DEVELOPshape & sharpen
MULTIPLYreproduce & thrive
TRANSFORM.recreate & reshape
Many of our friends in Asia serve as pastors and national leaders while facing harassment, oppression, and outright persecution. They persevere with amazing courage as, in the words of a Western colleague, “They feel that suffering is part of their calling.” By coming alongside these choice leaders who serve Christ on the front lines, we can encourage and equip them to weather the deep challenges they face. Will you join us in supporting a persecuted pastor?
This fact sometimes escapes me as I travel in the region. Our A2 national leaders are so gracious that I am often lulled into complacency as I visit with our A2 participants and hear about what God is doing in their area.
I’ve been jarred out of that complacency by some recent flareups of what is in fact simmering at all times…fear and resentment of the growth of the Church in what have historically been Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, and/or animistic cultures—or countries where one-party dictatorship has replaced any semblance of representative government. What I’m realizing is that this fear and resentment, and the persecution that can accompany it, never really goes away. Rather, it ebbs and flows, depending on events, political climate, and other factors.
At least two of our A2 countries are currently facing significant harassment and persecution...
The last few weeks I had the privilege of seeing the powerful fruit of Asian Access: leaders being developed who are making disciples, planting churches, helping street children, working in the garbage dumps, establishing orphanages, and working with those suffering from human trafficking. It was a powerful week seeing their ministries and hearing their stories of how...
India (MNN) -- Election time means a global call-to-prayer.
Katey Hearth of Mission Network News interviews David Dayalan, national director of A2/India regarding the country's elections. He shares about the potential impact—even persecution—that the policies of the leading party (BJP) might have on the church in India. Rev. Dayalan also gives an overview of how Asian Access equips...
Early opinion polls show BJP win in 2014 elections.
India (MNN) — Tomorrow ends the first week and first 4 phases of the 2014 India elections, scheduled to take place from April 7 to May 12. With over 800 people registered to vote and potential deterrents like weather, harvest season and holidays, logistical challenges create the need for a two-month polling schedule.
On Saturday, voters in Assam, Sikkim and Tripura are expected to cast their ballots for India’s next Prime Minister and...
When you get on the ground in the Third World, you can find tragedy in nearly every nook and cranny—and also God’s care at work, through the kindness of His people.
We saw this up close on a recent visit to an A2 session in what we call a restricted-access country (which is why I’m supplying no names or location). After the A2 session concluded, Pastor “Joseph” took Kyle and me on a sightseeing and people-meeting time in the area. One of the stops we made was to his church; there, we met a family from a nearby Muslim-majority country. Muhammad, his wife Ilya, and their 7-year-old son Ishmael (not their real names) shared a chilling testimony...
Sri Lanka (MNN) ― Christian persecution on the island nation of Sri Lanka has seen a dramatic increase in the past year.
In the last four months alone, Open Doors USA, which closely monitors the persecuted church, says over 30 churches have been attacked by Buddhist extremists attempting to...
MNN's Ruth Kramer gets an update from Bishop Zothan Mawia with Asian Access about a prayer conference in Myanmar on Saturday, May 25, 2013 despite persecution trends.
Listen to Bishop Mawia pray for his country of Myanmar.
The last few months I have visited with pastors in a few countries where pressure and persecution happen on a semi-regular basis. These pastors feel 'the heat' on a sometimes daily basis. Their plight reminds me of Jesus words from Matthew 5:10-12:
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because...
Asian Access is a proud Associate Member of RLP.
Don't Forget: Click link in email to verify your address and get new blog posts delivered right to your inbox!
A2 on YouTube 