From the President

Pursuing a Strategic Partnership

jhandley — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:28:53 -0700

- By Joe Handley -

Joining Forces in Japan Toward a Far-reaching Vision

Asian Access plans to greatly expand ministry in Japan by aggressively developing its church multiplication movement. We plan to accomplish this goal by sending more church planting missionaries, as well as identifying even more emerging Japanese leaders to multiply churches at an accelerated rate.

In my posts about these plans, we have mentioned our pursuit of a new Vice President for Church Multiplication/Japan and the concept of seeking to form a strategic partnership with another mission organization.

Paul McKaughan, Ambassador-at-Large for The Mission Exchange, recently completed a survey of more than 500 mission executives ("New Directions") that gives a glimpse of the future of mission advance. He concluded that mission organizations should sharpen their focus and hone in on areas of expertise rather than trying to be all-purpose missions. One of his recommendations was to align with new missional movements to share resources for mission advance.

Now I want to highlight some of the "nuts and bolts" issues we have faced over the last eighteen months in pursuing this expansion.

Reviewing our Model for Ministry

For over a year and a half, Asian Access has been actively seeking to discern how to best maximize the resources God has given us. Our desire to strategically leverage strengths has led us to review our vision, mission and values in addition to our ministry business model. Our staff has gone through a year of conversations to re-examine who we are and how we can best pursue the vision that God has given us.

This review highlighted for us the complexity of having two distinct ministry models. First, we are a missionary sending agency focused solely on Japan. Second, in Japan and eight other Asian countries, we are involved in a unique leadership development ministry.

We are currently praying to send more missionaries to Japan who can help foster church multiplication movements. However, research has revealed the challenge of being a small missionary sending agency focused on only one country. While we continue receiving compliments for our missionary sending philosophy and approach, we have struggled to maintain the financial infrastructure necessary for this model. We want to be wise kingdom stewards here. Yet it is apparent that our ministry business model as a sending-agency simply does not have, even at optimal levels of missionary units, enough "economy of scale" to truly be effective into the future.

Partnership that Leads to Alliance

Therefore, Asian Access is currently exploring the formation of a strategic partnership intended to lead to a strategic alliance of ministries focused on leadership development and church multiplication in Japan. In addition, we believe this partnership and eventual alliance will also serve as a synergistic catalyst for the ministry we run in leadership training across Asia.

Asian Access approached twelve sending-agencies to see if mutual synergy and interest could be beneficial to both parties. Now we are initiating deeper discussions with three of these potential mission partners, and intend to spend the next six months discovering which organization would be best positioned to partner with us.

How it Might Look

We are convinced that a strategic partnership will help us reach the goals of seeing churches multiplied in Japan. As Asian Access champions the vision and leads the work in Japan, the partner agency will serve to power the missionary sending engine. Asian Access/Japan missionaries would come under the sending umbrella of the partner agency and be seconded back to Asian Access/Japan for the purpose of church multiplication. The partner organization would be the primary recruiter and mobilizer for the church multiplication effort in Japan.

How You Can Help

Please keep us in your prayers as we pursue partnering with the organization that God wants us to work with. For more info, read these posts.
Consider if God might be calling you as a missionary to help plant churches in Japan. Find out more at: http://go2japan.org
Prayerfully consider if God is calling you to help provide the funding needed to advance the Gospel.

I'd like to hear your feedback. What do you think about the strategic partnership we are pursuing to advance the work in Japan?

Asian Access seeks sizable ministry expansion

jhandley — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:00:08 -0700

Partnership — a key to move forward in Japan

God has us moving down an unknown path, and it's going to be exciting to watch it unfold.

To prepare us for the future, the Lord has taken Asian Access through a year and a half discovery process reviewing our vision, mission, strategic goals and DNA.

This question became apparent:

Could our goals be something so big that God is calling us to play a larger role in promoting the vision, mobilizing other allies, and growing the mission force?

What was God saying to us? Well, our sense is that God wants us to accelerate the advancement toward this cause: "To identify, develop and release emerging kingdom leaders to unite the church, multiply leaders and congregations, and extend the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

In particular, one of our God-sized goals is our 2020 Vision for Asian Access/Japan:

To deploy 100 church multiplication teams:
Who will establish 1,000 reproducing congregations
Which will enfold 1 million new followers of Christ
Who will in turn send 1,000 missionaries from Japan to the cities of Asia, that will be home to 1 billion people by the year 2020 AD.

As we have prayed about this goal for Japan, we have begun asking some other questions:

"Could God be speaking to us through the trajectory of our history and heritage, the current global financial and mission realities, and the recent waves of missions endeavors?" We sensed, likely this was true.

As we reviewed our history and heritage, we noted that God launched us 43 years ago with an entrepreneurial spirit that developed several different forms of innovative ministry. Over the years, He has taken us down a path of focusing our efforts to maximize the giftedness and fruitfulness of our ministry. Today our primary thrust is in developing leaders who multiply churches—among the most strategic and fruitful forms of mission for this hour of the Gospel's advance.

To add to our understanding, we looked at recent waves of mission movements like the AD2000 & Beyond Movement, the Alliance for Saturation Church Planting, World by 2000 (Radio efforts), the Disciple a Whole Nation (DAWN Ministry), the CoMission effort, the Vision 5:9 endeavor, and many other forms of strategic alliances. These examples reaffirmed that partnership is God's desire and plan.

Asian Access has been a leader in partnering with nationals in Asia, but now it was time to 'think outside the organizational box.' Could there be others in the kingdom with a similar vision and calling as us? What if we journeyed together?

We concluded that in order to aggressively pursue our vision and strategic goals, the Lord was leading us to a greater form of partnership. As our A2 community prayed, we sensed that we needed something significantly different to make a quantum leap forward— 100 church multiplication networks launched, 1000 reproducing churches planted, 1,000,000 new followers of Jesus, and 1000 missionaries sent from Japan to the rest of Asia.

In order to propel us toward a higher trajectory of our 2020 Vision, we sensed God asking us to think well beyond ourselves in order to achieve something greater—more fruit possibly with better stewardship of God's resources.

Next month, I'll be highlighting some of the stewardship issues we have been facing as well. Part of this discovery process, what I referred to above as “the current global financial and mission realities,” was key as well. Our ministry business model needed some retooling given the financial challenges we have been facing for several years. Soon, I'll report more on the 'nuts and bolts' financial pieces that are part of this whole process too.

Thus, Asian Access has begun exploring the formation of a strategic partnership with one of three mission organizations that could lead to a broader alliance toward launching a church multiplication movement for Japan. Under this potential strategic partnership agreement, Asian Access would champion the ministry and vision alongside the partner mission who would become the sending umbrella and engine to deploy more missionaries to help reach our joint vision and goals.

Encouraging to us in this effort is our unique model of partnership with national pastors and churches. The national church in Japan is fully committed to achieving this God-sized vision. They want to work with missionaries, mission organizations, and local churches to see the vision accomplished. Praise God!

God has entrusted to us a significant vision and an ambitious set of strategic goals. Now we sense He is calling us to a whole new level of kingdom partnership to advance His cause across the most populated continent in His world.

Would you join me in asking God to do something absolutely amazing?

Why faculty volunteer with Asian Access...

jhandley — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:42:41 -0700

What excites faculty about A2's future...

Many of you have been praying for Gary Parrett and his family in light of the tragic accident that happened prior to our A2 training in Sri Lanka a few weeks ago. Though Gary is still in intensive care in Korea, he may be transported back to Boston soon. We covet your prayers for him and his wife Holly and daughter Alisa. To keep abreast of his situation, you can follow them on their Caring Bridge website and you can even help the family out by giving to the "Parrett Family Fund" through Gordon-Conwell Seminary.

In Gary's absence, Richard Brohier, Adrian DeVisser and I all shared in the latest session of Asian Access training in Sri Lanka. It was great to see pastors learning from one another and growing together.

In addition, every opportunity I get, I like to ask our faculty why they would donate their time to invest in Asian Access. I did this in this video with Richard Brohier where he shares why he's willing to invest time even though he doesn't get paid to share.

Watch this video and hear the impact that A2 is having and why faculty like Richard are willing to serve.

Why Faculty Volunteer with Asian Access...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbXy_cM5y_0

Pastor Richard Brohier, a faculty member for Asian Access, discusses why he volunteers his time with this movement and what makes him excited about the future of Asian Access.

Richard Brohier, pastor of a church in South Australia and former Youth For Christ and Church Resource Ministries staff member, taught for A2/Sri Lanka this week at the Ape Kedella Farm just an hour or so outside Colombo. He co-taught with Adrian De Visser and me.

P.S. - So, tell me, why are you excited about this movement? I'd like to hear from you...

Impact in Sri Lanka

jhandley — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 04:59:14 -0700

Dear Friends,

On behalf of all of us at Asian Access: "Thank You"! We are so blessed by your prayers, your support and your commitment to develop leaders and launch church multiplication movements across Asia, the neediest region of the world for the Gospel's advance today!

I was in Sri Lanka a few weeks ago and witnessed first-hand the powerful ministry of the Kithu Sevana church planting movement founded by Adrian DeVisser, Asian Access Vice President for Partnership Development. Adrian has challenged us into fresh ways of church planting by establishing transformational holistic ministries that dovetail with evangelism.

In this video, he briefly shares how grateful we are for your support. The fruit of your partnership is helping establish and train pastors in developing holistic church multiplication movements in Sri Lanka and beyond.

At present, Adrian has launched several sustainable farms to take in kids off the streets, refugees from the decades long civil war that ended last year, kids stuck on the streets, abandoned by families, trapped by drugs and prostitution. Now, they are being raised in a stable environment with food, shelter and education. For those who can't go beyond basic education, they have trades schools (seamstress training, farming, carpentry, auto mechanics and a body shop). It's quite remarkable.

Above all this the farms are intended to be self-sustaining - They sell fruits, vegetables, make jams and jellies to sell, raise pigs and chickens - all designed to make some funds to keep the farm operating. It's quite unbelievable to see what the Lord is doing.

Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy this brief word of thanks from my friend, Adrian.

If you cannot see this embedded video, click here...

Asian Access needs VP for Church Multiplication in Japan

jhandley — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:22:33 -0700

New VP position opens in Japan

Asian Access is looking to significantly advance church multiplication over the next ten years in Japan. In order to facilitate our aggressive goals (see the 2020 Vision below), we are seeking a new Vice President for Church Multiplication/Japan.

As we have looked at the spiritual and social needs of Japan (less than 1% of the population following Christ, tremendous social problems – rising suicide rates, latch-key/shut-in children, and disintegrating families), we believe God has called us to expand ministry in Japan.

With this goal in mind, we are seeking to aggressively pursue our mission,“to unite the church, multiply leaders and congregations, and extend the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

To achieve this end, we aim to:

Collaborate broadly with other church multiplication movements in the country.

Recruit more Japanese congregations for church multiplication.

Send more missionaries committed to church multiplication movements in the country.

Encourage the Church as a whole to establish holistic ministries addressing some of the most significant problems in Japanese society (eg. suicide, shut-ins, breakdown of the family, etc.).

We are eager to see who the Lord provides to champion the 2020 Vision:

To deploy 100 church multiplication teams:

Who will establish 1,000 reproducing congregations

Which will enfold 1 million new followers of Christ

Who will in turn send 1,000 missionaries from Japan to the cities of Asia,

that will be home to 1 billion people by the year 2020 AD.

Position Overview

Title: Vice President for Japan
Purpose of Job: To lead the A2 Strategic Partnership in Japan to identify, develop and release emerging kingdom leaders.
Position in Organization: Shall report directly to the President
Focus: The strategic focus of this role is to inspire, counsel and direct those missionaries who are a part of the A2 Strategic Partnership in Japan toward seeing church multiplication movements launched in Japan; and to collaborate with JCGI Network leadership and other strategic partners or alliances in promoting the vision and mission of Asian Access.

You can help us:

Pray that God would lead us to the right person for this high calling.

Recommend people or submitting your name should you meet the requirements listed in the job description (see PDF).

Prayerfully consider making a significant gift to help us launch this new effort.

Job Description: Vice President for Church Multiplication/Japan

Should you be interested in learning more or want to submit a résumé, contact us at info@asianaccess.org.

Pastors pray for Gary Parrett

jhandley — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:37:48 -0700

It’s been a great week here in Sri Lanka with Asian Access. Adrian DeVisser, VP for Partnership Development and National Director for A2/Sri Lanka, taught the sessions along with Pastor Richard Brohier, from Australia, and me.

As you may be aware, we were helping fill in the gaps that occurred due to Dr. Gary Parrett being hospitalized in Korea following a tragic and fatal bus accident in Seoul.

It’s been an incredible week as we’ve watched the Asian Access pastors praying for Gary, his family and for Pastor Kenny Yee’s family. Kenny died as a result of the accident.

Here's a brief video clip of the A2 pastors praying. They did this 2-3 times per day all for Gary and the others. The prayer times lasted anywhere from 20-30 minutes per prayer session.

Thanks for joining us in praying,

Joe Handley

P.S. - If this 24-second video clip below does not show up, please click here... or here...

Please pray for Dr. Gary Parrett

jhandley — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:35:12 -0700

Dear Praying Friends,

We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident involving Asian Access’ faculty member and country coordinator, Dr. Gary Parrett. Gary was en route to Sri Lanka to teach for the latest Asian Access leadership development session when his bus went over the railing near the airport in Seoul, South Korea.

Gary was accompanied by Pastor Kenny Yee, from Highrock Covenant Church in Arlington, MA, who died along with 12 others in the accident. Gary, professor at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, is currently in critical condition and his wife and daughter will soon accompany him in the hospital in Seoul.

Our prayers go out to their families and churches as well as to the pastors in Sri Lanka who have been deeply touched by Gary’s shepherding, mentoring and teaching.

To fuel your prayers, you can learn more from Gary’s family at this website:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/garyparrett

May the peace of Christ rest on the families and the churches and may His healing touch be upon Gary during these critical hours.

Grace and Peace,

Joe

Dr. Gary Parrett's bio on Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary website
Update page: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/garyparrett
AP video footage from the scene of the accident

Asian Access Seeks to Expand Ministry in Japan

jhandley — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:12:09 -0700

What will it take to reach Japan?

With this goal in mind, Asian Access is seeking to aggressively pursue our mission, “to unite the church, multiply leaders and congregations, and extend the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

To achieve this end, we aim to:

Collaborate broadly with other church multiplication movements in the country.
Identify more Japanese churches with a vision for Church Multiplication and equip them, so that they may be released to plant new churches.
Send more missionaries committed to church multiplication movements in the country.
Encourage the Church as a whole to establish holistic ministries addressing some of the most significant problems in Japanese society (eg. suicide, shut-ins, breakdown of the family, etc.).

Over the next few months, we anticipate launching a whole new effort to help us achieve this vision. So, keep following our website and posts (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) for more information...

AsianAccess.org website
A2 blog
Also, you can stay abreast of our updates on these social networking sites:

[Click the button to go directly to the A2 page on each site.]

Finally, keep us in your prayers as we seek to follow the Lord in his desire to see Japan reached for Christ.

The Best Leader Development Ministry in Our Country

jhandley — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:16:24 -0700

I just finished a few days with leaders from all over the world here in Asia for a consultation about the Church in this region. During the consultation, I was asked to serve on a panel for a “Dialogue on Partnership in Leadership Development.”

Joe with Abram and Alec (not their real names) at the Consultation.

Little did I know that an A2 graduate was in the audience and half way through the discussion, he stood up and said, “Asian Access is the best leadership development ministry I’ve seen in our country! This is because they work through the local churches and local pastors.”

He went on to share how Asian Access was instrumental in bonding the leading pastors from his city and how they formed a monthly prayer meeting which has truly built a solid community of pastors for the country. He then told the group how the Asian Access network was key for gathering the 250 delegates that will be attending the historic Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town this October www.lausanne.org.

Later, another key leader for the country (the closing speaker for the conference) re-affirmed the very same ideas. What a humbling experience... To know that Jesus is using Asian Access in such an instrumental manner.

Lord, may we be your servants, “To see a vibrant community of servant leaders with vision, character and competence leading the church across Asia."

For His Kingdom,

Simplify Your life - Lessons Learned From Nomadic Cultures

jhandley — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:12:35 -0700

Do you ever feel like your life is too complex?

Recently, while talking with A2/Mongolia Country Leader Chinzorig Jigjidsuren, I was reminded of the simplicity of following Christ and how that can influence one’s life. In this day and age, we seem to get every form and method of church thrown at us: purpose driven, missional, organic, emerging, simple, etc. All of these have their merits, but sometimes they can be confusing. I have nothing against any of these, but I was impressed with what I learned from Chinzorig in the context of a nomadic culture.

As pastor of Emanuel Fellowship in Ulan Baatar (a large church in Mongolia), Chinzorig is now trying to develop a simpler, more Mongolian form of church. It is more Mongolian because it follows a nomadic lifestyle and involves simply being a spiritual father to his family (discipling them in Jesus) and leading others in his church to do the same.

It’s characteristic of what we are seeing happen across Asia. We are a community of pastors committed to seeing a disciple-making movement transform the world.

Check out the spotlight below on YouTube to learn more about a simpler life... of following Christ, making disciples, and redeeming a culture.

Chinzorig and his pastoral colleagues' vision for the collective church of Mongolia is compelling and simple: believe in Christ, live in Christ and redeem the culture. Follow this spotlight with the prayer video for this country.

May that same prayer be true for each of our countries as well.

For His Kingdom,

Spotlight on Mongolia

Prayer for Mongolia

To see these on our A2 flash player, click on the links below...

What are ways you've tried to simplify your life?