Daniel and Kate Speer

Daniel and Kate departed for Japan for their second internship in Tokyo on February 26, 2019. Their first internship ended August 2017. However, their daughter Audrey’s battle with bacterial meningitis and other critical health issues, as well as Katie’s health struggles, complicated the last eight months of internship. They will work at Good News FWB Chapel with Donnie and Ruth McDonald during this internship. Their goal is to become career missionaries with IM. Keep up with them through their monthly email.

Daniel was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, but soon moved with his family to Milan, Tennessee. He trusted in Christ at a young age during a church service and was baptized shortly thereafter. His testimony since is that God has been gracefully sanctifying him as He continues to work in him toward His good purpose. Kate was born in Tokyo, Japan, the first daughter of missionaries Donnie and Ruth McDonald. She trusted in Christ as a young child and was baptized at Cross Timbers Free Will Baptist Church at age seven.

Daniel grew up in Dickson, Tennessee, and graduated from Welch College in 2007 with a B.A. degree in English and Bible. He and Kate were married in 2008. Kate completed her studies at Welch, graduating with a B.S. in vocal performance and Bible in 2010. Prior to their first internship, the couple served in ministry at Cross Timbers FWB Church. In addition to teaching young adult Sunday school classes, the musically-talented pair were members of the praise team and planned Sunday evening worship services. Approved for a two-year internship in April 2013, the couple arrived in Tokyo, Japan, in August 2015. They worked primarily with Kamifukuoka FWB Church, assisting Heath and Joni Hubbard with the music program. Kate began a gospel choir ministry, a good evangelistic tool in Japan, at the Good News Chapel FWB Church. Daniel began informal language training with a Japanese tutor. The last eight months of the internship were characterized by health-related issues, the foremost of which involved their daughter Audrey. God, in His goodness, chose to heal their daughter completely of these illnesses, including a mass/tumor in her head, bacterial meningitis, and a possible bone infection. Daniel and Katie testify Jesus was their sure hope in the middle of the intense difficulty.

Their daughter, (Leah) Audrey, was born in August 2013. Their second daughter, Analeigh (pronounced On-Ah-Lee), was born in Tokyo in April 2017.