Joe Handley

FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

Stories from Joe Handley, president of A3

clay-jar"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may always be manifested in our bodies." 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (ESV)

We carry this hope, a treasure in our jars of clay, which shows up strong in the midst of despair.  Japan's triple distaster in March of this year brought distraction and despair.  Yet in the midst of the pain, God shows up strong and hope is on the horizon.  I couldn't be more proud of our Asian Access staff who have actively reached out to provide hope, care, and relief in the midst of one of the worst disaters in our history.  The stories of pastors and our staff reaching out will inspire you.  You can read their incredible reports by accessing them through our A2 Blog Centre.

I am presently in Japan and recently returned from a restricted access country where I was with our first graduating class of pastors in that country.  Again, hope in the midst of despair is the story of the hour.  Pastor after pastor spoke of horrific persecution and pressures, some living through the war and also living through horrendous tragedies.  Most have faced the pressures of the communist government.  Yet, in the midst of all the pain, hope shines bright in their hearts.  The joy of the Lord is clearly their strength.

What  joy it is to journey with these pastors and our staff in bringing hope through our small, broken clay jars.  Meditate on the surrounding passage with verses above and see the hope that God is bringing.  For in the midst of great pain and great loss, the Lord brings tremendous hope.

Thank you for being a bearer of hope in your partnership with us in "extending the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

For His Kingdom,

Treasures in Jars of Clay

All Stories

My Encounter with the Land of the Rising Sun

By Nicole

Truth be told, Japan was never a country that was on my radar. I had always known that at some point in my life I wanted to explore East Asia, but for me that meant South Korea.

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Missionaries to Japan choose new name

Japan (MNN) – Global workers in Japan have announced a new name to describe their role and vision.

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Aging Japanese businesses and churches seek successors

Japan (MNN) – A declining, aging population in Japan means both businesses and churches need guidance through the transition of leadership.

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This is Why We Go Together

Our value for community and the importance of partnership 

We often exhort one another at A3 with the proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” While the exact origins of this proverb are murky, the truth of it is undeniable: for sustainable ministry (and really, life in general), we need each other. 

And just days before departing with our 2023 Summer Short-Term Team, I experienced this truth in a profound way.

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Call to Pray for the Japan Congress on Evangelism

Hello Everyone! It's inspiring being here at the Japanese garden at San Diego's Balboa Park.

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Introducing A3.Missional Partners

Our Missionaries Have a New Name!

For several years, you’ve become familiar with new ministry streams such as A3.business and Young Professionals. But today, I am excited to announce that our missionaries in Japan have a new descriptive name. We are now calling them “Missional Partners”.

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Beauty Before Me

As much as I’ve tried to process, ponder, and pick stuff apart, I’ll simply say for now that the last seven years or so have been disorienting. I won’t go as far as to say I’ve been deconstructing, as that word is a bit loaded and a lot dramatic compared to what I’ve been doing. At the same time, I don’t want to understate the amount of disappointment, confusion, shock, anger (occasionally bordering on rage), and deep sadness I have felt toward certain branches of the stream of Christianity I’m a part of. Perhaps detangling is a better term. But I’m not wanting to go into that a ton here. Not yet anyway. 

What I am wanting to do is practice being more of a noticer—seeing people who don’t seem to be flailing around in choppy waters like me but instead are more like anchors. People like my mom: a woman who is stable and steady, who sees similar things as me, yet keeps on watering her flowers, making food for people, playing the organ at church, showing up for her friends, and volunteering at a thrift store that employs people in the penitentiary system. She keeps on making music, meals, and memories, keeps on listening to Reactionary, Big Feeling Me, and keeps on being her steady self. 

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After Three Years of Waiting, Finally!

Tokyo Summer Olympics 2020 Team Going to Japan 

A3 (formerly Asian Access) began decades ago with a thriving short-term summer program called Scrum Dendo. Every summer, multiple teams would come to Japan, partner with Japanese churches, and create bridges to each community through English language outreach. 

At the beginning of 2020, we had high hopes of reviving these summer mission teams, partnering with churches who wanted to do major outreach work surrounding the Tokyo Olympics. 

We had no clue what was coming that year.

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A Tribute to Dr. Reiji Oyama: A Legacy of Impact in Japan

BY DOUG BIRDSALL

Oyama-sensei was known and respected throughout Japan and across Asia—and beyond—as a brilliant scholar, prolific author, dearly loved pastor, and seminary professor.

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I Come Bearing Gifts

For over a decade, February 1, 2011, remained memorialized in my mind as my “Japanniversary,” the day God took me to Japan, one month before the Triple Disaster. Each passing year, I have acknowledged this date in some way—karaoke with friends, a Facebook post, or a quiet prayer to God. 

But 2022 was the year I wrapped up over a decade of life in Japan and moved “home.” In 2023, to recall my arrival date in Japan, I had to look at my 手帳 (techō, my pocket schedule book). I was too late! The day, March 16, had passed by me without so much as a wink.

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