Introduction
Hello, my name is Kinoshita Akiyoshi.
I was born in Shiga Prefecture, home to the largest lake in Japan, and before I knew it, I was 53 years old.
I was interested in computers since high school, so I enrolled in an IT-related vocational school, and after graduating, I got a job at a system development company. However, nothing I did worked out, so I would go shopping to relax, and even if I was satisfied with what I bought, I would soon want something different, and I was addicted to shopping.
In that state, when I was walking in front of Hikone Station on my day off, a man approached me and listened to a Bible story. He told me that Jesus Christ was crucified for my sins, died, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day.
I realized that the reason I was not able to do anything well was because I was ignoring God and living selfishly, so I believed in Jesus as my Savior. After I believed, my insomnia, which had made it difficult for me to fall asleep after 2-3 hours, was cured, and I was able to fall asleep within 30 minutes. I also gradually became free from my shopping addiction.
After I believed in Jesus, I was transferred to another base due to a certain incident while working in system development. I was transferred from system development to factory work, which was a completely different field, and I made many difficult days of mistakes every day. I also wanted to work in long-term missions, and I was hungry and thirsty in my heart. I learned about DTS (Discipleship Training School), so I decided to quit my job and enroll in DTS.
The DTS classes were a time to deepen my intimacy with Jesus. I went to the Philippines for 7 weeks and Kochi Prefecture for 2 weeks for outreach, and during that time I was led to work as a YWAM staff member because I had a desire for long-term missions.
Previous experience
System Development
I became interested in programming when I was in high school, and entered an IT-related vocational school in 1990. After graduating from vocational school in 1992, I joined a company and developed a class survey system for public high schools and a contract drafting system for real estate agents.
Middle East short term mission
I learned that there was a short-term missionary program to the Middle East and that I could go on a short-term missionary mission while working at a company, so I went to Jordan in 2022 and Egypt in 2023.
The Middle East is a very hot and far away country that takes a long time to travel to, but I was grateful to be able to share the Gospel with the Muslim people.
DTS(Disciple Training School)
During DTS, we had a precious time of deepening our relationship with Jesus.
The classes were not just about gaining knowledge, but also about praying for one another, encouraging each other, and learning to put love into action.
For outreach, we served for seven weeks in the Philippines and two weeks in Kochi, Japan.
One of the most memorable moments was at a nursing home in Kochi, where a resident tearfully shared, “I was able to find hope today.” Through that moment, we truly felt God’s work in their heart.
About YWAM Osaka
Schools include DTS (Disciple Training School), SBS (School of Biblical Studies).
Every Thursday from 7pm we have a time of Worship Night that anyone can join.