Meet Emma Hayes, IM Missionary to Japan
Konnichiwa! My name is Emma Hayes, and I am from Oklahoma City, OK. I grew up attending CrossPointe Church in Norman and am so grateful for the support of both my home church family and the broader IM and Free Will Baptist communities. I have the honor of serving alongside the team at Hope Alive Church in Tokorozawa, Japan. As an intern, my focus will be on culture and language learning, youth discipleship, and outreach events meant to draw people into Christian community.
Why Japan?
When I graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2025 with degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, I was definitely not expecting to be commissioned as a missionary to Japan at the National Convention just one year later. However, as the Lord says in Isaiah 55:9, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” During a CMP trip to Japan right after graduation, God placed a clear call on my heart to return and share the Gospel with one of the least-reached people groups in the world. He changed my plans, spoke to me in ways I can still barely fathom, and burdened my heart for the spiritual needs of the Japanese people.
The evangelical Christians represent less than one percent, with the vast majority of the one hundred twenty-six million Japanese choosing Buddhism, Shintoism and/or materialism.
How you can pray for Emma:
- Pray for my family and me as we enter into this major season of transition and change.
- Pray for the hearts of the Japanese people to be softened to the Gospel message.
- Pray for the team at Hope Alive as they look to build Christ-centered communities across Tokyo.
- Pray that the Lord will grant me boldness, humility, and wisdom as I proclaim His Word.