December 20, 2023
Happy Advent, Friends!
A Memorable Year for A3
It’s been a remarkable year for us at A3.
Heading into last summer, I could not believe what was happening. In our best years during my tenure (the last 15+ years), we might open 2-3 new countries. Last June I counted and we had twenty countries asking us to explore opening A3. That coupled with a challenging economy had me on my knees. I was praying, “Lord, what have you got in store for us?”
On top of this, the work in Japan was showing signs of new life. Our recruitment of missional partners was at its peak during my tenure and our leadership in country was running the upcoming 7th Congress on Evangelism.
Little did I know what the Lord had in mind. He fueled this season of growth with a few incredible matching challenges: July – September, we had a few come in that tallied up to $2M in matching opportunities for the coming few years. One of those matches would be tripled for giving outside the U.S.!
What They're Saying About A3
Alumni Survey: How Effective is A3?
Periodically we try to assess whether we are meeting the mark and being fruitful in our overall ministry. We look for various ways to discern how effective we are. Evaluation is crucial to see if we are on target.
Earlier this year, we anonymously surveyed our alumni on our effectiveness. So we surveyed our alumni to ask how much they have grown in the area of our four outcomes:
- Loving God: A deepening, personal loving relationship
- Growing Christlike: Community of leaders, growing in Christlike character
- Reproducing Leaders: Multiply their impact by nurturing more disciples
- Catalyzing Movements: Fostering movements that accelerate the Great Commission
The results affirmed what we have discovered in other studies as well as from the stories of impact that we are always hearing. Given the results of this survey and how much they aligned with what we’ve been hearing all along, we thought it worthy to share these with you. See what our alumni had to say...
A3 Earns Highest Levels of Trust
Two financial oversight groups have conferred their highest level of trust on A3 by virtue of these badges. We are pleased that these outside watchdog groups have determined A3 to be trustworthy, transparent, and a good place to invest in the Kingdom.
CHARITY NAVIGATOR
Charity Navigator has conferred a 4-star rating for A3 with a 98% level.
See A3's profile on Charity Navigator...
CANDID/GUIDESTAR
A3 has earned a platinum seal in 2023, Candid Guidestar's highest level of trust for transparency.
See A3's profile on Candid/Guidestar...
Great is His Faithfulness
As we look to the future, I am reminded of that great hymn: “Great is Thy Faithfulness”...
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with 10, 000 beside
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Join Us in Singing & Praying
I trust you’ll join me in singing and praying this hymn this Advent season. Let’s “Join with all nature in manifold witness [because His] own dear presence to cheer and to guide [is with us].” That is the source of our hope!
Great is our Faithfulness this Christmas season and Bright hope for tomorrow! Pray for A3 to keep following God's Call in 2024.
As my predecessor Doug Birdsall often quoted from Adoniram Judson, “The Future is as Bright as the Promises of God”!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.
@jwhandley
@jwhandley
