Christar Japan: Spreading the Gospel throughout Yamaguchi-ken...

Gary was not raised in a Christian home; However, it was a good, moral, and loving home. He started drinking at the age of 14 and it was all down hill from there until he went on a trip to Florida on his first winter break from college. He "ended up" (God's Divine Guidance!) staying in a home where three Christian men lived. After five hours of discussion about the Bible, he confessed Christ as his own personal savior and the call to take the Gospel to those who do not have it so readily available as it is in America. He returned from his winter break to finish his Associate's Degree in building and construction at Delhi Agricultural & Technical College in Delhi, NY. After graduation, he attended the Word of Life Bible Institute for one year in Schroon Lake, NY. He and Beth started dating from that Fall (79) and were married 6/6/80 with the commitment of serving God in a foreign country. God lead them to one year of missionary service in Chiba Ken, Japan with Conservative Baptist Foreign Missions Society. Upon their return to the States, Gary finished his Bachelor's degree at Philadelphia College of Bible.

Beth was raised in a Christian home and was saved at the age of eight. She responded to God's call concerning missions at the age of twelve. Upon graduation from high school she attended school to become a dental assistant and worked as a dental assistant for many years. God lead her to attend Liberty Baptist College for one year where she took courses on youth ministries. Her call to a foreign field was put on the back burner until God brought her and Gary together. In October of 1985 they came to Japan with International Missions (now Christar) as full time missionaries with their two small children, Karen (two years old) and Peter (9 months old). After births of another daughter, Rebecca, and a set of twins, Brian and Bruce, God lead them to return to the states to receive more aggressive therapy for Brian, who has cerebral palsy. While in the States, Gary ministered at the Christar home office (12/95 - 11/02) as the Director of Donor Relations and Development.

God opened the door for the Catons to return to Japan in November of 2002 where they ministered on the Iwakuni Team until a Japanese pastor was called in 2004. Gary and Beth feel called to work with children and have been able to do so in many locations.  They are now teamed with Pastor Nakamura and are helping the Shunan Christ Church plant a new church in the city of Yanai.

Karen (23) graduated from the Word of Life Bible Institute in 2002 and from Appalachian Bible College (ABC) in 2005 where she majored in elementary education. Daniel DeVerna and Karen were married on a May 20, 2005.  Daniel completed his degree at ABC in May of 2007. Karen and Daniel have been accepted as career church planting missionaries to Japan with Biblical Ministries Worldwide.

Peter (22) graduated from Philadelphia Biblical University in 2006 where he majored in business management and Bible. Peter and Amanda Kulp were married on May 20, 2006.  (Lord willing, Peter will become a rich businessman and support his aging parents in Japan!!!)

Rebecca (17) is a senior in high school (9/07) and is home schooled. She does a tremendous job of helping us reach out to the children and older kids in our neighborhood. She is plans on attending the Word of Life Bible Institute upon graduation in 2008.

Brian and Bruce (15) are 9th graders (9/07) and are also home schooled. Their interest in basketball has opened up an opportunity to play basketball in two different clubs. We hope this will lead to Bible study with many of these folks ranging from 13 to 50 years old.

Church Planters in Yanai, Japan

E-mail (Gary): catons@afo.net

E-mail (Beth and kids): brbbcaton@SoftHome.net

Gary and Beth Caton

Gary and Beth Caton, with Rebecca, Brian and Bruce