About: What is International Chapel Ministries (ICM)

  A Brief Introduction

International Chapel Ministries (ICM) is a Protestant, evangelical group begun in 1981, through the work of Jim and Barbara Blocksom.

International Chapel has churches in two locations: Kyotanabe City (Kyoto Prefecture) and Ikoma City (Nara Prefecture). The Chapels now have an average attendance of over 300 each week, over one-third of which are not yet Christians. We have over a dozen staff workers and pastoral staff.

Each Chapel is bilingual. The music and messages of each service are in both English and Japanese, creating a warm, friendly environment for both English and Japanese speakers, as well as providing a bilingual environment for those who wish to improve their language skills.

Our goal here at ICM is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with both Japanese and people from overseas, train them to be vital Christians and teach how to share in spreading the good news to the people around them. Here at ICM, we train workers to become leaders, evangelists, preachers and teachers in the church.

 
  ICM History
 
1962 James and Barbara Blocksom establish themselves as missionaries in Kyoto.
1981 International Chapel Ministries (ICM) is established
The Kyoto International Chapel is started
1982 In the Nara area, Ikoma International Chapel is started
1989 In North Osaka, Moriguchi International Chapel is started
This church in Osaka was closed down in June, 2008, with the hope of starting a new church in the future in our own building.
1991 In Ikoma, Friendly Chapel is constructed
1994 ICM publication (ICM Press) is established
1996 The Kyoto International University (KIU) is established
In Kyotanabe, Kyoto, church hall is constructed
1999 KIU Academy is established
2000 In East Osaka, Suminodo International Chapel is started (Closed in 2002)
2001 KIU builds its second school building
2002 In Ikoma, Friendly Hall is constructed
2003 KIU builds its third school building
2006 ICM celebrates 25 years of service to Japan