Andrew Mays
National Coordinator
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).
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
The Bible Study Leader directs the study and other group leaders.
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 Zoom). 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.
Treasurer
Treasurer
treasurerjcf@gmail.com
The treasurer keeps JCF’s financial accounts in order and creates a report of how donations and funds are being used.
Please email send us a message via our Contact page to apply!
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.
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.
Rob Taylor
Pastoral Advisor
The Pastoral Advisor guides JCF for staying consistent in serving God and remaining faithful to his Word.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Phillippians 4:6-7
My name is Rob Taylor. My wife’s name is Yoko. We have three children, Codey (17), Miles (14), Airi (4). We live in the town of Miyota, which is right next to Karuizawa, for 16 years. We work with a Japanese church in Miyota, called Shinshu Community Church.
I am the pastoral advisor for JCF. I’ve had this role for about five years, but I’ve been involved with JCF for about 10 years. If you have any difficult situations you’re struggling with, theological or cultural questions, I would love to hear from you. I definitely don’t have all the answers, but sometimes just talking to someone and hearing a different perspective on things can be helpful.
Michelle Wexler
Prayer & Encouragement Coordinator
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.
Chelsey Beal
Retreat Coordinator
jcfbiblestudy@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 Showers
Retreat Assistant
The 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.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17
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 had the honor of working as a Retreat Assistant for several months. Currently, I serve as the National Coordinator and I couldn’t be more excited to see the ways that the Lord will continue to use all of JCF, both its leaders and members, for his glory in Japan.
Gené McAravey
Retreat Assistant
The 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 in the education sector and obtained my masters degree. I returned to Japan on JET in April 2022. I am now based in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and I am serving as a retreat assistant on JCF Leadership. 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.
Kittie Helmick
Webmaster
The Webmaster manages the JCF website, and all related updates or queries.
Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap the harvest, if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9
I grew up living on different continents as the daughter of an Army engineer. After volunteering with the Peace Corps in South Africa, I studied comparative literature and translation at the University of Oxford. JET has brought me back to Asia for the first time in almost twenty years, as a high school ALT on Tokunoshima and Yoron, the remote southern islands of Kagoshima prefecture. On off hours, I edit an online magazine dedicated to sharpening Christian writing, Salt and Iron: SeasonedWriting.com. I’m deeply thankful for the hospitality of my school community, and for the opportunity to return that blessing through JCF ministry.
JET Christian Fellowship 