November 26, 2007
In Shizuoka, Japan, the annual gathering of JCGI Networks (formerly Japan Church Growth Institute) was the stage for an important figure in Japan Christianity to step down from his post as Chairman of the Board. Rev. Reiji Oyama had served as Board Chair for over twenty years, taking over from Rev. Hatori. He continues as Senior Pastor of The Biblical Christ Church in downtown Tokyo.
At this very moment on September 6, 1987 I was walking out of customs at Narita Airport in Tokyo to explore Japan for the first time. I had just finished college at the University of North Carolina, where I became a Christian. At the end of my senior year, I signed up for a 1-year stint as an English teaching missionary with A3 (formerly LIFE MInistries) in Tokyo. My life would never be the same.
This was an encouraging letter sent to an A3 faculty member. . .
ASIA[edited for security]
Dear J.,
I want to give you a little report on what happened to close the week's training following your superb teaching.The pastors decided that they wanted to pray about these things that they had heard you teach on during the week. So, at 3:00PM we began to pray. This is how they organized it: Each participant listed four or five issues on a sheet of paper, and then over the next few hours each leader prayed in turn for every other participant in the group.Fourteen leaders were praying for each other and then also being prayed for. When they go into this mode, mind you, they do not pray for just a minute or two, but in most cases it was 15-20 minutes for each person. By 5:45PM they had prayed over four of the fourteen. After supper, we resumed prayer again at 7:30PM and they finished about 11:00PM that day. I don't think I have ever prayed so intensively in my life.The exciting thing for me was that leader after leader had listed on his paper issues that had been raised by your teaching. Many of these issues concerned marriage, family health and unity ("oneness"). And the participant who was the coordinator for that week wrote five items on his sheet, every single one of them encapsulated your teaching, especially with regard to his relationship with his wife.I can't help feeling that especially in his case your visit was most timely. That is such a good investment to make at this time in our work here. Without a doubt it was an especially rich time, and possibly a very critical one for us at this time in the work of equipping leaders. Time will help us see this better.I want to thank you for coming to be with us at this very busy time in the life of your church. But I am also deeply grateful to your church family because this is a commitment the entire church is making to the worldwide kingdom advance in Asia.Warm affection to all our friends there, and peace and grace to the entire church family.Sincerely,
"A3 Staff Member"
Related:
Reflecting on Doug's Decision
As I blended into the crowd of 350 other Christian leaders gathered from across the world at a small seminary in downtown Budapest, there was one person who, try as he might, could not blend in: Doug Birdsall. It was very clear to me and the 349 others at the Lausanne International Leadership Meeting that here was a man whom God has anointed “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:4). . .
Just as Esther was given global influence by God to affect a period in history, so too do I see a ...
Reflecting on Dr. Ortlund's Passing The A3 family mourns the loss of Dr. Ray Ortlund who was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday evening, July 22. Ray played an invaluable role in the life and mission of A3. During the 25 years that he served on the board, Ray was an inspiring role model to every person in the A3 community. He was a friend and pastor who loved God, loved people and loved life. . .
Naadam is the Mongolian National Holiday, commemorating the People's Revolution of 1921. Every TV channel would broadcast the man's three games: mongolian wrestling, archery and horse racing. It is interesting that in old times these were the main sports/skills needed for the families to survive. Every male was expected...
Public Statement:
For Immediate Release (06.12.07)
A3 President Plans to Step Down in September; Interim President Named.
Douglas Birdsall resigns to focus on Lausanne movement
GLENDORA, CA (A3) June 12, 2007 - A3, an evangelical mission organization announced today that the organization’s third president, Rev. S. Douglas Birdsall, will be stepping down on September 30, 2007.Birdsall, who assumed the position in 1991, is also the Executive International Chair of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (LCWE). He cited the need to focus exclusively on Lausanne movement as the primary reason for stepping down as president of A3. However, he will continue on as an A3 missionary, seconded to LCWE and will also continue as a member of the A3 board of directors.“After much thought and prayer, I realized that I could no longer effectively lead both organizations. I remain committed to the people and the vision of A3. I am grateful for the evidence of God’s provident Hand in using everything I’ve experienced up to this point to prepare me for this new role with Lausanne. I want to give it my all.
by Doug Birdsall, President of A3 (1991-2007)...
When I returned from our A3 40th anniversary celebrations in Malaysia two months ago, I drafted a letter to give you a fresh report. However, it was so full of superlatives that I found it to be "over the top" even for a person of my temperament.So, I have taken time to reflect and gain perspective.During these weeks, we have received e-mails from many of the participants from across Asia.We have also enjoyed reading prayer letters from many of our missionaries in Japan and our staff in the U.S. to see how they reported on our 40th Anniversary festivities.
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For over half a century, A3 has catalyzed movements in Asia. Now, with doors open in the Middle East, North Africa, and the West, we have boldly stepped in...
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