short-term

  • My Encounter with the Land of the Rising Sun

    Tia stands in front of a Japanese shrine

    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.

  • This is Why We Go Together

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    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.

  • After Three Years of Waiting, Finally!

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    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.

  • Urbana '22

    Urbana '09 logo

    From Urbana to Japan!

    Did you go to Urbana '22? Let's reconnect...

    Urbana is a huge student missions conference sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship...

  • A Family Opportunity in Japan | Missionary Perspectives, Ep 5

    Miller family featured in 'Missionary Perspectives'

    In this video from Jonathan Wu, Sterling and Emi Miller, missionaries in Tokyo, share about their work as a family in Japan. They also discuss the spiritual needs of the Japanese and offer advice on those going on short term missions trips. Missionary Perspectives is an educational series bringing insights from missionaries around the world. You can use this video clip as part of a Bible study lesson plan or curriculum...

  • Preparing for a j-Team in Japan

    Japan | Preparing for this Opportunity from SIM USA on Vimeo.

    Watch this short video to see how you can begin preparing.

    WILL YOU JOIN US?

    Are you passionate about partnering with the local Church to reach communities where Jesus is least known? Please pray about being a part of this opportunity!

    Contact us today by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions or complete the “Pre-App” on the linked page to get started. Be sure to include “Japan Team” in the message section along with your level of interest and/or questions. We’ll be in touch to start the journey!

    APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 1st of each year...

  • Who is a Good Fit for this Opportunity?

    Japan 2020 | Who is a Good Fit for this Opportunity from SIM USA on Vimeo.

     

    Do you have a heart for those who don’t know Jesus? Do you have a growing interest to explore how God can use you as part of His global mission? This is a great opportunity to experience ministry with a team and a local church in communities where Jesus is least known. A specific love for Japan and some Japanese language would be wonderful but are not a requirement. A flexible heart and desire to serve are key. Watch this short video and see if this describes you...

  • An Invitation: Summer in Japan!

    Japan | Invitation from SIM USA on Vimeo.

    SHORT-TERM OPPORTUNITY | SUMMER 2020

    Japan is home to nearly 127 million people. Less than 1% of them are Christian.

    Through SIM’s partnership with Asian Access, we have an established relationship with Japanese churches that want to take the good news of Jesus to those who have never heard it. These churches are asking for more workers to help...

  • Connecting through Community Outreach

    Japan | Connecting through Community Outreach from SIM USA on Vimeo.

    Short-term teams and interns will take part primarily in two ministries, both under the leadership of the Japanese Church. First, they will come alongside the local Church to help them host outreach events such as block parties, culture nights, pick-up sports games, dramas, and conversational English practice. These creative avenues to making community connections will leverage the unique skills and gifts of each team...{addthis off}

  • An Opportunity for the Japanese Church

    Japan | The Opportunity for the Japanese Church from Asian Access on Vimeo.

    JAPAN : A FOCUS ON 'ETERNAL HOPE'

    The summer provides a unique opportunity for us to send workers, as Japan once again opens its borders to tourists from around the world...

  • j-Teams

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    Short-Term Teams in Japan

    For over 50 years, Asian Access has specialized in sending missionaries to Japan to partner with visionary pastors and congregations to help start and strengthen Japanese churches. The foundations of our organization were built upon years of a robust summer short-term teams program. Japan is wide open for your gifts.

    If you want to serve God as a cross-cultural missionary, keep reading.

     

    • Idolatry.
    • Materialism.
    • Hopelessness.
    • Suicide.
    • <1% Christian.

    Those are just some of the reasons the unreached in Japan need you to tell them about Christ.

    • Servanthood.
    • Impact.
    • Life-changing.
    • Relationships.
    • Glorify God.

     

    Wanted: Resilient Harvest Workers

    That's right! We're looking for people who know God has a heart for the world and are ready to do something about it. This summer, share the gift of Jesus Christ among one of the most strategic unreached people groups on earth.

    You'll see new sights, eat delicious foods, and serve with a Japanese church to reach out to their community for Christ. Through Asian Access, you'll learn about a new culture and share your life with your Japanese church and those they are reaching out to through English teaching, coffeehouses, testimonies and your specific gift mix.

    Are you ready to see God at work in Japan? Are you ready to serve? Are you ready to learn? Are you ready for the adventure? You will never be the same.


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    j-Teams is an opportunity for a team of 3-5 people from your church or school to work with a Japanese church to do community outreach through English classes, coffee houses, children's ministry, hip-hop classes, camp and other relationship-building activities. Team members' specific interests and abilities (music, drama, sports, cooking, crafts, etc.) can usually be incorporated into the ministry as well.

    j-Teams Quick Info

    Location:
       Japan
    Duration:
      open; generally between 2-3 weeks

    Tentative Dates:

      Summer 2023 will be June 30 - July 17
    Financial:
     

    Raise support; costs vary depending on duration.

    Description:
      Teams of 3-5 members from your church or school minister in a Japanese church. In addition to teaching English and sharing testimonies, other ministry activities depend upon your team's skills and gifting.
    Team Leader Qualifications:
     
    1. Love Jesus Christ & have been a Christian for at least 1 year by time of application.
    2. Native or fluent English speaker.
    3. At least 19 years old or completed 1 year of college.
    4. Active member of a local church.
    5. Sent through SIM, or your organization must endorse your team's participation and agree with our statement of faith.
    6. Commits to find team members from sending organization and lead them through all of Asian Access' training materials.
    7. Your team must have a staff sponsor at your sending organization.
    8. Commits to raise funds for trip.
    9. Baptized before departure to Japan.
    Team Member Qualifications:
     
    1. Love Jesus Christ & have been a Christian for at least 1 year by time of application.
    2. Native or fluent English speaker.
    3. At least 19 years old or completed 1 year of college.
    4. Active member of a local church.
    5. Sent through SIM, or your organization must endorse your team's participation and agree with our statement of faith.
    6. Commits to complete all training materials.
    7. Commits to raise funds for trip.
    8. Baptized before departure to Japan.
    Contact:
      Bethany Ho
    E-mail:
     
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

     


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    Now is the time to start making plans. 

    Here's how you can get started.

      1. Start praying about Japan and your involvement. Ask God to give you a heart for Japan and its people.
      2. Find out more. Read more on this website, then email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Tell us you're interested in possibly bringing a team to Japan.
      3. Talk to a missions pastor or staff sponsor about your desire to bring a team to Japan. We can contact them with information if they would like to know more.
      4. If you feel led to try putting a team together from your church or school to flood the streets of Japan with the Gospel, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for resources on How To Recruit A Team. A team should be composed of 3-5 people from your church or school (college age and up). Each team member must have a love for people, a strong understanding of the Gospel, and a desire to share it. English is the only language necessary. No one will have to be fluent in Japanese. (What a relief!) Of course, we'll teach you a few key phrases, you know, to help you find the restroom or to meet and greet people.
      5. You'll need to get together a game plan for how your team can raise support. We have some training materials will help give you the tools and ideas you need to get on your way. With our materials to provide guidance, before you know it, you'll have a team in Japan tackling the Great Commission during an exciting summer overflowing, bursting with life.
      6. Keep praying and pray some more. 

    This year, teams are being sent to churches across Japan, and you can go too! There is someone in Japan waiting to hear the gospel from you and your team.

    Interested in assembling a team from your church or school? Reach out to us and keep reading... 

  • Japan Ministry Opportunities

     

    Ministry Opportunities to Serve

    Japan: Hungry for Christ's Love

    Japan is an affluent nation where money can't buy peace. Symptoms of this spiritual vacuum are obvious -- social turmoil is in every city, suicide are at all-time highs, scandals are commonplace, traditional religions are on the decline.

    As a result, there's a hunger for Christ's love that you can bring!

    How can you impact this nation with tremendous sociological and spiritual needs? God may use you to help draw this strategic Asian nation to Himself. Are you ready to be used by Him?

      

    Various Ministry Opportunities

      

    Short-Term and Long-Term Mission Trips to Japan

    There are four ministry programs, depending on the length you can serve:

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    For more info about any of these service opportunities, keep reading on this site.

     

    Alumni Speak Out...

    Ken Fong"I’ve not only helped send our people to Japan through A3, but I went with them myself. A3 is doing great things for God across the globe."

    Dr. Ken Uyeda Fong
    Podcaster, Asian America Podcast; Former Senior Pastor, Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles
  • Getting Started...

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    1. Who is a Good Fit for Ministry in Japan?

    Watch the brief video to see what kinds of people we're looking for...

     

     

    2. Are you comfortable raising financial support?

    Please note that SIM missionaries raise financial support. We trust God to provide and we will assist you in the support raising process! If this is a concern for you, our recruitment team will be happy to discuss this process with you further.

    3. Ready to take the next step? Here's how to get started!

    If after watching the video clip, you're interested in pursuing an application for ministry, the next step is to complete a contact form with SIM. The form is coordinated by and followed up by SIM, as part of our strategic partnership for Japan.

    To begin your journey, read these instructions first:

    1. Fill out the contact form on the SIM website.
      • When completing the form, be sure to indicate that you're interested in "serving in Japan" and that you found the contact form via go2japan.org. You can write this within the optional "Message" field or where it says: "Tell us about your interest in cross-cultural ministry". You can also mention our Japan recruiter Bethany Ho.
      • Please note that this does not guarantee a Japan placement, but just helps SIM know how you came to them. 
    2. When on the SIM website, you will also be able to find different SIM regional websites that you can visit to learn more.

    We look forward to hearing your story and talking together about where God is calling you to serve.

    4. Email us to let us know you are applying.

    Let us know to be on the lookout for your contact form. Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

    5. Now click the button to start your journey...

    Are you interested in sharing the gospel with people who don't know Jesus Christ? We'd love for you to join SIM and Asian Access in prayer, resourcing, and serving. Click the appropriate button below and fill out the appropriate inquiry form to connect with us. We look forward to hearing from you!

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