The McCurleys and their ministry

Jonathan is an international GBGM missionary with the United Methodist Church. Being sent by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) in the fall of 2009, he and his wife, Satomi, now serve in Tochigi prefecture, located in northern Japan. They both are ministering at the Asian Rural Institute (ARI), involved with the formation and care of it’s community life.

Jonathan is a candidate for elder’s orders in the Florida Annual Conference, he grew up in the Orlando Area and is still a member of Ocoee Oaks United Methodist Church. Satomi, who was born and raised in Okinawa, spent 13 years of her life in Osaka where she met and begin to follow Christ.  She and Jonathan met at her home church,  J-House, a non-denominational church in the heart of Osaka.

Jonathan earned a bachelor of arts in music and international studies from Emory University, Atlanta, in 2003, and a master of divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois, in the spring of 2008.  Although coming to the mainland of Japan originally for work,  Satomi later went to Ikoma Bible College in Nara, and graduated in 2007.

Jonathan loves music, nature and languages.  Satomi enjoys music, cooking and time with friends.  Together they enjoy traveling and meeting new people.

The Asian Rural Institute seeks to build an environmentally healthy, just, and peaceful ecumenical ministry in which all persons can live to their fullest potential. The institute is rooted in the love of Jesus Christ. It trains rural leaders for lives of sharing and work in grassroots communities, primarily in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific region. It emphasizes sustainable agriculture, sound ecological practices, leadership development, and community development. Since 1973, ARI has trained over 1,000 women and men from more than 50 countries throughout Asia and Africa.

If you are interested in financially supporting The McCurleys and their ministry in Japan, you can do so online through The Advance.

You can also support by check made out to the General Board of Global Ministries. Please put Advance # 3021131 in the memo line and send the check to GBGM, The Advance, 475 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10115.