The Shrout Family
Called by God to reach the people of Japan with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Meet the Shrouts
We are Zachary and Jennifer Shrout, together with our children Evelynn, Joash, Clara, Kaelah, and Jessica. As a family, we are passionate about Christ, the local church, and seeing biblical, indigenous Baptist churches planted in unreached areas. We are currently on deputation, raising prayer and financial partners so we can move to Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan, and begin the work God has called us to.
Our Testimonies
My Testimony – Zachary Shrout
I was saved when I was five years old. My older sister had just been baptized that Sunday evening service, and I had a lot of questions for my parents that night about what baptism was, which led to them sharing the gospel with me. I had heard all of it before, as I grew up in a Christian home as a Pastor’s kid, but that night I truly heard it in a way I never had before, and put my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior.
By the time I was in my early twenties, I was very interested in theological study. The church I was attending offered seminary-level classes, which I took and enjoyed greatly. God put a desire on my heart to study the Scriptures and the doctrines they teach. I did some teaching and preaching, but was not sure what God was calling me to do.
In December of 2015, my job took me out to Texas, and my family and I started attending Spring Valley Baptist Church. My wife and I became members sometime early in 2016. We have faithfully served there in various ministries: mainly music ministries, but I have also taught various Bible studies, and my wife has spoken during our annual ladies’ conference.
In the Spring of 2022, God convicted me mightily that He wanted me to go to Japan, to share the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and to plant indigenous churches there. I have surrendered to His call, and He has firmly settled the people of Japan on my heart, and my wife’s heart.
My Wife’s Testimony – Jennifer Shrout
I was raised in a Christian home, and I cannot remember a time I did not believe the Gospel was true and know that I needed to be saved. When I was four, I told my parents that I wanted to be saved, and I was guided through a prayer. I was happy and excited, but it didn’t seem to last.
I kept having doubts that I was saved, and continued to go through the steps of seeking salvation through prayer, and feeling unsatisfied with the results.
Being so young, I couldn’t have explained then what changed, but looking back I can see that what I was doubting was not that I had done my part, but that God was going to do His part. I believed, and I was willing to follow Him, but I didn’t really believe that He was going to accept me.
Once God revealed that, I remember thinking, “Well, that’s stupid of me,” and I finally, fully trusted in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I have not struggled with doubts of my salvation since.
Our Calling to Japan
After much prayer and seeking the Lord, God has burdened our hearts for the nation of Japan — one of the least-reached countries in the world, with less than 1% evangelical Christians. Specifically, we feel called to Tomakomai, Hokkaido, to plant independent Baptist churches pastored by faithful Japanese men who will continue the work of the Gospel long after we are gone.
Our vision is simple and biblical: preach the Gospel, disciple believers, establish local churches, and train national leaders — all to the glory of God.
Where We Are Now
We are currently on deputation, traveling to churches, sharing our burden, and seeking partners who will pray for us and help financially support this work. We are trusting the Lord to provide the remaining support so we can relocate to Japan and begin the ministry.
Will you pray with us? Would you consider partnering in this work for the sake of the Gospel in Japan?
Learn How to Partner Contact Us