ABOUT US
Word of Life (WOL) Church is a non-denominational, English-speaking community of faith
As a communal entity, WOL was formed as a response to meet the spiritual needs of English speaking individuals, spouses and families in Hyogo Prefecture, specifically those who reside in the cities of Himeji, Takasago, Kakogawa and Akashi. But, we welcome everyone!
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WOL Church is a Gospel and Jesus-centered Church
WOL is committed to preach the original Gospel of Jesus Christ: God's passion for the world and hope for eternal life ; Jesus' perfect obedience to be the ransom for the forgiveness of sin and salvation of all mankind ; Jesus' life, death and resurrection and its significant application and implication for the believers. WOL echoes the words of Jesus when he said, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near, repent and believe in the good news" (Mark 1:14-15)
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​WOL Church is a Missional Church
As a missional church, WOL exists only for God's missional purpose. It is a community, a gathered people, brought together by a common calling, purpose and vocation - to be a child of God and a sent people. To be a child of God who worships Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) - spotless and blameless. To be a sent people meaning to re-present Christ and the Reign of God wherever we are. And in order to become such people, each individual needs to be nourished in God's truth, to experience authentic discipleship, and to connect and serve God and each other.
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WOL Church is an Accountable Church
When Jesus founded the church, He called it "My" church (Mat 16:18). Scripture consistently teaches that He is the "Head" of the church (Eph 5:23 ; Col 1:18). As a community of believers, we will earnestly seek His guidance, submit to His Lordship, and commit to glorifying Him and extending His Kingdom in accordance with His will and principles. WOL Church is an interdependent ministry entity under Takasago Church.
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OUR VISION
To be a community of faith that:
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UNDERSTAND & GROW
• To eagerly seek and learn the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• To grow in the knowledge of God through His Word and personal relationship with Him
• To live out a Christian faith that reflects Christ - maturing in truth and righteousness
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CONNECT
• To connect and support each other in genuine & meaningful ways
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​SERVE & DISCIPLE
• To reach out to others and the surrounding community with a "practical" message of love, hope, and faith.
• To disciple and teach the characteristics of a child of God
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
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We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
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We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
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- Apostles’ Creed -
OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Word of Life [WOL] Church is committed to be a community of believers which is faithful to know God, to love others, and to make Him known. We welcome anyone in Japan and internationally to be part of our faith community.
Locally, WOL will be intentionally reaching out to our surrounding cities, within the vicinity of Himeji, Takasago, Kakogawa, and Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture.
OUR TEAM
REV. DR. ANDREW IMBRIE & EMA (TEZUKA)
Pastor
Pastor Andrew (Andi) and his wife, Ema, returned to Japan in 2011. Previously, they had lived in the United States of America for 14 years as Andi was completing his education in theology and psychology. Andi is an Indonesian of Chinese descent. Ema is Japanese. They had much exposure to cross-cultural experiences as they had lived in different countries, such as Singapore, Philippines, Switzerland, Australia, and Kailua Kona (HI, USA) while they were involved with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in the past. They have two teen daughters. Since returning to Japan, they have both served as Counseling Pastor in a local Japanese church, Takasago Church. Pastor Andi is also professionally practicing as a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist in Japan, and a visiting faculty in a seminary overseas. As a couple, they love interior design, Thai food, good books, worshipping together and a simple pleasure of indoor activities.
JEREMY & AINA FINCH
Leader
Jeremy is from the United States (Ohio), and was introduced to overseas mission work while attending a church in central Florida. While in Florida, he also got involved with a Japanese homestay ministry, Mission to Japan. Through that ministry, his cursory interest in Japan was cultivated into a genuine passion to share the gospel with the Japanese people. In 2008, God called Jeremy to move to Japan, and in 2009 he moved to Kakogawa (Hyogo-ken) as an English teacher and "tent-making" missionary.
Aina is from Japan (Osaka), and gave her life to Christ while attending university in New Zealand. She also got involved with a Japanese ministry group, J2. While with J2, she served as one of the leaders of the group and became interested in serving and sharing her faith with the youth there. Aina later attended a Bible college in NZ and served as an intern for a year.
In 2011, Aina began attending the same church as Jeremy, and in 2013 they were married. They now have 3 wonderful children: Micah (6), Rebekah (3), and Jude (1). Jeremy and Aina are self-employeed teachers at an English conversation school in Himeji.
In 2018, they were introduced to Takasago Church, where they met Pastor Andrew & Ema, and began talking about one day starting an English ministry to serve the Himeji and surrounding areas. This laid the foundations for what would later become the Word of Life (WOL) Japan.
