Increasing Persecution: How You Can Help

Every time I turn around these days there are reports of increasing persecution of believers and churches in various countries. It seems that persecution is on the rise as nationalism becomes the political whim of the moment. 10 of the 16 countries Asian Access serves have seen persecution expand. Here are a few glimpses from just this past week: “One of our Bible college alumni is beaten by people, accusing of converting people while he was returning with friends helping people with relief material.” ... In another Asian nation, our national director shared this...

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Shaping Your Culture

By what you create or what you tolerate

I was recently reminded of the valuable responsibility leaders have in shaping the culture of their organisation. They can shape their culture intentionally, or they can shape their culture by default. This important lesson was brought home to me when I listened to a presentation by Danny Meyer, the CEO of a restaurant chain in America called Shake Shack. He spoke of how he chose to define the way he would shape the culture of his restaurant by “shaping the way that people would feel when they dined in one of the Shake Shack restaurants.” ...

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Jason Richard Tan: "Asian Access came at just the right time"

Hello, my name is Jason Richard Tan. I was introduced to Asian Access way back in January 2017. And at the time I was just recovering from the very discouraging and painful ordeal. I had lost my voice, my ministry, and even my integrity, and I left the pastoral ministry. I wasn't sure about my calling and my future in ministry. Asian Access came just at the right time. Through Asian Access, I learned two things: one is the value of...

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Emperor to step down as Japan approaches Reiwa era

Japan (MNN) — There’s a new day dawning in the land of the rising sun. Japan’s current emperor – Akihito – is stepping down at the end of April. His son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will take over this largely-symbolic yet culturally-vital role on May 1. The move basically amounts to resignation, which doesn’t seem like a big deal at first glance. Yet, as Takeshi Takazawa of explains, “This is the first time a current emperor has decided and requested… that he would resign [and for the] Crown Prince to assume the emperor’s position. “This is a brand new thing in our history.” ...

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Discovering the Joy of Parenting

I often speak with parents about the challenges of parenting and hear stories of the aches and pains people face or simply the frustrations of raising kids. How encouraging to know that Asian Access missionary Barbara Bauman, with help from her husband Gary, has updated her outstanding book Discovering the Joy of Parenting. I can’t wait to get a copy! The original book has been a lifesaver and game changer for many Japanese and Mongolian families around the world. It’s been available as a bilingual Japanese and English text since 2002, and in Mongolian since 2012. I’ve heard stories of... 

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March 11th... And the future

Eight years ago, Silk and I were here in Japan during the horrific triple disaster that hit the country. In a matter of minutes, lives were ruined, the country was disrupted and it was a day that none of us will ever forget. The spirit of “Ganbatte” – never giving up or it’s similar “Ganbare” – let’s do our best or together carried the nation through the personal and societal loss. It was a significant time for the body of Christ in Japan, as Christ’s Church rose to the occasion to help bring hope and healing to the nation. It was one of the most unifying expressions in modern Japanese church history and the hope that it inspired is still active today. To get a glimpse of how this happened, take a look at this...

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