Ministries

Nozomi Japanese Community

Nozomi Community meets every Sunday at University United Methodist Church at 1 pm.

History of the Nozomi United Methodist Mission

(1976 -2011)

God always provides us with guiding hands.In November. 1976 Japanese Language congregation was organized in Fountain Yalley, CA. It shared a church building with Fountain Valley UMC. It grew to be a Japanese-English bi-lingual church that required 2 ministers to serve two different language groups.

In July 1979 English speaking children of new immigrants from Japan enjoyed English Speaking pastor. In l982,the first challenge came when the congregation was asked to move to Santa Ana First UMC. A half of the congregation transferred back their membership to Centenary UMC. Until 1996 the congregation was served by either two (E & J) ministers or bi-lingual ministers.

In June, 1996, the second blow to the congregation came when the Nozomi United Methodist Church came to a close by the decision of the Annual Conference. Remnants of the congregation remained faithful to sustain their faith in God in Christ Jesus as Nozomi Mission. They trusted the works of the Holy Spirit in spite of the experience.

In1997, Santa Ana District Conference approved for Nozomi Mission to become a member of the Irvine University United Methodist Church family. A retired UM missionary to Japan for over 40 years volunteered to serve Nozomi. He introduced an idea of youth exchange program between Shizugawa community, now called Minami Sanriku in Miyagi-ken, Japan and University UMC and Nozomi Mission. Selected youths from the congregations sent youths and students from Japan were welcomed. Orientations to the Japanese students and Japanese cuisine were prepared by Nozomi while housing was provided by Irvine families.

Since 1997 worship services were observed every 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month but a dedicated and concerned member of Nozomi volunteered to plan 1st and 3rd Sunday services. Every 5th Sunday is provided by a guest speaker. Since July 2009 lay members enioy fellowship in praise on every lst, 3rd and 5th Sundays.

Ministerial Leadership in the past 35 vears

Rev. Frank Yoshio Ohtomo (1976-79);

Rev. Tosh Tatsuyama (English; 1979-80);

Rev. Robert Mkio Fukada (Jpnse; 1979-80);

Rev. Koichi Hirano (1980-83);

Rev. David Nieda (Eng. 1983-85);

Rev. Miyeko Uriu and Mr. Shuhei Nakajima, seminary student; Rev. Jonathan M. Fujita (1985-91);

Rev. Hidemi Ito (1991-94);

Rev. Jonathan M. Fujita (1994-96);

Rev. Alvin Dornan (1997-2003);

Rev. Hidemi Ito (2003-present)

Maior Activities of the Mission