Phase 1 of Matching Gift Challenge Has Been Met!

What a joy to learn that we have matched the initial phase of our digital platform initiative. So far, just over $200,000 was given allowing us to enable connections across Asia on a stronger basis. We praise God for your part in helping us reach this milestone. With this giving, we have opened three new countries, some in limited access countries, and enabled at least 1/3rd of our countries to run sessions via digital technology. It also allows us to meet monthly as a global family sharing concerns and praying for one another. It’s been so powerful...

$200,000 matching gift will help Asian Access provide secure online tools for persecuted leaders

"We are facing shutdowns and jail time almost daily here. We are reluctant to share with the news because of the repercussions it may entail. Please pray for us."

That quote is from an Asian Access national director in one of A2’s most dynamic country movements.  Please do pray for them as...

Needed: a secure digital platform providing leaders with a safe place

Give toward a match so our brothers and sisters under persecution can enjoy meeting, like we do, by video conferencing without fear of government intervention. Asia is still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our friends are especially suffering from the pain of isolation—and none feel it more than those who live in countries where Christians are persecuted, where they cannot trust their governments to...

$200,000 matching gift will help Asian Access build a secure digital platform to fuel revival

I trust you are doing well as we all continue facing the coronavirus challenges. I’m writing you to ask you to give toward a match so our brothers and sisters under persecution can enjoy meeting, like we do, by video conferencing without fear of government intervention. Asia is still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our friends are especially suffering from the pain of isolation—and none feel it more than those who live in countries where Christians are persecuted, where they cannot trust their governments to give them accurate information about COVID-19. As in North America (and in Japan where I live), churches in persecuted countries are connecting by video conferencing . . . for now. But it’s just a matter of time before governments shut them down and go after the church leaders. What these countries need is an ultra-secure digital platform that will allow them to meet, worship, and have fellowship away from the prying eyes of their governments.

Hi Friends! I want to thank you for your support this year. We really appreciate you. You may remember that this past year one of our leaders came up to me and asked for help. You may know that 10 of the 16 countries in which Asian Access works is facing persecution and pressure, and they've come to me and said: “Joe, the groups that are helping us, we love them. But we think the equipping of leaders could be better for those of us who are facing persecution. Would you go and see if we can strengthen this part of the church across Asia.” Well, I went and met with all the different groups that help with persecution today, and they're willing to partner with us. In fact, next March, they've invited me to join them for a big gathering where we're going to talk about how we can collaborate and strengthen one another and work together to empower the persecuted Church. And it just so happens that we have a matching grant that goes towards that project. As we come to the end of 2019, we have a $167,000 matching challenge. We need to raise that amount by December 31st. Every dollar raised between now and then will be doubled...{addthis off}

COLOMBO (A2)  It was sobering to drive beside and walk through St. Anthony’s Church in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Hearing the story of our driver who overcame fear to drive to church that fateful Sunday when several churches were bombed as well as a few hotels and seeing the pictures of the aftermath at St. Anthony’s was overwhelming. We walked through the barricades that now protect the church and saw the area where so many lives were lost as well as the memorial they set up to remember what had happened that day... {addthis off}

This past week was an encouraging one for me as we spent time exploring the idea of launching our Women in Ministry training in Cambodia. It came on the heels of seeing our largest group of women ever in a graduating class – around 7 of the members in Bangladesh were women. Everywhere I go, the need to empower and equip women is overwhelming. That’s why Asian Access is spending more time and energy investing in women. Nearly 30% of most of our cohorts in 16 countries include women but that pales in comparison to the need. Thus, our special Women in Ministry cohorts are... {addthis off}

$167,000 Matching Gift will Help Asian Access design Persecution Curriculum

“Joe, what is being done is not enough. Given the fruitfulness of Asian Access leadership approach, can we add this component to our overall leader development?”

This is what the leader of one of our countries asked as he begged me to better empower leaders as they face increasing levels of persecution. This is someone who is deeply connected to the groups who work to help the Persecuted Church. Indeed, persecution is on the rise! Ten of the 16 countries Asian Access works in face persecution. We’ve seen recent reports from India, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. In the first few months of the year, the same types of things have occurred in China as well.... {addthis off}

A Tragic Easter in Sri Lanka

By now you have seen the tragic news about Easter Sunday from Sri Lanka. 3 churches were bombed during Easter services as well as three prominent hotels, one safe house and another location where police were stationed. At least 258 people have died and more than 500 people have been wounded. Later I learned that two Islamic centers also saw attacks in the northern part of the island. Our colleagues heard the bombs going off during their church services: "We heard of the explosions during our Easter service. We were on lockdown but proceeded the service and sent the believers home ASAP. We were unaware of the gravity of the situation… It is difficult to understand, but we are holding on to God. We are grieving with our people. We are safe. But we are absolutely devastated. Scared. And overwhelmed." They thanked us for praying and asked us to specifically pray that this act of terror could be a turning point in their nation... {addthis off}

On behalf of the entire Asian Access family, I want to thank you for your friendship, partnership and generous support. Over the year-end, as you’ll see in our brief video here, the Lord provided more than $565,000 to help us advance the mission of empowering leaders for mission movements in Asia. You were a key part to seeing nearly $316,000 being sent in to match the $250,000 challenge that was given to us. We praise God for you....{addthis off}

Thank you for your overwhelming support!

Hi friends! I want to thank you for your overwhelming support this year and let you know about a unique year-end opportunity that we're really excited about. Asian Access was extended a $250,000 challenge gift. So if you want to help us match that challenge, we have until December 31st. So far, $78,000 has been given pre-Christmas. And we're hoping these next few weeks that we can meet that match meet the entire $250,000. That will enable us to...{addthis off}

“While we were praying for [the new country] last night, we felt that God was telling us to bless them.” That’s what Asian Access participants in a newly-launched country said to me. (For security purposes, we cannot identify this country by name.) But before you read the rest of this encouraging story, I want to ask you to consider an opportunity to partner with Asian Access to equip and empower more pastors and marketplace leaders across Asia. And whatever you give, up to a total of $250,000 will be matched dollar for dollar. Leveraging investment is so important. Most of the leaders who participate in Asian Access come from modest financial means. Their home countries often struggle with economic hardship and poverty. In addition, pastors are usually paid less than the average workers in their countries. Many pastors must work as farmers, taxi drivers, or laborers to make enough to support their families, while they minister virtually for free. This is the case in the newly-launching country, where an Asian Access orientation session was held this past July. While some of the pastors from metro areas are in better financial situations, many of the leaders live on very little. And by Western standards, all of these leaders, including...{addthis off}

I have great news to share on two fronts! First, we are so pleased to report that we have reached our recent match grant goal by raising $177,353. Because of friends like you, the $167,000 match is not only met—it was exceeded by $10,353! Combined with the match that means an additional $344,353 is now available to launch new A2 programs in more Asian countries. We are now capable to do much more...

Good news! We are getting very close to meeting our matching gift—we just need $12,448 more. If you give soon, your gift can still be doubled! Recently I met a mangled, old-looking pastor in one of the small Asian Access training cohorts in Cambodia. Charya’s bones were crooked, he was missing an eye, he could barely walk. Charya (not his real name for security reasons) was convicted during the session as they talked about the apostle Paul being chief among sinners. He later confessed to the director, "I’m worse than that man."

Recently I met a mangled, old-looking pastor in one of the small Asian Access training cohorts in Cambodia. Charya’s bones were crooked, he was missing an eye, he could barely walk. But before I get to his story in the next paragraph, I want to share some good news—the largest match challenge in Asian Access’ history is still not over. So your gift or pledge at this time can still be doubled!  Now, back to Charya… Charya (not his real name for security reasons) was convicted during the session as they talked about the apostle Paul being chief among sinners. He later confessed to the director, “I’m worse than that man.” You see, Charya was a commander...

I wanted to provide a quick progress update on our exciting $2.25M matching gift for Asia. We thank you for your generous support and your prayers. We appreciate everything you do to rally behind us....

Asian Access announces largest matching grant in its 50-year history...

Just a quick reminder: every dollar you give to Asian Access will be doubled. This is cause for celebration, for you and me both! I also want to thank you for your faithful support. It's because of your prayers, the investment of your time and energy, and through your financial support, that you helped lay a solid foundation for Asian Access. Through your love and support, the body of Christ is coming together in unity. Relationships are being restored, churches are being planted, the love of Jesus is being displayed and God's Kingdom is advancing across Asia! You are truly the unsung hero behind the story and impact of A2 and I want you to know how grateful I am for you...

Asian Access announces largest matching grant in its 50-year history...

Every dollar you give to Asian Access will be doubled. This is cause for celebration, for you and me both! But before I get to the details of that match, let me tell you about another celebration. In my time as President of Asian Access, 2017 has been one of the most incredible years for our ministry. It started with our 50th anniversary Jubilee celebration in Jakarta where 150 members of the Asian Access family from 13 countries, came together to...

Takeshi Takazawa of Asian Access reports that there are over 100 churches in the Kyushu earthquake disaster area and surrounding vicinity in SW Japan.

Those churches together created the "Kyushu Christian Disaster Relief Center" and it's already functioning. One of the on-site leaders is an alumnus of our leader development program, Pastor Yoji Nakamura. Together, they are distributing relief goods and helping out individual victims by removing debris from their houses...

I felt an urgency to get this letter to you immediately! A generous, kindhearted donor has just offered a $100,000 matching gift for earthquake relief in Southwest Japan. So now I want to give you an opportunity to respond to this huge need, starting with assisting Pastor Yoji Nakamura of Kumamoto Harvest Church. But let me provide some context for you… As you know, the Island of Kyushu in Southwest Japan was hit by two very large earthquakes and multitudes of smaller tremors continue to rock the area. Here are some current reports from the quake zone...