The Village Mosaic Team

Joshua, Akiko, and Naomi Jones
Team Leaders

For the last 8 years, Joshua Jones has served as founder and Executive Director of Emercy, a missionary care and mobilization organization. As director, Joshua has consulted with churches and missionaries in North, Central, and South America on topics ranging from short-term missions effectiveness to missionary care and church mobilization. Joshua holds a degree in Business Management from the University of Alabama. Akiko is a native Japanese who became a Christian at the age of 13. Joshua and Akiko met while serving as leaders in the Christian fellowship called Chi Alpha at the University of Alabama.

Nathan and Taren Black
Arriving September, 2008

Nathan and Taren Black have been involved in numerous church ministries for the past 10 years. They were very active in their church’s youth program, Nathan served on the worship team as a lead guitarist and they both led high school small groups. Most recently they have served on their church’s “host team” helping people feel welcomed at church and giving hospitality to all church attendees. In 2008 they attended a 5 month course with Globe International that focused on cross-cultural ministry and church planting. They are hoping to utilize their training and their God given vision by serving on the Village Mosaic team in Japan.