Fukuoka, Japan

Our goal is to make disciples for Jesus in Japan. We work through community Bible studies and events and teaching English to build relationships into which we can share the gospel. .

Christian- While I was serving as a missions’ pastor at a local church in New Jersey, God called my wife and me to mission to Japan. As we were searching and interviewing different organizations, we found NOVO (former CRM), and we were attracted by their vision for reaching out to the world through multiplying movements of the Gospel of Jesus and we joined the organization and we were sent to Japan in the spring of 2017. Rie- I chose my current ministry with NOVO to be engaged in more creative and effective ways to reach the Japanese people. I got to know my mission organization when one of my professors at Fuller Seminary who was serving the poor and marginalized, was a missionary with the organization.

Christian- I was born in Seoul, South Korea. When I was 14 years old my family moved to Santiago, Chile. Then when I was 19 years old once again my family moved to the U.S. After graduating from college I was praying for my future and got a calling to become a minister. After graduating seminary I was serving as a youth pastor at a local church in New York and had many short term mission experiences to Mexico. From there I entered the School of World Mission at Fuller Seminary. Rie- It was a gradual process. I was interested in mission work when I read missionary biographies in Africa and India when I was eight, but I did not know what it meant to be a missionary. After being born again when I was twenty-three, I wanted to share the Gospel with whoever was around me, leading me to attend the School of World Mission at Fuller Seminary when I was twenty-eight.

Christian- I grew up at a Christian home and surrounded by Christians throughout my childhood and young adulthood. One day I came to a realization that there was a reason why God led me to have multi-cultural experiences in my life and married to a Japanese. As I was praying and seeking the answer the obvious conclusion was the world missions. Rie- I decided to serve this way because I saw how hard it is for my fellow family and friends in Japan to be Christians. My passion for sharing about Jesus and seeing people experience Jesus has motivated me to be involved in missions. Perspective class at Hawthorne Gospel Church also motivated me to be more actively involved in missions.

Christian- When I was a college student, I helped my parent’s dry cleaning store. Rie- I majored in computer science in college and worked as an IT software engineer for IBM Japan after graduating.

Christian- I like singing and playing guitar. Rie- Drawing, dancing, learning languages and cultures, and visiting different countries.

Christian- I love soccer. My current favorite team is Tottenham Hotspurs from the English Premier League. These days I enjoy walking and riding a bicycle. Rie- I like hiking and walking too. My cousin introduced me to stand-up paddle boarding when I came to Japan 6 years ago, I picked up Nintendo fitness games such as Ringfit Adventure and Fitboxing, which kept me in shape :)