Our Missionaries
Our missionaries are normal people from all walks of life who have dedicated their lives to serving and following Jesus wherever He calls them. Want to meet them? Check out our Missionary Directory.
Ministry Description
I work at the School of Youth Ministries in English in Japan. My main ministries are to help the volunteer teachers who come to teach English for 2 to 3 months at a time, organize class schedules for students and to help disciple, encourage and challenge students in their daily walk with the Lord.
About Jodi
I grew up in a Christian home, which layed a strong foundation and love for the Bible, prayer and missions. For many years I doubted my own salvation, but on October 17, 1987, in my 2nd year of college I became a follower of Jesus Christ.
My home, church, and school experiences gave me a love for missionaries and missions. My first experience overseas was in 1990 when I went to Papua New Guinea with Ethos 360 for an 8-week vision trip called INTERFACE. God directed me to another mission called the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS), where I used my elementary school teaching degree as a missionary teacher and principal in South Korea ('94-'99) and Japan ('00-'05) for 10 years.
My time in Korea and Japan gave me a love for these countries. Japan has less than 1/2 of 1% who are Christians and I desired to return in order to share my faith with those I could. Not knowing Japanese, God opened the door in 2006 to return to Japan with Word of Life SYME as the Dean of English. I am excited about what God is doing here. Each term we are able to minister to 10 to 20 students and see some of them trust Christ for the first time, or help them grow in their walk with Him and to see them go on to further their studies in Bible schools around the world.
As of 2023, there are over 15 men that are pastors in Japan and more are training to be pastors. Some of our graduates are working in their local church, serving as missionaries overseas, living as lights in the workforce and raising their children in the love and admonition of the Lord. In 2026 we hope to restart this program with a new staff, improved focus and vision for reaching the next generation of Japanese youth for Christ.
Life Verse
2 Timothy 2:1-2 1. You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.