Called to missions at age five and to Japan specifically at age twelve, it would be twenty years before Rick would arrive with his wife Jean in Japan as UPCI missionaries. Originally sent to build churches reaching American military personnel, their work since 1993 has focused primarily on evangelizing the Japanese. Bro. Lucas served as General Director of the Japan UPC from 1997 until 2014 during which time the work experienced steady growth which continues today. Pastoring, evangelizing, opening new works, discipleship, leadership, and Purpose Institute training has produced outstanding leaders and workers for the Church of Japan.
It has also produced, both through US military personnel and Internationals won in the work in Japan, leaders that are starting churches and ministering in numerous places across the USA and around the world. Because of the spirit of the work, it has resulted in all three of the Lucas’ sons being deeply involved in ministry as licensed ministers in the UPCI and their youngest son, Jason, serving as an Associate Missionary in Japan. Jason will continue to serve along with Japanese leadership while the Lucases are on deputation.