“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise.” Psalm 96:3-4
We thank God for your prayers, encouragement, and support for David and Marcy Crane over the past several years. Through their 2 years living in Shimonoseki, Japan and during their time in the U.S. preparing to minister in Nagoya, we have seen God’s faithfulness towards their family and His faithfulness to His own missionary purposes. We praise God for saving Japanese people and for establishing a growing relationship between Grace Fellowship Church and Sakae Bible Church in Japan.
With this in mind, it is with a humble trust, and a confident hope in our sovereign God that we are announcing that David and Marcy will not be returning to Japan. After a period of prayer, counsel, seeking the face and will of our God, and discerning the needs of the Japanese ministry and their family, the Cranes along with the Barnabas Team and AoGI leadership have come to a unified agreement to stop pursuing their return. We are grateful for the years that the Cranes have dedicated to seeing God’s glory declared among the people of Japan. Their love for God and for the Japanese is unchanged.
As some of our plans change, we are humbled that God continues to expand the ministry to the Japanese. Men and women are changing and growing in the Friday night Japanese small group. The weekly Bible study has grown to around 20 women who eagerly come to read and discuss God’s word. The one on one friendships are building redemptive relationships. The Sunday morning preaching at Grace Fellowship is simultaneously translated into Japanese. And the summer VBS introduces many kids and families to Christ. We have been blessed to see God draw several men and women into a saving relationship with His Son, and He has granted us the opportunity to sow and water many gospel seeds. Our relationship with Sakae Bible Church in Nagoya also continues to deepen. We will be considering with them how we can best minister together in the short and long-term.
What can you do? Pray! Pray for wisdom, discernment, and direction for the Cranes. Encourage the Cranes during this transition period. Stay tuned for further communication regarding their future. And continue to pray for the ongoing Japanese ministry.
We are grateful for many of you who are financial supporters of the Crane’s ministry. Since AoGI is currently evaluating ministry needs, and the skills and gifting of the Cranes, AoGI asks that you would continue your support. We hope to make decisions regarding their future ministry and communicate that to you in the coming weeks. Please join with us in praying for wisdom and discernment.
Keep watching for further communication. The Cranes will send out updates as future decisions are made. In the meantime, questions should be directed to Todd Richmond via email Todd.Richmond@AoGI.org or phone (859)380-3517.
Thank you for your partnership in God’s Great Commission.
Ambassadors of Grace International Board of Directors
Japan Barnabas Team
