The Jahnkes, David and Carol, assisting the Japan Baptist Church Association which had a vision of planting 100 churches by 2000, centered their first two terms of ministry on planting two churches (Misono in 1990 and Crossroad in 1995) in Sagamihara, an outer ring city west of Tokyo. Both churches have moved quickly toward becoming self-supporting. (Pictured: David, Carol, Andrew, Aaron and Nathan Jahnke).

Upon their return to Japan in 1998, the Jahnkes focused upon the Japanese "salaryman," attempting to enter his world in order to more effectively share the joy of life in Jesus Christ.

HOW THE JAHNKES MET AND WERE CALLED TO JAPAN

As David Jahnke sorts through all that has shaped his life, a few events stand out. One stands head and shoulders above the rest. While attending a series of children's meetings in his home church, Central Baptist of St. Paul, Minnesota, David felt God's tug on his life. Though he was only eight years old, he realized that he needed Jesus Christ in his life to truly make him a member of the family of God.

Another event which figured prominently in David's life was the death of his mother, when he was 14 years of age. Grace Jahnke was mother to five children, David being the youngest. She and her husband, John, built a solid Christian home. When she died, David was struck with the seriousness of life and felt more deeply his own need to cling to God.

After high school, David went on to Bethel College in St. Paul. Like many college students, he experienced discouragement. The words of the hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness," traveled through his mind until he reached the phrase, "...all I have needed thy hand has provided..." David realized that the phrase had no truth for him at the moment. But God quickly brought to him the amended phrase, "...all I am needing thy hand is providing..." His doubts were erased and confidence restored.

One more faith-building test came when his stepmother died. He came away convinced that nothing would be able to separate him from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

Through these events was God's calling to a life of missionary service. As a first-grader, David remembers BGC missionary John Marrs speaking to the children at Central Baptist. David knew right away what he wanted to be when he grew up. Furloughing missionaries always seemed to find their way into his life. Glen Swanson, Conference missionary in Japan, challenged David with his statement that the next generation of missionaries to Japan would be the one to reap the spiritual harvest. "To this day," says David, "I strongly desire to be part of that great harvest in Japan."

After college he taught school for two years in Omaha, Nebraska. There he met Carol Ann Eytzen, a nursing assistant at Children's Hospital. They were married in October 1981 and the next fall returned to St. Paul to enroll at Bethel Seminary. In June 1986 they were both appointed as Baptist General Conference missionaries to Japan. They arrived in Japan in December 1987.

Following language study, David worked with a Japanese pastor in church work. He was involved with the process of this church starting another church, leading Bible studies, prayer meetings, English classes and preaching in the new church, Misono Baptist Church. In their second term the Jahnkes started a second church, Crossroad Baptist. The words of Glen Swanson continue to impact David as he has become part of the harvesting effort in Japan.

The Eytzen family had returned from evening church services and just concluded their own time of family devotions. Carol, oldest of the six children, knew that she couldn't put it off any longer. She went to her mother and asked her how she could become a Christian. Carol's mother explained that all people were sinners, but that God loved each one of us enough to send His Son Jesus to die for our sins. Then Jesus rose to life, victorious over sin and death. Mrs. Eytzen told her daughter that if she would believe this and ask Jesus to forgive her sins, she would be saved. Carol accepted Jesus that night.

That story remains as a special and pivotal time for Carol. Family devotions proved to be some of the favorite times of her childhood. Her home life on a farm in northern Minnesota was a happy one as Edwin and Nettie Eytzen gave their children much love and Christian teaching. Church, Sunday school, vacation Bible school, Bible camp and also a Christian elementary school education all helped Carol grow in her Christian life.

After graduating from high school, Carol was encouraged to go to a Bible college. She chose Grace College of the Bible in Omaha, Nebraska. It turned out to be an important decision. God worked in her heart and mind, using both friends and her academic input. Missions classes and an annual missions conference on campus stirred her interest. As a child she had always been fascinated when missionaries spoke at her home church, and the interest continued to grow.

In December 1979 Carol became a nursing assistant at Children's Hospital in Omaha. During this time she attended Harvey Oaks Baptist Church. It was there she met David Jahnke, a school teacher in Omaha. As their relationship deepened, they came to believe God was calling them to a ministry of overseas missions together. They were married October 24, 1981, and made plans to move back to Minnesota for seminary training in preparation for mission service.

While David studied at Bethel Seminary, Carol continued to work as a nursing assistant at Presbyterian Homes of Minnesota. She also became a mother. Andrew was born in October 1985. Another son, Aaron, was born in 1987.

Carol and David were appointed as Baptist General Conference missionaries to Japan in June 1986 and arrived in Japan December 1, 1987. Their third son, Nathan, was born four months later.

Following the intense months of language study, Carol and David began to minister with a Japanese pastor. Soon after they saw the idea planted in the congregation to start a "daughter" church and rejoiced when they were asked to be part of that new church start. They are now starting their second "daughter" church, Crossroad Baptist. Carol has worked at developing relationships with other mothers she has met and continues to look for new ways to reach out. Whether teaching cooking classes to Japanese women, studying with a language tutor, or teaching a Bible study to nonbelievers, Carol affirms that "it is by God's grace we are here, and through His grace we daily live to bring people to Him for His glory."

THE JAHNKES' FIRST TERM (December 1987 - May 1992)

In their first two years, the Jahnkes were involved in full-time study of Japanese language and culture in Tokyo. During this time we ministered among the Tokyo area churches.

Year three saw them move to Misono neighborhood of Sagamihara City, 25 miles southwest of downtown Tokyo. It was there they laid the groundwork for a new church start. They began Misono Baptist Church as a branch work of the Ono Christ Church on December 16,1990. Forty-eight people attended the first worship service.

During their fourth year, the Jahnkes led the ministry at Misono. Through English conversation classes they made 100 plus community contacts and baptized seven adults. The Jahnkes led the church to autonomous status in the Japan Baptist Church Association, with 29 members and average attendance of 36.

THE JAHNKES' SECOND TERM (August 1993 - May 1997)