Nice to meet you. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share my testimony through my first experience participating in the Equipper Conference. Currently, I am studying abroad as a university student in Toronto, Canada. After arriving in Canada, I felt lonely in an environment where there were no other Japanese students at my university, so I began searching for a Japanese community. During the Christmas season of 2023, I came across the church I attend now, and started attending services. There, I encountered God and became a Christian last summer.
I was introduced to this conference by my aunt, who has been very devoted in supporting my Christian life. The Equipper Conference (EC) is for Japanese Christians who have encountered Christ overseas and been led to Him, to be equipped as “sent ones” before returning to Japan. When I first learned about this program, I really wanted to participate, but the cost of attendance and travel posed a significant financial burden, so I almost gave up.
As an international student in Canada on a student visa, I am unable to earn a stable income. I rely on a small allowance from my parents for living expenses, but with the rising cost of living, it has been difficult to make ends meet. I have been living on a tight budget, working as an unpaid intern at a food bank, receiving support from them, and cooking my own meals to save on food costs.
Additionally, my parents are not Christians and have a negative or distrustful view of religion, especially Christianity, so I have not been able to tell them that I am a Christian. I asked my parents for financial support to attend EC24, but without disclosing that I am a Christian, my request was declined. Furthermore, the church I attend is still relatively new to me, making fundraising difficult. In this situation, with no one to turn to, I had no choice but to give up on attending EC24.
However, I registered for the waiting list for EC24, and later, I was given the opportunity to participate, which I truly felt was God’s guidance. Even so, I still needed financial support. That’s when I received warm support from many of you. I was able to receive full coverage of the participation fee from JCFN, the organization hosting EC24, and my church in Canada raised the largest amount of funds they have ever done, according to our pastor. Additionally, through God’s plan, I was able to participate in fundraising through JxJ, a Japanese ministry in Seattle, despite never having attended their meetings before. I received a substantial amount of support from them as well. It was not only the financial support, but also the many prayers and praises that made it possible for me to attend. Each and every act of support felt like an encouragement from God, and my heart was truly filled with gratitude.
As I mentioned earlier, I became a Christian last summer, so I am still a “baby Christian.” Although I have faith, I was not yet accustomed to living a life centered around God as a Christian. I was still unsure about how to pray, read the Bible, or do devotions. I wondered if my lack of experience would make me feel distant from other Christians, or if I would be able to make friends. Would I be able to enjoy the five days of the conference? These were some of the anxieties I had before attending EC.
However, during the conference, I was greatly blessed by God’s guidance. First, I had the chance to meet many Christians and participate in wonderful worship services every day. Each day started with devotions, followed by beautiful praise and messages during morning worship. Then, we had Bible study in small groups and ended the day with evening worship, spending five days focusing solely on God.
At the conference, the women’s gathering on the third night particularly stood out to me. Many people were in tears, laying bare the chaos surrounding them in God’s presence, offering praise and sharing testimonies. The sight of people finding the beauty of God, who is “order” amid their chaos, and praying was especially moving.
For me, the most memorable encounters were with my eleven roommates and four small group members. I was amazed to find so many girls around my age, each with a different life background and unique encounter with God. Opening up to them, sharing my struggles and anxieties, and praying together with them became a great source of strength.
As Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” the fellowship with friends who deepened their faith together with me has contributed to my own spiritual growth.
I was also surprised by how many young Christians, like me, had been saved by God while living overseas. By praising, praying, and sharing faith with them, the anxieties I had before the conference gradually disappeared.
Regarding this year’s theme of “Pride,” I had some new insights as well. Do you know the difference between “arrogance” and “pride”? “Arrogance” refers to a sense of value based on comparing oneself to others, such as academic achievements, career, wealth, or fame. However, what we should take pride in is not such “arrogance” but the absolute values that have nothing to do with others’ evaluations, such as our encounter with God and our faith.
I realized the importance of being thankful that God loves and leads us, rather than comparing ourselves to others. I also came face-to-face with my own weaknesses, jealousy, and envy. Due to my family situation, I sometimes feel envious when I see other people with good family relationships. My own family has a difficult past that makes forgiveness hard. The impatience and inferiority complex I sometimes feel when comparing myself to others have not disappeared.
However, I have come to want to receive this “thorn,” “nail,” and “weakness” as a grace.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Even those who have hurt me, whom I find it difficult to forgive, are people who can receive the “love” that God showed by dying on the cross and giving His life. With this conviction, through God’s love, I have come to love them and not shut away the past where I was hurt, but to acknowledge it and surrender everything to God. While it is difficult to forgive the past fully right away, the assurance that I am loved by God gives me the strength to move forward.
Through this EC, I found the goal of “establishing a habit of devotion.” The daily devotionals that began during the conference have become an important time to immerse myself in God’s Word, to walk in the light of that Word, and to deepen my faith.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
“Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22).
With these words in my heart, I believe that I can entrust all burdens to God. I want to continue moving forward in faith, one step at a time.
Thank you, God, for all the people who supported me in attending the EC, and for all the encounters and lessons at EC24.
Q1: First, please introduce yourself briefly. If possible, please include how you came to faith.