About ME (Nobuko Soma )

About Me – Nobuko Soma

I was born in 1973 in Saitama, Japan.

As a child, I was creative—I loved singing, dancing, and talking. But after experiencing bullying in junior high school, I withdrew into myself. During high school, I hardly spoke to anyone at school, yet I encountered stories about Jesus Christ and the Bible through an English conversation school.

Having grown up in an atheist home, I questioned, “If God is love, why is there war?” and couldn’t believe easily.

After failing my job-hunting exams, I was filled with fear about my future. One night, unable to sleep, I prayed—only to Jesus, saying:

“God, if You are truly God, please take away this fear.”

The next morning, I woke up surrounded by a deep, unfamiliar peace and a strong sense of someone’s presence in the room. At that moment, I knew:

“This is the true God.”

Then I heard a voice—audible in my spirit—say,

“If you’re going to become a Christian, now is your chance.”

I responded, “Okay,” and became a follower of Jesus.

In 1994, I was led to a Discipleship Training School (DTS) with YWAM Okinawa, and for nearly 10 years I served as staff, learning to hear and obey God’s voice, understanding that hearing God builds relationship, and that even when human needs aren’t met, God satisfies us deeply. I also experienced the power of the Holy Spirit through signs and wonders.

Through interpreting DTS teachers, I encountered prophetic ministers, and during a ministry school in Canada (2002), I experienced prophetic worship and prophetic art.

After returning to Japan, I helped pioneer the Prophetic Café in Tokyo (2007–2011) where I realized that the gifts of the Spirit must be rooted in love for both God and people.

Since 2007, through Onfire Japan, I’ve been translating and subtitling sermons from Bethel Church and others, receiving much spiritual impact myself.

In 2010, I studied at Bethel’s School of Supernatural Worship in California.

In 2011, I launched Gospel Essence Life Ministry, serving as director by leading seminars and church events centered around themes like hearing God’s voice and living in the identity of being daughters of the King.

I also published the books “Talking with God” and “God Is My Father,” and began one-day prophetic cafés and various teaching ministries to encourage Japanese Christians to live as beloved children of God, not spiritual orphans.

In 2025, after 13 years of traveling for ministry in the Kansai region, I entered a new season of caregiving for my parents and launched the new vision,

“Jesus’ Anywhere Door.”

🛤️ My Journey

A 34-year adventure led by the voice of God—since I was 18.

Past Ministry Experience

　　1995–2001 / 2005–2006

• Staff with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Tokyo, Switzerland, and Okinawa — roles included translation, school leadership, and worship leading.

• 2002–2004

  Staff with The GO School at Faith Builders Ministries, Canada.

• 2007–2011

  Founding staff of the Prophetic Café at Arise Tokyo Christian Church.

• 2007–2023

  Produced simultaneous interpretation videos of Bethel Church and others via Onfire Japan.

Current Ministry

• Since 2013

  Director of Gospel Essence Life — producing practical videos on YouTube, leading seminars, church speaking, and prophetic cafés.

• Since 2020

  Trained with Master Coach Academy (affiliated with Bethel Church) and now offering online Christian life coaching.

• 2020

  Published “Talking with God.”

• Since 2021

  Participating in morning worship livestreams (Awaken the Dawn) and discussion sessions (Shouts of Praise).

• Since 2017

  Translation, subtitling, and voice-over production for videos through Lehigh Valley Japanese Ministry.

• 2025

  Published “God Is My Father.”