Major Pastor Noah S. Tsoka knew his life vocation to be in the engineering field and enrolled at a special training school for this purpose. What he did not know was that the LORD had other plans for his vocation, "in their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." (Proverbs 16: 9).

Upon arriving at the school he was informed that his name was not on the attendance list. It was later discovered that the father of another student has replaced Noah's name with that of his own son. While trying to make sense of the betrayal, he received a letter from a former pastor, counselling him to enter the ministry. Hesitant at first, he made all the valid excuses he could find... it is too late... seminary applications have been processed... everybody has been informed already... school is starting soon... But the pastor encouraged him to go to the seminary and make his case, assuring him that he was well qualified. Finally, he decided to heed the pastor's counsel.

At the seminary, he was told it was late, but having seen Noah's grades, the registrar advised him to return the following week with all he would need to start with the seminary. At the appointed time, he discovered that he had to compete with another student for the last available space. The other candidate had applied the previous year and was not accepted. To make matters worse, they were friends!

Believing nothing was too difficult for God, the two friends decided to pray and fast together following their interviews. “We specifically asked God that He would open a way for us to enter seminary together,” says Noah. “When we were called to return to the school two weeks later we were told that the entrance exams that we had written could not be found anywhere. The administration decided that both of us would be allowed to enroll in the seminary program.”

Noah's friend eventually became the conference secretary and Noah served as a conference evangelist.

During those years, Adventist soldiers who served in the Malawian army approached their commander to provide them with a chaplain. The commander agreed to the request. The Union provided a list of three names. On 28 October 1998, Noah received a letter of appointment. Thus he became the first ever Seventh Day Adventist chaplain in the Malawian military.

The early days were difficult but after many years of chaplaincy, he has no regrets.

Noah often gets asked how a Seventh Day Adventist  soldier can be true to his faith and his work.  “I am always pleased to be able to tell these individuals that there are members who are able to do this,” says Noah. “I advise them to speak with their superiors and explain their situation. This works in some instances. Some soldiers have discovered that they can swap their time with friends and still keep Sabbath. It is a real encouragement to the troops when I share actual stories of those who have been successful in their Sabbath-keeping.”