Laypeople ministry

Since its founding in 1899, The Gideons International has reached over 2.6 billion people with hope of the gospel.¹ They are neither pastors nor missionaries. They are simply businesspeople and laypeople. Yet through their businesses and in the marketplace, they share the gospel in ways that would otherwise be impossible.

When you hear the name “Gideons,” you might think of an organization that gives away Bibles. And it’s true—to date, they have distributed over two and a half billion copies of God’s Word worldwide, with over 80 million Bibles and New Testaments given out each year. The Gideons share more than two Scriptures every second of every day—in over 90 languages.² However, distributing Bibles is merely a means to an end. Their true purpose is to lead people to salvation through Jesus Christ. To achieve this, they operate like a secret society within the business world, with members scattered across various locations. The Gideons International has 240,000 members globally, including 1,282 members in Japan alone. In 1950, Japan actually became the first country in Asia organized under The Gideons International. Below are some examples of the unique evangelistic activities which are characteristic of these businessmen.

Evangelism at sea

In Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, there is a businessman named Hashizaki. Brother Hashizaki, the chairman of a Christian school, uses his connections through the chamber of commerce and his membership in support groups for military personnel to distribute Bibles to public institutions in Japan, including the Self-Defense Forces and the Coast Guard. Recently, he gave Bibles to the captain and crew of an Antarctic research vessel. Those embarking on the long voyage of shipboard duty have ample time at sea to open the Bible and encounter God’s Word. This was a method only he could employ, a sphere accessible precisely because he was a businessman.

Reaching senior workers

One evangelist effortlessly enters senior communities to share the gospel. Brother Yasuda shares the gospel through Rotary Clubs and Silver Human Resources Centers. Rotary Clubs originally upheld religious neutrality in their vision, and discussing religion is prohibited at government-run Silver Centers. However, due to the trust he has built, Brother Yasuda is invited to lead Bible sessions and give lectures at their gatherings. He introduces well-known Christian figures from Japan and around the world, as well as Bible passages familiar even in the business world. After his talks, many approach him saying they want to know more about the Bible and asking him to teach them. Brother Yasuda boldly shares the truth of Jesus Christ with these men and women. For businesspeople who are constantly under pressure to deliver results, the truth of the Word strikes deep. When they see Christian leaders serving others in Christ-like servant leadership, rather than pursuing their own interests, that sparks an interest in Christ and the Bible.

One man’s prayer

In a small church in Fukui Prefecture in the Hokuriku region, where snow piles high, pastoral work was struggling. Members were drifting away from the church, and finally, the pastor left, too. Only one believer remained: a businessman. Normally, someone in this situation would have moved to another church, too. But Brother Doi was different. He held the Sunday service by himself for two years. In the sanctuary God had given them, he began worshipping and praying alone. He prayed, “God, bless this place and use it. Please give us a new pastor.”

In 2020, a retired pastor and his wife learned of the church’s situation and answered that prayer by arriving to serve. One person’s prayer multiplied the congregation to three: the pastor couple and Brother Doi. A year later, the Lord answered their prayers: young families moved in, and more members joined, bringing the church membership to ten. A year after that, members who admired Brother Doi and the pastor were added, and one was baptized. In 2023 they demolished the old church and then rebuilt it in 2024. By 2025, the church’s membership had grown to twenty. Since the pastor and his wife joined Brother Doi’s prayers, the church expanded twentyfold. He taught us that prayer is more important than action.

“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matt. 18:19–20 ESV).

Through food distributions

There are some fields that are open only to women. One such field is providing support to women living in government-run shelters or private shelters due to abuse by family members or husbands. Sister Adachi is an Auxiliary Member (the wife of a Gideon member) who supports women who have fled domestic violence. One woman, whom I’ll call Yuki, had lost all hope in life and was contemplating suicide. Sister Adachi realized that what Yuki needed was not just bread to satisfy her hunger, but a solution for her heart through God’s Word. So Sister Adachi invited Yuki to join a church cell group, shared the gospel with her, and gave her a Bible. Now, Yuki says she finds joy in reading the Bible alone at night and continues to attend the meetings. For Sister Adachi, this work is a ministry filled with God’s grace, allowing her to personally deliver the gospel to others.

Empowered laypeople

These stories show that regardless of gender or age, Christian businesspeople, not only pastors and missionaries, are uniquely gifted and privileged by God. In India, where Christianity is growing rapidly, many evangelists are laypeople. In Japan, however, they often remain unaware of their unique calling. It is the church, pastors, and missionaries who can help them recognize God’s calling and send them out to evangelize. When the laypeople are transformed, the spiritual condition of Japan changes. God, please encourage and strengthen the laypeople of this nation. JH

1. “About Us: A Legacy of Sharing God’s Word,” The Gideons International, https://gideons.org/about (accessed March 12, 2026).
2. The statistics in this paragraph come from The Gideons International website https://gideons.org/about and The Gideons International in Japan Annual Report 2026 data (not publicly available).
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