Local Church is the realization of a dream God put in our hearts in 2017. Years of conversation and prayer have brought us to this time and place to begin a ministry in our absolute favorite area of Japan - Shonan.​
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Jeff felt the call to ministry while living in Tokyo during the 2011 disasters. He moved to the Northeastern region of Japan to plant a church in the tsunami-affected city of Sendai, where he stayed until 2016. After that, Jeff once again answered the call to help in planting a church in Honolulu, Hawaii for a period of approximately 3 months. This 3 months turned into two years before he would eventually return to Japan to marry the lovely Kotoko.
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Kotoko was born and raised in Tokyo, but became a Christian while living abroad in Honolulu. She is passionate about building local community and spending time with her French Bulldog, Ham.
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Edit: The Rodkin's are now a family of 3, as they welcomed their daughter, Liliko, in May 2023.
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OUR
STORY
Jeff & Kotoko Rodkin
OUR VALUES
Local-centered
We are passionate about being in the place where people live and do life. Everything we do reflects our love for the people in this geographic radius God has called us to.
Community-focused
Relationships are everything. First with God, second with each other. We believe the Christian life was designed to be walked out alongside great friends.
Generosity-driven
We believe people need to experience generosity before they can be expected to be generous. Generosity should begin from within the church and overflow to the local community.
Acts 2:42-47
[42] All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. [43] A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. [44] And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. [45] They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. [46] They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — [47] all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.