JEMA’s endorsed ministries
What it takes to be endorsed and why it matters
Christian campsites and schools; ministries seeking to reach Japanese people through the arts, sports, and manga; a ministry fighting child trafficking in Japan; and another one reaching out to hikikomori through online games—these provide a glimpse of the breadth of the exciting work that is being conducted in Japan at the moment. They are also all ministries endorsed by JEMA.
JEMA currently has 28 endorsed ministries. We’ve published a list on this page that was current when we went to print, but you can find an up-to-date list at https://jema.org/about/endorsed-ministries/. The number has been growing rapidly recently. Not so long ago, there were half a dozen endorsed ministries, but currently new ministries are being added at a rate of four or five a year.
Why is JEMA endorsement helpful?
It can be difficult for new ministries in Japan to establish themselves and gain recognition and exposure. That’s where an endorsement from JEMA can help since JEMA has a 79-year history and is well known among the missionary community in Japan. A JEMA endorsement indicates that the ministry is legitimate and doing valuable work in the eyes of our well-respected organisation.
Ministries who have JEMA endorsement receive potential exposure to the missionary community in Japan. Upon receiving endorsement, ministries can introduce themselves to JEMA members in an email. They also can send two free emails to the JEMA mailing list per year. In addition, endorsed ministries have the opportunity to give a five-minute presentation at JEMA Connect in February. Endorsement lasts for three years and can be extended without further vetting, provided both parties are satisfied.
How do you get JEMA endorsement?
When a ministry applies for endorsement from JEMA, they fill out a form and provide relevant materials. If they pass the initial stage, a representative (or more than one) from the ministry is interviewed by the JEMA leadership team, after which there is a vote about whether to endorse the ministry. Endorsed ministries pay a fee of ¥10,000 per year to JEMA for endorsement.
Of the 28 endorsed ministries, one is slightly different: The Church Planting Institute started life as a core ministry of JEMA, but several years ago, it became an independent ministry that was subsequently endorsed by JEMA.
Please browse the endorsed ministries and consider ways you could benefit from them or support them. Also, if you know of a ministry that may benefit from JEMA endorsement, please get in touch.