From the President

Karin Butler Primuth joins A2 Board

Asian Access is pleased to announce that Kärin Butler Primuth has joined the Asian Access Board of Directors for a three-year term. We are excited to add such a high caliber person to our fine board.

Kärin currently serves as Executive Director of visionSynergy, based in southern California — visionSynergy’s expertise is in partnership formation and collaborative ministry ventures. I was introduced to their founder, Phill Butler nearly 20 years ago when he was pioneering efforts to build partnerships worldwide. I met Kärin at a MissioNexus conference last year as Asian Access was looking for advice in developing our new strategic partnership with SIM USA. Little did I know that she knew of our ministry from her time in China and had a deep sense of shared values with the overall work of Asian Access. Working together in partnership through board involvement seemed a perfect fit.

Having lived in South Africa, India, and China, and traveled to over 25 countries, Karin has developed a vision for collaboration that has grown out of a wealth of international ministry experience. Between serving two terms with her family in China, Karin was the director of a mission mentoring program for ten years, equipping leaders for cross-cultural ministry. Karin has worked most of her life in the non-profit sector, and was instrumental in the start-up of two non-profits during the eight years she worked with homeless and underserved families in the inner city of Los Angeles before going overseas.

Karin earned an M.A. in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to that, she graduated from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Human Development and Social Policy. She is married to Jonathan Primuth, who has his own law practice. They have three children, and have sent their oldest to college.

In accepting our invitation, she writes:

"I have decided to serve on the Board of Asian Access because of my desire to invest in and learn from this vibrant and effective ministry that is significantly shaping the lives of Christian leaders across Asia. It’s my hope to make as much of a contribution as I am certain to gain through my involvement. Thank you for offering me the privilege of serving beside you."

I am delighted to welcome Kärin to the Asian Access board and hope you will join me in welcoming her too.

Joe Handley

P.S. - We would love to hear your thoughts on partnership and collaboration as we seek to be "A vibrant community of servant leaders with vision, character and competence leading the Church across Asia." Please send us your thoughts here:

Joe: jhandley@asianaccess.org
Kärin: kprimuth@visionsynergy.net

Wall Street Journal notes great need for leader development in Asia

A recent Wall Street Journal article noted the great need for leaders in the church of Asia today. This prompted the team at Nations Be Glad, an affiliate of Dr. John Piper to tweet the following:

Wall Street Journal: The spread of Christianity across China has left churches with a shortage of trained leaders. http://ow.ly/9ckrf

More than 15 years ago, this huge need prompted Asian Access to invest in key leading pastors across the continent of Asia. At that time, estimates were that 150 million Asians would come to Christ over the next 20 years. Asia is home to nearly 65% of the world's population, 85% of those who have yet to follow Christ, and home to all of the world's major religions.

This is an unparalleled challenge as there is a crisis in leadership worldwide. Every sector of society needs capable leaders and the Church is not exempt from this challenge. The global Church must have godly, capable leaders and the task is unprecedented for the Church of Asia in particular.

To learn more about the great needs in China, see the Wall Street Journal article ("Leading China's Christian Awakening" by Jillian Kay Melchior). To learn about Asian Access unique model in response, see the overview video here.

Asian Access provides a strategic vision to develop transforming leaders all across Asia who will be used of God to multiply leaders and congregations. Here are just a few of the key leaders we are privileged to work alongside . . .

Rob Martin, former Executive Director of First Fruit Foundation has said:

"If you want to change a country through strengthening the church, look at Asian Access.
They do it right!"

We are humbled to be a small part of what God is doing in Asia. And we welcome you to join us in this key investment in the work of Christ's transforming presence!

Joe Handley, President

The Cost of Discipleship

In a recent post, Preaching Today highlighted the work of Asian Access in a South Asian country. Having just been with our country directors in March, their lives are still under threat and pressure (we have been asked not to publish their names or country). The seven questions local church leaders ask new believers cause us to pause and remember them in our prayers. They have counted the cost and measured their lives as they stand boldly for Christ in their nation.

Here is what Marshall Shelley, Editor in Chief of Leadership Journal, had to say in a recent newsletter, and a link to the illustration:

"Asian Access (or A2), a Christian missions agency in South Asia, lists the questions that church planters must ask new believers who are considering baptism. The country is predominantly Hindu, but Christianity is growing. Here are questions to determine a new convert's readiness to follow Christ. It's a great illustration of the cost of discipleship."

I would love to hear your comments on this post. Please contact me at: jhandley@asianaccess.org

Pastors Share Their Profound Vision

Ron McMahon, Chair of the Asian Access Board of Directors, recently visited one of the Asian Access countries, spending time with 14 alumni of the ministry. Here is his report with specific requests for you to join us in prayer for this strategic, yet closed, country:

In a meeting with 14 pastors (alumni of Asian Access), I asked how our board could be praying for them. Each one around the room shared their prayer requests for their church, country and families. I had initially spoken to them and expressed our appreciation for their partnership. In addition, I wanted them to be assured of their part in a growing community of Asian pastors that shared their passion for impacting their countries with the gospel and were with them in spirit and support. Their requests reflected their hearts in a special way as they asked for prayer in these areas:

Prayer Requests

For the raising up and training of younger generation leaders. I want to grow deeper in my walk with Christ.
For the unification of the churches. We need an administrative system to help unite us.
For the return of Asian Access to our country. My vision is for an In Country A2 Congress and then an All-Asia A2 Congress someday.
For greater influence of the Christian church on society here.
That God would help me fulfill my vision to reach different types of people in society with the gospel.
For many new church plants, additional missionaries and the financial needs of many pastors.
That the church can reach out to families. Over 50% of our marriages end in divorce.
I am of the 80's generation. Pray that my church will be instrumental in reaching the 90's generation and that I will be empowered to serve well. Please also pray for our wives and families.
For younger leader training.
We have a call to send missionaries to Muslim countries. Pray for God's direction.
For our church's ministry to the migrant communities. Also for the spreading of the gospel in country communities which are often forgotten and do not receive the efforts of Christian outreach.
For unification of the overall church in-country including the coming together of the various church movements.

Ron McMahon, Chair
A2 Board of Directors

As president, I am grateful for a Board of Directors that is so intricately involved in the ministry of Asian Access. Please join us in praying for the Church of Asia, that we might see "a vibrant community of servant leaders leading the Church of Asia… who will unite the Church, multiply leaders and congregations, and extend the transforming power of the Gospel."

For His Kingdom,

Joseph W. Handley, Jr., President
Asian Access

Generous Mind posts two of my articles

I have written two articles for Generous Mind (www.generousmind.com), an organization committed to helping leaders and organizations release their ideas into the world.

Here are my two blog posts published in the last few days:

1.) Generosity breeds generosity (posted March 8, 2012)

2.) Collaboration: Generosity in Action! (posted March 12, 2012)

I appreciate Generous Mind's Jon and Mindy Hirst, who have a passion to help others be generous with their ideas. Thanks for sharing mine with your readers. We need more people and organizations like you folks!

Warmly in Christ,

Joe Handley, President
Asian Access

Generous Mind's Mission
Generous Mind partners with thought leaders and organizations to develop and release their ideas to the world.

Generous Mind's Vision
Our vision is to empower thought leaders and organizations with the understanding, the capacity and the tools to share their ideas with the world.

Generous Mind's Approach
Generous Mind is committed to a holistic approach to releasing ideas. This means that we work toward the end goal of getting an idea from a concept to something that truly impacts people.

Thank you for investing in Japan!

I want to deeply thank everyone who has donated to Asian Access' disaster relief efforts in Japan. Please take a minute to watch my brief video thank-you.

http://youtu.be/wQLHc6REo6I

Great News!

As we approach the first anniversary of the Japan disaster, I have great news! Asian Access has just received another $1 million matching gift opportunity for Japan!

Please join with us in bringing hope and help to churches in Japan, rocked by the March 11, 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis. The needs are great, but a tremendous opportunity is before us.

These new funds allow A2 to continue to come alongside Japanese pastors and churches to serve them. They have far-reaching vision for what God is calling them to do in response to this ongoing situation, but could definitely use additional resources to help them in their efforts. We hope to continue to provide funds and also missionaries to support them in this work.

You can give now and every dollar will be matched!

If interested in...

giving toward Japan: http://www.asianaccess.org/A2-Japan-Matching-Gift.html
going to Japan, please visit http://www.go2japan.org/a2

Thank you for your ongoing prayers for Japan during this critical hour of need!

Yours in Christ,

Joe Handley, President
Asian Access

Asian Access Receives $1M Matching Opportunity

Help us match $1,000,000 to bring hope to Japan, as they rebuild . . .

As we near the first anniversary of Japan's March 11 Triple Disaster, Asian Access has just received a $US 1,000,000 matching opportunity to bring hope and healing to the country.

While we were devastated by the horrific disaster that hit the country nearly a year ago and have grieved with our friends and the country, we are also encouraged by the hope that has birthed out of the ashes of destruction. The Lord has turned a tsunami of destruction into a tsunami of love, and Japanese leaders have reflected on the similarities between this situation and the reality of the pain in the cross of Christ and the corresponding hope that came three days later through the resurrection.

The spiritual healing that is occurring across the affected regions is profound as believers have served as the hands and feet of Jesus bringing hope and healing to the country. This is indeed a "kairos" or God-moment for the Church in Japan; what many have called "Japan's Hour for the Hope of Christ"!

With this, Asian Access launched a strategic sending partnership with SIM USA to help meet the needs. For the first time in my 30 year cross-cultural ministry career, I've heard local pastors asking me to send hundreds of missionaries to help them in Japan and this partnership will help us meet the need.

With this matching gift, you can help us meet the need to bring hope and healing to the country. Please join us by prayerfully considering a gift to help meet the match; consider whether God might be calling you to Go to Japan; and to pray for the people of Japan following the triple disaster that so deeply affected them last year.

To give toward the match, either send a check to Asian Access marked: "$1M Matching Gift" or give online here. If you indicate "$1M 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 challenge and opportunity!

Joe Handley, President
Asian Access

P.S. - to find out more, go to our web page for this matching gift:
http://www.asianaccess.org/A2-Japan-Matching-Gift.html

Bicentennial and a New Day Now

200 Years of North American Missions

Today marks the bicentennial of missions from North America. On February 6, 1812, the first ordained North American missionaries were commissioned from the Tabernacle Church in Salem, Massachusetts. We have been celebrating this historic milestone at events held in Boston. It's an honor for me to be here for this look back.

And while we gratefully remember those who have gone before us in kingdom work, we also admire those who are bravely blazing trails into the future. . .

A New Day in South Asia

Take, for example, Asian Access country leaders from South Asia with whom I met recently. They have been in the news a fair amount lately due to the re-drafting of the constitution for their country and some important burial rights issues they have been facing for Christians.

They are actively invested in trying to place biblical values in the new constitution as their Hindu country has been persecuting believers for many years. Pray for them as this has tremendous potential to change the spiritual landscape of the country.

Seven Questions of Commitment

Persecution has been so intense over the years, they need to ask new believers upfront if they can make seven commitments before following Christ and being baptized:

Are you willing to leave home and lose the blessing of your father?

Are you willing to lose your job?

Are you willing to go to the village and those who persecute you, forgive them and share the love of Christ with them?

Are you willing to give an offering to the Lord?

Are you willing to be beaten rather than deny your faith?

Are you willing to go to prison?

Are you willing to die for Jesus?

These challenging questions reminded me of the questions Adoniram Judson, one of America's first missionaries, asked his father-in-law to be for marrying his daughter:

I have now to ask whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world. Whether you can consent to see her departure to a heathen land, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life? Whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death? Can you consent to all this, for the sake of perishing immortal souls; for the sake of Zion and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with a crown of righteousness brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?

This quote on the bicentennial of missions from North America expressed the seriousness of the world we live in and the importance of praying for situations like this one.

Please join us in praying for the people of South Asia and for the persecuted peoples of the world.

ROI for A2/Cambodia

A2/Cambodia just graduated Class 4 and the stories of life change from the pastors were powerful. Many of them personally asked me to thank you for investing in them. As they shared the stories of transformation, it reminded me of Asian Access return on investment. We hope to see pastors for a lifetime who live out the Essence of Asian Access.

Here are a few markers of their life change when I asked them, "How has Asian Access helped you?":

"Asian Access helped me develop skills for this phase of ministry."

"Asian Access trains in community thus we grew together and now focus on the big picture rather than just our own churches."

"Asian Access fosters good relationships across denominational lines."

"Through Asian Access, our family grew closer and our lives are more integrated."

"We grew in character because of Asian Access."

"We are now training our denominations and church planters with the same model of transformation."

"There is now no more competition between churches… We promote each other and keep God first."

"Asian Access is very different from any other training program… It brings us together."

Thank you for investing in these pastors and helping to "unite the church, multiply leaders and congregations, and extend the transforming power of the Gospel."

For His Kingdom,

For comments or questions, write me at: jhandley@asianaccess.org

Leadership Renewal: Dr. Peter Chao

Dr. Peter Chao, president of Eagles Communications and Asian Access Council of Reference member, spoke at the National Pastors' Conference in Japan in late November 2011. He shared some wonderful lessons on leadership renewal using the metaphor of an estuary.

While you can review online his full presentation and his personal report as well, a few points struck me that reinforce our vision "to see a vibrant community of servant leaders… leading the church across Asia":

The best leadership principles are biblical values
Leaders must always be thinking for the future
The emerging generation that is successful respects the current generation
The current generation seeks every way possible to empower the next generation
Everyone is important: whether a current or an emerging generation
A failure in leadership renewal is a failure to take the Gospel to the next generation

At Asian Access, we have found that two things are powerful forces in leading the church with vision, character and competence:

Living in a Love Relationship with God
Living and Learning in a Vibrant Community of Servant Leaders

Both these aspects were highlighted by Dr. Chao in this powerful presentation of how to sustain ministry and leadership for the long haul. Many thanks to Peter for sharing these insights for pastors across Japan!

For His Kingdom,