About 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 200 each week, over one-fourth of whom are not yet Christians. There are currently three pastors serving the two Chapels, with help from Jim and Barbara Blocksom. Jim Blocksom retired as director of ICM in 2010 and is now Pastor Emeritus.

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
2010	James Blocksom retires as director and head pastor of ICM and is replaced by Chris Momose (new director of ICM Japan) and Steven Rohrer (new director of ICM USA).