Bio: Jeffery & Akiko Sonnenberg
Background Info:
Jeffery & Akiko are a Canadian and Japanese missionary couple with tremendous missions experience. Jeffery went to Japan twice with A3 as a short-termer. Upon completion of his seminary studies, he returned to spend 3 years heading up the English Ministries of Soka Evangelical Free Church in Saitama.
During this time, he met Akiko, a fourth-generation Japanese Christian (which is a rarity). Akiko was a university student actively involved in campus ministry as well as a member of the English Board at Soka Church. They worked together at the church in English and Japanese.
They were married in Canada in 1998. They spent a year doing post-graduate studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in preparation for further mission work in Japan.
Ministry Assignment:
Missional Partners since 2000:
- Toda, Saitama, 2014-present
- Okinawa regional church planting network, 2003-2013
- Yamagata regional church planting network, 2000-'03
ARTICLES RELATED TO JEFFERY & AKIKO
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Article Information
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Written by Jeff Johnston
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Created on 12 January 2026
Janelle Stoops joins A3, helping to build capacity and support for our expanding work
AS A3 CONTINUES TO GROW INTO NEW REGIONS AND CONTINENTS, WE ARE STRENGTHENING OUR LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE SO WE CAN STEWARD THIS SEASON WELL.
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Article Information
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Written by Jeff Johnston
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Created on 11 January 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(A3) La Palma, California, USA — January 12, 2026
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Article Information
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Written by Jeff Johnston
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Created on 07 January 2026
Key Leaders Talk About Leadership Preparation, Calling, and A3
As God continues to grow A3, our Board and leadership team discerned the need to strengthen our leadership structure for this new season. In response, CEO Joe Handley sought a trusted leader who could partner with him as U.S. President and help steward A3’s expanding mission.
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Article Information
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Written by The A3 Japan Team
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Created on 19 June 2025
by THE A3 JAPAN TEAM
From June 9–11, A3/Japan partnered with VisionSynergy to host a dynamic Catalyst Training workshop, equipping leaders across Japan to foster greater missionary collaboration. This training wasn’t just theoretical—it was birthed out of a shared vision that emerged during our time at the 4th Lausanne Congress (L4) and JCE7. At both gatherings, a key message rang loud and clear: mission cooperation is essential for the future of the global Church.
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