New Life in Japan: How God Is Moving Through Pregnancy Ministry

Written by: Melissa Heiland - Founder and Executive Director

Several years ago, Beautiful Feet International’s Eurasia Director, Hannah Sharick, and her family returned to Japan—a place that holds a special place in their hearts. Years earlier, Hannah and her husband, Adam, had served as missionaries there. This time, their visit wasn’t only to reconnect with old friends, but also to explore how Beautiful Feet could help local believers reach women in need through pregnancy ministry.

During their trip, Hannah met with Pastor Gun and his team, a church already reaching out to pregnant women in their community. As they shared their heart for ministry, Pastor Gun expressed excitement about partnering with Beautiful Feet to bring the gospel into the lives of women facing unplanned pregnancies. Hannah returned home inspired, and soon, Beautiful Feet’s materials were translated into Japanese. A training was held for Pastor Gun, his wife, and their team—equipping them to offer both practical help and spiritual hope to women in crisis.

What touched everyone most deeply was Pastor Gun’s question:

“Is it really possible for women to come to know Jesus through pregnancy ministry?”

Hannah assured him that it happens all the time—that God often uses these moments of vulnerability to open hearts to His love. To encourage him further, Beautiful Feet arranged a meeting between Roxana, Beautiful Feet’s Country Director in Costa Rica, and Pastor Gun’s team in Japan. Over Zoom, Roxana shared powerful testimonies of women in Costa Rica who had found salvation and new life in Christ through pregnancy ministry. Her stories brought joy and renewed vision to the Japanese team.

Not long after, Beautiful Feet received a joyful update: three women in Pastor Goon’s ministry had accepted Christ and been baptized!

Each of those stories represents a life changed for eternity—a woman who found hope, forgiveness, and the love of Christ through a local church willing to step into her story.

From Costa Rica to Japan, from Eurasia to the ends of the earth, Beautiful Feet International continues to equip and encourage believers to share the gospel in one of the most tender places of human experience—where new life is beginning.

All praise and glory to Jesus Christ, who makes all things new.