Called Back by Surprise: Sarah Hinlicky Wilson on Healing and Pastoring in Tokyo (Part 2) | PT 140

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 againMoving to Tokyo and reluctantly stepping back into pastoral ministryThe loneliness of Japan—and the surprising ways God calls people to churchHow catechesis shaped new believers and renewed her pastoral heart ⏱️ Timestamps: 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.