ABOUT JEMS

Who We Are

Headquartered in Downtown Los Angeles, the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (JEMS, for short) is a Christian, non-profit, para-church organization. Our various ministries serve Japan, South America and the United States. We are supported by an interdenominational network of Japanese and Asian-American churches and individual supporters.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

We, the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society, believe…

That the Bible is God’s Word, written by men divinely and uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit, and that it is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
In one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In Jesus Christ, the world’s only Savior; in His pre-existence, virgin birth, sinless life, vicarious death, burial, bodily resurrection and personal return.
In the Holy Spirit as a Person, indwelling and empowering the believer, convicting the unsaved, and presenting the claims of Christ.
That sinful man is lost and can be redeemed only by the death and shed blood of Christ upon the cross through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
That the Church, the Body of Christ, is comprised of all who have accepted the redemption provided by Christ.
In the resurrection of the dead, the believer to life everlasting, and the unbeliever to eternal condemnation.

Our Story

The Vision

The vision for the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (JEMS) took shape in the 1950s as Nisei ministers gathered in prayer at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center. United by a shared calling, they confirmed a clear vision: to evangelize Japanese Americans through local churches in California while also extending missionary outreach to Japan.

The beginning

In its earliest days, the JEMS began as a small, faith-driven movement with very practical ministries. Early efforts focused on supporting and strengthening Japanese American churches in California through evangelism, preaching, and leadership development, while also sending some of the first missionaries to Japan. With limited resources but deep commitment, pioneers worked out of humble settings, building relationships, discipling believers, and laying the groundwork for a ministry that would grow both locally and internationally.

Years of Growth

From the 1960s through the 1990s, JEMS expanded its ministries, with annual conferences at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center serving as a central gathering for worship, teaching, and leadership development. During this time, JEMS continued sending missionaries, supporting churches, and strengthening transpacific connections, while also launching the Asian American Christian Fellowship (AACF) in 1974 to reach Asian American college students.

JEMS Today

Today, JEMS continues to carry forward its mission through a diverse range of ministries in both the United States and Japan. Through conferences, retreats, events, and ongoing discipleship, JEMS remains committed to building Christ-centered communities and strengthening connections across cultures and generations.