OMS Global Impact Report Global Impact Report 2018-19 | Page 4

Our Story
It all began with one simple conversation … one
couple engaging one man. On a Sunday morning at Grace
Methodist Church in Chicago, just before the turn of the 20 th century, Charles and
Lettie Cowman encountered a young Japanese pas-
tor named Juji Nakada. He had traveled to America
to learn how to preach more effectively.
Charles and Lettie could have easily ignored the
Japanese man who took his seat directly in front of
them. Instead, they chose to engage him in conver-
sation, which eventually led to their selling every-
thing they owned and sailing to Japan.
After landing in Japan, they went right to work,
holding worship services every night for 10 years,
with an average of 1,000 seekers a year. But Charles
sought more souls, and God gave him a vision and a
plan to reach every home in Japan with the Gospel.
They called the audacious, systematic plan The
Great Village Campaign.
Together, missionaries and Japanese coworkers
traveled thousands of miles on foot to accomplish
this God-sized goal. They spent tireless nights train-
ing the new Japanese believers to make and train
more disciples.
They faced much opposition, nearly running out
of resources to carry out the mission, but God never
failed them. By the end of 1917, The Great Village
Campaign was complete! Every home in Japan had
received a Bible or Scripture portion!
This is the past, present, and future purpose of
OMS, to reach every home, nation, and person for
Christ, without reserve, retreat, or regret.
Top, left to right: Charles
Cowman sits at his desk;
the Cowmans arrive in Japan;
the Kilbournes; the Nakadas.
Right: Charles Cowman
distributes Gospel tracts.
1901
Cowmans
arrive in Japan
Because one simple conversation took place, many thousands
across the globe have come to know and follow Christ.
1902
Kilbournes
arrive in Japan
4 OMS Global Impact Report
1912
The Great Village Campaign begins
(a plan to evangelize all of Japan)
1917
The Great Village Campaign
successfully completed
1925
Streams in the Desert published
(top-selling devotional by Lettie Cowman)
1943
The Oriental Missionary Society moves
beyond Asia into South America