End of an era in Japan
Filed Under: Japan, LECC, Missions, World Missions
After 41 years of service in Japan—their entire ministry—Missionary Kermit Habben and his wife, Margie, returned to the United States Aug. 25. They plan to retire to Phoenix, Ariz.
"A good many of the leaders and members of our existing church in Japan either directly or indirectly were influenced by Missionary Habben," says Rev. Dan Koelpin, administrator for WELS World Missions. "Margie, too, was a big part of the ministry there. They put in many hard years in a tough field."
At this time, WELS World Missions is not going to replace Habben. Growth over the 51-year history of the Japanese mission field has been slow, and Koelpin says resources are going to other places in the world where it seems the Lord is opening doors.
"We will always stand as supportive partners of our Japanese brothers and sisters, but I don't know if we can sustain having missionaries there indefinitely," says Koelpin. "We will have to monitor the situation as we move into the future."
Currently the remaining two missionaries—Rev. Brad Wordell and Rev. Josh Stahmann—are focusing on training lay leaders and future pastors, although at this time no men are in seminary courses. The three national pastors serve approximately 400 baptized members in the eight congregations and two preaching stations of the Lutheran Evangelical Christian Church (LECC) in Japan. Three hundred others are also under their direct care. The LECC continues to become more independent, now almost fully supporting all its national pastors.
"The Japanese pastors and missionaries have worked as hard as anyone to spread the Word in Japan," says Koelpin. "The fact that the Lord hasn't given them a great harvest should not reflect on their great faithfulness."
Learn more about the Lutheran Evangelical Confessional Church in Japan online: www.wels.net/jump/japan
