The Norasiths are Watermark members who train followers of Jesus and leaders in Tokyo, Japan. Their ministry aims to build flourishing churches around major universities, and they are passionate about getting the good news of Jesus to those who would otherwise never have access. As you read their story, ask God how he would have you participate in what he is doing among the nations.
Abby: “When I realized that over 3 billion people have never heard the gospel or the name of Jesus, everything changed.
“I grew up in a Christian family, but I didn’t understand the true weight of what Jesus did until I was in college. In high school, my friends brought me to a Bible study, and something felt different about this group of people than others I was trying to fit in with. They were followers of Jesus marked by joy, and that kind of fellowship drew me in.
“In college, I met a girl who clearly explained the gospel to me: Jesus was both my Savior and my Lord, who took the weight of my sin upon himself to die on my behalf and who rose again victoriously to give me life in him. After seeing the joy, love, and freedom of faithful followers of Jesus, the thought of making everything in my life about him was even more attractive.
“The Lord pierced my heart when I read Romans 15:20. I had heard about the unreached—those who have no access to the gospel or good news about Jesus—and in this moment I knew I wanted to make Paul’s ambition to ‘preach the gospel where Christ [had] not already been named’ my own ambition.”
Andre: “I grew up in a divorced home with parents who immigrated from Laos. Though my parents were split between Chicago and Dallas, the Buddhist culture was the same. My entire worldview centered around karma, and I thought that if I lived a good life now, I could reincarnate into a better life next. I thought I had a great life and that I was a good person, so I didn’t think about it much more until college, when my mom got diagnosed with cancer. For the first time, I questioned what would really happen to me when I died.
“I moved to Dallas to work and take care of her. At work, I met a few followers of Jesus who cared for me as I was processing my mom's diagnosis. I had seen little glimpses of Christianity throughout my life, but after they walked with me and faithfully shared the gospel with me that whole summer, I gave my life to Christ. I knew there was nothing in me that was good, but that Jesus died and rose again to save me into a relationship with him forever.
“When I moved back, I changed my lifestyle, and God matured me in my faith. After graduating, I began a young adult ministry at my local church, and it grew rapidly. I began to recognize that leadership was a gift God had given me and felt him calling me to ministry.
"In God's providence, I was invited to join the Watermark Institute, and it changed my life. There, I developed a foundation for theology and ministry for the first time that has been instrumental for the work I’m now doing overseas.
“I met Abby when she was back on furlough from Tokyo, where she had been a missionary for five years. We began dating, and I learned a lot about missions. I reflected on my own story: Laos is an unreached country. The fact that I was born in America and God brought me from the darkness of Buddhism into his marvelous light in Christ shook me. Who would have shared that with me if I were born in Laos?
“I learned that Japan is the second-most unreached country in the world. That’s where Abby had been, and I knew God had more work for us to do there after we got married.”
Abby: “It’s not illegal to be Christian in Japan, but the culture is extremely resistant. Many people who are interested in following Jesus are quick to change their minds when they realize what it will cost them (Mark 4:16-17).”
Andre: “A big barrier for people is the cultural pressure to conform. It’s shameful to be different, so it’s really encouraging when people count the cost, believe, and get baptized to show that they’re not ashamed to identify with Jesus.
“God is already doing a work in reaching the world, and we all get to respond by joining in his mission. It starts where you are: your workplace, your city. God’s plan for the salvation of the world is so much bigger than ourselves, so we have to elevate our vision worldwide. Jesus calls every one of us to have a role in making disciples of all nations and promises to be with us as we obey (Matthew 28:18-20).”
Abby: “In Tokyo, ministry is better and harder than I expected. God has shown me that he’s faithful to his promises in Scripture, that ‘whoever loses his life for [Christ’s] sake will find it’ (Matthew 16:25). Jesus sacrificed everything for us, and if we’re supposed to follow him in every area of our lives, we’re called to sacrifice too. It is so rich and fulfilling to know God gives us a new identity and invites us to take part in what he’s doing.”