Shohei Suzuki

Shohei was born and raised in Japan and came to know Christ in 2000 while studying English in British Columbia, Canada. At the time, he dreamed of becoming a successful businessman—but the Lord had a different plan. Though he knew little about the Bible, Shohei sensed a clear call to become a missionary, burdened to reach people of all nations and ethnic backgrounds with the gospel. He moved to Chicago with his family in 2004 and earned his Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2008.

Since joining the staff at The Orchard in 2008, Shohei has faithfully served in outreach and cross-cultural ministry, including his role as Director of Multicultural Ministries from 2009 to 2022. Today, he serves as Pastor of Outreach, with a deep desire to reach those who do not yet know the love of Christ. His heart is to see anyone—regardless of background—encounter Jesus through relational, organic, and Spirit-led outreach, one person at a time.

Shohei’s vision is rooted in Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19–20) and inspired by the promise of Revelation 7:9—a day when people from every nation, tribe, and tongue will worship Christ together in unity.

He and his wife, Nami, have two children currently in college, Paul and Rayna. Shohei enjoys combining creativity and connection in both life and ministry—whether he's building websites, playing electric guitar, or simply sitting down with someone to hear their story. He’s always exploring new ways to engage people more meaningfully, seeking to make ministry not only faithful but also fresh, creative, and compelling—so that the beauty of the gospel can be seen, heard, and experienced in everyday life.