“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” – John 17:21
Our planet is in a period of sustained grief: a season hit by a global pandemic, it’s corresponding recession/depression, and the tensions rising from emergency lockdowns and shelter in place orders and advisories. In addition, we are struck with racial tensions flaring, and the mistreatment of ethnic minorities by many and the killing of African Americans by police officers gone bad. Now the lockdowns have turned into curfews across the nation because of the reactions of rioters and looters on a scale like we have not seen in decades. While my friends in the US are seeing this ongoing saga play out day in and day out, my colleagues across Asia are feeling its implications even within the church...
$200,000 matching gift will help A3 build a secure digital platform to fuel revivalI trust you are doing well as we all continue facing the coronavirus challenges. I’m writing you to ask you to give toward a match so our brothers and sisters under persecution can enjoy meeting, like we do, by video conferencing without fear of government intervention. Asia is still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our friends are especially suffering from the pain of isolation—and none feel it more than those who live in countries where Christians are persecuted, where they cannot trust their governments to give them accurate information about COVID-19. As in North America (and in Japan where I live), churches in persecuted countries are connecting by video conferencing . . . for now. But it’s just a matter of time before governments shut them down and go after the church leaders. What these countries need is an ultra-secure digital platform that will allow them to meet, worship, and have fellowship away from the prying eyes of their governments.
Watch Joe's interview with the TakazawasYesterday, we posted a video clip from Takeshi Takazawa (Takeshi talks Crisis, Danger, and Opportunity) in 2016 where he shares about the two Chinese characters for "crisis" which are made up of "danger" and "opportunity". He was applying it to the Great Japan Disaster (3.11.11). He reminded us...
Globalization—and the current pandemic—have tied together intercontinental personal relationships and socially distanced ministry in ways we would have found difficult to imagine not so many years ago.
The following true story from one of our A3 Japan staff highlights how intercontinental friendships and digital media can partner together in ministry even in a “shelter in place” world. Thank you for your prayers for our A3 family as our members share God’s love through every means possible. Here is their story I wanted to share with you...
A Japanese university not far from our current home in Japan has had a sister school relationship with my alma mater in the USA for over 50 years. Decades ago...
Creativity started before COVID-19 now deepening in JapanGod is clearly doing something new these days… While we mourn the deep losses of people and our sense of community living in isolation, there are signs of promise. We hope a solution comes soon for the coronavirus but during this season, something fresh is stirring. This video interview with my colleagues Joshua Hari and Jeffery Sonnenberg highlights some of what God is doing. In fact, as Joshua shares, it seems that God was preparing things in advance as well as setting the stage for fulfilling our longer-term vision for Japan. Watch and see what God is doing… And, pray: next week Japan is hosting an important webinar to help pastors best serve their communities and nations during this pandemic...
"With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand."
I trust you remember the story (read Judges 7). Israel was facing a formidable challenge from the Midianites and God had called Gideon to lead them. As Gideon worked to select those who would serve in the army, God kept whittling the numbers down, to a level most would consider absurd for battle. Yet, God said: "The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me." Interestingly enough, God gave me this passage coming out of my quasi-sabbatical, a season focused on finishing my dissertation and a degree of rest. Throughout that sabbath season, the Lord was reminding me to...
I read dozens of missionary prayer letters every month and this one by my colleagues Barbara and Gary Bauman really impressed me. Why? While many are mentioning the Japanese word and Chinese characters for crisis (see picture here), and how it means both danger and opportunity, I was particularly impressed with how Barbara and Gary are seeing this flesh out in their own life and ministry. They reported on some recent ministry activity that I hope we can share in the future. It’s an exciting story of how the Gospel is being manifest before those they are reaching out to in their sphere of influence. Barbara and Gary have this crisis idea down! As they shared...
When COVID-19 started becoming a public concern, I was en route to a conference with 5,000 leaders from China. The conference did a remarkable job at communicating with us and managing the situation. It’s a tribute to them and to the Lord’s hand that to this date, none of us have been impacted (at least for what has been reported so far). As the news grew and social isolation became more and more the norm, the Lord reminded me of the power of lament as well as the hope hidden within that concept. For Silk and me, we held a public Facebook Live prayer event where God gave me a passage from Lamentations to share...
Here's a powerful testimony from one of our leaders sharing the impact of the program on their country. The story is so compelling that we wanted you to be able to watch or listen...
A Reflection following EasterHello, Everyone! I trust you had a wonderful Easter gathering as we did here in Tokyo. It was a tremendous time celebrating our risen Lord especially in this unique season of isolation, social distancing, and stay-at-home orders. I was inspired by some of my times with Christ this past week‚ particularly as reading from Isaiah chapter 61, and it reminded me of what God's calling is in my heart for the current season that is so challenging for this world. Let me read it to you; Jesus repeats this in the New Testament, but Isaiah says...
Greetings on Good Friday. When it looks dark, that's when God shows up.The year I joined A3 was the year the economy last collapsed. I was responsible for raising more money than I had ever dreamed of before and suddenly, the stock markets dropped to the floor. We had come to the end of the year and had set up a special meeting to begin closing major portions of the ministry. The same day of that meeting, I had a lunch appointment with a pastor and told him, “What was God thinking calling me to this post? I knew he wanted me to step out in faith, and raising funds was a big part of that, but I had no idea the funds wouldn’t come in.” I would likely have to cut staff and perhaps close a lot of ministry. That same lunch hour, a call came in letting me know that a $500,000 check was in the mail. When I called our team later that afternoon, I told them “God showed up—we don’t need to worry...”
A Personal Message from Joe & Silk HandleyHello, Everybody! We just wanted to take a moment and wish you all a Happy Easter. And we are glad to be with you this year. We know most of you, like us, are facing social isolation—stuck at home—not able to see your family. But we wanted you to know how much we appreciate you. It's been a unique year. I was just on the phone with most of our national directors the other day, hearing what's happening in their countries and...
A3 faculty member, Jim Millard, president of Sunrise International, just created a wonderful little booklet that is sure to inspire. The booklet is 30 days of inspirational life messages that I’m sure will lift your soul. Here’s the review I just posted on Amazon.com –
“This little booklet will encourage you and lift your spirits. Try it. It's 30 days of quick reading and it's sure to...
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For over half a century, A3 has catalyzed movements in Asia. Now, with doors open in the Middle East, North Africa, and the West, we have boldly stepped in...
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