Umbrella Strategy: Enable Key Japan Ministry Partners
About us and Leadership
Takayuki Hayashi
President of Japan Biblical Counseling Association
As a child, he traveled back and forth between Japan and the U.S. due to his father's work. After graduating from Bob Jones University in 2009 with a B.A. in International Economics and a minor in Chinese, he entered seminary in 2009 with a major in Pastor Studies. In 2010, he graduated from Bob Jones Seminary. He became an Associate Pastor of Victory Baptist Church in British Columbia, Canada in 2011. He did a pastoral internship at Uchinada Bible Church in Japan for six months in 2015. He became a Mission Pastor of Bridge Community Church in British Columbia, Canada in 2016. He became a Pastor at Uchinada Bible Church in November 2017. He is now focused on supporting the local churches in Japan through evangelism and discipleship.
Dr. Chris Moore
Biblical Counseling Coordinator:
Dr. Chris Moore is a disciple of Jesus, Lead Elder of New Heart Fellowship, a Protestant (NCMI) Church in Nagoya, Japan, and President of Inter-Translation Services, Inc., a translation and interpretation company. Chris has a D.Min. from Tokyo Graduate School of Theology. Since graduating with a major in Biblical Counseling from the International College of Biblical Counseling in 2001, biblical counseling has been a key component of his more than 20 years of ministry in Japan helping people dealing with issues including substance abuse, domestic violence, anxiety and depression, and grief and crisis situations.
Jonathan Okinaga, Ph.D.
Biblical Counseling Lead Instructor
Jonathan Okinaga, Ph.D. Director | Biblical Counseling Certificate Program | Hope for the Heart Chair of Biblical Counseling. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Chrystelle Santiago
Digital Media Coordinator
Chrystelle Santiago. Born in Tokyo, Japan. Graduated from International Christian University in 2021. Previously worked in project management at a Japanese social media and IT company. Currently, Chrys works as a staff member at both Matthew 13:23 Ministries and also at OneHope Japan as a coordinator for online evangelism. Chrys also previously started a Japanese social media organization called Timothy Seisho. Chrys also runs the #1 ranked Japanese podcast for Christian teenagers and young adults.
Tetsuo and Mayumi Watanabe
Evangelism Training Partners: No Place Left Japan Leads
Tetsuo and Mayumi Watanabe, who are serving as Japanese Strategy Coordinators for the disciple and church multiplication ministry of No Place Left Japan. No Place Left Japan works in partnership with the No Place Left International Coalition (www.noplaceleft.net). Borrowing from the words of Paul concerning the ministry the Lord had given him, the desire of NPL Japan is to proclaim the gospel and train laborers until there is no place left to work.Tetsuo and Mayumi Watanabe, who are serving as Japanese Strategy Coordinators for the disciple and church multiplication ministry of No Place Left Japan. No Place Left Japan works in partnership with the No Place Left International Coalition (www.noplaceleft.net). Borrowing from the words of Paul concerning the ministry the Lord had given him, the desire of NPL Japan is to proclaim the gospel and train laborers until there is no place left to work.
Keith S. Lindley
Digital Strategy and Board Member
Keith S. Lindley (ThM, 2016) is the Board Secretary and Head of Strategy for Matthew 13:23 Ministries and is currently completing a PhD in Theological Studies at DTS. He is an ordained pastor, a missionary, and an active member of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. He also serves as an instructor of Bible and theology at the Opened Bible Academy. His main research interests include theology, philosophy, and the intersection between faith and popular culture. He and his wife, Megan, live in Plano, Texas with their daughter, Ava, and their dogs, Fitz and Faith.
Lare & Binho
Website Design
Lare and Binho have dedicated their lives to serving God in Japan. With over 20 years of life experience in Japan, Lare offers a deep understanding of the culture and people. Binho, with more than 10 years, has joined in this journey of faith, learning to fully integrate into Japanese society. Both hold degrees in theology and share a passion for living out Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20). Their professional background spans industry, design, photography, video, journalism, and social work. Through this, they have gained a unique perspective on the needs of Japanese society. By working closely with people facing disabilities and social challenges, they seek to bring compassionate care, hope, and the love of Christ to the community.