In the “land of the rising sun”, Liebenzell has been actively spreading the Gospel since 1927. Today about 50 congregations have grown out of the ministry and formed the Japanese Evangelical Church Association for the purpose of mutual support and cooperation. Still, only 1% of the 126 million people of Japan are Christians. Most Japanese practice Buddhism and Shintoism (ancestor worship, natural deities) at the same time. Enormous social, cultural and economic pressures have lead to unusually high rates of suicide rate and severe family problems.

Liebenzell’s ministry aims to establish groups of believers and churches that ultimately will be self-propagating and self-supporting. We focus upon “less-reached” rural and suburban areas. Based upon 1999 figures, there are 1,800 cities and villages in Japan without a Christian church. 

Liebenzell’s present ministries include:
     • pastoral ministry at churches which do not yet have a Japanese pastor
     • Church planting in areas not served by any existing church
     • Retreats and support services at the Okutama Retreat Center
     • A boarding home in Nakanoshima for missionary children who attend the “German School in Tokyo – Yokohama”
     • Other related ministries include student outreach, literature distribution, retreat programs, Sunday school and Bible-teaching classes. 

As a sending organization . . . 

Liebenzell Mission International of Japan supports . . . 
• evangelism and church planting among the Japanese population in the New York City metropolitan area of the U.S.A.
• youth and women’s church ministries and outreach in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia. Liebenzell Mission of Japan pioneered the work in Mongolia in 1995.
• medical ministry, children’s outreach and adult Bible studies through the Mallikbari clinic in Bangladesh.

Liebenzell Mission International of Japan
 2-19-11 Ryokuen
 Izumi-ku
 Yokohama-shi, 245-0002
 JAPAN