Bringing A2's Pastoral Training to Bangladesh
This week, Asian Access leadership met with many of the top Christian leaders in Bangladesh. Led by Adrian De Visser, Vice President for Partnership Development, this team that included faculty member Richard Brohier from Australia, the leader of A2 in another country and myself as well. We spent two full days connecting with key church, mission and denomination leaders.
Several expressed a deep longing for this type of in-depth training believing that a stronger commitment to discipleship was important for emerging church leaders. Peter Halder, CEO of a national ministry, expressed it this way, "Many of our pastors lack this type of in-depth discipleship and biblical background. They have done well at evangelism and church planting, but we need a broader and deeper commitment to discipleship for the church to flourish."
It was great for me to visit my friend Peter and his colleagues. Peter has invited me to his country for over 15 years and I now was finally able to join him. What a joy to spend time with him and his wife Nancy and see the work of their ministry.
Asian Access hopes to launch in Bangladesh sometime this year and this gathering of key leaders was a good step towards that future. Adrian De Visser has spent the last two years networking and laying the foundation for this and now it looks like we have a new horizon in front of us. Bangladesh will be the first predominantly Muslim country that A2 ventures into so we are thrilled to have this unique opportunity to strengthen the church and see what fruit the Lord brings.
Pray for us as we enter into this new horizon. The challenge may be immense, but the opportunities are well worth it.
For His kingdom,
Asian Access taps veteran missionary for brand new post in Japan
It is with great joy and enthusiasm that the Lord has called a new Vice President for Asian Access/Japan. Mary Jo Wilson, a 25-year veteran church multiplication missionary with Asian Access has been appointed to begin her assignment on March 1, 2011. The Lord has clearly gifted Mary Jo for such a time as this, as you will clearly see in this video interview.
Introducing Mary Jo Wilson
(watch video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQvQoEzIaiM)
Background
Mary Jo Wilson started as a 3-year missionary with LIFE Ministries (now Asian Access) in 1983 learning language and teaching English. Soon she became an advisor to our summer and one-year short term missionaries. From there she spent seven years in our U.S. Headquarters, specializing in recruiting and assessing potential missionaries. It was during this time that Mary Jo married Michael L. Wilson, and God blessed them with two children, Stacia and Brandon.
After this home office assignment, the Wilsons sensed God calling them to Japan. They moved to Tokyo in 1994, where Mary Jo served in Church Multiplication through our unique facilitator model of church planting for six years. Most recently, she has served for seven years providing leadership with husband Mike in Okinawa for launching two Church Multiplication Networks and starting a third. During this time she also served as a team leader for the Asian Access/Okinawa mission staff.
Over the course of her career, Mary Jo has achieved the top level of Japanese Language Proficiency. Currently, she is working on an MA in Global Leadership at Fuller Seminary's School of Intercultural Studies. What she has learned over the last 25 years has undoubtedly qualified her for this new post that Asian Access created in order to accelerate its church planting ministry in Japan.
To congratulate and connect with Mary Jo, you can reach her through via her A2 staff profile or on Facebook. Or feel free to leave a comment here.
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By Joe Handley
The last few days have proven to be memorable and horrific. It has been overwhelming to watch the images in Japan. We are called to act to bring the love of Christ to this hurting world. We trust that it will be a special moment for the work of God in Japan.
Yesterday Japan was jolted by the largest earthquake to ever hit this country, creating a tsunami of devastating impact. You've seen the reports of cities around Sendai that have been nearly completely destroyed. Other towns and villages along the sea coast have seen the same horrific condition. At last the last reporting, nearly 1300 people are either lost are killed in the aftermath of this destructive force.
I am with our Asian Access/Japan staff on retreat near Nagano, where another quake (7+) hit early this morning. Everyone is okay, but the quakes certainly gave us pause and concern. We have been praying fervently and are convinced that this is a "kairos" moment for the Church in Japan. This is an historic opportunity for the Church to be the Church and rise up to serve the needs of the country in the name of Christ. We at Asian Access believe that God has called us similar to how Mordecai spoke to Esther centuries ago, "you have been called for such a time as this."
The Lord has uniquely positioned us with one of the largest and broadest networks of churches across the country. We believe the Lord would have us serve as a catalyst to "unite the church" to "extend the transforming power of the Gospel" as our mission statement directs. Interestingly enough, our new VP for Japan, had been planning a luncheon for this retreat to help us look at disaster preparations—on March 12, the day after the earthquake hit! In addition, several of our staff just went through a special course to assist the country in situations just like this one.
So, we are poised and ready to respond and now looks like the kairos moment for the church to rise up and make a difference, and in so doing, see transformation happen on multiple levels (spiritual, physical, social, etc.). We are networking with the church across the nation to mobilize the body of Christ for action and we invite you to join us in this 'kairos" opportunity. Pray for Japan, for the church and for us as we prepare to come alongside the church and other partners to deliver aid and respond with well-prepared teams as the opportunities arise.
In this effort, we have set up a special Japan Tsunami Relief Fund for you to invest (http://asianaccess.org). This will provide aid to hard-hit areas, delivered primarily through local churches. There may be no greater opportunity for the Gospel’s advance in Japan than this very hour. In the coming weeks, we'll also inform you of service opportunities, but we need to plan these in cooperation with others to maximize our efforts.
Please join us in praying and in giving to help the people of Japan in the midst of this enormous crisis.
Asian Access
P.O. Box 200
San Dimas, CA 91773 USA
At Asian Access, we want to recommend a few select giving options. We realize that there are numerous fine choices for directing your financial assistance. There are certainly many excellent organizations doing great relief work.
However, sometimes it can be daunting to decide where to send your donations. So we offer this simple list to our community to help you narrow your choices, if that's helpful. The organizations on this list are particularly focused on the whole gospel in delivering their aid and we can wholeheartedly endorse their work..
These organizations are listed in alphabetical order:
Asian Access
http://asianaccess.org/A2-Japan-Tsunami-Relief-Fund.html
Giving to Asian Access' Japan Tsunami Relief Fund will go directly toward two objectives:
CRASH Japan
CRASH Japan is creating partnerships with churches in Japan, so that the relief is locally-based. Asian Access is fully committed to our partnership with CRASH because it is a collaborative effort (of mission organizations and churches) with our shared commitment to the local church as God’s delivery system for ministry. They have tremendous experience in relief work inside and outside of Japan. We personally know the people involved in coordinating this operation. In fact two of leadership team members are Asian Access folks, who work alongside CRASH Director Jonathan Wilson:
Keep in mind that donations to CRASH are not U.S. tax-deductible.
These additional organizations are Lausanneconnections who are working in Japan. They are committed as we are to the 'whole Church bringing the wholegospel to the whole world,' and therefore, we highly recommend them for yourconsideration.
Redeemer City to City
http://redeemercitytocity.com/news.jsp?NEWS_param=92
Saddleback Peace Relief
http://www.saddleback.com/giving/opportunities/japanrelief/
Samaritans Purse
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/
World Relief
World Vision
http://www.worldvision.org/#/home/main/japan-earthquake-main-1-1357
Keep in mind the this is our "short list." We may add to it, after we learn more about what different organizations are accomplishing.
We continue to thank you for your concern, for your prayers, and for your compassionate giving toward the plight of the Japanese people.
Help us match $1,000,000 to bring relief to Japan following the Tsunami:
Asian Access received a $1,000,000 matching gift pledge to help meet the spiritual and physical needs of those who have been impacted by the devastating earthquakes and tsunami last week. This gift and the funds given to match the pledge will help us achieve our mission for Asian Access/Japan "to unite the church" and "extend the transforming power of the gospel."
Asian Access is working with our vast network of churches across the country (400 pastors and 1800 churches - approximately 20-25% of the congregations in Japan) and with CRASH--a ministry of Grace Church which has grown into the largest Christian coordinating agency--to help meet the spiritual and physical needs of several communities across the nation.
We estimate there are nearly 300 churches in the tsunami-impacted areas and Asian Access has already launched a disaster response team for CRASH to set up a relief base in the affected areas. A few churches are already serving as shelters and are receiving those who have been left homeless.
Help us provide relief to the people of Japan by giving to this special matching pledge! Your gifts will double the impact of the relief efforts.
Photo: Reuters
In this effort, we have set up a special Japan Tsunami Relief Fund in which you can help (see below). This will provide aid to hard-hit areas, delivered primarily through local churches. There may be no greater opportunity for the gospel’s advance in Japan than this very hour.
If you indicate "for Japan Matching Gift" on your check, your gift will be doubled!
Please join us in praying and in giving to help the people of Japan in the midst of this enormous crisis.
Matching Grant instructions...
To give financially, mark your check "Japan Matching Grant"
Here are some online giving options for Asian Access...
Read Joe's article about the A2 Japan Tsunami Relief Fund.
Stay Updated ...
Want to Go Help?
Last week, The Mission Exchange, hosted a Global Issues Webinar focused on "The Global Status of Japan Disaster" and interviewed me. . .
The Mission Exchange:
"In the April 2011 Global Issues Update, Joe Handley, President of Asian Access, shares about the difficult journey facing the people of Japan and the window of opportunity this natural disaster presents for the global church to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus. Many hours of prayer and years of service for the kingdom in Japan have yielded a meager harvest. But there is a growing sense this dark hour in Japan will be eclipsed by the light of hope evidenced by the resurrection of Jesus and the empty tomb of Easter morning."
FREE! The cost to download these global issues updates is usually $19.95, but given the enormity of the situation in Japan, this webinar is being offered for free. Please share this report as broadly as possible so that people can pray and get involved in the relief efforts.
Praying for Japan,
Joe Handley
The Vision of The Mission Exchange is to see missional leaders learning, serving and intentionally partnering to accelerate the fulfillment of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ - http://www.themissionexchange.org
Here's my quick video message to say "Thank You" to everyone who has given to the A2/Japan tsunami relief fund and everyone who has prayed.
The needs are great, but the Church is rising to the challenge. Please be a part of helping to resource the Church for this endeavor of loving on Japan!
Please continue to pray for the Japanese people to see God's love delivered through His local churches both in Japan and across the world.
Joe Handley
p.s. - If you don't see a video player, you can see the video clip here.
Moody Radio Network interviewed me recently about the latest Japan Tsunami Relief situation. Please take 11 minutes to listen to the interview:
{enclose moody/JoeHandley-on-MoodyRadio-Apr2011.mp3}
If a player does not appear, click here...
On their online special section called "Hope for Japan," Moody Radio Network posted these prayer requests for Japan:
In addition to this list, I would ask that you pray for Asian Access as we try to set up relief teams this summer. More can be found at:
http://go2japan.org/tsunami-forum
Joe Handley, President
Asian Access
Day 3 @ Cape Town 2010
The reality and power of reconciliation served as the tapestry of day three here in Cape Town. It began with a wonderful inductive study and exposition of Ephesians 2. "Though we were once dead in sin... now, because of his great mercy, we are alive in Christ... We were once far off... now we have been brought near... We are no longer strangers and aliens but fellow citizens." Oh the riches of Christ and his extravagant love to bring us back to him.
The day was filled with stories of reconciliation happening around the world. The story of the genocide in Rwanda and the lessons learned by the church. The story of Jewish Christians and Palestinian Christians standing side by side in peace - even when abandoned by family for choosing to follow Christ. The story of slavery in India and injustice with the Dalits.
The answer according to Brenda Salter McNeil is that this generation is looking to the church as the solution. She charged the church to take seriously the issues of our day and demonstrate that we are a new act of creation.
Jesus, the ultimate man of peace, showed us by example through proclamation and demonstration. What Renee Padilla DeBorst referred to as the "most powerful testimony" being "reconciled relationships". She charged us to "pledge ultimate allegiance to the Lord of history - the Only Prince of Peace". As we do, "God fashions his community into a poem, a work of art." - Ephesians 2:10
Finally my good friend, Labib Madanat had this to say about reconciliation, "When you love you can see!" May we all have the love of Jesus so that our eyes can be opened and we can reach out to others with the peace that He has shown to us.
More to come...
Joe Handley
Throughout the week, I share the story about my faith journey A LOT. As a mobilizer with SIM, I’m one of the first conversations people have with us as they seek to discern God’s calling for them in His kingdom work around the world. An important part of every conversation is getting to share my journey and inviting the person on the call to share theirs.
A favorite line I like to share in my story is “If you don’t have a firm sense of your identity in Christ, and you don’t have a firm sense of His calling on your life, then you probably shouldn’t try to teach middle school English!”
I first heard about what God was doing on your campus on Friday, February 10. At the SIM USA sending office, we take our motto By Prayer very seriously. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, we come together corporately for a chapel service to pray over each one of our fields and our missionaries. On Mondays and Fridays, we do the same, but this time we gather in smaller groups by our departments. One of my coworkers brought up what God was doing on your campus, and we began to pray for you.
By Linda Koyama
Hi, I’m Linda. Nice to meet you. I’m currently writing from Yamagata, Japan, where my family is partnering with a local church. You’ve probably never heard of Yamagata. Don’t worry, neither did I until it was presented as one of the potential prefectures we’d be serving in.
So where exactly is Yamagata? Think north of Tokyo about 200 miles (300 kilometers), or a 4 1/2 hour drive by car. It’s in the southern part of the Tohoku region, closer to the Japan Sea side (rather than the Pacific Ocean side). It’s definitely not one of Japan’s hot tourist spots, but this region is known for its ski slopes, onsens, and delicious fruits.
By Tia Blassingame
Okay, if you look like me you probably started singing that song title and know exactly where I got it from. Perfect, because it has been playing in my head all week! This is truly a different world. Right now, I am at a homestay with my onēsan (pronounced ohnay-sahn) and her family. That term right there is already different vocabulary for you I’m assuming. Onēsan is “older sister” and a “homestay” is when you stay overnight (or more than one night) with a family. In basic “Tia terms” (that’s me), I’m at a sleepover with my sis and her fam. Let me backtrack a bit...
Leaving what I’ve found:
You helped me find my true self.
Wishing you were here.
During one of my first annual Asian Access retreats in Japan, Dr. Sue Takamoto led all of us first-term missionaries through a special training specifically designed for our experience. One of her warm-up exercises had us flexing some of our creative muscles: we were to write haiku that showcased our experiences during our first term. I wrote the above haiku for my church family back home in St. Louis.
By Kent Muhling
I sometimes pray Psalm 143:8 at the beginning of my morning devotions. It reads,
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.”
International (A3) — Asian Access, known widely as A2, is expanding its ministry into some of the most dangerous and volatile parts of the world.
February 3, 2023
Friends of Asian Access,
I am thrilled to announce today that Asian Access has a new name. I have been waiting a long time to tell you, and I have simply been bursting to get this out there!
February 3 (2.3.23) is the day we have targeted to share the news of the ministry's expansion which is also driving the moment for a new name for the organization. I think you'll agree it's a wonderful connection to the past and a bridge to the next era of ministry to which we're called. Stay tuned for this exciting news!
go2japan is proudly sponsored by a strategic partnership for Japan . . .
