Schafer, Jason & Mandy

Originally from California, Jason studied engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Mandy stayed in her hometown, studying education at the University of Nebraska–Kearney. Both were student leaders in The Navigators ministry at their respective universities, where they both had the opportunity to befriend Japanese international students. They met while Jason was in graduate school and Mandy was a missionary in Shizuoka, Japan, with The Navigators. They dated very intentionally long distance for about a year before tying the knot.

Called to pastoral ministry, Jason pursued a master of divinity at Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, and Mandy worked as an elementary ESL teacher. During seminary, the Lord began calling them to long-term ministry in Japan with MTW.

The Schafers are moved by Japan’s great beauty and brokenness. Japanese are affluent, traditional, and loyal, yet many struggle with isolation, depression, and hopelessness. Most have never met a Christian or heard the hope of the gospel. As part of the church-planting team in Tokyo, their vision is to share the gospel and help establish communities of faith in this city, one of the most influential in Japan, Asia, and the world.