We have served with joy and thanksgiving as Southern Baptist missionaries to Japan since our appointment in 1981. It has always been our desire, if the Lord would allow, to serve in Japan until retirement.
But as we have prayed during this stateside assignment about the needs of our children and Darlene’s 90-year-old mother, we have become confident that His plan is for us to transition to long-term ministry back in the United States.
As you can imagine this has been a challenging decision process. We grieve the loss of fellowship with friends in Japan who have truly been the family of God to us over these many years.
The Lord has answered our prayers and called us to a new adventure in missions that fits our experience and gifting and fills our hearts with excitement about the next stage of our pilgrimage. We will be moving to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to plant All Nations Baptist Church in cooperation with the Tennessee Baptist Convention and the local Concord Baptist Association.
Our vision is for an intentionally multicultural small group-based church that will reach out especially to those who, because of cultural differences, do not fit as full participants in the dominantly monocultural churches that characterize Southern Baptist life in the Bible belt.
We are asking the Lord to empower and guide us to reach internationals, second and third generation immigrants, international and interracial marriage couples, international adoption families and anyone else who might be reached and discipled by a 21st century relational fellowship that embraces and celebrates cultural and ethnic diversity. We are particularly thankful that He is leading us to an area with a sizable number of Japanese residents related to Nissan and Bridgestone plants, as well as Middle Tennessee State University.
We need your prayers as we move forward.
Charlie and Darlene Williams
Japan
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