Why the Name “Tamarisk”?

Planting Today for the Next Generation

The tamarisk is a tree that grows in the deserts of the Middle East, including ancient Israel.

Its roots grow deep into dry ground, and it matures slowly over many years.

In Genesis 21, after Abraham secured a well at Beersheba, he planted a tamarisk tree.

“Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.”

Genesis 21:33

As a tamarisk grows, its deep roots draw water from beneath the desert, creating cool shade for those who rest beneath it.

But that shade doesn’t appear overnight.

It takes decades for the tree to mature.

Abraham planted it not for himself, but for future generations—believing that one day someone else would enjoy the shade of the tree he planted.

Our Heart

This is why we chose the name Tamarisk.

Our prayer is to see a culture of disciple-making take deep root in the churches of Japan through the kind of life-on-life relationships that Jesus modeled.

This work cannot be rushed.

It grows over years—even generations.

We may never see its full harvest.

But we believe the seeds we plant today will become a place of strength, encouragement, and hope for those who come after us.

Our prayer is that churches across Japan will become places where disciples make disciples and new churches continue to be planted for generations to come.

May Tamarisk become a tree whose shade blesses future generations.