By Naomi Balk

CIU Student Writer

 Columbia International University alumnus Ken Katayama is the new chairman of the board of Missio Nexus, the largest association of Great Commission churches and organizations in North America.

Katayama serves as president of the missions agency Crossover Communications, founded by CIU Chancellor Dr. Bill Jones. For the next two years he will also chair Missio Nexus, which he describes as “a great honor.”

Katayama has been associated with Crossover for 19 years, a ministry that began for him with a five-week internship. Crossover plants churches among people who have no access to the gospel.

“The church is the most powerful, self-sustaining native way to communicate the gospel,” Katayama said in an interview after speaking at a recent CIU Chapel.

He also warns those involved in missions to not compromise the Bible, but to be grounded in the Scriptures.

“Books are being written addressing ‘Mission Derail,’ where people miss the heart of the mission,” Katayama said. “I think that having an organization, a great board and team is vital in making sure the mission and vision is spoken in the culture of the organization and agency.”

Meanwhile, in his Chapel message to the CIU student body, Katayama warned students to not compromise in their Christian walk.

“Let’s be followers of Christ who commit ourselves to follow Him with the power of the Holy Spirit to be salt and light so that we can serve Him,” Katayama said.

 Katayama completed his undergraduate degree in Bible at CIU in 2011, and is currently working toward a CIU Master of Arts in Muslim Studies.

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