I was born in 1998 to missionary parents in Japan. I grew up hearing the gospel at home and in church. My mom would help me read my Bible every morning starting when I was about 5 or 6. During one of those times, at 6 years old, I trusted Christ as my Savior. That was the beginning of God’s work on me!
When I was 12 years old, I surrendered my life to God to do whatever He wanted me to do. At 16, I was listening to a message that was being preached by a missionary to China. His text was in I Samuel 17:29 – “What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”
The missionary used that text to plead for the cause for lost souls. I surrendered my life to be a missionary that night.
During my senior year at Ambassador Baptist College, I had just broken up with my fiancé and was at a crossroads. While talking to a mentor, I said that I had always felt burdened for Japan, but thought that it was because Japan was “home”. My mentor explained to me that oftentimes, if you are in a right relationship with God, He will use the desires of your heart to lead you and call you to that desire. A lightbulb went off in my head! Everything made sense now! Now I knew I had a definite purpose! God had selected me to go to Japan.
While I wanted to start deputation right after college, the Lord took me on a two-year “detour” to start full-time ministry at Westside Baptist Church and Academy as an elementary teacher. Now, starting in 2023, I am going full speed ahead on the deputation trail.
To God be the glory, great things He hath done!