Michelle Wexler
National Coordinator / Prayer & Encouragement Coordinator
jcfnatco[at]gmail.com
The National Coordinator (NC) keeps JCF running by communicating with the other leaders and helping Christians get connected with other Christians. The NC is the official representative for JCF to the Association of JET (AJET).
The Prayer & Encouragement Coordinator organizes monthly prayer meetings via Skype.
Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
I was born in Nairobi, Kenya, to Baptist missionaries. I lived in Kenya until I was eighteen and then moved to Hawaii. During a study abroad in Japan in 2014, I made a friend who was a JET and recommended joining JCF, if I ever became a JET. In 2021, I was finally able to make it to Fukuoka, Japan after being delayed a year because of Covid. I recently joined the JCF leadership team in 2022. I’ve loved being a part of this godly team as we seek to encourage and build up others on their faith journey here in Japan.
Andrew Mays
Bible Study Coordinator / Bible Study Leader
The Bible Study Coordinator assists new members with getting placed in an online JCF bible study.
A Bible Study Leader directs the study and other group members.
He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. – Colossians 1:13-14
Born and raised in Melbourne Australia, I first started traveling to Japan in 2011 and came to work here in 2019. I’m a third year ALT and recently joined JCF as a Bible study leader. I love helping people to understand the Bible and how God speaks to all nations and generations through it. Meeting God through his Word and his Church changed my life radically. I have too many hobbies to keep up with, but my favourite activities are deep and meaningful chats with people, cycling, hiking, playing music, reading and eating.
Jovald “Jovi” Henriksen
Bible Study Leader
A Bible Study Leader directs the study and other group members.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. – Galations 2:20
Hello! My name is Jovald. I’m from Cape Town in South Africa and have been on the JET programme since 2017. In my first year, JCF helped to find a church in my area and a couple years later I met the leadership team at the JCF autumn retreat in Nagano. My involvement in leadership began in 2020 as a bible study group leader, which I’m still leading (Tuesday nights on Jitsi Meet). Since the covid-19 pandemic started we haven’t been able to meet in-person much, but I’m grateful that God gave us the people who created video-calling. May the Spirit of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Chelsey Beal
Retreat Coordinator
jcfretreat[at]gmail.com
The Retreat Coordinator plans national retreats at least twice a year to bring JCF members together to grow in fellowship with one another and with Christ.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 3:11
I’m from Tennessee in the United States. I started my time off on the JET Program in Shiga Prefecture, but am now working as a direct hire ALT in Nagano Prefecture. I have been involved in this wonderful JCF community since my first retreat in fall 2011, and honestly, I never imagined I would be around this long. All praise and glory goes to God for His plans for my life here. It has been an absolute joy to see how He is working and moving in Japan.
Cora Henriksen
Treasurer / Retreat Assistant
The treasurer keeps JCF’s financial accounts in order and creates a report of how donations and funds are being used.
A Retreat Assistant supports the Coordinator to plan national retreats at least twice a year to bring JCF members together to grow in fellowship with one another and with Christ.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. – Ephesians 2:4-5
I came to Japan in the fall of 2021 and am originally from Minnesota, USA. I felt a calling to join leadership after attending my first online retreat in January 2022 and have had the honor of working as a Retreat Assistant and the Treasurer. I’m continually amazed at how God uses JCF—both its leaders and members—for His glory in Japan, and I can’t wait to see what He has planned for the future!
Gené McAravey
Bible Study Leader / Retreat Team Assistant
A Bible Study Leader directs the study and other group members.
A Retreat Assistant supports the Coordinator to plan national retreats at least twice a year to bring JCF members together to grow in fellowship with one another and with Christ.
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge. – Psalm 91:4
I’m originally from South Africa, and this is my second time on the JET Programme. I was initially an ALT in based in rural Nagasaki Prefecture from 2013 to 2016. After finishing three years on JET, I went back home, worked for a few years and furthered my studies. I returned to Japan on JET in April 2022. I am now based in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and I am serving as a bible study leader and a retreat assistant. The JCF community has blessed me a great deal over the years and helped me grow in my journey with the Lord. My hope is that JCF can reach more and more JETs to share God’s love and grace with them in this season of their lives.
Deborah Ruth Trotter
Missionary Liaison
The Missionary Liaison provides moral and spiritual support to JETs and makes connections between Christian JETs and the world of Japanese churches and missionaries in Japan.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
As a former JET now here as a missionary, I have some understanding of both worlds and what can be done and what possible expectations are out there. I love Japan and both Japanese and foreigners living in Japan, so I want the experiences in both directions to be positive. Many blessings to y’all.
Megan Daniel
Librarian
The Librarian manages the book collection and sends books to readers living all across Japan.
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. – Psalm 139:1-3
I was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and have lived in various places in the American south-east before moving to Fukui Prefecture in 2013. Now, I am happily married to a wonderful Christian man who loves me and supports me. I am the daughter of a Baptist preacher and an elementary school teacher who always raised me to follow Christ. Shortly after graduating from university, I began feeling that God was calling me to come to Japan. Now that I’m here, I seek to follow God’s direction for my life, and raise my two daughters to love and honor Him.
Kara Wooke
Prayer & Encouragement Co-Leader
The Prayer & Encouragement Coordinator organizes monthly prayer meetings via Skype.
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – Matthew 6:25–34
I am an ALT originally from Alabama, USA. I arrived in Japan August 2022 where I worked in Yamaguchi Prefecture for 3 years and then transfered to Hiroshima Prefecture. I joined JCF leadership as co-leader of Prayer and Encouragement in March 2024. It has been amazing to see how G-d has used JCF in Japan, and it’s been a blessing to work with everyone here!
Tshegofatso K-tee Setlhodi
Bible Study Coordinator & Retreat Team Supporter
A Retreat Assistant supports the Coordinator to plan national retreats at least twice a year to bring JCF members together to grow in fellowship with one another and with Christ.
I have asked the Lord for one thing –
this is what I desire!
I want to live in the Lordʼs house all the days of my life,
so I can gaze at the splendor of the Lord
and contemplate in his temple. – Psalm 27:4
I’m from Johannesburg, South Africa and I’ve been living in Kikuchi, Kumamoto for 2 years. I joined the JCF group on Facebook, then the Golden week retreat and now I’ve joined the retreat team. I hope to declare His glory to those around me :).
Marcus Fisk
Bible Study Leader
A Bible Study Leader directs the study and other group members.
Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
I am from Idaho, U.S.A. I’ve been a JET in Kagoshima prefecture since 2023. In my small island home, I also have my wife and two sons. I began attending JCF Bible studies online shortly after coming to Japan and am now leading Bible studies. Though I only expect to stay in Japan for a few more months before returning home, I am glad to be able to read and discuss the Scriptures weekly with fellow believers.
Annette Lee
Co-Webmaster
As co-webmaster of the JCF national leadership team (based in the U.S.), I’m excited to serve in the role God has equipped me for—using digital tools to support ministry outreach. This includes maintaining this website and sharing updates about Bible study groups and retreats through social media, helping ALTs build spiritual bonds rooted in God’s love.
Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Exodus 4:12).
Born in Honolulu and raised in Seattle from junior high, I graduated from the University of Washington and interned in Kobe through the UW Japanese Technical Program/Hyogo Business & Cultural Center. I joined the JET Program in 2004 and worked as a dispatch and direct-hire ALT until 2020. In 2025, I started my own small business, Eigo Ganbare.
Noah Nelson
Webmaster
The Webmaster manages the JCF website, and all related updates or queries.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
I’m from the United States and was part of the JET Program from 2021-2024 before transitioning to direct hire. I love living and working in Japan, and God has used my time here so far to grow me in ways I never would have expected. I’m excited to continue to follow my good Shepherd alongside the wonderful JCF crew!
Other Positions
Volunteer
Currently seeking volunteers. Please contact the National Coordinator if interested.
JET Christian Fellowship 