The Reaching Japan internship is designed to help people prepare for long-term service in Japan related to church planting ministry. We understand that God has gifted each person differently, so we do not expect everyone to be a “lead” church planter. However, our desire is for everyone with Reaching Japan to be involved in some capacity with starting churches in Nagoya and beyond.
We expect interns to be Spirit-filled, Spirit-led followers of Jesus. Through this article we want to provide basic information about the internship to help current and future interns understand the program and expectations.
Below are our general guidelines for internships with Reaching Japan.
Types of Internships
Mini Internships (3–6 Months)
These are designed for college students or recent graduates to gain ministry experience and practical know-how while facilitating spiritual formation for future ministry. While we conduct extensive character checks, the expectations for theological understanding are not as high as for those who are pursuing a standard internship.
- Expectations:
- Interns will attend language classes full-time and assist with church ministry.
- Interns will also read and discuss recommended books to help deepen their understanding of Japanese culture and ministry.
- Interns will engage in relationship building through activities such as sports or English.
- Goals:
- Prepare for future long-term internships and ministry involvement by expediting language learning and cultural acquisition.
- Establish an informed theological foundation.
Standard Internships (1–2 Years)
Standard internships are designed for those serious about pursuing full-time ministry in Japan.
- Education:
- Completion of at least two years of Bible college or related ministry experience.
- Expectations:
- Interns will attend language classes full-time and be actively involved in assisting with church ministry.
- Interns will be expected to build relationships with unbelievers to effectively share the Gospel.
- Those who come on a student visa are encouraged to work part-time for a while to gain an understanding of Japanese workplace culture and business Japanese.
- Interns will also read and discuss books recommended by Reaching Japan to further their understanding of Japanese culture and ministry.
- Goals:
- The goal of the standard internship is to prepare interns to be sent out as part of a church planting team in a new part of the city. Please note that completion of the internship does not guarntee a position on a church planting team, as each team is prayerfully formed with careful consideration of members.
- During the internship, interns will be evaluated for giftedness and team chemistry.
Funding
Interns are required to raise their own funds to provide for their internship. For those unfamiliar with fundraising, please discuss this with someone at Reaching Japan.
Visas
Mini Internships (Visa-Free Travel)
- For those coming from the United States, Japan offers visa-free travel for up to 90 days.
- Those coming from other countries have differing requirements, so please check in advance.
Standard Internships (Student Visa)
- Reaching Japan encourages those who have appropriate funding to apply for a student visa through the language school we work closely with.
- Visa processing typically takes 4–6 months, so plan accordingly.
- Sometimes, due to country-specific restrictions, you may need to obtain a religious visa instead of a student visa. This is a last resort since it restricts your ability to work in the marketplace.
Language School
Before coming to Japan, all interns must prepare for Japanese studies by learning to read and write by hand both hiragana and katakana from memory, without relying on digital aids. This is a necessary step for taking classes at the language school.
Our desire is to help Japanese people come to know Jesus. Inevitably, this means we must speak Japanese at a highly proficient level. Those who come on a standard internship are expected to work diligently to attain at least JLPT N2-level proficiency in Japanese.
Application
To apply, please visit the official application page. Please send us a message for a link to the application page.
Termination of Internship
Engaging in unlawful activities will result in dismissal from the internship.
Team unity is of utmost importance to our testimony among unbelievers. While we recognize that interpersonal conflict is an inevitable part of human relationships, we expect all team members to handle conflict in a scriptural manner. Behavior that threatens team unity will be taken seriously and may result in dismissal.
Interview Questions
Interns on a standard internship are expected to have a working knowledge of Scripture and strong spiritual formation. Below is a list of some of the questions you will be expected to answer in an interview without notes. We expect answers to be rooted in Scripture. Some questions are designed to help us understand your position on finer points of theology and practice; they are not intended to create contention.
Theology
- Where did we come from?
- What is sin?
- Who is God?
- Who is Jesus?
- How can someone be saved?
- What happens after we die?
- What is the Gospel?
- Are there any other ways to heaven besides believing in Jesus?
- What is communion?
- Why can we trust the Bible?
- What is the timeline of the Bible?
- Why should we trust what Jesus says?
- What is a church?
- Why is baptism important?
- How should someone be baptized?
- What is church discipline? How should it be done?
- What does it mean to repent?
- Can a woman be a pastor? Why or why not?
- Can a woman be a deacon? Why or why not?
- What are tongues?
- Please provide an outline of end times and the return of Christ.
- Does God predestine people to go to hell?
Practical Theology
- Please explain why the Gospel is relevant to our day-to-day life.
- How does the Gospel affect how we relate to other Christians?
- How does the Gospel affect how we relate to unbelievers?
- How should Christians practice benevolence and charity?
- Is it okay to drink alcohol? Why or why not?
- Does someone need to turn away from idol worship to be saved? Can someone be saved by accepting and believing in Jesus without turning away from idol worship?
- How would you help restore a brother or sister who has fallen into sin?
Spiritualism
- Are spirits and demons real?
- Does fortune-telling work?
- Can we talk with the dead?
- What is spiritual warfare?
- What kind of spiritual warfare have you encountered?
Other Views
- Do you think Catholicism is true Christianity? Why or why not?
- What is transubstantiation?
- What Scripture is used to defend this position? Is this correct?
- Why is the Mormon faith incompatible with the Bible?
- Why is the Jehovah’s Witness teaching incompatible with the Bible?
- What Scripture will they use to defend their position?
- Is reincarnation correct? Why or why not?
Personal Spiritual Practice
- What spiritual disciplines do you practice?
- What approach do you use when sharing the Gospel?
- Please describe how you go from start to finish when meeting new people and sharing the Gospel with them.
- Name five unsaved friends and the approximate date of your last Gospel conversation with each.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us at Reaching Japan. We look forward to partnering with you as you explore serving in Japan!