A3 Community

2024: A Year of Momentum for A3

Our top stories reflect the momentum as we have seen reasons for our 2023 name change fulfilled in 2024.

Joe Handley says that A3 has grown more in the last year than any other time during his 16+ year tenure. We've expanded to the edges of Asia into North Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and even the Americas. All the while, ministry continues throughout Asia. In fact, a tremendous discovery that A3 cohorts were operating in a country we thought was still on hiatus for security reasons.

God has provided significant opportunities to A3, and we have much to celebrate this year.

Here are a few of our top stories from 2024 that highlight this momentum, listed in chronological order. We trust these articles will bring encouragement as we collectively remember His faithfulness through the past year.

Everyone at A3 thanks you for your partnership in prayer and giving which made these stories a reality!

"I feel alone": Why some pastors joined A3 by JOE HANDLEY — 05-FEB-2024 — We were training in the Middle East / North Africa (MENA) region last year and working with first-generation pastors and leaders. They were so encouraged by our faculty and mentors saying they had never experienced such rich, deep communal experiences like these. One pastor said, before this cohort, I only knew a few of the others. Now through A3, I have several new friends. As we were training about mentoring and the need for three generations of mentors (Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy types), one leader shared... Read more »

The Impact of the Imperfect: Is Bigger Better? by HERMAN MOLDEZ — 12-MAR-2024 — The thinking that you must grow big to make a difference has crept in the church. I have heard several times of evangelical leaders urging pastors to level up so as to grow big churches to transform the nation. Where is this perspective coming from? The way of the kingdom is to make an impact not by becoming a big star, but by being like small seed—not by becoming large but as little yeast silently saturating the entire dough... Read more »

"We need this urgently!": A3's First Exploration into South America by NOEL BECCHETTI — 17-APR-2024 — “We need this urgently.”— veteran pastor. “I have been praying for a program to help me understand how to apply my Christian faith in my working world.”— lawyer. “Loneliness is a big issue for ministry leaders.”— NGO leader. “How soon can you start the program?”— recurring question from many leaders... In 2017, A3 President Joe Handley asked God for discernment on the future as he prepared to address A3 leaders celebrating 50 years of ministry... Read more »

Exciting Days for Japan: Missional teams serving regionally by JOE HANDLEY — 14-JUNE-2024 — What a month this has been… Silk and I were in Japan for our annual staff retreat… Then, I got to be with my colleague Pastor Yoshiya Hari for several days in America. I was so encouraged as Pastor Yoshiya shared at my home church, Rolling Hills Covenant. He showed picture after picture of mission teams seeking to plant churches around Japan. See the teams in these photos. I had no idea the reach of our teams. It made my heart leap for joy... Read more »

"I joined A3 because it's transforming.": Alumnus reflects on why he joined A3 by JOE HANDLEY — 12-JUL-2024 — At the recent A3 alumni gathering in India, I asked folks why they initially joined our leader development program. When I heard Rahul Rao's response, I jusaat had to record him and share it with you... "Hi, my name is Rahul Rao. I'm from Mumbai, India. In 2018. I had completed around 10 years of ministry, pastoring a church, being involved in training. And a friend of mine, a pastor friend of mine, invited me—recommended that I be a part of a training that's called A3...  Read more »

"A3 is killing it!": Mission Pastor Nate Aanderud Loves the A3 Vision by JOE HANDLEY — 29-JUL-2024 — Not long ago, I hosted some friends to speak into the life of A3 for the coming years. Our world is in a pivotal season—a tumultuous season—and one that demands more and more from spiritual leaders. Sadly, pastors have quit the pulpit more in the last five years and churches are closing doors in higher numbers than we’ve seen in my lifetime. As these friends gathered, I asked them to share their wisdom as A3 aspires to fulfill our vision in the years ahead. It was eye-opening to hear each on share... Read more »

"I get things done.": Sharing our gratitude for Noel Becchetti by JOE HANDLEY — 03-SEP-2024 — In 2012, my friend and colleague, Noel Becchetti approached me saying he was in transition and looking at options. In my inquiry of what might fit him, I mused out loud, "Hmmm, maybe we’d be a good fit for you, Noel." Noel and I have been friends since the late 1980s working for a week here and there together on various mission endeavors. I knew Noel fairly well. But as we explored a new role, I asked, "What are your strengths and challenges?" He quickly listed both, but the key statement that grabbed my attention was... Read more »

A3's First Orientation Launches in Latin America: A3.business Seoul alumnus moves back to Ecuador by MARCELO PAZOS HERNÁNDEZ — 17-SEP-2024 — I'm from Ecuador, and now we are here in the capital Quito with the global team of A3. I'm very excited and I'm very, very happy because this is the first time A3 starts an orientation in Latin America and in a very special way. Why? Because we started with pastors and ministry leader side and also with marketplace leaders.We’ve had a wonderful four days with wonderful experiences being blessed, praying, worshiping, and now we are waiting for people to commit to this new journey... Read more »

A3 Appoints New VP for Global Ministry: Pastor Jeyakaran Emmanuel takes on expanded role by JOE HANDLEY — 25-SEP-2024 — A3 is thrilled to announce the appointment of a new vice president. Pastor Jeyakaran Emmanuel, a church planter and multiplier from India will become A3’s Vice President for Global Ministry effective October 1, 2024. Jeyakaran is the founding pastor of Powerhouse Church in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, where he has served for over 20 years. He co-founded the Powerhouse Churches in Chennai along with his wife, Kavitha. Jeyakaran also served as the South India Coordinator for A3/India and on A3’s International Ministry Leadership Team. He has a passion for church multiplication, reignited after first joining A3 in 2006... Read more »

Women and Young Leaders Receive Gospel-Focused Training: The Gospel's Impact on Social Expectations by MISSION NETWORK NEWS — 23-OCT-2024 — Int’l (MNN) – Strong leadership is a keystone of the Church, Christian ministries, and missions. Yet leadership failures seem commonplace. A3 seeks to change this narrative through focused Gospel training for gifted leaders, whether they are men, women, young, or old. Mary Jo Wilson with A3 says that traditionally, many of the leaders they’ve trained have been older men who are more established in their roles. This dynamic can neglect women and young men ready to lead in the future. Wilson says: ”... Read more »

After years of silence, an encouraging discovery! A Secret Breakthrough by JOE HANDLEY — 13-NOV-2024 — You may recall that many years ago our staff and leadership trainees in “Xland*,” one of the world’s largest countries, went on hiatus due to the government cracking down on our alumni and activities. I just learned last week that it is actually no longer inactive as we had been assuming for several years. It all started when Xlander pastors were detained from flying to South Africa for Lausanne’s Cape Town 2010 Congress. Many were interrogated and jailed. None were allowed to attend the congress. Also, two of our A3 staff families were deported with visas revoked... Read more »

Lausanne 4: A New Chapter in Global Mission: Seeing A3's Fingerprints on the Movement by JOE HANDLEY — 19-DEC-2024 — The Fourth Lausanne Congress in Incheon, South Korea, was a transformative gathering for the global evangelical church. Drawing over 5,000 participants from 202 nations, this monumental event embodied a shared commitment to the Great Commission and inspired fresh vision for global mission. From the vibrant hospitality of the Korean hosts to the dynamic conversations among leaders, Lausanne 4 was a celebration of unity, collaboration, and the power of the gospel... Read more »

 For more stories, visit A3 Stories — https://a3leaders.org/stories

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