Word of Life Japan

Word of Life Japan was started by Yoshito Kato in 1982.
Word of Life Fellowship, Inc. is a leading youth training organization with youth clubs, youth camps and training centers in over 70 countries.

1982

When Yoshito and Hisako Kato returned to Japan to begin the new ministry of Word of Life in Osaka. They immediately started translating the Bible club materials into Japanese and started clubs in four different churches, holding leadership training meetings each month. They also started camps during the summer and Intensive Study Marathons during the Spring, Summer, and Winter school vacations.

1990

The Kato's moved operations from Osaka to Tokyo. 

1999

Tomoo and Kaori Koike joined the Word of Life team and moved to Sendai, the northern part of Japan to begin Bible clubs. Camps continue to be run in Sendai, and at various places around Japan.

2007

Word of Life Japan began, SYME, an ESL program for High School graduates to attend Word of Life Bible Institute. Since the beginning of the ESL program, over 100 Japanese students have attended Word of Life Bible Institute in New York, Florida, South Korea, and Hungary. 

2013

Yoshito retired after 31 years of ministry and Randal & Dale Gilmore transitioned into the Director's role for Word of Life Japan.

2014

The Cross-Cultural Internship program was started allowing ministry minded college students to earn their degree overseas while participating in active ministry with Word of Life Japan.

2019

Word of Life Japan moved it’s operation base to Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture.

2023

Kelly Smith transitioned into the Director’s role for Word of Life Japan. We continue to be active in Local Church Ministries (LCM), which work in collaboration with SYME and the Cross Cultural Internship program.