As a foreigh student at New York University, in May of 2004, Jenny, who originally came from Japan, followed signs for free pizza to hear ACM staff members talk about Jesus. He was curious, but wary. He had heard rumors about Christians in America.
Still, Jenny was intent on understanding Christianity and joined a Bible study with several ACM staff members.
After that fellowship meeting, one staff member invested hours with her each week, and she was amazed at what the Bible said.
"I didn't know about the Resurrection or about Jesus," says Jenny.
When she made a decision for Christ, one of the staff members called her a "sister." As she continued involvement with the campus ministry. As she served on campus, she became to be fully understood the gospel for the first time. Everything she had learned in the last 6 months finally made sense.
Two years later, she was baptized -- a bold step in her personal faith and as a Japanese girl living alone here in the States.
It was that year that she found herself called to speak in her alma mater.
"I started to preach, and it was a powerful way to grow up," explains Jenny. Determined not be caught unprepared again, she studied the Bible consistently, and has since packed her library with theology books.
She learned fluent English by conversations with English-speaking friends from ACM.
Living as a Light to Japan
Now, Jenny is an English teacher and missionary to a small town in the valleys of southeastern Japan. After finishing study in NYU, she was determined to tell the gospel where it is least heard. "It's difficult to be a Christian in a place where everyone is not," says Jenny. The national beliefs have a great presence in Japan villages.
In the midst of this, Jenny became a spiritual light to Japan ACM Chapter. Jenny's job as English teacher has given her respected positions to explain Christ to others. She also brought a model of discipleship, which Jenny learned from ACM USA staff members, to the town.
In addition to various outreaches, she has chosen several people to pray and fast for over an entire year. Like finishing studies in NYU, learning English and studying the Bible, Jenny brings a high level of commitment to her chapter and community.
And just as it was with her, spiritual growth in the whole town of Japan will take dedication from the entire community.
"You have to persevere," Jenny says to her chapter. "You have to invest time."
