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Why are we serving with Asian Access?
• Asian Access has a history of innovative ministry — not innovation for the sake of mere novelty but carefully considered innovation in harness to kingdom goals.
• Asian Access' emphasis on partnership between national church leaders and cross-cultural missionaries is a great model for mission work.
• Asian Access is focused but flexible: though our plans don't fit neatly within the organization's existing ministries, Asian Access listened to our vision and worked with us to make this ministry possible.
• Asian Access is staffed with simply wonderful people.
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Background Info:
Craig and Yumiko grew up on opposite sides of the globe: Craig in the Washington, D.C., area and Yumiko just outside Tokyo. While Craig's faith was nurtured at Fourth Presbyterian Church and through the InterVarsity chapter at Brown University, Yumiko grew up in a Buddhist home and studied at Kunitachi Music College. They met while Craig was serving as a short-term missionary in Japan, and soon afterward Yumiko put her trust in Jesus Christ. After completing his master of divinity degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Craig returned to Japan, and not much later the two began dating. After their wedding in 1999, they served part time at Oppama Bible Church near Yokohama, and Craig co-led Tentmakers Network Tokyo.
Ministry Assignment:
Craig and Yumiko will work at Christ Bible Institute. The institute includes a seminary and a lay-training center. Craig will serve as the administrative coordinator of the lay-training center and will teach at both the center and the seminary. Yumiko plans to work with women who are taking classes or who are interested in taking classes and to provide input on classes geared specifically for women.
Words of Wisdom...
If you suspect God might be calling you to overseas ministry, ...
- start serving within your local church here and now
- seek out a mentor with a heart for the world
- build friendships with internationals in your area and share the good news with them
- seek counsel from your pastor and from other church leaders
- go on a short-term mission trip
- educate yourself: take a Perspectives class; attend Urbana; read some missionary biographies
- do everything with prayer
When you're in Japan, be sure to...
duck when you pass through doorways.
Hoping for "ultimate contributions"...
We want to help prepare a fresh generation of leaders for the blossoming of the Japanese church.
Funniest story of life in Japan...
Well, there was the time, during Craig's first month in Japan, when he unintentionally asked for someone's — not Yumiko's — hand in marriage. He couldn't understand the shocked reaction he got, so he just kept repeating himself insistently.
Wonderful ministry memories...
In the past, the part of ministry that has been most meaningful and enjoyable for us as a couple has been leading worship together as a team. In addition to this, Craig loves teaching Bible, and Yumiko loves singing and playing the piano. (Craig does, too, but Yumiko is a whole lot better at it.)
Lessons learned...
Prepare to be flexible — that is, be faithful in your preparations but be ready for the surprises God springs on you.
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