that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Merry Christmas from A3! Here is a photo of our A3 staff in Japan.
At this time of year, we rightly focus on the incarnation, the coming of the Lord in human form. But Christmas also reminds me of fatherly love. First, I see our Heavenly Father, whose perfect love compelled Him to send His one and only Son to reveal Him to a broken world. I also recall Joseph, the adoptive human father of baby Jesus who chose love over any embarrassment he may have felt.
The love of these fathers highlights the great need everyone has for fathers—both physical and spiritual. A3 is committed to help train up a generation of leaders across Asia who can serve as spiritual fathers to an emerging generation of believers and leaders for the Church. And we are exceedingly grateful to you, because your prayers and gifts are essential to this ministry.
Yet as we look to 2013 and beyond, we know there is much work to be done. One A3 national director told me:
"The young church in my country is like a hospital now, full of young wounded soldiers with no older friends or spiritual fathers to care for them."
Please join me in praying for more spiritual fathers and friends for pastors in Asia.
Know that your partnership with A3 is a blessing to hundreds of pastors, who are becoming spiritual fathers to younger believers. I pray you will have a blessed Christmas season and a joyous New Year.
Joe Handley, President
A3
