“The future is as bright as the promises of God.”
— ADONIRAM JUDSON
This past week, A3 leaders from across Asia and beyond gathered on the beautiful island of Bali for our 2025 Global Leaders' Summit. In many ways, it was more than a summit—it was a sacred encounter.
We invited not only our national directors, some faculty, and staff, but also their spouses, forming a community of nearly 70 leaders united by a shared vision: to accelerate Christ-centered movements globally.
This wasn’t just about meetings—it was about deepening relationships, renewing vision, and dreaming together in the presence of God.
DAY 1: WHO WE ARE
Our CEO, Joe Handley, launched the gathering by reminding us of our roots (with film clips from our founder Ken and Joe’s predecessor Doug as well as live sharing from a good friend and faculty member Rod Denton). We traced the A3 journey from its humble beginnings in Japan to a global leader development movement shaped by voices like Donald McGavran, Peter Wagner, Bobby Clinton, and early faculty such as Rick Warren, John Maxwell, and Randy Pope.
We reaffirmed our Vision: a vibrant community accelerating Christ-centered movements around the world—and our Mission: to equip and unify visionary Christ-centered leaders to influence Spirit-led change.
We are—and have always been—a listening, loving, and learning community seeking to accelerate Christ-centered movements. And this identity, rooted in Christ, remains our compass.
DAY 2: WHERE ARE WE GOING?
Led by Elliott Snuggs, Day 2 was a Spirit-guided strategic planning session focused on the 2030 horizon. With energy and unity, regional teams envisioned growth through A3’s four strategic priorities: Identify, Develop, Collaborate, Multiply.
Here are just a few of the powerful targets that emerged:
- Identify 50 catalytic leaders globally, with at least 30% being women, with whom we can partner.
- Expand into new places like West Asia, Central Africa, the MENA Region, and Latin America.
- Develop fresh training models that prioritize authentic learning communities.
- Codify the DNA of a catalytic leader and how we discern future candidates.
These aren’t mere goals—they’re Spirit-birthed dreams. The A3 community sees a future filled with multiplication, diversity, and transformative impact across nations and spheres of society.
DAY 3: WHAT ARE WE DREAMING?
Day 3 was led by our Vice President for Global Development, Jeyakaran Emmanuel, and it was nothing short of holy ground. Rooted in Ephesians 2:10 and Joel 2:28–29, we asked: What is God’s dream for A3? And how can we live into it together?
We dreamed through the lens of our four outcomes:
- A love relationship with God
- Christlike leaders
- Disciple-making leaders
- Christ-centered movements
What could it look like if these outcomes were increasingly evident across Bhutan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and beyond? What if nations were transformed—not just through programs—but through Spirit-empowered leaders and authentic community?
WHEN DAUGHTERS DREAM, NATIONS SHIFT
A defining moment of the Summit came during devotions on Day 3, when Aporna (see cover photo), a courageous leader from Bangladesh, stood to share.
With humility and fire, she challenged the community to imagine what could happen if every daughter in Asia stepped fully into God’s calling. Drawing from Mary, Deborah, and Esther, she called forth a prophetic vision:
“When women dream, nations shift.”
— APORNA
She reminded us that this is a kairos time—not a distant hope, but a present reality: “God is already pouring out His Spirit on sons and daughters. Let us rise together.”
Her words moved many to tears. They also galvanized a fresh resolve: to affirm, equip, and walk alongside women leaders across the A3 movement who are poised to catalyze transformation in their cities and nations. A defining moment came when the senior leaders of the movement were asked to pray over all the women who attended the summit.
MORE THAN A MEETING—A MOVEMENT
The Summit wasn’t just filled with sessions. It overflowed with laughter during beach volleyball, joy during shared meals, and depth during evening prayers. In between tea breaks and testimonies, we encountered Christ afresh—in one another, in the Scriptures, and in the Spirit’s gentle voice calling us forward.
From the quiet strength of Japanese leaders to the energetic faith of our new African colleagues, from young visionaries to seasoned mentors, we left Bali knit together in deeper unity and hope.
GOD'S DREAM—OUR RESPONSE
As we journey toward 2030, the A3 family is more convinced than ever:
- That now is the time to go deeper in Christ and further in mission.
- That God is raising a diverse community of catalytic leaders.
- That we are called to listen, collaborate, and multiply—together.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…”
— EPHESIANS 3:20
Let us dream boldly. Love deeply. Lead humbly. And go forth—together—as vessels of God's dream for the world.
Rev. Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.
President
@jwhandley
@jwhandley
@JosephWHandleyJr
@jwhandley
