Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
— Proverbs 15:22

A3 is honored to be endorsed by some amazing leaders who are respected across many sectors of society. Here are people who serve as references for A3.

People who serve as references for A3

Dr. Paul Cedar
Chair and CEO, The Mission America Coalition

"I am delighted to share some sincere words of affirmation for Joe Handley and the ministries of A3. The Lord is using Joe and the A3 team in remarkable ways. It is one of the most effective global ministries in today's world."

Dr. Peter Chao
Founder, Eagles Communication

"A3 is on the forefront of outreach, incarnating God's Love among people devastated by natural disasters in Asia. They are appreciated for walking alongside national leaders, encouraging and equipping in culturally sensitive ways so the Church may serve dynamically and relevantly." 

Eden Chen
CEO, Pragma

"A3 provides a needed service for businessmen and women in various countries to build community through high quality education but most importantly by providing the context for accountability, encouragement, and growth." 

James Choung
Vice President of Strategy & Innovation, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

"It might be cliché to say that leaders aren’t born, but made, but it’s hard work to develop leaders over a lifetime. I’m thankful that A3 does the needed work to empower and equip Christian leaders throughout the world."

Mrs. Pam Chun
Co-Founder & Vice President, Hawaiian Islands Ministries

"Praise God for the gifts he's given A3 through its fifty years of faithfulness: the gifts of relationships, respect, wisdom and understanding that cross bridges, opens doors and welcomes people into the family of God."  

Dr. Kenneth G. Elzinga
Robert C. Taylor Professor of Economics, University of Virgina

Dr. Gordon D. Fee
Professor Emeritus of New Testament Studies at Regent College

Mrs. Juni (June) Felix
Technologist/Announcer/Producer/International Radio Drama Script Writer
Website: www.junifelix.com

"Partnering with the team of A3 was an answer to prayer for me and my family. When I learned of the work they are doing to bring the Gospel to Japan, I was deeply moved. With Christ-centered leadership training programs, aid to disaster victims and discipleship training, A3 is being used of God to offer the Japanese the chance to hear the Gospel and find true hope after generations of spiritual darkness. When my mother passed away in the summer of 2015, she had one dying wish, “Take me home. Take me back to Tokyo.” I’ve often wondered if her mother who gave her up all those years ago had the chance to hear about Jesus how different things might have been for her. Less than 1% of my people in Japan have heard the Gospel and seen Christ’s love in action. When you support the work that God is doing through A3, you are a part of His light to the nations. The impact is eternal and much appreciated."

Dr. Ajith Fernando
Former National Director, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka

"I often meet young pastors and Christian leaders who have been through the A3 nurturing programme in Sri Lanka. They always speak warmly of the things they learned and how it is impacting their ministries and lives now. So I thank God for this ministry."

Dr. Kenneth Fong
Podcaster, Asian America Podcast
Former Senior Pastor, Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles

Dr. Brent Fulton
Founder & Catalyst, ChinaSource and Former President; Former Editor, ChinaSource Journal

"I heartily endorse A3 as you are filling a vital need in the church in Asia. The emerging urban church leadership is dynamic yet fragile. They have no older generation of pastors to look up to. A3's proven mentoring approach builds communities of leaders, providing needed accountability and encouragement while developing personal character and ministry skills."

Rev. Dr. Patrick Fung
General Director, OMF International

"A3 is committed to developing Christ-like leaders with an integrated approach with the goal of reproducing other leaders and multiplying churches. I pray that God will use A3 to change the few who change the many for His Kingdom as God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:7)."

Rev. Dave Gibbons
Lead Pastor, Newsong Church, Irvine
Founder, Xealots

"A3 is about coming alongside leaders who love to make a difference in their communities! Grateful for what Joe Handley and they are doing to jumpstart and sustain leaders in their competencies!"

Mr. Ram Gidoomal
Former Chairman of the Board, Lausanne Movement

"There's a desperate need today for business leaders to become Christ-like transformational leaders. That's where A3's marketplace training fills a strategic niche. A3.business is building on a proven track record in empowering leaders for over 35 years. Now they are investing in business leaders who want to transform their communities and nations."

Mr. G. Walter Hansen
President, Rivendell Stewards' Trust
Emeritus Pofessor of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary

Mr. Daryl Heald
Founder, Generosity Path

"I know that A3 has a proven track record. Through leadership training expansion, I know their impact will multiply. Pastors will not only experience a greater love relationship with God and growth as Christ-like leaders, but will also reproduce themselves and plant additional multiplying churches. I’m especially eager to see this work grow into the marketplace sector and their new project will help them move this forward."

Mr. Bill High
Founder & Executive Chair, The Signatry
Founder, iDonate.com

"I appreciate the work of Joe Handley and A3. They throw their heart and passion into their work. Because of that, they've developed a strong reputation that is admirable in every way."

Mr. Phil Hodges
Co-founder & Chief Content Officer, Lead Like Jesus

Watch Phil's video endorsement

"It's been my delight to experience the A3 family several different times. And what continually impresses me about the whole operation are two things: 1.) There is a humility and a focus on purpose that transcends continents and transcends cultures. 2.) And it's to bring loving relationships and to foster them for leaders. I found those two things to be throughout the system from the beginning leaders to the national directors and down to leaders that I met in India. It's a godly work done with the mindset that we are imperfect people seeking a perfect relationship to do God's business together." 

Jack Hollis
Executive VP, Toyota Motor North AmericaToyota Motor North America (TMNA), President, Toyota Motor Sales USA.

“I loved teaching with A3 in Japan! Sharing about Jesus in the marketplace with marketplace leaders brought me to tears several times. I’m so stoked about what A3 is doing and proud to serve on their council of reference.”

Dr. Wesley M. Jacobsen
Professor of Practice of Japanese Language, Harvard University

"I commend A3 for its success in bringing the Christian message of hope and joy to a new generation of people across the vast continent of Asia, adopting an approach to ministry that is humbly sensitive to cultural differences and attentive to the needs of the whole person—physical, emotional, and spiritual."

Mr. Skye Jethani
Author, Speaker, Consultant and Pastor. Former senior editor for Leadership Journal

"There are plenty of ministries to help Christian leaders develop their skills. What sets A3 apart is a focus on the transformation of a leader’s soul. A3 holds an integrated vision of life and leadership that refuses to separate a person’s calling in the world from his or her communion with Christ. By targeting this deeper level of existence, A3 equips leaders with a new vision of faithfulness and not merely new tools of effectiveness."

Dr. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr.
Former President, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

"I thank God for the fresh and innovative ways that A3 is advancing the cause of Christ in Asia. Lives are being changed for eternity. Praise God!

So-Young Kang
Author, Crossing Intersections
Founder & CEO: Gnowbe and AwakenGroup

"Asia is rapidly increasing in her global leadership and influence and she needs authentic, Christ followers to lead. The work that A3 is doing to develop leaders in a holistic way is critical to transform the next generation." 

Dr. Peter Kuzmic
Distinguished Professor of World Missions & European Studies, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Founder & Director of the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek, Croatia

Mr. Hugh Maclellan
Board of Directors, The Maclellan Foundation, Inc.

"I have full confidence in A3 as their track record for developing leaders is strong and impressive. Their successful church multiplication model has impacted thousands of lives worldwide."

Dr. C. Douglas McConnell
Provost Emeritus And Professor Of Leadership & Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary

"One of the joys of aging is the opportunity to reflect on the work of God throughout the world. My first knowledge of the work of A3 came vicariously through a professor at Fuller talking about Scrum Dendo in Japan over thirty years ago. In the two decades that followed I had the chance to work with various people and ministries of A3, building my confidence in the deep work that God was doing in and through the organization. For the past decade it has been a joy to closely watch the work flourish and develop. I respect the work of A3 and rejoice in this wonderful historical milestone. Congratulations on a job well done!!"

Mrs. Kathy Narramore
Missionary Member Care Pastor, Narramore Christian Foundation

Dr. Soong-Chan Rah
Robert Munger Professor of Evangelism at Fuller Theological Seminary, Fuller Theological Seminary

Dr. Ramesh P. Richard
Professor, Global Theological Engagement, Dallas Theological Seminary
President, Ramesh Richard Evangelism and Church Health [RREACH]

"Untrained and isolated pastors faithfully minister where Christ's Church is numerically growing. Church health, unfortunately, is not keeping up with church growth. I believe strengthening pastors stands at the epitome of missions strategy today. A3 strategically and effectively equips pastoral leaders in needy regions so churches can grow to be spiritually healthy. I am honored to serve on their reference council."

Grace Samson-Song, CPCC, ACC
Author, Crossing Intersections
Executive Coach: Soul Successful Woman

"Although there’s a place for mass evangelism, training and developing leaders has proven to be the most effective long-term strategy for reaching the world with the gospel. I deeply appreciate the strategic nature of how A3 develops leaders. Going deep is aiming high, and tackling a small number of leaders at a time is so biblical—it reminds me of the powerful potential of a mustard seed." 

Pastor Ken Shigematsu
Senior Pastor, Tenth Church, Vancouver
Bestselling author of Survival Guide for the Soul

"A3 understands leaders cannot be mass-produced. They are investing deeply in the lives of individual Christian leaders across Asia who in turn are reaching their nations for Christ. They are imitating Jesus’ ethos and strategy and the ripple effect is changing the spiritual climate on the continent." 

Dr. Greg Waybright
Pastor-At-Large, Lake Avenue Church

"A3 is one of the most effective ministry organizations in facilitating genuine respect-filled partnerships across cultures to further our Father’s global mission. I have witnessed how A3 has drawn together the experience and formal training of Jesus-followers in one culture with the spiritual vitality and ministry innovation of those in another culture in which the church is experiencing rapid growth to do remarkable things to His glory.

I believe God has raised up A3 to play a rather unique role in God’s promise to establish a people made up of every people group, language and nation to “with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (cf., Rev. 7:9; Rom 15:6).

I recommend A3 as a gospel-centered, biblically directed, cost-effective global ministry partner."

Tributes

See Joe Handley's tribute: Mourning the loss of mentor and friend, Jon Wallace

Dr. Jon Wallace
Former President, Azusa Pacific University

See Noel Becchetti's tribute: A Tribute to Lon Allison

Dr. Lon Allison
Former Pastor of Teaching & Outreach, Wheaton Bible Church

"I know the goals; I know the mission of A3. I know what they're about. I support that with all my heart. But what I'm really excited about is the dedication and the point like focus on that it all emanates out of a love for God and a life with God.”