Priscilla Probst

In today’s world, the average worker stays at a job for less than five years. Dennis and Priscilla Probst truly broke that mold as they served in Japan for their entire 39 years with World Gospel Mission. Talk about commitment!

Dennis and Priscilla both received very definite and unmistakable calls to Japan as young adults. After getting married, they pastored a Wesleyan Church in Kentucky for three years before feeling God leading them to Japan. After being told by The Wesleyan Church, then based in Marion, Indiana, that it was not possible for them to work in Japan, the Probsts traveled across town to the WGM office. President Hollis Abbott said the Mission had been praying for two couples to serve in Japan for 10 years and welcomed them on board. The Lord used Dennis and Priscilla as answers to prayer. They arrived in Japan in 1974, and raised their four children there: Rebecca, Mark, Debby, and Susanna. 

During their years in Japan, Dennis and Priscilla were involved in evangelism, teaching, preaching, and administration. Kevin and Becky Zirkle, who ministered alongside the Probsts in Japan, said that Dennis and Priscilla gave 110 percent in everything they did.

“The Probsts developed relationships with many Japanese over their years in Japan,” shared the Zirkles. “They lived by faith during their career and were bold to share the gospel. They got to know one family who lived near them early in their time in Japan. They continued to keep in touch with this family and continued to witness to them and pray for them. Even though the family did not get connected with a local church, they would ask the Probsts to pray for them when difficulties came. Both Dennis and Priscilla carried a burden for this family for many years.”

Dennis and Priscilla retired in 2012 and settled in Wilmore, Kentucky. Dennis passed away on March 19, 2016.