Deadly flooding hits SW Japan following historic rainfall

85 Dead, Millions Forced to Flee

According to CNN, dozens of people have been killed and 2 million forced to flee their homes across eight prefectures after record rains pounded southwest Japan, triggering widespread flooding and deadly landslides. Japanese news NHK reports 85 people are dead, 6 are in critical condition and at least 58 are missing. "The Japan Meteorological Agency upgraded its alert system to the highest level in large areas of western Japan, while lifting the warning in other regions." "About 364 millimeters (14.3 inches) of rain fell between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. in the city of Uwajima -- approximately 1.5 times the average monthly rainfall for July." ...

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I am a closer friend of God because of you

This past Sunday Silk and I had the privilege of spending a meal and afternoon with Dee Wirz. Dee is completely 43 years of ministry in Japan with us next month and we wanted some special time with just the few of us. What a joy it was being with her. It came following our annual staff retreat where many staff honored Dee and a letter was read from our founder, Ken with his wife Jan, as well as a skype from my predecessor Doug and his wife Jeanie. The impact Dee has made for the kingdom in Japan (and China)...

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Join Joe: A2|50th Anniversary Dinner in Pasadena

As you may know, 2017 marks our 50th year in ministry. There are many things through the years to fondly remember and thank God for; there are also many new initiatives that the Lord is leading us to pursue in the coming years. And I would like you to set aside an evening on October 21 in Pasadena, California to celebrate this milestone anniversary with me. In Jakarta this past April, we celebrated with our Asian brothers and sisters. We enjoyed a great time of remembering what God has done and envisioning what he has for Asian Access in the future. I have reported on this event on our blog, which you can access here... 

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Church in Japan leaves the bar for new building

A church that met in a bar has exciting news

Japan (MNN) – A couple of months ago, we told you about pastor Takahiro Ami in Sendai City, Japan, who held his church services in a local bar. It was smelly and crowded, but it was the only place they could find. Well, here’s an encouraging update: Joe Handley with Asian Access says Ami has found a new building better suited for his congregation’s needs. “He is cutting new territory with church life in Japan by meeting outside of a traditional church building,” Handley says. “Even just his step into a bar was courageous, and now, to take this to another level, where they’ll have more accessibility for families, is quite remarkable.”

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Japan church meets in an unlikely location

Having church in a bar?

Japan (MNN) — When you think of church, what comes to mind? Well-dressed men and women worshipping in a large building with a cross on the top? That’s not always the case. Sometimes, you have to make do with what you have. That’s what Taka Hiroami, the pastor of Praise Community Church in Sendai, Japan who’s working with Asian Access’ leadership development partnership, is dealing with. They don’t have their own building, but that’s not stopping believers from worshipping together.

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Asian Access celebrates 50 years of ministry

What can a ministry accomplish when God is leading the way?

Asia (MNN) — What does the phrase ‘Jubilee in Jakarta’ bring to mind? Certainly, a celebration…probably one in Indonesia. You’d be right on both counts. Asian Access (A2), a ministry dedicated to leadership development and church planting in Asia, is marking what God has done with the initial vision of empowering pastors in Japan 50 years ago. A2’s Noel Becchetti shares, “The immediate, exciting stuff going on for Asian Access is next week…we have two new countries beginning.” What started in Japan has grown into core leadership partnerships with a dozen other nations, including the newest in the Philippines. At the same time, Becchetti explains, an orientation session is launching in a creative-access South Asian nation, “which means by early summer, the new class will be fully involved in its course material.” The commitment from A2 is...

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