"Japan is the Key to Asia"
What a thrill it was participating in the final 50th anniversary celebration in Japan late November. Voices from across the lifespan of our ministry shared perspectives on what God has done and what we anticipate in the future.
Most moving of all was one of my predecessors, former president Dr. Steve Hoke (above), who shared a passionate call for the people of Japan. As he stared out his window overlooking Tokyo in Shinjuku, he wept over the lost people realizing how few knew Jesus. Then he shared his vision which was initially given by his father, renown pastor and missionary Dr. Don Hoke: “Japan is the key to Asia!”
It could’nt have bene a better time to hear the message as we have been seeing new forms of ministry birthing the last several years post-triple disaster. And what a fitting compliment to Dr. Hoke’s passion it was to hear Pastor Nobu Nagai share a challenge for us from Matthew 5:38:
“new wine must be poured into new wineskins”
Pastor Nobu encouraged us to keep pursuing new wineskins as we reach out to see Japan touched by the hope that only Jesus can offer. It was a timely message, especially given the new vision birthing in Japan!
What is that new vision?
Here are some examples from various visionaries:
Pastor Joshua Hari (below, center), national director of A3 Japan, is praying about reaching 2% of the population by 2023.
And, A3 alumnus Pastor Keishi Ikeda (right) is sharing a vision for 10% by 2024.
That’s incredible! Never before have I heard such enormous vision coming from Japan. How exciting!
And, these compliment Pastor Chida (left) who says,
“We need 50,000 churches in Japan. We need as many churches as there are convenient stores in order to truly reach Japan with Christ.”
Would you join me in praying for Japan? Will you consider going to Japan to help fulfill these visions? And, will you give to help us as we seek to empower leaders like these in fulfilling the vision God has called them to achieve.
As our founder, Ken stated years ago to Pastor Murakami,
“[Our] vision is to empower your vision.”
Join us in praying, giving and going to Japan!
Joe Handley, President
A3
@jwhandley
More Information
