Secret Breakthrough . . . a ministry flourishing

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.

This is great news, but it has also put A3 in a bit of a bind financially. Read on to find out how this work has not been dormant after all and how your gift by December 31 will count toward a major challenge grant to fund their leadership development.

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.

Hibernation and Radio Silence for Safety

The A3 activity went into hibernation. At their request, we were in almost a radio-silent status with the key leaders in order to let things cool down. We didn’t want to jeopardize anyone’s safety. So that’s been the holding pattern for many years.

I was under the impression that our work had been mostly dormant there for the last few years. Our former director, Nicholas*, had gone completely silent for four years! No one could reach him and many thought the worst had happened.

But recently, Nicholas contacted me. He happened to be in the U.S.! I learned he is doing surprisingly well. His family is in a good place, perhaps better than ever, and he is trying to discern how God will use him to influence his country over the next decade of his life.

Then during my more recent trip to Thailand, I met with Samuel*, an A3/Xland alumnus who now lives in Bangkok and one of the three people Nicholas had appointed to take his place.

A Flourishing Ministry

	After years of silence, an encouraging discovery: “This is now A3’s largest operation!”

Samuel shared with me that A3’s leader development program there is not only running again, but it’s quite healthy. Six active cohorts are taking 90 participants, mostly house church pastors, through leader development. After hearing of the reach, one of my colleagues said, “This is now A3’s largest operation!” Wow! Praise God!

You might ask how this huge work is being funded. Since they could not reach out to us, they have been finding innovative ways to resource it. But they can’t sustain this size group for much longer on their own. I’m estimating that they will need at least $300,000 in the coming year. They need your help to provide those funds.

A3 Giving Challenge Project for 2024

Because we just learned of this, we had not budgeted anything for the Xland cohorts during our current fiscal year, which started October 1. Fortunately, generous friends have agreed to a challenge grant of $500,000. Every dollar given to A3 leadership development programs around the world hasten fulfillment of that grant.

Your gift of $50, $100, or $150 will fund A3 leadership development programs, including Xland. Perhaps God has blessed you so that you could give $500 or even $1,000. Gifts of all sizes will count toward fulfilling the $500,000 challenge grant. If possible, please give by December 31.

You may think your gift doesn’t make much difference against a $300,000 need. So I am challenging you to become an “A3 Sustainer”, a monthly partner with A3. As an A3 Sustainer, your gift over time could be very substantial.

And your monthly gift will also be doubled until the $500,000 challenge grant is fulfilled.

Please prayerfully consider a gift today. And I would especially hope you will consider becoming an A3 Sustainer—a recurring monthly giver. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

With Gratitude to Christ for your friendship,

Rev. Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.
President

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* Names have been changed for security reasons.

P.S. — For year-end giving, we still need funds to meet the growing momentum. So, every gift you give matters. Thanks for being so generous, helping us meet the match, and your ongoing faithfulness to accelerate movements for Jesus through equipping and unifying visionary Christ-like leaders around the world. And to sustain A3’s programs into the future, please do consider becoming an A3 Sustainer.

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2024 YEAR-END GIVING PROJECT

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