Sandy and her husband Brent began their lives as missionaries in India, where they worked for 3 years until problems with Brent's health would bring their time there to a close. After spending time in California teaching, they moved to Kojima, Japan in 1991 to be missionaries. They supported themselves by teaching English, and helped to establish Logos, an English school in Kojima.

In 2002, Brent and Sandy welcomed the first Let's Start Talking team to Kojima, which was comprised of 12 members of our congregation. Since then, they have been trusting God to enable them to focus more and more on evangelism.

In recent years, Brent and Sandy had moved (and put a lot of work) into a 3 story building, where they also taught English, hold Bible studies, host community building activities, and worship with the Kojima church. On October 28, 2017 they had a grand opening celebration for the Logos Fureai House, a community center where all are welcome and able to experience the love of God through his church. On December 18, 2017 Brent Rogers went home to be with the Savior whom he served with faith and love. Sandy has continued with their missionary work since then, and is now focusing on helping to build up and establish the local Japanese christians as leaders of the Kojima church, as she prepares to move back to the states to be near family within the next couple of years.

Brent Wood Rogers

July 4, 1959 - December 18, 2017

Below is a note from Wendy and Lyle Thompson remembering Brent Rogers

On December 18th, our dear friend Brent Rogers went home to be with the Savior whom he served with faith and love. He and his wife Sandy have shared a lifetime of work in missions, as well as teaching English as a second language. God's calling has taken them to California, Arkansas, India and Japan. Since 1991, Brent and Sandy have ministered to souls in Japan, where they have shared God's love, built trusting relationships with many people, and taught English.

We met Brent for the first time in 2002, when we first served with Let's Start Talking. Since then, our congregation has helped to support the mission in Kojima, and we have sent teams there several times. Over the years we have seen the impact that Brent had on those he came into contact with. In a country where people often feel unconnected and lonely, Brent shined bright as an example of love and caring. He persevered joyfully in facilitating the Church in Kojima,where the members are nurtured and built up in their fatih and understanding of God's word. His English students loved him, from small children to adults. He encouraged, he taught , he played, he joked; he rejoiced with those who rejoiced and wept with those who wept. Hearing his Japanese student's repeating his oft used phrases, "Hoola Harla!" and, "Down, down Shilly down, down!" was a reflection of how much they loved him.

Even though Brent struggled with many health issues throughout his life, he called on His Father's strength to help him serve faithfully. He often taught and ministered even when he felt sick. Brent was legally blind, but that never stopped him from riding his bike all over Kojima to meet with church members and students. Plus, he was no slouch at Ping Pong.

Please keep Sandy in your prayers. She and Brent have shared a lifetime of love, partnership, and friendship that have been an example for everyone who knows them. Also pray for their children, Tim and Rachel, as well as their grandchildren.

When we say we have been richly blessed by having had Brent in our lives, it is because words are insufficient to express how much we truly love him.

-Wendy and Lyle