When I was a student at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan, my life took a sharp turn.  I met Bruce and Enid Jones, who were short-term missionaries near Tokyo.  I was impressed with their messages and life styles.  I had never really heard about love in the Biblical context.  "Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails."  (I Corinthians 13:4-8)

Marsha and Hiroshi Noizumi 1969  

Bruce and Enid Jones were pastors at the First Christian Church in Concord, California, at that time.  They came to Japan to evangelize and I heard their messages gladly and became converted.  I also thank the Lord for Anna Makinen, who was a missionary in Kyoto when I was a child.  Anna came to our neighborhood, and a group of children used to gather around her.  She told us about Jesus and taught us that we could trust Him and could pray in His name.  As a child, it was a great comfort to know that I could trust Jesus.  Another blessing in my life was the work of the Gideons.  I thank the Lord for the wonderful work of the Gideons' ministries.  When I started college, the Gideons' workers were on the campus distributing copies of the New Testament.  I still have the copy I received so many years ago.  I read the New Testament and when I came to the passage in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 15:39, "And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, 'Surely this man was the Son of God!'", I said the same thing in my heart, "Jesus is the Son of God!"  When I met Bruce and Enid Jones, I was ready to give my life to Jesus.  I was filled with joy as I was baptized when I was 19 years old.

   After the baptism, I began to pray.  My first prayer was a selfish one.  I prayed to God that I wanted to go to the United States of America.  I prayed that the doors would open so that I could go and study in the States.  When I prayed, I gave God the following promise:  "Lord, if you help me go to the States, I will be your minister."  The Lord miraculously opened the doors and I came to America six months after the prayer.  I studied in California and also in Oklahoma.  When I graduated from a seminary, not only did I receive a degree but a wonderful wife.  I met Marsha while I was a student and we became married when I graduated. I became ordained in a Christian church in Ohio.

   Marsha and I have served churches in Ohio, Japan, and California.  Many of my family members and friends in Japan came to receive Jesus Christ.  I was privileged to witness many of their conversions and baptisms.  

   Hiroshi and Marsha 1976

   We are so excited about our present assignment, that is, pastoral ministry at the Desert Harvest Church.  We have a very loving congregation and a group of people who are committed to serve the Lord.  We rejoice in our privileges of working together to bring the messages of love, hope, and power to people who are around us.

Welcome!

ARISE, O CHURCH, YOUR LIGHT IS COME

God, richly bless Desert Harvest Church;

O bless it, Lord, indeed!

Expand its territory, we pray,

And fulfill its every need.

We see Your Spirit moving, God,

In mighty, wondrous ways

And feel the walls resounding

With songs of highest praise.

Oh, let each person pray fervently

And may all hearts travail

To bring forth Your marvelous, great works

That signs and wonders may prevail.

Please give them a glorious vision, Lord,

As we see this church aglow

With Jesus’ shimmering presence

And thrill at Your Spirit’s flow.

And feel the compelling presence

Of the heavenly Holy Dove.

Only fervent prayers and praise

Can bring forth God’s perfect plan

With obedient and committed hearts

Of every devout woman and man.

ARISE, O CHURCH, YOUR LIGHT IS COME:

GOD’S GLORY WILL SHINE ON YOU!

by

Rachael Beck Smith