JEMS (Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society)

07/28/2026

At JCATS we haven't tackled anything Miura Ayako yet on the podcast, until now. Fellow missionary Alissa Bauer interviews a Japanese friend who explains some of her thoughts on Miura Ayako's work, and how it speaks to Japanese people.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/KiBaf56LlvM

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0zpKtITFP1pCb01IxzSyeN

Apple Podcasts: https://youtu.be/KiBaf56LlvM

Guest Host Alissa is a missionary in Yokohama, and she loves contex...

07/25/2026

Julie Nitao’s vision is to plant and water (1 Corinthians 3:6) the seeds of the Gospel by walking alongside the next Generation so they can come to know Christ and be disciple making leaders.

She has already served and partnered with a local Japanese church, Oasis Chapel, in Rifu, Miyagi prefecture for 7 years (2017-2024.) After two years back in the states (2024-2026), she will be returning next month in August to continue partnering with the same church to reach the youth and the children.

Because Japan’s Christian population is less than 1%, the youth and children Julie works with are, by default, usually the only students who go to church or have faith at their school. The continual planting and watering of God’s goodness and truth through fellowships, Bible Studies, Devotional times, taking them to youth camps etc. are crucial for these young souls to be encouraged in their faith journey!

Julie is especially excited to reunite with the youth and children she has built relationships with. When she returns, she will also be training online for Biblical counseling to better serve the youth and children.

As she prepare to return, she is currently looking for partners to join this mission through prayer and support! To learn more and partner with Julie Nitao, please visit jems.org/jnitao

06/25/2026

JEMS Missionaries Fred & Irene Kawashima never anticipated that a 2024 vacation trip would result in the Lord calling this retired senior couple from SoCal to serve as missionaries in cold snowy Niseko, Hokkaido.

Having lived most of their lives in the Los Angeles area, life in a small rural community has been a great blessing. The distractions of modern city life have given way to a serene, quiet existence where communing with God is so much easier and richer.

In partnership with Niseko Church, Fred and Irene are working on strengthening the church's organizational structure and spiritual foundations. Irene initiated a women’s ministry program and facilitates the small group gatherings at their home.

The implementation of an intentional discipleship program scheduled for this Fall, revision of the church membership program, and the expansion of community outreach programs are all works currently in process. Weekly fellowship and prayer groups, Sunday service responsibilities and Fred’s role as “Uber” driver for church members in need of transportation are consistent elements of their ministry. In addition, as one of the oldest couples - if not THE oldest - the Lord has allowed Fred and Irene to serve as spiritual parents and grandparents to the church family.

To learn more and support Fred and Irene, please visit jems.org/fikawashima

06/20/2026

06/15/2026

Josiah and Kristen Howard are preparing to move to Japan for long-term missions!

They are in the final stages of support raising and partner development back in California, prayerfully hoping to move to Osaka this fall. Once in Japan, they will dive into learning the Japanese language and culture - seeing where God is already moving and where they can join in. Down the line, they hope to use their passions and interests to develop communities in third spaces where people can gently be introduced to the beauty and profundity of knowing Christ.

A climber for more than 10 years, Josiah is interested in utilizing the rock climbing community to build relationships. He is also interested in creative ways to aid in the ongoing mental health crisis in Japan. Kristen is a biologist, passionate about God's call to steward the earth. She's excited to learn from Japan's cultural history of the connection between humans and nature, and use the natural world as a space to introduce people to God.

If you'd like to join as a mission partner and help them get to Japan, you can learn more or donate at: www.jems.org/jkhoward

04/16/2026

What are the benefits of online church? Today we talk with Kengoro Goto, the son of a pastor who decided to have 12 kids because Jesus had 12 disciples. We discuss this, his doctoral studies research in OT, and the developing Japanese demographic problems that can be partially alleviated through the use of recent technology.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/wJR9Ss1XN0A?si=-D98B4d7ITz-cAbm
Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3hNPe8T5Jn3Ef2NBGLuYgl
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../j-cats.../id1653301450

Today we chat with Kengoro Goto, Old Testament scholar and leader of the online Japanese Christian community 'Lights Church', which can be accessed here: ht...