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Leaving ReachGlobal
July 2025
Dear Supporters and Friends,
Many of you have already received a letter announcing that I am leaving ReachGlobal. This may seem like a sudden thing, but I can see how God has been leading me in this direction even before joining the organization. Since my first missions trip abroad to India in 2011 I knew that God wanted to use me in some kind of international context. I studied business in college and wondered how God would direct me. After an unexpected redirection to join an Apex team in the summer of 2016, I landed in Tokyo, Japan five years after going to India.
That Apex trip changed my life trajectory. I felt God calling me to Japan as a missionary. At that time, the team leader, Rob, was interested in starting a coffee shop to use for ministry. He came out of a business background and I really caught onto his vision. When I moved to Japan the first time, Rob unfortunately had to leave the team, but a part of me never lost that original vision.
The Tokyo team mission refocused on church planting, and while I still had thoughts of using my business skills for ministry, I found other ways to use them within our new context. During my first two years we had three small churches meeting in homes. I did college ministry and started a youth ministry with my friend Kelly for our church. I loved it and saw God at work in so many ways.
When Covid happened and I got stuck in the states, I made the decision to move out to Michigan to intern with New Heart Church in Grand Rapids. Living with Harold and Kristi, the mentorship and discipleship from Pastor Adam, and the support and love from the church community helped me grow in my faith and confidence in ministry skills. After the boarders reopened and I was finally able to get back to Japan I was so excited.
My team grew, I got connected with my church in deeper ways, and saw God at work in the lives of those around me. Those first couple years back were challenging but also brought a new level of fruitfulness to my ministry. My Japanese ability increased and I could share the gospel with more fluency. I was hosting church and small groups in my apartment. I was part of a really encouraging discipleship group with some people from my church. Within my organization I was being asked to take on some new bigger responsibilities.
It felt like everything was going right, and yet, I began to feel this little nudge from God reminding me of that original vision. That voice grew and grew until I couldn't ignore it anymore. I didn't know what this meant for my future. But, last spring I took a personal retreat and began praying asking God what he wanted me to do. I didn't receive a lot of clarity then but I felt like I needed to start pursuing this thread. I talked with my team leaders and started connecting with Christians who were doing business in Japan and Asia seeking guidance.
I met with people who were running small businesses, Christians who were in the corporate world, and some who had even opened coffee shops like my team was originally thinking of doing. The ways they did ministry were different in their different contexts, but I was inspired. I realized I wanted to do something like that. I have loved working with my team and our church plants, but with the way God has wired me and the gifts he has given me, I feel like I could be better used in a more administrative position.
With this possible transition, I really wanted to take time to make sure this was where God was leading me. I also wanted to discern whether I would try to do this within ReachGlobal or outside of it. I decided to wait until my home assignment where I could have some separation from Japan and ministry and also get some rest before I made the final decision. I came back to the US in April and spent May and June in a time of Renew. I spent a lot of time in prayer and thought. By the end, it became clear that God was leading me to leave ReachGlobal and pursue business.
One thing that I heard over and over again from all the business people I talked with was that I need experience. I have a degree in business administration and have developed some good admin skills over the years especially with helping with the Asia conferences, but went straight to the missions field after graduating. If I want to start a business or work for a business and do it well in a way that I can use it for ministry, then I need some experience first.
So, I am leaving ReachGlobal and am going to pursue getting the experience I need. I am considering working a bit and possibly going back to school to get my MBA. I don't have full clarity on what that will look like yet, but my long term goal would be to learn what I need to and then I could move back to Japan and start a business there.
In all of this I am not closing the door with ReachGlobal and I would love to work with my team in Tokyo or partner with them in the future. I love everyone in the organization and it is truly hard to leave. I am so grateful for all of the support and encouragement I have received from them over the years.
I am also so grateful for all of you. Without your support and prayers none of this would have been possible. Thank you so much!
My last day with ReachGlobal is August 31st. I would ask you to please continue your support through August if possible. If you are giving by automatic withdrawals, they will be canceled after August without any action on your part. If you have any questions about your support you can contact donor services at 800-745-2202.
I plan to send out at least one more newsletter in August, but feel free to reach out before then too. If you want to read the letter that was sent out about my departure from ReachGlobal you can click on the link below.
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While I was in Minnesota, I got to see my former teammates Howard and Marilynn!
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Debrief Retreat
My time of Renew (sabbatical) was so so good. I really needed the rest and time to process my last term on the field. Thank you for praying for that time!
I ended the two months of Renew by going out to Minnesota for a mandatory Debrief run by our member care. I landed in Minneapolis and then we went to a nearby retreat center for three days. Being out in nature really helped to decompress and set the mood for the time we were there.
There were eleven other missionaries at the debrief from countries all over. We talked about the challenges and highlights of our last term on the field. We talked about transitions and the difficulties of adjusting to different contexts. And, we had space to share without any judgement. It was a healing time for everyone.
Something that isn't talked about much with missionaries is how hard it can be to be back in the states after living abroad. There are all kinds of challenges like reverse culture shock. I was personally shocked by how expensive things are here! Especially now that I am going to be back in the US for a bit longer it was really helpful to have the time to think through these things.
I am really glad that I could go out to Minnesota for the Debrief. It was great to see people from the home office since I don't know when I'm going to see them again. It was probably my last trip out to Minneapolis for a while. It's the start of many bittersweet goodbyes.
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A beautiful nature trail at the retreat center.
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Prayer Requests
- Pray for my transition. This is a big step of faith to leave ReachGlobal and move into the business world. Please be praying for continued direction and wisdom in how to best get the experience I need. Pray that I could get a job and find housing and everything I need for this next season.
- Pray for the goodbyes. Saying goodbye is always hard. Please pray that I could do it well. Pray that God would protect me and everyone I have to say goodbye to from discouragement.
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Thanks for reading!
I appreciate you all! As always, feel free to email me at adam.bailey@efca.org. You can also go to my website at adamintokyo.com. Thanks! - Adam Bailey
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