We are the Tomo Team because “tomo” means “together”: together with God, our team, and local churches, we endeavor to sow gospel seeds that build up and equip the church to carry on the work of God in its location.
Our team is neither a “basketball team”, in which everyone is working with the same Japanese church, nor are we a “track team” where each unit is operating independently. We are more of a “hybrid team” because we foster team relationships of love, accountability, and mutual support as we pursue a common vision, though details of our ministries may vary.
Where are we?
With a population of 1.6 million, Fukuoka City is both the largest city on the island of Kyushu and fastest growing city in Japan. But despite its size, there are relatively few evangelical, gospel-preaching churches. Our team currently lives in the western part of Fukuoka, in the West and Sawara Wards.
Team Ministries
Local Outreach
We seek to build relationships in the community and engage in outreach, both individually and as a team. One of the main ways we do this is by building relationships through existing networks like schools, community clubs, sports, language exchange groups, etc.
Support Local Churches to Grow
Tomo team members currently serve with two local Japanese churches: Fukuoka Bible Church, and Fukuoka Megumi (Grace) Church. Both churches have a vision for reaching out and planting more churches. We serve in a variety of ways that include teaching, preaching, small group ministry, English classes, and various outreach events. We are open to other church partnerships as the Lord leads.
Support Greater Kingdom Work
We are involved in ministries that support God’s Kingdom work in Japan but are not specific to our partnering churches. These include supporting a network of local Japanese pastors, supporting a church plant in Saga, writing an apologetics book for Japanese people, helping a para-church youth ministry (Hi-BA), and raising up more workers for Japan through hosting short-term workers. Other kingdom ministries of interest for the future include utilizing media and the arts, and the Alpha Course.
Team Vision
Together with God, our team, and local churches, we endeavor to sow gospel seeds that build up and equip the church to carry on the work of God in its location.
Our vision is to see a network of churches in the greater Fukuoka area that faithfully lives out and proclaims the gospel of grace resulting in the multiplication of disciples and churches in unreached locations.
Together
“Together with God”: God is on mission, and we join Him. He has given us gifts for service and prepared good works in advance for us to do through reliance on Christ.
“Together with our team”: In the Gospels and in Acts, Jesus sent workers in teams. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor…A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9,12
“Together with local churches”: God’s plan for remaining fruit (for Christians to persevere in their faith) is the church. When missionaries leave, the churches will remain.
Gospel Seeds that Build Up
“Gospel seeds that build up the church”: The gospel evangelizes, bringing new people into the church, and the gospel establishes, growing Christians as a loving community in Christ.
Gospel Seeds that Equip
“Gospel seeds that equip the church to carry on the work of God in its location”: As the church grows in living out the gospel, they are equipped to make new disciples, multiply, and pursue God’s mission to unreached places in Japan and around the world. We want to work ourselves out of a job!
Team Values
Abiding in Christ
We recognize that “apart from Christ we can do nothing,” and that nothing compares to the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ.” We prioritize our relationship with Christ by regularly meditating on His Word and trusting His gracious promises. Everything we do stems from Christ’s atoning work for us and His Spirit’s work in us. Abiding in Christ is the only way we will bear fruit that lasts. (John 15:4-8, John 6:56, Philippians 3:8)
Prayer
Prayer is where the work begins – in our own hearts, and in moving others’ hearts towards Christ. The Lord stands ready to help us in our weaknesses and to empower and guide us in gospel work. “Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,” “praying in the Spirit on all occasions.” (Heb. 4:15-16, Eph. 6:18, John 15:7-8, Col. 4:2-4).
One Another
As Christ first loved us, we extend love to one another by practicing hospitality, serving one another, sharing our burdens, confessing our sins, and having fun together. (1 Jn. 4:19). “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) We are also committed to addressing conflicts quickly and bearing with one another in love (Eph. 4:2)
Team Members
Jonathan and Mika
After growing up in Virginia and growing as a Christian during college, Jonathan spent two years in Durban, South Africa doing basketball ministry. He received his MDiv degree from Columbia International University where he met Mika. Mika grew up in a rural Japanese home with Buddhist and Shinto traditions but moved to South Carolina to work as a Japanese and ESL teacher after graduating from Northern Arizona University. In South Carolina, Mika became a Christian and went to seminary at CIU where she met and married Jonathan. For the first six years of marriage, Jonathan worked as a math teacher, and Mika as a church administrative assistant. They moved with their two sons to Japan in 2016. After three years with the Launch team, they began working together with Fukuoka Megumi Church to reach out to the local community with the goal of multiplying disciples and churches.
John and Elyse
Originally from the Northeast United States, John and Elyse came to Fukuoka in September 2016 as part of the first group of Launch Team members. They then led the Launch Team from 2018-2021. In February 2022, John became the TL for the South Fukuoka Team, and in April 2022, we began a formal partnership with Fukuoka Bible Church to encourage and equip believers with the goal of seeing a second church site established. They have three great kids, and love to play board games and read books.
Eric and Claire
Eric and Claire came to Fukuoka in October of 2019 from Kansas, USA. Eric with a background in teaching and Claire with a background in graphic design and the arts. After spending the first two years on the Launch team they went on to join the newly formed South Fukuoka Team. On this team they began working alongside Fukuoka Bible Church in a variety of ministries. Some of which have included English outreach ministry, children’s outreach, flyer design, teaching Sunday school and more. Now on the Tomo team, they have continued to work alongside this church as they endeavor to raise up leaders within the church, facilitate healthy Christian community and engage in a church planting endeavor in the nearby city of Dazaifu. They have been blessed with 2 children and enjoy music, the arts and sports as a family.
Get in touch if you’re curious about any of these programs or have questions for our team. We’d love to hear from you.