Preacher/Teacher/Administrator

Missionaries in Japan with OMS International from 1956-1995, Charles and JoAnn Dupree enjoyed a successful and varied ministry. Charles and JoAnn are graduates of Asbury College and studied at Asbury Theological Seminary. Charles went to Japan in 1953 as a short-termer with the OMS Every Creature Crusade. For two years he worked in door-to-door and tent evangelism. He returned to Japan in 1956 with JoAnn, where they supervised the Every reature Crusade teams, assisted the new churches and pioneered a youth camping program.

Later Charles served as OMS Japan and Tokyo Biblical Seminary treasurer and business manager. During this time he planned the building of a campsite on Oshima Island, just outside Tokyo Bay. After seven years as business administrator of Christian Academy in Japan, the missionary children’s school in Tokyo, Charles and JoAnn ministered in the Kinki District from July 1983 through May 1995. Their responsibilities included assisting the district churches in their evangelism and training programs and supervising the OMS personnel appointed to the district. The district churches increased from 12 to 17 as a result. During this time Charles also coordinated the development of a campsite on Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake.

JoAnn conducted cooking classes that included chapel services where the Gospel was presented. Annually she reached more than 350 mostly non-Christian women as she conducted classes in 14 churches and their home. In 1993 she published a Japanese cookbook/devotional now in its fourth printing. An English supplement was also produced to assist other missionaries in cooking evangelism.

The Duprees were living in Nishinomiya (bordering Kobe) in January 1995 when Japan’s most devastating earthquake hit the area. Charles and JoAnn lived in their damaged home for months afterward and ministered physically and spiritually to their neighbors and the people of the district’s churches.

The Duprees have five children, one daughter and four sons. The youngest son, Stephen and his family are OMS missionaries assigned to Japan. Stephen received a Ph.D. in Missiology from Asbury Theological Seminary and is a professor at Tokyo Biblical Seminary. His wife Beth received a Masters in Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary and is now the counselor at Christian Academy in Japan.

Charles and JoAnn are presently living in Nicholasville, Kentucky. They assist churches in planning their missions program, speak in mission conferences and minister in the Lexington Japanese Church. Charles also supervises Japanese Asbury Theological Seminary students doing their Supervised Ministry at the Lexington Japanese Church. He continues to be the mentor of one of the Japanese seminary students. Charles is presently serving as missions chairman at Nicholasville United Methodist Church.

Missionary ID #801248