Global Mission and Peacemaking
We support global mission and peace building work across the country and around the world to help spread the good news of Christ’s salvation and love.
Japan
Abraham and Sayuri Kist-Okazaki
Both Abraham and Sayuri are ordained RCA pastors who work in evangelistic training for United Church of Christ congregations in Japan. Abraham writes music and creates animations out of Scripture verses to reach out to younger generations and familiarize them with the Bible. Sayuri is working with the National Church Women’s Guild as an executive member to empower women serving the churches faithfully. Abraham and Sayuri are also working as associate pastors at Kugahara Church and are called by many churches and regional gatherings to preach nationwide for evangelism and leadership training. Together, they train and teach churches so they can more effectively reach non-Christians, who make up 99 percent of Japan’s population. Sayuri is a graduate of both Western Theological Seminary and New Brunswick Seminary. Abraham is a graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary. They have two children: a son, Akio, and a daughter, Haruka.
New Mexico
Brad & Robin Kautz
Towering mountains, imposing mesas, and deep lakes make up the land of the Jicarilla Apache Nation reservation. This land in Dulce, New Mexico, is home to nearly 2,800 members of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, many of whom are plagued by alcohol and substance abuse, broken families and trauma, domestic violence, and a poor school system. In a place where the RCA has had a mission presence for more than 100 years, Brad Kautz serves as pastor for Jicarilla Apache Reformed Church (JARC). His focus is primarily pastoral ministry, which includes weekly worship, Sunday school, a community prayer meeting, youth ministry, and visits to residents of nursing homes, jails, and detox centers. Through these means, he brings hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Israel & Palestine
Tent of Nations
Just a few kilometers from Bethlehem (West Bank – Area C – under total Israeli control) rests Tent of Nations, a self-sustaining educational and environmental farm where Daoud Nassar and his family have been fighting to keep their 100 acres of land from being confiscated by the Israeli government as state land. While so many tourists come to the Holy Land to look at one dead stone after another, they might forget the Land is full of living stones… people (see I Peter 2:5). As a Christian committed to nonviolence, Daoud is one of the best examples of a “living stone” in the Land, refusing to be a victim, refusing to hate, acting differently as a Christian, and believing in justice. He walks an entirely different path, investing the negative energy in constructive ways. Having had his water and electricity cut off, he and his family use solar power, collect rainwater, plant trees, and offer camps for children, teaching them to believe and say, “I am able to shape my future.” With an international presence of volunteers helping Daoud and his family, it is preventing land confiscation. The Israelis know they are not alone. Daoud refuses to be an enemy. Like the farmer who puts his hand to the plow, he can never look back (Lk. 9:62). May Daoud’s gentle, firm resolve remain steadfast, and may God bless the Nassar family with protection and peace and all who support them.
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