SJEC is a congregation of Naremburn-Cammeray Anglican Church, and the Smiths began ministering there shortly after returning from 18 years in Japan with the Church Missionary Society.

“It is strange [to finish] and we’re still feeling that strangeness,” Mr Smith says. “But we’re very thankful that the past few years in particular have brought in a number of core families and significant growth among the kids. There are up to 25 kids from zero to Year 6 and we’ve got kids going into youth group as well...

“God has provided, and we’re very thankful. It is hard to get a cultural ministry growing and sustainable, but I think the model of being integrated into Naremburn-Cammeray has given it sustainability, support for me as a pastor, also accountability and a bit of financial security. I think it’s the best model for that sort of ministry.”

By its very nature, the church has seen many people come and go over the years – some Japanese men and women returning home as Christians, others coming back to Australia to undertake further theological study at Moore College or Sydney Missionary and Bible College. Some Australian-born members of the congregation in 2026 are also heading towards future mission work in Japan, so there is a growing number of ministry coworkers at SJEC that lead Bible studies, preach and teach children and youth.

And when core members of the congregation depart to return home, Mr Smith says, God always provides people to take their place. In his farewell sermon, he reflected on his years at SJEC and how God’s hand has remained on the church and its people.

“Even before I arrived, God sent people, provided places to meet, and led individuals to salvation,” he said. “Under God’s guidance, Japanese missionaries were sent to Sydney; a returned Australian missionary opened her apartment. Following a car accident, two Japanese individuals were led to salvation.

“By God’s hand, several Japanese Christians started gathering with missionaries and a Japanese missionary pastor. Sydney Japanese Evangelical Church was born...

“Over the years God has sent working holiday makers, students, mums and dads, people with relationship problems, people thirsty for meaning and purpose in life, people running away from work stress, people struggling to live in a foreign country – people who have come to church and been exposed to the gospel.

“SJEC’s ministry is very much one of seed-sowing. And in God’s kindness, some people have become Christians. All of it is God’s work.”

In addition to farewelling the Smiths at the service, the members of SJEC officially welcomed Dave McIntyre as their new leader, along with his wife Beck and their family. In a symbolic handover, Mr Smith gave Mr McIntyre a box full of welcome cards that visitors to the church had filled in since 2010 – more than 1000 of them – providing the ultimate contact list.

Mr McIntyre grew up in Japan as the son of CMS missionaries and returned to Sydney last year after a decade serving in Japan with his own family.

“We’re hoping and praying that we can build on what Grahame and Cathy have faithfully done over 17 years,” he says. “We can already see there is a bunch of faithful people who really love the Lord and who really want to see Japanese people come to know the Lord.

“I’m excited to work with them to serve the congregation so that together we can be a light in Sydney, particularly for Japanese people.”

After 15 years as rector of Merrylands, the Rev Rod Kerr was inducted as rector of Menangle on March 18.

Continuing his 11-year connection with St Matt’s, West Pennant Hills – from lay minister to senior assistant minister – the Rev Chris Donald will become rector of the parish on May 8.