The last few weeks, I have been powerfully struck by hearing several amazing stories of what God is doing across Asia through leader development alumni of A3. As you have heard, the triple disaster that hit Japan two years ago brought about a spiritual hunger like I have never seen before there.
I have heard many firsthand stories from Japanese people who have had dreams and visions about Jesus—similar to the Muslim world. People are coming to Christ in handfuls because of their spiritual searching. Often God leads them to talk with pastors and missionaries in surprising and miraculous ways.
Let me tell you about Pastor Ichio Kishinami, an alumnus of A2’s leader development program, who serves with Miyagi Mission Network. Nearly every day, he travels a few hours toward the coast of Japan where he meets with people with broken lives. He tirelessly listens to victims who have lost family members, homes, and even their entire communities. I knew this type of activity was happening regularly, but I had no idea the impact it was having until hearing his story.
The seeds for church planting are phenomenal. Pastor Kishinami has now established over 30 Christ-following groups—some are already full house chapels—in the Miyagi prefecture where he’s been working diligently. Most all of these groups are made up of people who have no Christian background. And so people are coming to Christ in unprecedented numbers for Japan.
Who would have thought that just by listening to people share their pain would bring them to Christ—that simply serving their needs, so many would open their hearts and share their spiritual searching so openly?
This is happening on such a grand scale, that two pastors recently appealed to me to send hundreds of missionaries and another thousands. As Pastor Nobu Nagai shared,
"The need is too great and the Church is too small to meet the needs. In particular, people open their hearts to foreigners more freely. Please send us hundreds of missionaries."
A3 has a vision to come alongside pastors like these and assist them in the vision God has given them. If you know someone who may be interested in serving as a missionary, please send them a link to our website: http://go2japan.org/
My heart’s desire is for A3 to see 100 church multiplication networks established in Japan to plant more than 1,000 reproducing churches and see 1,000,000 new followers of Jesus in Japan.
It's a privilege to partner with these pastors to help accelerate recruiting efforts. Please join us in prayer during this unique moment for hope in Japan!
Thank you in advance for praying for these leaders in the A3 Community and the work of God in Japan and across Asia.
Yours for His Kingdom,
Joe Handley, President
Hear Rev. Kawasaki share the story of his friend, Pastor Ichio Kishinami [video]
