Klesis Osaka Networking Night (March 28) – Event Report

This time, I arrived on time! I watched as people trickled into the room at the Business Center in Umeda, exchanging warm greetings and settling into conversation. Due to the busy period of the year, this was a smaller gathering of around 15 participants. Mr Michito Kasagawa intuitively suggested that we arrange the tables in a square, which was appropriate for the size and gave a homely feel. The atmosphere was warm and relaxing from the start.

The evening began with opening remarks and self-introductions. As usual, attendees shared about themselves in turn, but this time remaining seated, without a microphone, and at a leisurely pace. I found myself getting a real sense for where everyone was on their journey. Their struggles, hopes, and callings.

As we finished our bentos, Mr. Hirohisa Isogawa, CEO of TwoMiles Accounting Office, took the floor. What struck me immediately was how relaxed and genuine he was. He spoke sitting down. His years of experience in business as a Christian made his message effortlessly rich. He focused on a tension many of us feel: in Japan, being a Christian often feels like a niche thing, a side thing, something a little odd or against the norm. It’s as if faith should be tucked away into a different pocket, not really integrated into the main part of life. He contrasted this with Western countries where Christianity is more openly part of the cultural fabric, and challenged us to pursue a more integrated approach in our own lives, bringing God into our work rather than compartmentalizing faith.

Throughout his talk, Mr. Isogawa drew on stories from Isaiah, Abraham, and other biblical figures, weaving them together with real anecdotes from his own business experience. His motivation, he shared, was to guide people toward integrating their faith into their work more fully, to the extent he himself has been able to. There was something refreshing about his honesty and the relaxed way he opened up his own journey to us.

After this, we split into small groups to discuss: How do you think the identity of being loved by God affects your work and business? In my group, we grappled with the concept that God loves everyone, not just Christians, and even the people who are not very kind to us at work. We were challenged to reconsider how we approach difficult relationships and daily frustrations in our workplaces. After our discussion, we prayed together informally within our groups, a natural and unhurried moment of bringing our situations before God.

Then came something I’d never experienced before at a Klesis event. We gathered back together for a whole-group Q&A session with Mr. Isogawa. It felt less like a formal question-and-answer time and more like a family gathering where people felt safe to ask their genuine, pressing questions. A young person shared his struggle with the traditional Japanese approach to work and asked for perspective. Another person asked about discerning God’s will within a career. Yet another wondered how we should conceptualize success in business as a Christian. Each question was met with honest answers from Mr. Isogawa, sprinkled with real anecdotes from his own life.

After this, Mr. Michito Kasagawa shared updates about Klesis activities and introduced upcoming learning opportunities around discovering one’s calling. Then, as the evening drew to a close, he offered a closing prayer to wrap up our time together. We tidied the room, gathered outside for a group photo, and exchanged a few final business cards and warm smiles before dispersing once more into our various business and life contexts. Though smaller in number, this gathering felt no less significant. If anything, the intimacy allowed for deeper sharing and more meaningful connection.

The Klesis Networking Night continues to create space for honest conversations about faith and work, wisdom from those who’ve walked the path before us, and a community that genuinely cares. If you’re navigating the tension of integrating your faith into your professional life, or simply seeking a place where these questions are welcomed rather than avoided, I’d encourage you to join us at the next gathering.

(Reported by Isaac McManus)

Participant Reflections

I am a working mother raising three children, but I rarely have opportunities in the workplace to talk about parenting or my faith. So it felt refreshing to be in a place where those parts of life were also welcomed and accepted. — Manami Yamanaka.

I don’t have much business experience yet, but the idea of entrusting the company to Jesus was a very good lesson before starting the business. I want to make sure I don’t forget to walk with Jesus from now on. —  Takumi Uruma