The purpose of this short newsletter is to keep you, our supporters, informed about developments here at Mission Japan (MJ), and also to provide feedback on decisions that were made during our recent visit to Japan.

The past year has been a fairly busy time for MJ. In March this year, Dr. Nico Mostert (Executive Officer of MJ), Rev. Gawie Gouws (Convener of MJ’s Recruitment Committee), and Dr. Daniël De Wet (Executive Officer of the Western Cape Synod’s Witness Action) were on an official visit to Japan.

The purpose of the visit was to finalize the new Mission Partnership Agreement (MPA) and also to meet with the Mission Cooperation Commission of the Shikoku Presbytery regarding the work of the current missionaries, as well as their earlier request for additional missionaries (preferably a missionary couple) to join the work in Japan.

During the March visit, in-depth discussions were held regarding the profile of prospective missionary candidates and the needs of the church in Japan. It was agreed that a joint recruitment committee would handle the process. A request was also received from the Shikoku Presbytery that the contract of Rev. Tobie and Mrs. Annelie De Wet be extended for another three years, starting in April 2026.

Process to Call a New Missionary Couple

The committee, under the leadership of Rev. Gawie Gouws and Rev. Hiroshi Ogawa, has since compiled a profile and advertisement that has been widely distributed in South Africa. However, there has been little interest so far, with only one couple requesting application forms. They have, however, temporarily withdrawn their application due to personal family reasons. The position is currently being advertised again.

Extension of the De Wets’ Term of Service in Japan

Tobie and Annelie’s work in the small congregation of RCJ Niihama will come to an end in March 2026. The Shikoku Presbytery, however, decided that if they were to remain in service within the presbytery, it would not be in Niihama again.

The congregation of RCJ Tokushima-West indicated that they would like to call the De Wets as a missionary couple. The Shikoku Presbytery has granted permission for this call, and the call has already been issued.

During Mission Japan’s second visit in October, we made it clear that this would constitute a new three-year term of service, and therefore Mission Japan can only provide full financial support for the first year of the planned three-year period. This means that the congregation there will need to take on a greater financial responsibility for the final two years, and they have agreed to do so.

Mission Japan nevertheless commits to continuing its support for the full three-year period and will attempt, during years two and three, to contribute financially as supporters are able to continue their support.

The decision to remain longer in Japan ultimately rests with the De Wets themselves—it remains a choice they must make before the Lord. We will support them regardless of the outcome of their process of spiritual discernment. We ask for your prayers for them as they prayerfully consider the way forward.

If the De Wets do remain, they will first return to South Africa for a two-month visit before beginning their work in Tokushima-West. The exact dates will still be determined, depending on work permit approvals and related matters.

Mission Cooperation Agreement

Over the past two years, much effort has gone into drafting a new mission cooperation agreement between Mission Japan and the Shikoku Presbytery. This was a joint process between MJ and the Mission Cooperation Commission of the Shikoku Presbytery.

On Tuesday, 28 October, the new agreement was officially signed. This now paves the way for our continued work together with the Shikoku Presbytery.

The signing was witnessed by Rev. Kovilan Moodley (Vice-chairperson of MJ and Moderator of the Reformed Church in Africa) and Dr. Nico Mostert (Executive Officer of MJ). Rev. Jan Lubbe (Moderator of the Dutch Reformed Church General Synod) and Dr. Nioma Venter (General Secretary of the DRC General Synod) were also present.

Both Rev. Lubbe and Rev. Moodley conveyed greetings to the Reformed Church in Japan during their recent Synod meeting in Kobe.

The Van der Watt Family

The family is doing well. The children are busy with schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Stéphan’s lectures and wider church ministries are continuing at full speed, and Carina’s ministry with the children in their local congregation, together with full-time homeschooling, also keeps her very busy.

It is encouraging to see how the family functions together and embodies a strong testimony of Christian love and hospitality.

Meeting with the East Kantō Presbytery

Rev. Taka Ashida and the Mission Commission of the East Kantō Presbytery sent a letter to MJ requesting a discussion during our October visit to Japan.

Their request was to explore closer cooperation between MJ and their presbytery, as well as the possibility of mutual visits to facilitate exposure between members of their presbytery and congregations in South Africa.

A very good discussion took place on 28 October, and it was agreed that a follow-up conversation would take place via Zoom in early 2026.

Gratitude

We stand amazed at the Lord’s provision for this ministry through you, our supporters. We are deeply grateful for your faithful support. The economy is slow, and in Japan the cost of living is rising sharply as inflation also takes hold.

Summary of Key Decisions

• Tobie and Annelie will remain in Japan until the end of their current three-year term, after which they will return to South Africa for two months and then (should they decide to do so) return to Japan for another term of service.
• Mission Japan will fully support them for one year, after which the Tokushima-West congregation will contribute toward their support.
• The work of Mission Japan in cooperation with the Shikoku Presbytery is now governed by a newly signed cooperation agreement.
• The recruitment process for additional missionaries to Japan continues in cooperation with the Shikoku Presbytery.

We thank each of you for:

• Your continued support (financially, emotionally, and through prayer)
• Your ongoing encouragement of our missionaries in Japan (emails, WhatsApp messages, phone calls, etc.)

Prayer Requests

We ask for:

• Continued prayer for the Van der Watt family and for the work and ministry of the De Wets
• Prayer for the De Wets as they consider the new term of service and for continued financial support from their supporters
• Prayer for the process of identifying and calling new missionaries to work in Japan together with the Shikoku Presbytery

Greetings in Christ Jesus