We’re planning to move to Japan! And not to a densely-populated tourist-destination like Tokyo, but to a rural community in the northern coastal region of Iwate prefecture. We’re excited to take this leap for many reasons, but to name a few:
こんにちは, 久しぶり!
The Japanese are the 2nd largest group of people who have not heard or been engaged with the gospel and the love of Jesus, particularly rural areas.
90-95% of foreign missionaries to Japan serve in urban areas that already have one to several churches, yet two-thirds of Japan’s rural residents live in areas without a single church.
We’re doing something God has had on our hearts for a long time!
We have felt a call for missions since before we were married. Initially, we were planning to do cross-cultural long-term missions within a couple years—our first thought was to work part time teaching English in Japan while sharing the good news of Jesus where God would open a door. After 12 years and lots of growth (both family size and ministry experience), we’re moving forward with Japan, but now with the intent of full-time missions work.
For the last decade, we’ve been living and working on a church and school campus where Ben has been Children’s Pastor doings kids events, working in the private school leading chapel and teaching computer and science classes, and additionally providing mental health counseling as a therapist throughout and after his graduate program. Ministry and service opportunities have abounded for all of us here! Of the many hats and opportunities to serve (including the hat of ‘hobby farmer’), the heart to love others, share the gospel, missions has been ever-present.
As we've prayed and been willing to say 'send me!' God has indeed confirmed that He desires to send us, and has been waiting for us to take steps toward Him in this calling, leading to our application (2024) and acceptance (2025) with the Rural Japan Church Planter Training Center as full-time missionaries serving in a wide-range of familiar hands-on ministry capacities.
Grateful to be able to share with you! This has already been and will be a huge journey; we've seen God's hand throughout in so many ways, and when He's in it and with you, you have His Peace and Joy.
Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us?
Please connect here on the website, email us, or if you have one of our numbers, give us a call or text, and we'd love to connect more.
May God bless you abundantly,
Spring 2013
The Copelands
This is a humble ministry with a big vision that currently serves four towns in post-disaster Iwate Prefecture with an emphasis on outreach, hospitality, responsible evangelism, and community disaster relief support if/when applicable. We hope to have raised enough monthly support to move this year (2026).