Coopers On A Mission

Dearest Ministry Support Family:

We have 6.5 weeks of life and ministry in Japan until our June 1 return to Indianapolis, USA.  We are so thankful for this incredible missions experience and are excited to finish these remaining 44 days strong for God’s glory!  As we near the finish line of our year in Japan, the Lord has given us more clarity on what we believe He is calling us to in our next season of ministry.  While He has not made the “where” or “with whom” clear, we believe we’ve discerned the “what” & invite you to join us in prayer for His continued leading.

The “What” For Next Steps in Ministry after Japan:
I (Troy) have a growing passion & vision to equip & coach individual believers (laypeople and ministry leaders), groups & churches in disciple-making process which leads to multiplication. Rachel & I both have a passion to reach lost people with the gospel & equip new believers to grow in their faith (including obedience to make disciples). Within the context of global missions, we believe at this time that the Lord is leading us back to the United States to serve as equippers & mobilizers (and are open to overseas missions in the future).  We both have a desire to serve and grow within the context & community of a local church that has a vision to reach its neighbors and desires to be equipped in disciple-making process.  Additionally, we have passion & vision to connect local disciple-making with the desperate global gospel need among unreached & unengaged people groups.  There is a growing desire among churches in America to obey the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20) through personal disciple-making locally so they can send out fruitful disciple-makers globally.  We see God leading us help meet this growing need while continuing to learn, grow and serve among the body of Christ.  Rachel is hopeful that I can continue to serve in a student ministries position, but we are not limited to that role (while it is the area I have much experience in and passion for, I enjoy shepherding and equipping both students and adults).  Additionally, we would like to be near family geographically, but that also is not a limiting factor.  Lastly, we want to make sure my next ministry position is not so busy in the evenings that it keeps me from effectively ministering to my family & neighbors. We have committed to prayerfully consider opportunities that appear to be a fit vision-wise and have enjoyed prayerful dialogue with leadership from several churches to discern if we are a mutual fit for one another.   God is giving us the patience to trust Him through this process.  We do not want to rush ahead of Him or jump at the first job offer nor become anxious as we return without a source of income.  He has always given us clarity in major decisions so we will continue to wait on Him and trust Him to provide.  Your prayers are greatly appreciated as we continue in this process.

We want to thank you for your continued prayers and support these past 11 months.  There is MUCH to praise the Lord for (I plan to post a new ministry update this week) and yet there is MUCH ministry remaining here in Japan and we are excited for the opportunity to finish these last 44 days strong.  We have loved serving among the family of believers at Grace Church Sapporo and look forward to seeing what church family He unites us with long-term upon our June 1 return.

in the grip of His grace,
Troy & Rachel Cooper
+Mayah, Malachi, Isaiah, Tessa & Lucy