Japan Lay Missionary Movement was established in 1981 as an only organization of Christian in Japan who send mission to overseas. Up to now we have been sending missionaries to Asia-Pacific region and operating activities in the various areas cooperating with local people.
Having the 20th anniversary this year, all the missionaries, candidates under training and staff have gathered in Koh Samui, Thailand. We reflect our activities, confirm our mission to be sharing joys and sorrows in "living together" with people in the world and living a new life for Kingdom of God step by step toward the 21st century beyond the borders and declare the followings.

Koh Samui Declaration

5th September, 2001

Japan Lay Missionary Movement (JLMM) is a movement that people who feel the voice of God pursue the Christ's spirit through the activities in the mission area by making use of their characters and talent, living and praying together with local people.

JLMM

• values to work with the feeling of presence of God that we meet through people and things.
• values to share joys and sorrows with people who we meet.
• learns and respects culture, history, language and religion of the mission area
• understands the responsibility as a member of Japanese society in early-modern and modern times and aims for the reconciliation and solidarity with people in Asia-Pacific regions.
• values the harmony with our supporters (churches, individuals, groups and network)
• makes efforts to share the experiences and gifts from activities with many people and enrich them.

New approach : JLMM will

• operate a joint project with all the countries of mission area.
• conduct a cross-training with local partners.
• cooperate actively with convents.
• investigate historical relations between Japan and mission areas and share the information.
• engage in preparing the materials for development education.
• undertake a fund-raising to support mission areas.
• build a supporting system and provide information widely through media such as website.
• hold a JLMM lay missionary meeting regularly.

JLMM seeks applications for Lay missionary from August every year.
JLMM Lay missionaries operate activities for medical care, environment, agriculture and support of women and children together with the local people, and support programs of social welfare and development organized by local Catholic churches.
After seven monthsÅftraining in Japan, missionaries study local language in the country (mission area), and work there for two years (extension possible).