Early in 1994 the Indiana District Mission Board of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) called Rev. Shigeru Masaki to serve as "Missionary-at-Large to Japanese Speaking People in Indiana and Surrounding States." This was done with the understanding that a Mission Society be formed within three years to take over the responsibility of this new cross-cultural ministry.

In January 1996 the Japanese Mission Society UMS) was officially organized and began to assume full responsibility. Since then, the JMS Board of Directors, LCMS congregations, and individuals from around the U.S. and Japan have supported this ministry with their time, finances, and prayers.

In September of 2002, Rev. and Mrs. Masaki returned to Japan, and former missionaries to Japan, Rev. and Mrs, Thomas A. Going, have taken their place in this outreach ministry to Japanese speaking people. The JMS is working in cooperation with the LCMS throughout the United States.

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