South Asia (MNN) — The Church in South Asia faces increasing pressure from religious majority groups in various countries.

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me.”
— Isaiah 50:15

Today is #GivingTuesday...

We have weeks for getting deals and for shopping during this Christmas season. But on #GivingTuesday, we have a day set aside for giving back. Together, people are creating a new ritual for our annual calendar. #GivingTuesday is the opening day of the giving season, and every act of generosity counts.

Asian Access is participating in #GivingTuesday to make a difference in our world.

As bad as the COVID pandemic was in India which I wrote about just a few months ago, it is now more than twice that bad in another Asian country based on the number of deaths per capita. And COVID deaths are thought to be drastically undercounted, so the situation is actually much worse.

What is causing the surge there? And what does this have to do with Asian Access?

My friends, 

I want to wish you all a very happy Independence Day this weekend! What a joy for those of us who are Americans to celebrate the freedoms we have in this world.

As one who works globally, I'm well aware of these freedoms. Every day, I seem to hear about the Persecuted Church. And we even have friends right now whose children are in custody. And it deeply impacts you when you know these things. It really makes you grateful for these United States—that we get to have these freedoms.

Laos (MNN) — A pastor in Laos has been released after spending a year in prison. He was convicted of “creating disorder” after holding church services without permission.

Last week our Global Team met for our monthly gathering of worship, praise, sharing and prayer. The focus was on the persecuted church as you have likely heard the news of what is happening in Myanmar and Nepal recently. The situation in other countries is challenging as well – for one situation that my colleagues face, see this article from the National Review: …Religious Americans Must Lead the Way

$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...

China (MNN) — Concerning accounts are pouring from China that have nothing to do with a physical virus. Many local believers are reporting crackdowns on the underground Church’s digital presence in China in the form of arrests and criminal charges. Restrictions on digital Christian content are nothing new; some local believers already change their websites and programming on a near-daily basis. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the game for two reasons. First, the online Chinese Church has experienced explosive growth since...

India (MNN) — There’s an adage as old as time: “While the cat’s away, the mice will play.” It implies group laziness or misbehavior when an authority figure is not present. A similar scenario is taking place in India right now. While police focus on COVID-19 restrictions, Christian Post reports, Hindu extremists are launching more attacks on Christians. The first half of 2020 saw 135 cases, but experts say the real number is probably much higher.“ Persecution has become a reality in most of rural and semi-rural India. But...

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.

China (MNN) — Pastor Wang Yi of China’s well-known Early Rain Covenant Church was sentenced to nine years in prison last week. The Chinese government never held a public trial for Pastor Wang, but charged him behind closed doors with “inciting subversion of state power” and “illegal business activities.” Pastor Wang was arrested in December 2018 along with several other church members. Prior to his arrest, Pastor Wang prepared a six-page statement refuting what he guessed the government would charge him with as the leader of a popular underground church.{addthis off}

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}

"I especially want to thank Asian Access for standing with me at this hard time. My Asian Access friends helped me greatly during this trial. We each experience this opposition, and so we are there for each other."

A Letter from My Friend, an A2 Alumnus

Just before Thanksgiving, I received his letter from a graduate of Asian Access. He writes: "Dear President Joe, Greetings in the Name of Christ. As you know, we continue to face many hardships...{addthis off}

Today is #GivingTuesday...

We have weeks for getting deals and for shopping during this Christmas season. But on #GivingTuesday, we have a day set aside for giving back. Together, people are creating a new ritual for our annual calendar. #GivingTuesday is the opening day of the giving season, and every act of generosity counts. Asian Access is participating in #GivingTuesday to make a difference in Asia. There are several opportunities if you want to invest in our little part of God's Kingdom work in Asia. Projects include...{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}

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. – 1 Thess. 5:16-18  “Even if they jail us, we will preach… Even though it’s illegal, who can stop the mouth of Christ.” These were the words out of our National Director's mouth while visiting Japan leading a seminar in Kumamoto. She and her husband shared that week powerfully about church multiplication and prayer and her teaching about prayer was convicting. About the husband and wife team, one Japanese pastor said, “He’s passion and she’s authority.” Such is the power of this couple... {addthis off}

One of the highlights of our recent Global Leaders’ Summit as meeting our latest coordinators for Asian Access in new countries. In this case, the pastor pictured here we’ll call Pastor S to protect his identity as he serves in a country that needs to remain unidentified for security reasons. Pastor S faces ongoing pressures and real-life threats. In fact, recently he was asked, “Why would you even consider doing Asian Access in your country if you know your life is in danger?” – He said, “It’s too important that we equip our leaders to not face this kind of threats. We must proceed and if I die, I die.”... {addthis off}

Sri Lanka recovery from terrorism brings with it hope and prayer

Sri Lanka (MNN) — On May 19, Sri Lanka marked the 10th anniversary of the end of the war with the Tamil rebels. Even amidst celebration, the specter of a new terror threat prompted the president, Maithripala Sirisena, to remind people that defeating the separatist guerrillas a decade ago meant Sri Lanka would meet the challenge from extremists now. He also vowed to crush the militants responsible for the Easter bombings that claimed 258 lives... {addthis off}