BY ADRIAN DE VISSER
Noel is very different in gifting, culture, and worldview from his A3 team members. But here is a man so consumed with serving the Lord and others that it has bonded us in partnering for His Glory.
If ever I have worked with anyone in the ministry so different from me in gifting, it would be Noel Becchetti. And yet, we served the Lord faithfully and together effectively for over a decade. I served with Noel to open several countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, another nation in SE Asia, as well as another country outside of Asia. On top of that, we have recently served as the faculty in two other places in this newly-launched region.
Working together with Noel on many ministry assignments, I discovered much about Noel:
- He is a man who was true to his word.
- He cares deeply for the people he is mentoring.
- He willingly pays the price to build friendships with the leaders in new countries.
- He does everything possible to identify with the new culture and the community where he works.
- He attends every session and is looking for ways he can bless the cohort participants.
- He is always there to greet me at the airport and cares for me while I teach.
- In the past, when I traveled with my wife Ophelia and she needed medical attention, Noel was always there for her.
Noel’s example highlights areas of concern in the mission field I have observed and even battled over the years. I’ve worked with a lot of people in missions and have seen some good examples and some negative examples.
Noel’s life has modeled an admirable missiological approach. He has amply demonstrated that bicultural teams can and must overcome challenges for His Glory and for healthy partnerships.
Let me highlight two of these concepts...
HUMILITY
Humility on the part of all servants of God in the mission field to honor and respect each other’s cultures. It calls us to abandon the arrogant and sinful concept that exhibits:
“My culture and world view is superior, and I have to come to teach you the ways of God and ministry according to my understanding which is superior to you and change your sinful culture and replace with my sanctified culture.”
All cultures bear the fall of mankind and are tainted with sin. Therefore, no culture is neutral and sinless.
HONORING PARTNERSHIPS
A genuine partnership recognizes that we each bring our strengths to the table but also that we value the strengths of others, working together for His Glory and the extension of His Kingdom. It should never be a patronizing relationship, but a partnership of mutual working together, no superior attitude is projected or maintained.
Noel lives in such a way as to positively address these challenges.
Noel, as you step away from your position as the Vice President for Leader Development, we want to recognize your lasting contribution to the A3 Community – You did not teach with words but you taught us with your action. We honor your decision to step down from full-time ministry but request you to continue to serve God through A3 as an esteemed member of our community.
Your example as a missional role model continues to inspire us.
Adrian De Visser
Rev. Dr. Adrian De Visser is the founder of Kithu Sevana, a church multiplication movement across Sri Lanka. Adrian has been the National Director of A3/Sri Lanka since 1999, and currently serves as A3’s Pastor/Shepherd for the Movement. Before this, as VP for Partnership Development, Adrian helped launch the A3 leader development program in 10 countries and contributed meaningfully to nearly every A3 country. Rev. De Visser authored “Journey of Grace: Finding Emotional Healing in a Broken World” plus a chapter called Blasphemy of Worship in Eastern Voices, Volume 1 as well as writing six books in his national language Sinhala.
Other Tributes to Noel Becchetti
- Joe Handley announces Noel Becchetti's retirement: "I get things done!"
- Herman Moldez on Noel Becchetti: A silent guy in the corner
