faith.
Preparing to serve Japan with the love of Jesus
We are Gabriel and Sonia, together with our two children, preparing to follow God’s call to long-term ministry in Japan.
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Heart
A warm, prayerful foundation for sharing our family’s calling with friends, church communities, and supporters.
Direction
Serving local churches, building relationships, and preparing faithfully for the right time.
Our Story
A family learning to say yes to God’s call
Japan has been close to our hearts for many years, and each step along the way has deepened our sense that the Lord is leading our family there in His time.
What began as a love for Japan and its culture has, over many years, grown into a deeper burden for the Japanese people. Through several family trips, we have seen both the beauty of the country and the quiet realities many people carry — loneliness, spiritual searching, and little awareness of the hope found in Jesus.
Gabriel’s recent mission trip gave us a clearer glimpse of what ministry in Japan can look like. Serving alongside a local church highlighted the patience, trust, and faithfulness needed to build genuine relationships, while also strengthening our desire to come alongside local believers and serve wherever there is need.
As a family, we want to keep learning, keep listening, and keep serving humbly. Gabriel is currently studying through Paz Church’s Bible College in Japan with a focus on church planting, and we are trusting God for the right timing, location, and church partnership as we prepare for the future.
Why Japan
A compassionate burden for people deeply loved by God
Our desire is not rooted in criticism, but in compassion. We long to see people encounter the love of Jesus through patient, relational ministry and the quiet strength of local churches.
A need for genuine connection
Many people in Japan carry deep loneliness and social pressure, which makes patient, relational ministry and faithful presence especially important.
A hope found in Jesus
We long for more people to know they are seen, loved, and invited into lasting hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
A call to serve alongside local believers
Rather than coming with our own agenda, we hope to strengthen local churches and leaders already serving faithfully in their communities.
Ministry Focus
Serving local churches with open hands
Our desire is not to arrive with all the answers, but to learn, listen, and serve humbly.
We are preparing to support local churches in practical and relational ways: encouraging leaders, serving families, helping behind the scenes, and continuing to grow in language and cultural understanding. We also remain open to how future church planting may fit into the story God is writing.
Church Support
Supporting pastors, leaders, and smaller churches in practical ways as needs arise and relationships grow.
Children’s Ministry
Using the gifts God has given us to serve children, encourage families, and create welcoming spaces for the next generation.
Media & Production
Helping with sound, media, production, and behind-the-scenes support that can strengthen the day-to-day ministry of a local church.
Language & Cultural Learning
Continuing to grow in Japanese language and cultural understanding while remaining open to future church planting opportunities as preparation continues.
Journey
The story so far
We are grateful for the ways God has prepared us over time, and we want to keep moving forward with patience as He opens the doors.
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2010
Church involvement in Venezuela
Gabriel’s ministry journey began through youth and worship ministry, laying an early foundation for serving people in the local church.
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2022
Joined Encompass Church
Becoming part of Encompass Church marked an important season of growth, community, and preparation for what God may do next.
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Recent years
Family trips to Japan
Repeated visits as a family deepened our love for the country and helped us sense a growing burden for the people.
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Recent mission trip
Serving alongside a local church
Gabriel spent time serving with a church in Japan, seeing both the beauty of what God is doing and the patience needed for long-term ministry.
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Current season
Bible College preparation
Gabriel is studying through Paz Church’s Bible College with a focus on church planting as part of ongoing preparation.
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Next steps
Preparing for the right time
Continue language learning, build local connections, discern a receiving church or mission partnership, and stay ready to follow where He leads as God opens the doors.
Pray
Stand with us in prayer
Prayer is not a smaller way to partner. It is central to everything ahead, and we would be grateful to have you pray with us in this season.
Our prayer
That in obedience to Jesus’ call, our family would be a light for Christ in Japan and play a small part in seeing His love made known among the nations.
- +Wisdom and clarity around timing and the next faithful steps ahead.
- +The right receiving church or ministry partner in Japan.
- +Continued growth in Japanese language learning and cultural understanding.
- +Grace, stability, and joy for our children and family as we prepare.
- +Open doors, genuine relationships, and healthy local connections.
- +Japanese people to encounter the love and hope of Jesus.
- +Local churches and leaders in Japan to be encouraged and strengthened.
Partner
Partner With Us
As we prepare for long-term ministry in Japan, we invite you to partner with us through prayer and financial support as we take steps of faith toward serving the Japanese people and sharing the love of Jesus with those who need to know they are seen, loved, and not alone.
Financial partnership helps support day-to-day living and ministry expenses as we prepare and serve.
Scripture
Sent to Share His Light
The call to go and the promise of His light continue to shape the way we pray about Japan.
Mark 16:15
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Acts 13:47
“I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Contact
Stay Connected
We would love to share updates, answer questions, and stay in touch as this journey unfolds.
Reach out
hello@yourmissionfamily.orgIf you would like to hear more, ask questions, or receive future updates, we would be glad to connect.
Newsletter
Receive future updates
We plan to share prayer updates, stories, and future ministry milestones here as the journey develops.