Tom and Debi Going
Serving the Lord in Japan
Bio
Tom and Debi Going are missionaries through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in Japan. Tom serves as an educational missionary at Urawa Lutheran School (ULS), a school the LCMS started just north of Tokyo in 1953. He teaches English and works with the school’s summer exchange and faculty development programs that seek to connect ULS with American students and faculty.
Tom and Debi have been extensively involved in international missionary work, including more than 20 years of service with the LCMS. In the early 1990s, Tom and Debi first went to Japan to serve with the Volunteer Youth Ministry (VYM) program and teach English to Japanese students.
Tom earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. He received his teaching credential and certification as a director of Christian education (DCE) from Concordia University, Irvine, Calif. Debi received her bachelor’s degree in art from Concordia University, Irvine, along with her teaching credential and certification as a DCE. Their home congregation is St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Columbus, Ind. They enjoy music, traveling and sports. Tom and Debi have twin children, Megumi and Isaac, who serve with them in Japan.
Prayers
Pray for the Goings, that God would continue to bless their ministry to ULS students (only about 5% of whom are Christian) and their fellow teachers (only about 30% of whom are Christian). Ask God to continue giving their family good health and enthusiasm to serve, along with the energy and patience to share the Gospel.
In addition, pray for Megumi and Isaac as they study the Japanese language in their homeschool lessons. Pray also for the Japanese people, that their hearts and minds would be open to learning more about Christianity. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind them of the Gospel and the love and grace God has for them, as well as to break the bondage they feel under their ancestors.
Download prayer card
Additional Information
- Birthdays:
- Tom - Jan. 8
- Debi - June 18
- Megumi - Feb. 24
- Isaac - Feb. 24
- Wedding Anniversary: March 25
- Home District: Indiana
Partner with us
Giving Online: You can partner with the LCMS by making an online gift restricted in use to the support of the GOING family.
Give Now
Giving by Check: You can also make a donation towards this family’s ministry by check.
Mail your check, made payable to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and designated with their last name, to:
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-6861
(Or call
888-930-4438 to speak with someone.)