Introducing our five-member family. This is our "church-planting team" here in Japan. We also left family behind in the States, and up in Yamagata. You can also view our photo album section for more photos, and to get an idea of our extended family.

Both Kevin and Kaori Laverman grew up in Christian homes and attended Baptist churches from a young age. However, Kevin’s home was in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, while Kaori’s was in the mountains of northern Yamagata, Japan. They met in 1990 during Kevin’s short-term missions work at Zao Christ Church, a CB church plant in Northern Japan which was also Kaori’s home church. Kevin and Kaori were married in the United States in 1993.

After being appointed by CBInternational (currently WorldVenture) for career service in 1997, the Lavermans moved to Japan in early 1999. Kevin spent the first two years in language and cultural study at the International Christian University. Meanwhile, Kaori watched their son, Justen Keiji, and began some Bible study groups for young mothers whose children attended a local kindergarten. After Kevin completed language studies in August 2001, the family moved to the Yokohama/Kawasaki area to begin a church planting work. The Lavermans are working with a core group of believers to multiply leadership and Bible study groups using believers’ homes.

The group launched their first Sunday worship service as Denen Grace Chapel (www.denengracechapel.org) in November 2001. Currently, the group of around 30 meets in a private hall for Sunday services. Twice monthly a relaxed "coffeehouse" style music service called "Sanbi Cafe" is also offered. A Gospel workshop and English classes attract community seekers. Small group Bible studies for ladies, men, and not-yet-Christians are also conducted. Believers are growing spiritually and becoming excited by the opportunities to reach their friends for Christ.

In 1988, during a school missions conference at Moody Bible Instititute where he was attending, Kevin committed his life to serve the Lord in overseas missions work if He should so call. As he prayed through this commitment in the months to come, he felt the Lord leading him to take the next step. Kevin went for two consecutive summers with L.I.F.E. Ministries in Japan while a student at Moody. He worked at Zao Baptist Church and assisted the church's English outreach ministries. God broke his heart for the deep spiritual needs of the Japanese people blinded by ancient beliefs, and brought someone very special into his life at the same time...

Kaori was on staff at Zao Baptist Church: a church started by CBInternational (currently WorldVenture) missionaries decades earlier. She had attended Tokyo Christian College and majored in Music and Theology, graduating with a bachelors degree in 1990. After completing her education, Kaori felt called to return to her home church in Yamagata and help lead the growing needs of its ministries and outreach programs. One such outreach was the summer evangelism program hosted by L.I.F.E. Ministries that Kevin was a part of. The couple met in 1991 and were soon engaged.

Kevin returned to Chicago to finish schooling at Moody, graduating in 1992 with a B.A. in communications. He then returned to Japan as a short-term worker with CBInternational (currently WorldVenture). There he worked with John and Eriko Houlette at Nishitama Baptist Church in Tokyo. Teaching conversational English and assisting with the ministries of the church deepened his love for the Japanese people and his commitment to God's call upon his life as His servant to Japan.

Kevin and Kaori married in 1993 and have an 11-year old boy, Justen Keiji. Though it's said that east is east and west is west, the Lavermans have discovered that in Christ there is perfect unity, especially when two are united in service for Him.

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