Noriko's Testimony

*** Noriko's Testimony ***


I was born in Japan. Being Buddhists, my parents often took me with them to the Buddhist’s temples. I first heard the Gospel when I went to a junior college in Kobe. I was there to study English, but I had to take a class in Christianity because it was a Christian school. In the classroom, I met Jesus! As I did not believe in evolution, I found the creation story fascinating. We have millions of gods in Japan, but instead I sought the God of the Bible. In 2000 I came to Orlando to study Hospitality Management. My job in Japan was at the Ritz-Carlton hotel as a clublevel concierge, and I wanted to better prepare myself for this work. At the Urbana Conference in 2000, however, I gave my life to Christ and became more interested in God’s business than my own business. His love touched me deeply as I realized Christ died on the cross for my sins. So I committed myself to serve Him for the rest of my life. Since then I have been sharing the Gospel with anyone that the Lord brought to me. As I was serious about committing my life to God, God was serious, too. He opened the doors for me to become a student at Reformed Theological Seminary where I study the Bible. During this time God also used me to start a Japanese Ministry at First Baptist Church. Within two years, more than 100 Japanese people have attended, and they have sent some members back to Japan as believers and missionaries. A blog that I started about Christianity with my testimony in the Japanese language has had more than 76,000 hits. Most of the visitors were Japanese non-believers. I correspond with these seekers through this blog in their own language, helping them better to come to know Christ.



*** Real Japan ***

Japan is beautiful, surrounded by mountains and the ocean. They enjoy four seasons and authentic sushi. Japan is a wealthy nation and their lives on the surface are good. However, Japan has two big problems now. First, more than 30,000 people have committed suicide each year since 1999. That means currently more than 100 people a day killed themselves in the last ten years. They hoped to go to a better place by ending their lives, but most of them have never heard the Gospel. Second, 160,000 people completely withdrew from society in 2005. They stayed in their rooms, and they never came outside except to use the bathroom. Their families brought food to their room. These social withdrawers, called Hikikomori, didn’t want to have anything to do with society. Japan proves that wealth and materials don’t satisfy. They are without hope. More than 99% of the Japanese are not Christians. This percentage of unbelievers is greater than in Muslim nations. So less than 1% of the population is considered to be evangelical Christians. Japan is spiritually dark and empty. The Rising Sun desperately needs the risen Son.



*** My Calling ***


I want to start a Christian school or want to teach the Bible and Christianity at college level in Japan. I met Jesus in the classroom, and my life has been forever changed, so as a teacher I would like to impact their lives in the same way. Christian education at churches in Japan is limited, so my education will help to fill this need as well. To accomplish this, I will need to obtain a Master of Divinity degree and a Ph.D. My Japanese parents are retired, and they are unable to further support me financially. But I know God is able. I would like to pursue a Master of Divinity and a PhD in Theology or Christian Education if the Lord is willing. Would you commit to pray for this ministry as well as to give financially by pledging $50, $75, $100 or some other amount for my education? If the Lord leads you to join my team to take the gospel back to Japan and if you have any questions, I would love to share my vision and passion with you personally. Please email at norikoscafe@gmail.com Thank you so much.

******* Support Noriko *******

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For those who are interested in supporting Noriko with Tax Deductible (making the check payable directly to her church), please email her for more details at: norikoscafe@gmail.com