Izumi Akasaka, JBS Principal or Academic Dean, where Dale continues to teach, emphasizes ministry faithfulness rather than success when interviewed for an article in CT titled, "Growth Is Good. Survival Is, Too.” (March/April 2025). The article highlights the challenging statistics about Japanese churches and pastors. And it mentions that Japan is known as a “missionary graveyard,” meaning missionary dreams are likely to die in Japan.

The article continues by mentioning a hope that might be sourced in the relatively new Japanese phenomenon of ethnic churches. Diaspora immigrants might have the potential of carrying the gospel forward in Japan—if they can be discipled to understand themselves as witnesses for Jesus. We have understood this since launching Tokyo Multicultural Church in 2013. Dale & Ann look forward to their next meal with Izumi and his wife!