“You guys are different!”
— HOTEL MANAGER
Earlier this month, A3 held its annual global leaders' summit at a hotel in Indonesia. Seeing the hotel staff there reminded me of a story I recently heard during our latest Ministry Leadership Team meeting in Bangkok.
Our ministry team gathers quarterly to process all that is happening with our ministry and help set the pace for us in mission. That particular week was bittersweet because my good friend and long time ministry colleague Noel Becchetti was retiring. His last official day on staff was that week.
At the same meeting, we welcomed in our new VP, Jeyakaran “Jakes” Emmanuel. It was neat to see the baton being passed and to watch the shift between Noel’s guidance and now Jakes’ shepherding. And, we’re glad Noel will be staying with us as a volunteer through middle of next year too.
While we were together, Noel shared a powerful story for all of us. Tears welled up in his eyes as he shared, and I was deeply moved.
A few years ago, we held one of our global summits. These are gatherings where leaders from around 15-20 countries come to work together, celebrate the ministry, and fellowship with one another. All of the hotel staff members were amazed at our group.
They asked Noel:
Who are you guys?
They said tons of groups come in for their conferences, but usually they are from the same culture or nationality. But in the cases when mixed groups gather, they don’t see the people integrating and interacting like A3 Leaders do. Through our smiles, laughs, and hugs, onlookers can see how much we enjoy being with each other—how much we love one another.
It's a beautiful example of the power of unity in the body of Christ.
The A3 community lives this out in such a wonderful manner. It is indeed a unique community to participate in. The love, care and joy we share with one another is evident to those watching. The carrying of one another’s burdens, praying for each other and walking together in life and ministry is powerful.
I’ve never seen anything like it in my 35 some years of ministry! And, what a wonderful testimony of the power of God.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
— JOHN 17: 20-21
Rev. Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.
President
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