My mother Gerry Cooper Davison was a close friend of Joyce Hickman. I grew up hearing stories of Pasadena and Marshall. I thought of Joyce and Morris as almost magical missionary warriors serving in Japan.  Eventually that admiration for their work led me to the opportunity to be a summer missionary in Japan in 1966. They were much beloved by the Japanese Christian communities.

I'm grateful that Mr Wright was able to get his son John and my brother out of jail in northern Japan Aug of 1972. Sure was dumb of them to pick marijuana in a foreign country in the country. Their lives certainly would have been different if not for him. May he rest in peace.

The Garrotts and Wrights did not have a lot of direct contact, as we were in Fukuoka, with our parents' work at Seinan Gakuin, and were not "Nojiri-ites."  However, I do remember them well from mission meetings, specifically at Amagi Sanso.  Our JABAS family is very precious to me, and the Wright family is in my thoughts and prayers.

With much love,
Alice Garrott Hooker

The missionaries of the Southern Baptist Mission Board came back to Japan after the war, believing Japan’s rehabilitation should begin with the hearts of the Japanese people. When they returned, they were accompanied by newly-sent missionaries as well, including Mr. Morris Wright. As part of the process of sending these missionaries to Japan, several agreements were made between the Southern Baptist Convention and the Japan Baptist Convention. One of the important agreements made was that a newly appointed missionary would first concentrate on studying the Japanese language for two years before beginning their work. Mr. Wright did not follow this rule, saying “I want to share the gospel right now. I cannot spend two years just studying Japanese.” Ignoring the agreement, Mr. Wright began spreading the gospel right away. Needless to say, he was advised not to do so by the leaders of both the US and Japan Baptist Conventions. The leaders of JBC in Tokyo were at a loss and told him to do his mission work across the river where they couldn’t see him. This was the start of Urawa Baptist Church.
 While there are many episodes concerning Mr. Morris Wright’ passion, I’d like to introduce just one more.
When Mr. Wright began looking for land to build a church in Urawa, the group managed to find three potential sites. Two of the sites seemed easy to purchase. Mr. Wright, however, looked ahead to the future and insisted on purchasing the site in Tokiwa 7-chome on which our church is now standing. He discussed his plans with the landowner many times. After a while, rumors started circulating about a foreigner praying on the land every day. Following the example in the Bible of the fall of the wall of Jericho, Mr. Wright prayed on the site every day that they would be able to purchase the land for the church.

Here at Urawa Baptist Church, we are eternally grateful for the wonderful legacy of faith, passion and evangelism that Mr. Wright has left us. 

We praise the LORD for the life and ministry of our brother Morris and wish that it had been possible for us to make the trip to Texas for the Memorial Service. Morris and Joyce were very special to us. At the time we arrived in Tokyo in 1975, Morris was the Business Manager for the Japan Baptist Mission. He had done a great job, but in spite of that, the Mission had put in a request for someone to come and serve as the Business Manager. I was that person. Morris was multi-gifted and was more than capable in any mission assignment given to them. Morris encouraged me and prepared the Office Staff and business contacts so that I, a young buck, wet behind the ears could follow. To this day, I am grateful for all that he did. 

We were next door neighbors for our first year in Japan and then we occupied their mission house after they left. Morris and Joyce were a blessing to us, "showed us the ropes", nurtured, and encouraged us in many ways (spoken and unspoken). When we think of Morris and Joyce, we have only the warmest and fondest memories. 

Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Morris was a courageous person who saw the future potential for the Japan Baptist mission. He was a role model to me. I was thankful to be following some one of his nature and character.

Again, we regret not being able to make the trip from Alabama to the Memorial Service, but please know that Morris will be greatly missed. Joyce and family, please know that we are praying for you and look forward to a time in the future for a personal visit.

Dear Mrs. Joyce Wright, and all the family,

We wish to express our deepest condolences to you and your family.  We received the news that Morris Wright Sensei went to be with his Lord in peace. 
Morris Sensei served the Lord here in Urawa Christ Church with his wife Mrs. Joyce. He trained the church members as he was an expert of disciple training. The mission spirit of Morris Sensei has been passed down to Urawa Church successfully. 
We know how hard Morris Sensei tried to purchase the land which our church is standing on now. He was so determined to own the land but the landowner didn’t agree. Day after day he prayed and walked around the land. God heard his prayer and the landowner finally gave in and agreed to sell it. 
We have been passing this story to the next generation as we see how the Lord worked through Morris Sensei. The history of Urawa Church cannot be told without the work of God through Morris Sensei. 
He also had a keen foresight about the way of the mission in Japan and did great work in IMB.
When our church building was newly built, we invited Morris Sensei and Mrs. Joyce to celebrate with us. He gave a speech about the history of Urawa Church. We were so touched when he recounted the beginning of Urawa Church all in Japanese for one and half hours. He must have remembered all the events of the church in Japanese. 
We are deeply grateful for the missionary work of Morris Sensei and Mrs. Joyce Wright in Urawa, and also in all Japan. We pray that the comfort and peace of the Lord will be upon all his family.

From all the members of Urawa Baptist Church, Japan

Dear the Family of Morris Wright Sensei,

Praise the Lord for the memories of Morris Wright Sensei.
 
The pastors and congregations of the Japan Baptist Convention wish to express their deepest condolences to the family of Wright Sensei upon receiving news of his going home to be with the Lord.
 
The work of Wright Sensei had a splendid impact here in Japan, especially in Urawa Christ Church, Tokyo First Baptist Church, and Tamagawa Christ Church (formerly Nishi Setagaya Mission). We express our sincere thanks to his work. We also rejoice in the work continued through his family of God.
 
We give heartfelt thanks to God for your continued prayers on behalf of Japan and for the sake of His gospel mission here.
 
May God give you His special peace and comfort at this time.
 
 Sincerely yours in Christ,

April 5, 2019


 Yoshinao Nakada
Executive Secretary
Japan Baptist Convention


OBITUARY

Morris Jesse Wright Jr.

10 April, 1922 – 2 April, 2019

Shannon Rufe Snow Drive Funeral Chapel

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