Please meet Nicole! She’ll be serving as our new Children’s Ministry Director. Learn a little bit about her through these questions and answers, then give her a warm welcome! (nkosobayashi@lighthousesouthbay.org)
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I grew up in Hacienda Heights with my parents, and an older brother who I’d fight with daily. Now we’re close but there were times we’d fight like crazy and I’d wonder if I would make it to see adulthood. I wanted to be a veterinarian but ended up working with people instead as a clinical trials researcher at City of Hope. I’ve been married to Brian for 19 years. We got to know each other through serving together at Evergreen San Gabriel Valley Baptist Church’s young adult ministry Praxis run by a young Kim Kira. We have three sons, Pierce (16 yo), Drew (14 yo) and Chase (11 yo). Our children have been a delight as well as God’s refining tools in our lives! We have been at Lighthouse since we planted from Evergreen, almost 17 years ago.
What are your hobbies and interests? What do you do in your free time?
Recent hobbies from ‘safer at home’ timeline include cooking for a crowd (there are only five of us but the boys eat a lot), playing Catan, catching up on reading, walking the dog, and ‘learning foreign languages and culture’ by watching Asian dramas and anime. Outdoor Interests: fishing and snowboarding.
As you may know by now, the Lighthouse staff LOVE food. What are your favorite foods?
So thankful to live in the South Bay where I can enjoy eating Japanese food without having to cook it myself. I particularly like Japanese comfort food like donburi, nabe, and noodles. But since you’re asking about what food I absolutely LOVE it would honestly be snacks and junk food like candy, potato chips, and senbei (rice crackers).
Are there any interesting facts we should know about you?
Did you know that I am the oldest female staffer? I am twice the age of Nicole Tsuruda! (Not sure why this is so shocking to me, but it is)
What will your role be on staff at Lighthouse?
As Children’s Ministry Director, serving under Pastor Wayne, I’ll be supporting the families at Lighthouse, parents and children, as well as the volunteers in the Children’s Ministry Department. In Children’s Ministry we are helping kids know and love Jesus better and find their trust in Him.
In what ways are you looking forward to doing ministry at Lighthouse?
I am excited to be working in my favorite ministry- Children’s! Our servants in Children’s Ministry have the biggest, most loving hearts, and it never fails to encourage me to see them serving so sacrificially and faithfully! Another blessing is getting to know the families better and seeing families at Lighthouse get involved and grow in their faith and love for God and others.
How can we, as your church family, be praying for you?
I’d love prayer for quick learning as it’s been years since I was employed. I’m told by my kids that I am memory challenged, so pray for that. Also, for humility in asking for help when needed, and prayerful dependence upon the Lord in this new job. Finally, wisdom in knowing what tasks are important and that I would serve my family and Lighthouse families in love.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
As Lighthouse has grown, there are many people and families that I don’t know and have not yet met. I invite you to come up and introduce yourself to me, I’m often in the classroom area in Children’s Ministry and would love to meet you!
