Neil was from the Kalihari desert in South Africa, while Peggy was from London, England. Coming from two very different backgrounds, yet united by one common cause, the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Japanese.
Neil & Peggy met while at Bible School in Kobe, Japan and felt strongly the call to minister to the Japanese who had been stricken with tuberculosis in the years following Word War II.
The motto of the Japan Mission is taken from Jeremiah 33:3, "Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."
Although founded to reach those suffering with tuberculosis, Japan Mission has sought to adapt to the changing needs within Japan, while at the same time remaining faithful to the Gospel message of salvation by faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.
One of the verses that Neil quotes to illustrate this desire to adapt to the changes around and reach the Japanese, while remaining true to the Gospel, is found in John 21:6 (ESV), where Jesus tells His disciples to, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.' The various methods Japan Mission has used over the years to reach Japanese with the Gospel have included, hospital evangelism, newspaper evangelism, radio evangelism, literature evangelism, audio/visual outreach, outreach to seniors homes, International School outreach, preaching & teaching as well as English evangelism.
Being adaptable and yet faithful to the truth is a foundational aspect of the work of Japan Mission and has enabled the work to continue for more than half a century. Founded by Neil & Peggy Verwey, then carried on by David & Sue Verwey (Neil & Peggy's son and daughter-in-law) and currently David & Sue have been joined by Alex & Eri Verwey as the third generation of Verwey's who have been 'Called to Serve' in the great land of Japan.
You can read much more about Japan Mission, it's current vision and some of the amazing stories telling of how God has worked in the past through His servants there, on the web-site at: www.japanmission.org. Japan Mission have been blessed with a network of keen volunteers in various countries oversees, who pray for the work and keep churches and individual supporters up-to-date with what's going on in Japan and the needs of the mission and staff in Japan.
In fact, the Japan Mission bi-monthly bulletin was how I (Aaron) found out about the work of Japan Mission, and of the need they had back in 1996 of a person to come and help in their office in Japan. After hearing about the need, and seeking the Lord's guidance, Aaron ended up leaving his home country of N. Ireland and travelling to Japan in October 1997. He ended up staying there until 2003, during which time he met and married Crystal Folk from Canada.
If you'd like to read more about Neil & Peggy's call to Japan, click here.
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