Christian Japanese Leader
Image via Wikipedia Japan has never been very receptive to the gospel. Missions have met little response. The work of such men as Xavier and Nikolai was exceptional in bringing thousands to a Christian confession. The work of others has generally produced only handfuls of converts. This is true not only of foreign missionaries but also of Japan's foremost homegrown missionary, Toyohiko Kagawa . Toyohiko Kagawa was born on this day July 10, 1888, into wealth, the son of a concubine. Both parents died while he was very young. As a teenager he became a Christian under the influence of Presbyterian missionaries and was baptized. He took theological training at Kobe and at Princeton University. After almost losing his life to an illness, he vowed to help the poor. Kagawa is recognized as a successful author. His wrote a best-selling autobiographical novel, Across the Death Line and another Before the Dawn. His other writings include several pamphlets and meditation