Life Pacific University is honored to announce Rev. Naomi Lyford as the 2025 Beyond Borders Alumnus of the Year, recognizing her Spirit-empowered Christian leadership, extensive cross-cultural ministry, and unwavering commitment to reaching the unreached. From Africa to Southeast Asia, Naomi’s story is one of deep obedience, enduring faith, and tireless pursuit of God’s global mission. The award will be presented at the 2025 Alumni and Friends Luncheon on May 28, 2025, in Denver, Colorado.

“Naomi Lyford embodies the heart of LPU’s mission—transformational leadership that impacts the world for Christ,” shares LPU President Dr. Angie Richey ’97. “From Chad to Malaysia, Myanmar to Cambodia, her unwavering commitment to reaching the unreached is an inspiration to us all. Her life is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and the foundation built during her time at LPU. We are honored to recognize her incredible work and celebrate the lasting Kingdom impact she continues to make.”

Those who know Naomi best affirm her legacy of ministry across cultures, continents, and communities.

“Naomi has spent her life saying ‘yes’ to God,” says Mia Rinehart ’24 of LPU East, who nominated her for the award. “From starting schools in Chad and Myanmar to planting mission bases and raising a family in Cambodia, she leads with both vision and humility. She’s a powerful example of how ministry can thrive inside and outside the home.”

LPU Trustee Rev. Jonathan Cobler ’15 adds, “Naomi is building bridges between ministries, launching schools, and raising up the next generation of Cambodian leaders. Her influence reaches far beyond her own base—she’s shaping the future of missions in the region.”

“Naomi’s not only running a YWAM base in Cambodia,” notes Kami Martz, “she’s teaching in missions schools, starting churches, and developing leaders wherever she goes. She lives out the Gospel in everyday life.”

A Life Called to the Nations 

Naomi Hokyo Lyford has known her calling for as long as she can remember. As a child, missions trips with her family stirred a deep love for other cultures. But it was at eight years old that she sensed God’s voice calling her specifically to Chad, Africa—a country she had never visited, but would one day come to love.

After graduating from Life Pacific University in 2007, Naomi fulfilled that childhood calling and moved to Chad with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). At the time, there was no Foursquare presence in the nation, but she stepped out in faith to help launch a primary school, train village teachers, and teach in Bible schools. When the time came to pass the work on to local leadership, a new milestone arrived—the first Foursquare church in Chad was established.

Naomi’s next steps took her to Malaysia, where she helped start a school for refugee children from Myanmar, and then to Myanmar itself, where she founded three more schools and a teacher training center. The schools she planted continue to serve children and communities today.

A Family on Mission 

In 2019, Naomi married fellow missionary Uriah Lyford, and the two began a new chapter together in Cambodia. Today, they co-lead YWAM ministry bases in Poipet and Siem Reap, training leaders, educating youth, and expanding outreach throughout the region. Their vision is deeply rooted in family.  “Doing missions as a family is a dream come true,” Naomi shares. “We travel, teach, and pray together. Sometimes my husband and I team teach—or translate for one another—and our daughters love joining in to share or pray with people. We’re a family on mission.”

Together with Uriah, Naomi is raising two daughters, Abiyah (5) and Acacia (4), while helping establish a youth movement in Cambodia that empowers young people to discover their God-given identity and thrive as spiritual leaders in their own nation.

Their ministry includes everything from Discipleship Training Schools to coffee shops, English classes, and media production. Naomi and Uriah are committed to making Jesus known—and building lasting, community-driven impact.

Multiplying Impact 

In recent years, Naomi’s ministry has rapidly expanded:

• They launched an online school that reached over 42,000 students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• They provided emergency food aid to over 5,000 families in Cambodia.

• Naomi helped develop the first Cambodian daily planner with a Bible reading plan, encouraging believers to engage with Scripture daily.

• Together with their team, they’ve started two new Bible schools and signed the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LPU in Cambodia, exploring ways to bring theological education to developing nations.

• Their social media platform has reached over 4 million people with discipleship content.

Every initiative Naomi touches is guided by one central passion: to reach the unreached. The tribes and people groups Naomi has served in Chad, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Cambodia have all been considered unreached—with less than 2% identifying as Christian. “Like Paul, I feel called to preach where Christ is not yet known,” Naomi says. “That call continues to guide everything we do.”

Rooted in Identity and Formation 

Naomi holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from Life Pacific University, and she credits her formation at LPU as foundational to both her ministry and personal life. “My time at LPU didn’t just shape how I do ministry—it shaped who I am,” she shares. “I see now how much fruit flows from foundations laid early. When those foundations are solid, people can endure and bear fruit that remains.

“The professors who poured into me, the friendships I formed, and the discipleship I received are among the greatest gifts of my life. I’m immensely honored to be recognized by the place and people I hold in the highest esteem.”

The global reach of Naomi’s ministry is deeply rooted in the spiritual depth and character formation cultivated during her time at LPU—evidence of a life lived beyond borders, with fruit that continues to flourish across nations.

 Join Us in Celebration 

 Life Pacific University invites you to celebrate Rev. Naomi Lyford at the 2025 Alumni and Friends Luncheon on May 28, 2025, in Denver, Colorado.

For more information or to RSVP, visit:
🔗 lifepacific.edu/events/lpu-alumni-friends-luncheon