Meet Tristen and Sierra White, IM Missionaries to Japan
We are Tristen and Sierra White, IM missionaries to the Tokyo area of Japan. Tristen was born and raised in Gastonia, North Carolina, and received a bachelor’s degree in ministry and Intercultural Studies from Randall University. Sierra grew up in Owasso, Oklahoma, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and later a master’s in special education and administration, from Southern Nazarene University. We met while serving at Sierra’s home church and married in 2020. In our free time, we enjoy cooking, listening to records, hiking, going to concerts, and thrifting!
We are both passionate about sharing the gospel and making disciples in Jesus’ name. During our first two years in Japan, we are using our experience in worship, kids, and student ministry to contribute to the Hope Alive team while also beginning our language study part-time. Our long-term vision is to assist with planting additional churches in the Tokyo area as the Hope Alive network continues to grow.
Why Japan?
Despite Japan’s impressive modernity and staggering population of over 125 million people, less than 1% of Japanese people have a relationship with Jesus. This makes Japan the second largest unreached people group in the world. Most Japanese people will go their entire life without ever reading a Bible, meeting a Christian, or even hearing the name of Jesus.
There is 1 church for every 6,000 people and the average church size in Japan is 10-15 members. If disciples are to be made in Japan, more missionaries must be sent, more churches must be planted, and more Japanese leaders must be trained and equipped for discipleship.
112 million people live in Japan, and 99.7 of Japanese people are lost, with many never hearing the Gospel.
Hope Alive Church in Japan
Hope Alive is an international church planting network in the Tokyo area of Japan whose mission is to lead people to experience freedom, purpose, and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. It was planted in 2019 by Heath and Joni Hubbard and since then we’ve seen 15 salvations and 11 baptisms. In 2023 alone, Hope Alive averaged an attendance of 75 people and welcomed over 100 first-time visitors.
How you can pray for the Whites
- Pray God would reveal to us and help us build discipleship relationships with Japanese people
- Pray for our study of the Japanese language and culture
Tristen & Sierra White
You can partner with the Whites to reach people in Japan with the Gospel. Contact them to invite them to your church to share their heart for the Japanese people. Pray for them as they raise funds and prayer support.