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Why are we serving with Asian Access?
We are serving with Asian Access because it is a strategic organization dedicated to developing leaders and multiplying churches across Asia.
We gain a sense of fulfillment in contributing to the building of God's kingdom there. |
Note:
"Nozomi" means "hope" in Japanese. |
Background Info:
Jeffrey S. Johnston grew up in Wisconsin, Ohio and North Carolina. He became a Christian through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduating, Jeff spent a short-term ministry assignment in Japan with Asian Access. He met Nozomi at Columbia International University where he earned his Master of Divinity. Nozomi holds a B.A. in Christian Ed. and a Bible Teaching certificate from CIU. Her family moved to Atlanta from Japan to start a Japanese church, which is now celebrating its 30th year of ministry. They have a son, Zack, who attends school at Christian Academy in Japan and a daughter, Ellie, who attends Japanese kindergarten. . . as well as a cat named Samantha (still living in Los Angeles).
Ministry Assignment:
Jeff is serving as the Vice President for Communications in Asian Access' U.S. office. His primary responsibilities are to communicate the vision and mission of the organization -- telling the Asian Access story through video, the web, print materials, and personal contact. Jeff has been with Asian Access since 1987, except for 4 years to complete seminary and a church internship. He is also serving as a member of the Asian Access Leadership Team, and the family is helping to plant a church in Tokyo.
Nozomi is investing her time in raising the kids and building a healthy and God-centered home in Japan, something lacking in this country. While in Los Angeles, she helped to write Bible class curriculum for the young kids at church.
Words of wisdom...
If you're interested in pursuing a potential career in missions, here are our suggested action steps...
- Pray. Ask God for direction. Get a copy of Operation World and begin praying for the world.
- Find a mentor. Seek an experienced person who has knowledge of missions to help you make some decisions. This should definitely include your church's missions pastor and/or missions committee. It may include a missionary.
- Taste missions. Take a short-term missions trip -- anything from 1 week to 1 year.
- Get trained. If God is still moving you into long-term service, get a hold of a handbook called "Send Me!: Your Journey to the Nations" and find some training. Look into formal training opportunities.
- Friend-Raise. Build a network of financial and prayer supporters. Keep them informed through regular newsletters. Be involved in the local church.
When you're in Japan, be sure to...
- bathe before you get into the bathtub;
- never wear your bathroom slippers outside the bathroom;
- never leave your chopsticks sticking directly in a bowl of rice.
Wonderful ministry memories...
I (Jeff) love to see people and teams I've helped to recruit and train, go to Japan and touch lives while there. Some have been used to bring people to Christ; others to plant new churches. All encourage the believers with whom they work. Invariably, these missionaries return home more mature than when they first went, whether it was for 3 years or 3 weeks. God does a work in them and through them. That is satisfying to me.
Looking to the future...
We hope that Japan experiences a revival, first in the church; then an awakening in the rest of its society. We'd like to see 5-10% of it's people come to Christ in the next decade or two. Further, I am trusting God that the Japanese church will play a significant role in reaching the rest of Asia for Christ.
Contact information is in the left sidebar.
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