Aroma Ministries

The Aroma of Christ to Japan...

2009-06-21T05:59:00.001-07:00

Rocky and Marla Ayatsuka have been ministering in Japan with Aroma Ministries since 2000. Together now with their children Hana (born 8.2004) and Kai (born 1.2009), they do music evangelism, realtionship evangelism through teaching English and the Bible, and much more. Check out the links on the right to learn more about Aroma Ministries! Thanks for visiting our website and please leave us a comment.

Support

2009-06-21T05:52:00.001-07:00

Donations may be sent to our stateside address...

Aroma Ministries
801 XIT Dr.
Littlefield, TX 79339

Please contact us if you have any questions!

Our Vision and Beliefs

2009-06-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

The Vision of Aroma Ministries

2 Corinthians 2:15 "For we are to God the Aroma of Christ to those who are perishing and those who are being saved!"

"Aroma Ministries exists to Glorify God. Through His grace, by His power and in His presence, we desire that God change Japan, work through us, igniting a desire within us, and those who He touches through us, to seek a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ. Through us we pray He brings the message of the Gospel to the Japanese people while encouraging Japanese Christians to walk with Christ and boldly share their faith. We pray God will bring revival to the nation of Japan!"

As Rocky and Marla minister together in their home city of Kitakyushu and in churches all over this country they are seeing one very distinct phenomenon among Japanese Christian groups. Christian churches and groups are often very isolated, traditional, and populated mostly by the older generation. Rocky and Marla feel God calling them to spread His fame in Japan, and bring revival to the nation through those who are professing Christians and those who will come to know salvation through Jesus Christ!!!

Because of their heart for young people to hear the Gospel in a form that speaks the language of their generation, Rocky and Marla are actively seeking to make Christian music available in a form and style that young people enjoy listening to. Rocky and Marla have written original songs, many of which are on their first CD. At the same time, they seek to write more original songs, praise and worship songs, and translate many of the praise and worship songs that God is moving through. Aroma Ministries seeks to make those praise songs available to Japanese Christians to use in their worship and ministry, plus expose non-Christians to this music so the Holy Spirit can move in their hearts as they listen to it. This is made possible by the foundation of Aroma 36 Studio, a recording studio in the home of the Ayatsuka's, which is being used to record dynamic contemporary Christian music written and performed by Rocky and Marla, and others as well.

The Lord is also moving through Rocky's and Marla's concerts and testimonies, and Rocky's speaking ability. Rocky's messages are filled with simple, but powerful truths straight from God and His Word. While not on the road doing concerts and speaking, at home Rocky and Marla also host and attend home fellowships and Bible studies.

In addition to these activities, Rocky and Marla have many dreams for the future to expand Aroma Ministries so that more Japanese people can come to know a deep and true relationship with the God who created and loves them, through Jesus Christ. Some of the ideas and dreams for Aroma Ministries to spread this Gospel include...

*Continue building "Aroma 36 Studio" to produce more CD's of Rocky and Marla's original music and ALSO produce the incredible music being written by many young Christians surrounding their ministry.
*Making praise music available through CD's and songbooks, that churches and Christian fellowships can use in their worship meetings.
*Expanding concerts and speaking engagements so more people can be reached.
*Holding special events and evangelical meetings with themes and topics needing to be addressed in Japan among Christians and non-Christians alike. These include love and marriage, sex and purity, true worship, living as a witnessing believer and simple and understandable Gospel messages.
*Holding English classes with Bible study to reach out to people otherwise not touched by the message of the Gospel.
And when Rocky and Marla feel frequent travel and wide spread ministry are no longer possible, they dream of planting churches and/or possibly opening up a Christian coffeehouse and music/bookstore, to make quality Christian paraphernalia available to the Japanese people.

Statement of Faith

1. We believe in the Bible as the Word of God, accurate and true (infallible) with authority and power, as the only Holy Scripture, and the foundation of our Faith. (2 Timothy 3:17, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 1)
2. We believe in One God, eternally existent, all powerful, and all knowing, yet a personal God, revealed through the Scripture and His Son Jesus Christ. This God exists as a trinity, or three persons - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. All three are distinct and have different roles yet are one essence. (Isaiah 43:10)
3. We believe Jesus Christ is the only Son of God, the only person to be born of a virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14). We believe He lived in the flesh, according to the scripture, and died on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity (John 1:14, 3:16). He was buried in a tomb and on the third day was raised to life, victorious over sin and death, and still is alive today having ascended to heaven, according to scripture. He is with the Father waiting for the day when he shall return and take believers to heaven. (Hebrews 9:28)
4. We believe in the total lost condition of man, separated from God by sin, and in need of salvation and renewed life (Romans 3:23).
We believe that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was a fulfillment of the plan of the Father to provide atonement for sin (I John 2:2). Christ's death was the final and complete sacrifice for all sin, and salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone. All who acknowledge their sin, repent and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord are born again into new life (I John 1:12, Romans 10:9,10), with the promise of the presence of the Spirit inside of them, and eternal life with God in heaven.
5. We believe that the presence of the Holy Spirit indwells all believers, is guaranteed by their faith in Christ and brings the ability to live life on earth through the power and love of Christ, enabling the believer to enter into the presence of a Holy God in worship and prayer, guiding the believer, and glorifying the Father through his or her life (John 16:5-15)
6. We believe that those who place their Faith in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior are together in faith, one body in Christ, the church of Christ for whom Christ personally will return and take up to heaven. (I Corinthians 12:12-31)
7. We believe that each believer, because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is enabled by that Spirit to live a godly life AND is gifted by the Holy Spirit to do work for the Lord. (I Corinthians 12:12-31)
8. We believe that our life is to be daily devoted to our Lord Jesus Christ, each step we take a testimony to Him. (Romans 12:1-2, Colossians 3:17)
9. We believe worship is a daily act of giving our life to God in everything that we do, glorify God in each moment of our life. We exist for God's glory and His renown. (Isaiah 26:8, Romans 12:1-2, Romans, I Corinthians 10:31)
10. We believe the body of Christ functions as small groups or communities of believers. We seek to encourage people to serve the local Christian group or fellowship that Christ calls them to be a part of. (Acts)
11. We believe that God seeks to inform, challenge and equip His Children to participate in His desire that all hear of the salvation available through Jesus Christ. God seeks to do this through His Word, and us, His believers. Whether we are full time ministers or not, we believe the Lord has called us to be witnesses. (Romans 1:16)
12. We desire to impact this culture and see all Japanese worship God in Spirit and in truth, through creative Biblical communication; Spirit filled, passionate and powerful music and worship; and sharing the message of Christ through one on one lifestyle ministry (or being a testimony by example).

CD's

2009-06-21T05:46:00.001-07:00

R.A.M.'s Voice Cd's (Rocky and Marla)

*24/7 Christ - a bilingual worship album and songbook
*Modaijoubu - our first original album (currently sold out)

Ayatsuka Family Band

*Amazing Grace - debut album, Bluegrass Gospel by the Ayatsuka Family

Asanagi

*Peaceful Morning - debut album, accoustic hymns played by Rocky and Shu-hey
*second album coming soon

Aroma 36 Studios...

2009-06-21T05:44:00.000-07:00

Rocky is a talented musician who has helped several Chrisitan artists make a CD while also recording and producing our own albums. For more information on the studio and making an album please feel free to contact us.

English Classes

2009-06-21T05:40:00.001-07:00

English Classes at Kitakyushu Bible Church

Thursdays
10:30-11:45 Advanced English class
7:30-8:45 Beginners English class*
9:00-10:15 Advanced English class*

Fridays
12:30-1:45 Intermediate English class*
6:00-7:00 Jr. High Beginners class*

* All English classes end with a 10-15 minute Bible study time in Japanese!

Bible Studies

2009-06-21T05:37:00.000-07:00

Shionzan Youchien - Mother's Bible study meets monthly, please contact us for exact date and time.

Kitakyushu Bible Church - English Bible Study, Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00.

English Circle Bible Study - Mother's of English Circle kids meet once a month to study the Bible, please contact us for exact date and time.

Concerts

2009-06-21T05:36:00.001-07:00

Schedule...

Contact us...

2009-06-21T05:20:00.000-07:00

Aroma Ministries (stateside address)
801 S. XIT Drive
Littlefield, TX 79339

email - rocky@aromaministries.org or marla@aromaministries.org

phone - 479-718-2097 (US domestic phone number that rings here in Japan)
within Japan - 093-871-8141

For more information write or call!

Photos

2009-06-21T05:19:00.001-07:00

coming soon

News

2009-06-21T05:17:00.000-07:00

Click on Aroma News for recent news on our blog!

About us...

2009-06-21T05:09:00.000-07:00

Click on any ministry area to learn more...

Concerts - ministering through music!

Bible studies - teaching the Word of God!

Teaching English - Conversational English classes and Bible classes!

Aroma 36 Studios - meeting the need for quality Christian music in Japan!

CD's - our CD's and other albums produced by Aroma Ministries!

Our Vision and Beliefs

How to support Aroma Ministries

Marla's Testimony

2009-06-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

I was born and raised in New Home, Texas. Raised in a Christian home, I grew up knowing of God and his love for us and how he sent his son Jesus to be our Savior. As a 7 year old, I trusted in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. I graduated from New Home High School in 1993 and began studies in Agricultural Development at Texas A&M University in the Fall of '93. College proved to be an incredible growing experience for me as I began to be very involved in church, where I was discipled and guided deeper into my relationship with the Lord.

Around the end of my second year however, tragedy came to my family. Dad was diagnosed with a terminal disease known as Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). The following year and a half of watching this horrible disease take Dad's life, brought me to the lowest point in my walk with the Lord. In my heart anger and bitterness took over, and I turned my back on God and built a wall around my heart.

Just before the start of my last year at Texas A&M, Dad passed away. By this time, I was exhausted and so lonely. My heart felt like a deep dungeon left cold and abandoned for years. I still didn't know why my Dad had to die in such a horrible way, but I knew without a doubt that God was the only one who could heal my heart, and bring me joy again. Still not sure why God let all this happen, I put my anger and bitterness aside and ran back to him, begging for some relief from my grief!

I was AMAZED! God drew me instantly back into his arms. I couldn't believe that God would so quickly forgive me and heal my heart. This experience would change me forever.

I began my last year at A&M as a different person than before. I still do not know how I graduated because I cared nothing about school, I only wanted to serve and worship God! I attended a college worship event during the Christmas break where God dramatically called me to missions! I affirmed that call on my life, and found myself signing up for two years of mission service overseas upon graduation!

I served those two years overseas as a student minister at an all girls Christian school in Kitakyushu, Japan. It is there that Rocky was my translator and ministry partner. Before the end of my two years we could see God leading us to continue to do ministry together for the rest of our days! We married in March 2000!!!

What an amazing journey it has been so far and will continue to be! I can't wait to see the rest of the story unfold...

Rocky's Testimony

2009-06-21T04:59:00.001-07:00

You may not be able to tell by my name but I am Japanese! I was born and raised here in the city of Kitakyushu where we now live! I grew up in a very unique family with really unique circumstances.

My father is a fully blind man and went to a special school in Tokyo. Also while at school there he began to attend church. One of the reasons Dad went to church was because he loved country music. He heard there was a Southern Baptist church and he thought if he went there he might hear Southern music. Instead he heard that Jesus loves him and made him just the way he is for a purpose and reason. Up until that point in Dad's life he had always heard that he was a curse or was being punished for his father's sins, etc. Hearing that the Bible says he was made by God and made perfectly in God's will, drew him to the Gospel and he was saved.

My Mom went to the same school for visually impaired people in Tokyo. Dad and Mom played together in a Bluegrass school band that Dad formed once he started to play the banjo. Mom learned mandolin so she could be a part of the band. When they both finished their training to be massage and acupuncture therapists Dad asked Mom if she would return to Kitakyushu with him and be his wife. He calls her his souvenir from Tokyo!

When my older brother was born, my Mom began searching for some sort of basis for raising children, she began asking herself, "what is truth?" She was leading my father to church every Sunday and began to realize that the truth was in the Bible. That is when Mom became a believer also.

So I was born into a Christian family, a very rare thing in Japan. I grew up going to church and believed in Jesus as my Savior when I was only 9 years old. It was also about that time that I picked up the guitar and began taking classical guitar lessons. I studied classical guitar for three years and then my teacher couldn't teach me anymore. From there I just began to learn on my own. Around the time I was 12 our family decided to sing some songs at church with Dad on the banjo, mom on the mandolin, me on the guitar and all four of us harmonizing. Because Dad loves Bluegrass and Country music and we grew up listening to his collection of such music, our family band had a unique Bluegrass sound. Not long after singing at a small church event, word began to spread about this interesting family who plays Bluegrass Gospel music and the Ayatsuka Family Band was born.

In my younger days I also explored many other styles of music and was even in a rock band with several buddies at church. We wrote our own heavy metal songs about Jesus and the Bible.

Although I believed in Jesus as a 9-year-old, for much of my younger life being a Christian meant going to church on Sundays. Any other day of the week, the Bible and God were not very much a part of my life. I went on to graduate from high school, and because I loved English, I decided to study English at business college. Around this time a very unique missionary couple from the States came to serve in our church. Their names were Mark and Sharon Bennett. Because I studied English I introduced myself to them in English, "Hello my name is Hiroaki!" (my real Japanese name) However they couldn't pronounce it correctly and quickly nicknamed me Rocky by dropping off the beginning "hi" of my name.

The Bennetts had a weekly Bible study in their home and spent lots of time with myself and our family. I quickly began to learn that there was something very different about their Christianity. They loved Jesus and had a daily relationship with Him. Through their ministry my walk with God began to be powerfully changed.

I worked at an international training center after graduating from business college and met people from all over the world. I also made connection with some Brazilian Christians and learned a lot about a different and more enthusiastic style of worship! I even learned to speak Spanish and Portuguese while working in this international environment. All of these experiences shaped me and prepared me for the things God had in store for my future.

After working for over three years and beginning to draw so much closer to God, I began to realize that I wanted to do more for Him! So I quit my job and stepped out on faith into a life of ministry. I began to be used by missionaries in leading worship and translation. I was able to devote more time to the Ayatsuka Family Band concerts. I was also able to be involved with home fellowships and events for Japanese young people. I also eventually started to do concerts on my own. And the Lord showed me that he would provide for me to be able to do ministry for Him!

He has since provided me with a beautiful, precious wife to minister with, a home, instruments and resources for music ministry, the study of the Bible I need for teaching the Word and so much more! And my story continues...