Meet Debbie, IM Missionary to Japan
Hi! I am Debbie Griffin. From the quiet dirt roads of a South Georgia farming community to the bustling streets of Japan, I am amazed where the path of following Jesus has led. An introvert who is content to find adventure in the pages of a book, moving to Japan in December of 1986 was definitely outside my comfort zone. Yet through all the struggles and joys, I found it an honor to serve for 25 years.
I worked with church planting teams in Ai No Sato and in Ebetsu on the Northern island of Hokkaido. My path took a u-turn in 2011 when I was led to resign from IM and return to Georgia to care for my aging mama. After her death, I was reinstated for ministry in Japan by the IM board in April 2019.
Why Japan?
Most Japanese people don’t know who Jesus is, have never read the Bible, or even met a Christian. As a Bible College student, I was gripped by the disturbing injustice that millions have never once heard of God’s love while I have lived my entire life in His presence. I began to earnestly pray that God would send someone to tell them. Before long, I began to feel a stirring in my spirit that I should be one to go. A summer mission trip to Japan deepened my love for the Japanese and confirmed God’s leading.
Less than 1% of Japanese know Christ and this number is shrinking as the Christian population ages with few young people coming to faith. If this trend continues the Japanese church could disappear.
24 Unreached People Groups in Japan
Join our team in Japan!
We are inviting YOU to join the work God is doing on the field through this specific new opportunity of working with youth in the local community. We are looking for a young person or couple to fill this role. You will be the bridge between the Good News Chapel church and the local Christian school by volunteering in the school regularly as an English assistant with the purpose of befriending students and providing activities to connect them with the church. You would be involved in outreach to people, mainly high school students. You will primarily serve alongside Debbie Griffin, Shannon Little, and the Champions. You will also assist in English classes that meet at the church, as well as help with social media.
Learn more about these opportunities to serve and apply.
How she in ministering to people in Japan
How you can pray for Debbie
- Please pray that I will be led by the Spirit to recognize open doors of opportunity to share the gospel with hearts ready to receive His word.
- Please ask the Lord to help me to communicate effectively.
- Please pray for Japanese believers to grow in faith and boldness to share their faith with family and friends.
