What a season the past two months have been! September and October flew by in a blur of travel, ministry opportunities, and joyful reminders that God is at work, not just here in Japan, but all over the world. We’re so thankful for your continued prayers and support as we labor together in this harvest field.

We began September by traveling to Okinawa to attend and help with the wedding of a faithful member from Senri Newtown Baptist Church. She married a U.S. Marine, and it was such a blessing to be part of their special day. Seeing young believers start their lives together with Christ at the center is always an encouragement, and we were honored to celebrate with them.

The following week, our entire family flew to Bangkok, Thailand, for the 2025 FBMI Missions Mastermind. What an incredible time that was! We spent several days fellowshipping with missionaries from all over the world and had the privilege of being part of the ministries there in Thailand with Bro. Eddie Arold and his sweet family. Being around other missionaries who understand the unique challenges and joys of cross-cultural ministry was deeply encouraging. We gained valuable insight and practical wisdom on various aspects of missions that we’re already putting into practice here in Japan. It was also a great reminder that we’re not alone in this work. God has placed laborers all over the globe, and we’re all working together for His glory.

Just one week after returning home from Thailand, I flew to Hokkaido for a Japan Missionary Men’s Retreat. We spent three days encouraging one another, sharing the specific challenges of ministry in Japan. There’s something uniquely refreshing about being with other men who are laboring in the same field. The fellowship, the prayers, and the honest conversations were exactly what I needed.

In October, we stayed busy with various ministry opportunities. On October 13, the Kansai Independent Baptist Bible School held an Open House. My wife helped prepare and serve meals, while I filmed promotional videos and took pictures. This school is doing a critical work in training young men for ministry here in Japan. There is a great need for more pastors and church planters in this spiritually dark country, and this is a place where young men can receive solid, Biblical training. Please pray for God to call more laborers into the harvest and for this Bible college to continue producing faithful servants of Christ.

The following Sunday was one of the highlights of the year: our annual Hallelujah Festival and Welcome Church service. For several weeks leading up to this event, we saturated our area with invitations, inviting people from all over to come learn about the church. After the service, we hosted games for children and provided food for everyone. Most importantly, everyone heard a clear Gospel presentation and received a goodie bag with a New Testament and Gospel tracts before they left.

We were praying for over 100 first-time and returning visitors, and God answered in an amazing way by bringing over 140 people! Praise the Lord! It’s always a joy to see the church packed with families who might not otherwise darken the door of a church. Please pray that the seeds planted that day would take root and that many would come to know Christ as Saviour.

Our Japanese language study continues to progress, and by God’s grace, I was able to preach during our Sunday afternoon service on October 12. Every time I preach in Japanese, I’m reminded of how limited my ability still is but also of how faithful God is to use our weakness for His glory. Please continue to pray for clarity, boldness, and accuracy as I grow in my ability to communicate the Gospel in this language.

I’ve also been able to reconnect with three people I had built relationships with previously, including a young man named Tana. I’ve had the opportunity to share the Gospel with him in the past, and he’s currently on a working holiday in Australia for a year. He remains very open to talking with me, and I’ve been able to pray with him. Please pray that God would continue to work in Tana’s heart, even while he’s on the other side of the world, and that he would come to know Christ as his Saviour.

We’re also excited to share that we’ll be hosting the family from Azerbaijan, whom we have spoken of before, in our home for Thanksgiving. They are not yet saved, and we’re praying for wisdom and boldness as we continue to witness to them. Hosting people in our home has always been one of the most natural ways for us to build relationships and share the love of Christ. Please pray that this Thanksgiving would be a turning point for them.

There are many other things that happened during these months, as well as Keira and Grayson having their ninth and seventh birthdays, Sienna having her homeschool Science Fair, and several of the young kids starting to take violin lessons from Grace Jackson, another missionary here at the church.

Thank you again for your faithful prayers and support. We couldn’t be here without you. We’re so grateful to serve alongside you in the Gospel, and we rejoice in what God is doing both here in Japan and wherever He has placed you.

For His glory,

Brendan, Karin, and the Morgan Family