PhD Candidate in Intercultural Studies

Trusting that God would provide for him, his wife, and his two young children, Yukikazu Obata moved his family from Japan to Pasadena to follow the calling God had placed on his life.  Passionate about reaching his homeland for Christ and understanding the history of missions in Japan, Yukikazu came to Fuller to pursue a PhD in the School of Intercultural Studies, focusing on the history of missions in Japan during the influential period of World War II. 

Yukikazu is no stranger to the difficulties of doing missions work in Japan.  Prior to coming to Fuller he served as a senior pastor for eight years, and in 2005 co-founded the Japan-Thailand Missions Exchange, which helps strengthen relationships by swapping missionaries between the two countries.  Even amidst all the challenges of spreading the gospel in Japan, Yukikazu is confident that God has been at work in this country.  He is hoping his studies at Fuller will help reveal how the church has related to Japanese society in the past and also “how the church will need to work with the Japanese society and its culture in the future.” 

With the help of a Fuller scholarship, Yukikazu has been able to continue his studies without completely depleting his family’s savings account. His scholarship also provided the sense that there is a community partnering with him and his family for the sake of the Lord’s work in Japan.  “Thank you for this scholarship,” Yukikazu states, “Your generosity not only enables my study but also encourages our family to continue to follow God’s will.”

To help international students explore their calling at Fuller Seminary, click here  to give to the Fuller Fund today.