What happens when God calls you back into ministry after deep wounds?

In Part 2 of her story, Sarah Hinlicky Wilson reflects on moving from disillusionment in New Jersey to surprising renewal in Tokyo. With honesty and humor, she describes serving a fragile, English-speaking congregation during COVID, watching people show up because Jesus himself drew them, and discovering her pastoral heart restored.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Recovering from disillusionment and learning to be a parishioner again
• Moving to Tokyo and reluctantly stepping back into pastoral ministry
• The loneliness of Japan—and the surprising ways God calls people to church
• How catechesis shaped new believers and renewed her pastoral heart

00:00 – Leaving Trenton and healing in Strasbourg

03:00 – Becoming a supportive parishioner before pastoring again

06:00 – Moving to Tokyo and reluctantly accepting a call

09:00 – Serving in a city of 40 million isolated people

11:00 – COVID, reopening, and an unexpected growth in the church

13:00 – “Jesus told me to come to church”: new believers in Tokyo

17:00 – Using the Small Catechism as an evangelism tool

20:00 – Formation vs. just getting people in the door

24:00 – A renewed pastoral heart and the gift of a faithful congregation

God doesn’t waste seasons of pain. In Tokyo, Sarah discovered that even when she felt unqualified, God was faithful to bring people, heal her wounds, and give her back a pastoral heart.