Hi, my name is Yuya Konno, I am fully Japanese, born and raised in Iwate, Japan.
I am currently attending Awakening Asia School of Ministry in Tokyo, and serving as one of the social media team members there.
Thank you for coming to my page, here is my story;
In 2013, the year I moved to Tokyo, I was just a university student with no purpose in life. I would wander around Shibuya without any plans. One day, while waiting at a traffic light, a stranger asked me, “How are you doing?” That simple question marked the very beginning of my story.
They were performing on the street with a guitar and microphone, and I later found out they were from a church in Tokyo. One of them was actually a pastor. They invited me to their church, but as a typical Japanese guy, I thought they might be part of a dangerous cult. I didn’t join any services or events.
Six months later, they sent me a message: “Yuya, we will have the biggest event of the year. Why don’t you come?” I thought, if it’s just a fun event, why not. It was an Easter Service in 2014. I don’t remember the preaching or the performances, but I clearly remember being drawn to the Christians there. I had no clue about Jesus, but their eyes were different. They loved each other, loved themselves, and carried joy. I had none of that, and I thought, *I want to be like them.*
I started attending church regularly for a few months, but I still feared “religion” and hesitated to pursue sexual purity, so I left.
Later in 2014, I moved to Vancouver, Canada, as an exchange student for seven months. I didn’t go to church at all. I struggled with friendships, got into conflicts, and felt betrayed. When I returned to Japan, I realized I was depressed. I knew the only way forward was back to church, yet I made every excuse not to go.
In August 2016, I returned. I didn’t decide to believe in Jesus yet, but I attended services and read the Bible. One Sunday, the senior pastor invited anyone needing healing to come forward. I was healthy, but somehow found myself at the front. When they asked what I needed, I said, “I hate myself. I don’t know what to do.” They prayed for me, and that moment changed everything.
I heard God speak audibly: *“Yuya, I love you. I made you as a masterpiece. You don’t need to compare yourself to others anymore.”*
I realized my value was not in academics, sports, or relationships—but in God’s unconditional love. I understood, through my body, *I AM OKAY JUST AS I AM.* A few months later, my prayers for self-love, trust, and joy were answered. I was free from depression and found my identity in Him. No book, seminar, or self-help could do this—only God could.
—
In 2022, when I joined Awakening Asia, God began showing me my mission. I was invited to a conference in the Netherlands. At the stadium, I saw thousands of young Europeans kneeling, surrendering their lives to Jesus. In my spirit, I felt, *This is going to happen in Japan.* Less than 1% of Japanese people are Christian, but they, too, are longing for identity and purpose.
During the conference, 15 people prophesied over me, and nearly half mentioned Japan. “You will be part of revival in Japan,” they said. “Fire will come out of your mouth, preaching the Gospel to thousands.” I believe God is calling me to be a pastor in Japan, speaking openly about sexual purity to both Christians and non-Christians. Japan and Korea face a massive pornography issue, and God is preparing me to minister to the next generation.
After the conference, I had to choose: stay in Japan or move to Seattle, as I had long dreamed. I shared with my managers one by one, “I am called to preach the Gospel in Japan. I will leave my job and join ministry school.” It was a difficult decision for both sides, but I knew this was my path.
—
Today, I am in what God calls a *Hidden Season in the Wilderness.*, just like David, Jesus, and John did not appear in front of people for a long time, I believe God is shaping my character in wilderness now. I am in my third year at Awakening Asia School of Ministry, learning identity in Christ, sonship, and healing. I teach inner healing classes, attend regular ministry classes, and serve on the social media team. I am helping produce podcasts and content, envisioning Awakening Asia as a pioneer in Japanese church media, influencing both believers and non-believers.
My week is filled with classes, service, and studying. I have decided not to work but to raise support, focusing on building a strong foundation in Jesus and expanding media for the Gospel in this season.
—
Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me to see Japan transformed by the Gospel? Your support will help me continue in full-time training, ministry, and media outreach.
I am raising extra USD400 per month.
Thank you for your consideration.
This is not just my story—it is what God is doing in Japan today. Together, we can see a generation encounter Jesus and experience revival in a nation longing for hope, identity, and purpose.