Missionary Bio

International Mission


Maravelas, Harry and Sue Serving in Japan




Ministry Description:
Harry and Sue are currently serving as church planters in Japan. With their previous ministry and evangelism experience, the Lord had prepared them well for this ministry.

The Maravelas’ have three children: David, John and Steven.

Country Profile:
Japan is an island chain, located in Eastern Asia, between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan.

While retaining its time-honored culture, Japan rapidly absorbed Western technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After its devastating defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become the second most powerful economy in the world and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. Japan has the second most technologically powerful economy in the world after the US, and third largest economy in the world after the US and China.

This nation has a population of approximately 127 million, of which 99.4% are Japanese. There is also a small minority of Koreans.

The majority of Japanese observe both Shintoism and Buddhism. Christians comprise on 0.7% of the population.

Testimonies:
Harry and Susan grew up in Christian homes. Susan says, “I never remember a time when I didn’t know Jesus as my Savior.” The greatest period of spiritual growth for Susan was during her time in college with Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. Harry has studied the Bible since age eleven. However, it was not until age seventeen that he accepted Christ as Savior.

Harry’s commitment to missions grew from careful study of the Scriptures. Both Susan and Harry attended the ‘79 Urbana Conference where they decided to pursue their interest in missions. Their call to missions was confirmed by a summer ministry in Japan in 1983.





Home Church:
EFC, Delano, MN

Birthdays:
Harry–September 25
Sue–July 17
David–9-7-85, John–5-20-87, Steven–8-29-88

Wedding Anniversary: June 20