Makito was brought up in Japan, with a short spell in the UK, and moved to Australia for his tertiary education.

After working as a primary school teacher for a number of years post-university, he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, most recently completing his Master of Arts degree in theology.

Makito has served in a wide variety of ministry roles including working with disabled people, preaching in English and Japanese, and working as a staff worker with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students. In addition he has also worked in church administration and in the translation of theological material into Japanese from English.

In January 2023 Makito was appointed Associate Director of Samurai Projects, which is one of the key initiatives of the Tokyo Marunouchi Partnership, based in central Tokyo.

Currently, a significant percentage of Japanese pastors are over the age of 70, and according to some estimates around 50% of all churches in Japan will be without a pastor by 2030.

There is also a lack of Christians who are able and motivated to reach out to others with the good news of Jesus, creating a huge need to raise up more gospel workers. Samurai Projects seeks to partner with local churches to help encourage and train the next generation of pastors and leaders, and to provide opportunities for people to serve as apprentices under able and experienced Japanese leaders.

As part of the team, Makito will be helping to train many of those who will lead Christ's church in future, as well as those seeking to be Jesus' ambassadors in the workplace, politics, the arts and elsewhere.

Check out this video which introduces the work of Samurai Projects:

Makito would love to hear from you. In particular, he would really appreciate your partnership in prayer and financially. To partner with Makito in prayer, please sign up for his prayer letters by filling in this form:

Here's how you can partner with him financially:  

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