Accelerating Kingdom Leaders

It’s been an historic year for one of the countries we work in this year. Their country has been transformed in dramatic ways and Asian Access had the privilege of taking a small part in this sea changing season. The country was a former religious kingdom overthrown by a local insurgency which struggled to run the country. The religious groups dominating the nation were constantly fighting back, demonstrating in the capital city, causing all sorts of mayhem.

Nearly 13 years ago, Asian Access began building capacity of local pastors in the country and little did we know the impact that investment would make. The ongoing news demonstrates the power of our third core value as a mission: Accelerating Kingdom Leaders.

One way God makes Himself known is through empowered and released Kingdom leaders. In Asian Access, these leaders are nurtured, trained, and set free to make a fruitful difference. They reproduce like-minded, disciple-making leaders; plant multiplying churches and faith communities; foster networks of Jesus followers in their homes, offices, the workplace and the nations. These released Kingdom leaders play a vital part in growing God’s Kingdom in Asia and, ultimately, the world.

While investing deeply in the lives of 12-15 pastors every 2-3 years, an emerging vision was birthed through their communal prayer and learning. They set a vision to plant 75,000 churches in their nation and the results have been astounding. It became a people movement that only God can take credit for. Beyond this vision, these pastors decided to tackle the issues of orphan care and anti-trafficking to solve some of societies greatest problems.

The small spark plug of investing in these pastors led to remarkable societal transformation. Several years ago, the then Maoist government of their nation, approached them asking for help in dealing with the radical religious groups. They said, “Can you help us write the first constitution of our nation by drafting the religious liberty sections?” By God’s grace, that constitution was ratified this past summer! While it’s an imperfect document due to many political twists and turns, it nevertheless laid the groundwork for future work toward religious liberty in their nation.

Imagine that! By just investing in a few key people, you can see entire nations changed. That’s what Jesus’ did and he implores us to go and do the same.

How might you invest your life to make a difference in your community, your neighborhood, or your nation? Walk with God and see where He might take you. Step in with a ‘vibrant learning community’ and see how God inspires you collectively to make a difference. You never know where God might take you!

Joe Handley

More Information

• Related Article: ALL IN with God
• Core Values of Asian Access | web | download PDF
• Mission & Vision of Asian Access | web | download PDF

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Joe Handley

President at A2.business

Joseph W Handley, Jr. is currently president of Asian Access and serves ex-officio on the Board of Directors.

Joe was born and raised in Southern California. He attended Azusa Pacific University where he earned a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in Theology. Joe served nine years at Azusa Pacific University where he was the founding director of their Office of World Missions and leader of one of the first multi-national high school mission congresses in Mexico City in 1996. The Lord then called him to Rolling Hills Covenant Church in 1998 where Joe served as the Global Outreach Pastor and later the Associate Pastor for Outreach Ministries. In July of 2008, Joe answered the call of God to become the fourth president of Asian Access, a leader development movement that began in 1967.

Overarching Vision
Joe strives to develop leaders for missional movements across Asia. His passion is to come alongside local leaders to encourage and empower them in their calling to reach the world for Christ.

Other Roles
In addition to his role as president of Asian Access, Joe is a contributing blogger for the Billy Graham Center’s Gospel Life Blog. He is also the senior advisor for leader development with the International Orality Network. He serves on the advisory teams for ELEVATE, BiblicalTraining.org, and DualReach. Joe is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary.

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Latest posts by Joe Handley

• God’s Tapestry - 12-April 2019
• Terry Looper on our Heart’s Desire & Liberating Souls - 28-February 2019
• Terry Looper on Loving God & Making Disciples - 26-February 2019

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