Looking Back on 2020, Praying Forward

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Dear Friends,

As 2020 wound to a close, the Lord impressed on me the following passage:

"In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." —John 1:4

LOOKING BACK ON 2020

2020 was such a disruptive year. Yet the life of Christ is the light of the world. That gives me hope heading into 2021. I pray that your Christmas and New Year’s celebrations brought joy and the reminder of what is most important, even in the midst of the challenges from 2020, some of which continue to persist.

Though many understandably were eager to flip the calendar to 2021, there were tremendous advances during 2020 that we want to celebrate God at work. I trust you enjoy seeing some of the highlights from Asian Access listed below.

My reflection “Dark Clouds. Silver Linings.” captures the hope I sensed from John chapter 1. With your help, the Lord used Asian Access to see:

Mighty movements of God in places like China and the Philippines
Creative ministry approaches in Japan building a foundation for hoped for revival
3 new countries started via a soft-launch since July
Our digital platform initiated and used in those three countries
2 of these countries in the MENA region where we are now engaged with The Last Mile initiative

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Amid the challenges you have faced this year, I pray that the Lord showed you some glimmers of hope as well.

PRAYING FORWARD IN 2021

Today, we envision engaging some of the darkest corners of the world for the Gospel’s advance. Praise God and thank you for your part!

As we enter 2021, we trust we can finally celebrate the completion of Asian Access 2020 Vision for Japan.

That historic benchmark for Asian Access prepares us for the Lord’s next phase of mission advance, which for 2021 includes the following:

The new season God will bring to Japan stirred by the upcoming Olympic Games
New forms of evangelism, church planting and digital training in Japan becoming a catalyst for the world
Engaging The Last Mile initiative as A2 begins working in the Middle East and North Africa
Empowering more women, younger professionals and various spheres of influence building on our success equipping pivotal pastors all these years
Strengthening our Digital Platform with Phase 2 which we hope will be more secure in dangerous zones of the planet

PRAY FOR US

Pray for us as we strengthen our digital platform and recruit new missionaries to serve in Japan. Pray that we might be able to assist The Last Mile initiative to make deeper disciples, equip leaders and foster church planting in the Middle East and North Africa. And, pray for the Lord’s provisions during a very challenging economic climate.

HOW CAN I BE PRAYING FOR YOU?

I’ve dedicated every Friday to concerted prayer this year and would love to simply pray for you every week. Feel free to share your requests and Silk and I will be sure to lift you up to our Father in heaven.

"In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind."

That passage goes on to add that Light shines in the Darkness and Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world. May we shine his light, ever so brightly, in a world trapped in darkness.

Happy New Year and thank you for your prayer and support!

Praying forward in 2021,

joe sig blue
Rev. Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.
President, Asian Access