Work with a church-planting team to reach the unreached in the world’s largest urban area of more than 37 million people.  Our mission is to find creative ways to reach out into the community and to build relationships in order to share the Gospel, disciple new believers, and develop future leaders.  Partner with an experienced couple who will mentor you as you learn the language and culture.

Responsibilities

• Learn the local language to a full professional proficiency
• Make a healthy, positive adjustment to local culture and customs
• Gain an understanding of the field, ministry in a Japanese context, and one’s gifting
• Build relationships and learn to share the gospel
• Become part of a church-planting team

Required Qualifications

• A recognized bachelor’s degree
• Completion of at least 30 hours of Bible/theology/ministry and 15 hours of intercultural studies
  • Note: If a couple, one spouse must meet this requirement. It’s preferable that the other spouse holds a recognized bachelor’s degree, has strong ministry experience, and has completed the C&MA Polity course and at least 18 hours of Bible/theology and 12 hours of missions/ministry studies (with a minimum of six hours in cross-cultural or missions studies).
• Minimum of two years of successful Alliance licensed ministry experience
• Completion of Alliance ordination/consecration (all single applicants or one partner per couple)
• A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 60 or above

Preferred Qualifications

• A master’s degree with a focus on Intercultural Studies
• Church-planting ministry experience or attend church-planting bootcamp/training
• Direct experience in leading ministry whose focus and fruitfulness has resulted in lost people being engaged and brought to faith and maturity in Christ
• A ministry track record that indicates the ability to lead in initiating new ministry and/or measurably grow established ministry to new levels

Biblical Characteristics Desired

• Kingdom-minded
• Biblically grounded
• Spirit-dependent
• Competently skilled
• Self-aware
• Self-disciplined

Timeline for Deployment

Summer/fall 2022. All appointees are required to attend a cross-cultural and language-acquisition program and Pre-Field Orientation prior to deploying.

General Information

The Japanese are leading players in the international economic system. They can be seen as people who adopt many of the practices and products of the West; yet, they maintain a distinct identity and national pride. One thing that makes Japanese culture fascinating is that the people are simultaneously a changing people and a traditional one, a searching people, yet content. Their tendency to be a searching people is evident in the many religious and cult groups that have begun and grown in Japan.

The new worker will live in or near Tokyo. Japan has a long and distinctive cultural and historical heritage. This has given rise to ways of thinking and customs different from those of the West. Knowing how to approach these differences thoughtfully can facilitate the necessary learning to adapt gracefully to your particular situation and setting.

CIA World Factbook – Japan

Language Expectations

Language is an essential part of ministry. The successful applicant(s) will receive one year of intense language study, followed by ongoing language and cultural acquisition. The goal will be to speak, read, and write the language at a functional level in order to mentor, teach, and train others.

As a new international worker, two years of full-time language study will take up a major part of your time and energy in a language program built to suit your needs, as well as gaining a basic understanding of Japanese culture. The effectiveness of your future ministry will depend largely on the use of this time. Learning the Japanese language should be a lifelong goal, as this will greatly enhance ministry and the ability to impact people for Christ. The goal is comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing of the Japanese language, with emphasis on the first two, in order to fluently communicate the message of Christ.

Health Considerations

Japan has good healthcare facilities, well-trained doctors, and most medications are readily available.

Expectations for Spouse

Spousal roles vary, based on the spouse’s gifts, training, and abilities, as well as the needs of the team. It is expected that both spouses will be meaningfully involved in meeting ministry objectives, depending on the nature of family roles, children, etc.

Children’s Educational Plan and Options

The Christian Academy in Japan is where most international workers’ children attend school in the Tokyo area.  Local Japanese schools are also options.