by THE A3 JAPAN TEAM
From June 9–11, A3/Japan partnered with VisionSynergy to host a dynamic Catalyst Training workshop, equipping leaders across Japan to foster greater missionary collaboration. This training wasn’t just theoretical—it was birthed out of a shared vision that emerged during our time at the 4th Lausanne Congress (L4) and JCE7. At both gatherings, a key message rang loud and clear: mission cooperation is essential for the future of the global Church.
But the real question remains: How do we actually collaborate well in Japan’s mission context?
That’s the question we set out to answer together.
From Theory to Practice: A Roadmap for Change
VisionSynergy, the organization behind the GAP Group collaboration model at L4, provided the framework. Their roadmap for transformation is simple yet profound:
- Emergence of Catalytic Leaders →
- Formation of Effective Mission Networks →
- Promotion of Ongoing Collaboration →
- Breakthrough in Mission Impact
This is why our focus was on raising up catalytic leaders—individuals capable of bridging gaps, building trust, and initiating effective network-based mission efforts.
Leaders from Across Japan Responded
Although we had a capacity for just 20 participants, the response exceeded expectations. Leaders already serving in networks across Japan joined us, representing:
- Northeast Tohoku Mission Network
- Yamagata, Miyagi, Kumamoto Mission Networks
- JCE8, Lausanne Japan Committee
- JCCC, Alpha Japan, Light Project
- Evangelism Organizations Cooperation Association
- And networks from Kagawa, Kochi, Kobe, and more.
It was an incredible cross-section of mission-minded leaders—from urban centers to rural prefectures, from established ministries to new and emerging partnerships.
What We Learned Together
Over the three days, we tackled the heart and the how of collaboration:
- The current state of global missions and what it means for Japan
- Biblical foundations for working together in unity
- Understanding the difference between organizations and networks
- A practical roadmap to forming and sustaining networks
- Leadership and vision in a collaborative setting
- The vital roles of trust, reconciliation, and mutual respect
Far from being abstract or idealistic, the content was immediately applicable—grounded in real-life mission scenarios and tailored for Japan’s unique ministry landscape.
Looking Ahead
To those we couldn’t accommodate this time, we’re sorry we missed you—but we’re encouraged by the overwhelming interest. This won’t be the last time we host a gathering like this. The momentum is growing, and we’re committed to walking this path of collaborative mission together.
May God raise up more catalytic leaders across Japan to spark networks, deepen trust, and ultimately bring breakthrough for the Gospel in every region.
Stay tuned for future training opportunities—and thank you for partnering with us on this journey!
Yoshiya Hari, Jeffery Sonnenberg, and Robert Adair
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rev. Yoshiya (Joshua) Hari is the pastor of Saikyo Nozomi Chapel and has been the A2 Japan National Director since 2011. He works with leaders across Japan to grow networks and inspire a church multiplication movement with an eye for those areas without a church. Due to the Great East Japan Disaster, he had a special assignment to serve for one year in relief work through CRASH Japan and maintains close ties to the Tohoku region.
More Information
This article was published June 17, 2025 here on go2japan.org and was based upon a Facebook post.
Original Post on FB (auto translated into English):
From June 9-11, we hosted a Catalyst Training in collaboration with Vision Synergy.
Vision Synergy is the organization that designed the collaborative process for the GAP group at the 4th Lausanne Conference (L4), and we met with their director Matt at L4 to make this training possible.
In both JCE7 and L4, the importance of missionary collaboration has been talked about, but how do we actually do it?
What was said as a theory for change
(1) Emergence of catalytic leaders → (2) Formation of effective missionary networks → (3) Accelerating cooperation → (4) Breakthrough of the Great Missionary Command
To this end, we held this workshop to create catalytic leaders.
With a maximum capacity of 20 people, we called on those who were already in a leadership position in some network, and more than the maximum number of people gathered.
We invited people who are already leaders of some kind of network, such as North Tohoku Mission Network, Yamagata Mission Network, Miyagi Mission Network, Kumamoto Mission Network, JCE8, Lausanne Japan Committee, JCCC, Alpha Japan, Light Project, Evangelism Organization Cooperation, Kagawa, Kochi, Kobe, etc., as well as people who are hoping to create a network in the future. The participants had a heated discussion about the current state of world missions, the current state of missionary work, the current state of missionary work in the world, and the current state of missionary work in Japan.
The three days of discussion covered the current state of world missions, the biblical foundation of missionary cooperation, the difference between organizations and networks, the practical process of network formation, vision and leadership in networks, trust and reconciliation necessary for networks, and other topics that were all realistic and useful for future missions in Japan. I believe that all the contents of the three days were very realistic and useful for the future mission in Japan.
I apologize to those who were not able to join us this time.
We plan to have such an opportunity again.
