Our Purpose

Nagoya English Fellowship exists to:

• Provide a haven of encouragement, spiritual nourishment and fellowship to internationals in the Nagoya area.
• To build up and mutually encourage one another in the walk of faith.
• Bring the light of the gospel to Japanese and encourage them to join a congregation

History

Nagoya English Fellowship (or NEF) began as the English worship service of New Life Church (a Japanese congregation). In 1996, because of the growth we experienced, New Life church allowed us to establish an independent fellowship with English as our medium. Willie and Mimi Gonzales together with the people attending the English worship service from New Life Church started NEF.

In July 2003, Willie Gonzales was called to be the pastor of the fellowship and subsequently ordained. Leadership is by a Board of Elders of whom the pastor is a member, and all decisions are brought before the congregation for approval.

As is the nature of any international fellowship in Japan, the number of people attending the worship service and other meetings always changes. Membership is on a commitment basis because most people who come still maintain membership at their local church.

NEF is involved with and supports a number of Christian organizations such as Campus Crusade for Christ, HOPE International Development Agency and Integrity Sunday School Ministries.

Contact us

email: NEFbulletin@gmail.com

phone: 080-4226-1007

Time

10:45 am – 12:15 pm. Usually after the church service, the whole congregation goes out to lunch somewhere in downtown Nagoya.

Children

Kids are more than welcome! We have a play area in the back for the little ones and Sunday School during the sermons for the bigger ones.

Dress

Please dress casually! We want you to feel as comfortable as possible.

Communion

We have communion on the first Sunday of each month and on Easter. You are welcome to join us in commemorating the Lord’s Supper if you a professing Christian.

Language

Japanese translation is available during the service from one of our members. We also have bilingual services twice a month. Please come, even if your English is not perfect!

We meet at the Nishi Shogai Gakushu Center, in Joshin. Joshin is on the Tsurumai (blue) subway line, 4 stops from Nagoya station. Take exit 6 and walk a short way north, until you get to a courtyard. Turn left and you’ll see the Center. Go up the steps, through the doors, and turn right, and you’ll see a sign for NEF to your right.

Parking is available in a structure adjacent to the Center’s northeast corner. Tell them that you’re going to the Center and they’ll give you a small ticket to get stamped. Sign in at the Center when you come, and they will stamp your ticket, and parking will only be 300 yen (normally it is 560 yen per hour).
There is also parking avalible 

Address: 1-1-45 Joshin, Nishi-ku, Nagoya
In Japanese: 日本愛知県名古屋市西区浄心１−１−４５

View map in another tab

Willie Gonzales started NEF in 1996. He has lived in Japan for 16 years with his wife Mimi. Willie and Mimi were both born in the Philippines. Willie works as an English teacher and an artist, but his hidden talents are abundant. You’ll find him fixing bicycles, racing cars, cooking, stumping you with random trivia, singing, playing badminton or volleyball, cycling, painting, sculpting, and even once in a while telling you a gag or two. Willie attended Asian Theological Seminary and was ordained in November 2002.

Statement of Faith

NEF is an Evangelical Protestant congregation.

We believe the Bible to be the inspired and inerrant (in its original form) word of God and that together with the Holy Spirit, it is the authoritative source and guide for the practice of a life of faith.

We believe in the priesthood of all believers.

We believe that all Christians need fellowship for growth and encouragement.

We use the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed as our confession of faith.

The Apostles’ Creed

We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

Amen.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.