A2 Stories via Mission Network News

Refugees find restoration down on the farm

SRI LANKA (MNN) ― For 26 years, Sri Lanka was ravaged by civil war. Though the war is over and Sri Lanka is considered a post-war country, the affects can still be seen in the form of thousands of refugees, wandering the streets without hope.

Many children were orphaned and have no home or parents to care for them. Many people have been emotionally traumatized by almost three decades of violence and strife.

However, Asian Access' President Joe Handley said their partner Dr. Adrian DeVisser is seeing seeds of hope sprout through his church-planting and farm ministry.

Across this island nation south of India with a population of more than 20 million people, the movement has already planted some 600 churches.

Along with several dozen of these churches, DeVisser has started farms and taken in refugees: "He's able to take them in and raise kids in an orphanage that provides a safe home, provides an education. And the cool part of it is that they get to do this in a farming community that is creating a sustainable ministry environment," Handley said.

Each of these farms is focused on integrating social outreach and the Gospel, and as they reach out in both these aspects, the ministry is not just attracting refugees.

Handley said, "It's so powerful that even some of the government is now recommending kids off of the street to go to their homes, which is quite remarkable in a Buddhist nation to refer people to a church oriented world."

With all the good things taking place through this ministry, they do not want to slow down now. Their goal is to see 2000 churches planted throughout the country in the next 10 years.

In fact, Handley was just in Sri Lanka at a conference to train more church leaders and pastors. He said, "We had a one week development intensive, where I was one of the facility members. And we're training these pastors on leadership development, church multiplication and principles of holistic church planting, where it's not just about evangelism—which it IS about—and it's not just about church planting and it's not just about discipleship. But discipleship involves the whole of transformational ministries that impact society."

As they look towards the future, pray with Asian Access about the people their Sri Lanka ministry will be impacting. Pray for the leaders God is already raising up and for people to continually step up to lead in Christ's kingdom.

Though these farms are mostly self-sustaining, Asian Access can still use your help in getting new churches and farms started. Click here to contribute today.

• This article originally published by Mission Network News.  Click here to read online.
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Pastors pray for bus accident victims

SOUTH KOREA (MNN) ― While enroute to the Asian Access leadership development session, the bus carrying Dr. Gary Parrett, a country coordinator for Asian Access, and Pastor Kenny Yee went off the road and crashed near the airport in Seoul, South Korea.

The crash occurred on July 3 and claimed the lives of Pastor Yee, from Highrock Covenant Church in Arlington, MA, and 11 others. Twelve other passengers, including Parrett, sustained injuries.

Currently, Parrett is listed in critical condition in the ICU at Seoul National University Hospital. On a care page, his family shared that he had serious internal injuries, including multiple broken bones, organ damage, and a brain hemorrhage. On Friday, he was taken off sedatives, and the hospital says his life was no longer in serious danger.

Meanwhile, as Asian Access proceeded with the leadership session in Sri Lanka, the pastors in attendance banded together to pray for Parrett and the other accident victims two to three times a day.

Throughout the past week of the session, A2 has had to fill in the gaps left by Parrett's absence, as he has mentored, shepherded, and taught many of these pastors and planned to do the same at this conference.

Pray for Parrett's speedy recovery, as his family already reports astounding progress. Also, pray for Pastor Yee's family during this time of grief. Pray that God will surround them with His presence and comfort.

Visit Parrett's care page for updates by clicking here. You can also visit the Asian Access Web site to learn more about the pastor's leadership session.

• This article originally published by Mission Network News.  Click here to read online.
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• Dr. Gary Parrett's profile - Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
• Photo: Rescue workers at the tourist bus that fell off the Incheon Bridge between Incheon International Airport andthe west coast of Incheon, west of Seoul on July 3. (Reuters photo)

Asian Access addressing Japan's crisis

JAPAN (MNN) ― Japan's debt crisis could mirror that of Greece. For the last two decades, the government has been spending more and borrowing more from its citizens to compensate. As a result, Japan's debt-to-GDP ratio is the largest in the world.

A new report shows that the financial distress is having an impact on mental health and well-being. It reveals a 2.9 percent increase in suicides in 2007, which means Japan is the most suicide-prone country in the developed world.   

The new trend: adults in the prime of their lives are most at risk of suicide. Why? Work-related depression is emerging as a significant factor, among others.

A failing economy is pushing up the suicide rate to epidemic proportions. Couple this with a latch-key/shut-in children problem and a disintegrating family unit, and the future for this nation is grim. 

Joe Handley with Asian Access says God has called them to respond specifically. "Ultimately, our vision is to expand the ministry, collaborate broadly with other churches throughout Japan, identify Japanese churches that have a vision for church multiplication, send more missionaries to the country, and finally, work in holistic ministries throughout the land." 

Now that they've defined a problem and have a plan, there's a lot of excitement and hope. Handley says they're still working out the details. "We're just on the verge of launching a whole new effort, but we're not quite ready to announce our plan. That will be coming out over the next few months."

It's a big endeavor that needs prayer. "Pray that God will provide the resources necessary to do this kind of expansion."

Keep following A2's Web site and posts at Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn for more information.

Updates can be found here:

• Asian Access blog
• A2 on Facebook
• A2 on Twitter

• This article originally published by Mission Network News; click here to read.
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Asian Access develops training model for new Asian Christians

Asia (MNN) ― Recently, Asia has seen unprecedented church growth. A chief model is a Buddhist country, whose number of believers has increased from 50,000 to 1.5 million in the last decade.

Asian Access is in that country as well as others across Asia. Joe Handley of Asian Access said these unfounded numbers stem from people's dissatisfaction with the current systems they are under, as well as the movement of God within their hearts.

"There's a spiritual hunger in many of the countries throughout Asia ... and they realize that the religious value systems and cultural value systems that they hold are not providing the kinds of answers they're looking for," Handley said.

With such growth, however, danger arises, as congregations lack proper leadership, and the leadership they do have can be corrupt for lack of guidance.

That's why Asian Access has developed a training model for new believers, Handley said, focusing on a person's deep commitment to Christ and their character before they begin to disciple others: "We are focusing on four key outcomes:

1. Living in a love relationship with God,
2. Growing as Christ-like leaders,
3. Reproducing disciple-making leaders, and...
4. Planting and multiplying churches."

This training is a two-year process whereby 12 leaders are mentored, just like Jesus and his 12 disciples.

"The more you can focus on abiding in Christ and Christ-like character, the more you strengthen the church," Handley said, strengthening it enough to withstand such rapid growth and allow for even more rejoicing when more individuals find Christ.

Pray for Asian Access as they continue this endeavor. Would you be interested in partnering with Asian Access as they mentor these future leaders? Visit the Asian Access Web site where you can also find out more about other aspects of their ministry.

This article was first published by Mission Network News and can be read here:
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/14212

As China kicks off the World Expo, Mongolia reveals itself, too

MONGOLIA (MNN) ― Mongolian Cultural Week opened at the same time China unveiled its grandeur in the World Expo kickoff this week. The showcase reveals a picture of a hospitable nomadic people. 

It is common in Mongolia to see several generations of families living together in a khotail ("group of tents") and sharing tasks. In this manner, people pool their strength for herding and other social functions. 

A larger neighborhood group called neg nutgiinhan ("people of one place") generally consists of four to twenty khot ails that frequently move and work together.

With these groups of people living and working together, the largest share of the family wealth would go to the youngest son, ensuring the healthiest means of caring for the elderly.

In that context, the Gospel made sense to the Mongolians, and they responded. Chinzorig Jigjidsuren became the founding overseer of Emanuel Fellowship in Ulan Baatar, a partner with Asian Access. The church has been seeing healthy growth under careful cultivation. 

Then, Asian Access president Joe Handley says Jigjidsuren had an epiphany and realized that "he had spent too much time focusing on the church and not enough time on disciplinghis own family and discipling leaders to follow Christ." 

This realization prompted Jigjidsuren to follow a more Mongolian approach to discipleship. It was a radical decision to follow something that wasn't carrying a label like purpose driven, missional, organic, or emerging.

It boiled down to the context of the family and Jigjidsuren's heritage. "He's setting that as a model for his entire congregation. He wants each person within the church to become kind of a spiritual father over their own family or small group." 

This approach illustrates the simplicity of the Gospel. It underscores A2's commitment to seeing a disciple-making movement transform the world.

Handley says, "Pray that we would be led to the right countries, that God would lead us to the right people to lead the movement in each country, and that God would provide the rightresources to make it happen." Click here if you want to help them.

Call To Action

• Pray that God will resources these teams.
• Pray that God would lead them to the right leaders.
• Pray that God would lead A2 to the right countries for ministry. 

• This article originally published by Mission Network News; click here to read.
• Listen to the radio broadcast, including an interview with Joe Handley:
  
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Asian Access leadership development expands organically

ASIA (MNN) ― Asia (MNN) ― Church leadership development in Asia is a challenge.

Leadership training for Asian Access started as the Japan Church Growth Institute and has grown to nine countries across Asia.

The key to its effectiveness is the careful selection of twelve emerging leaders on an annual basis. These leaders are then invited to be a part of a class that meets four times a year, for a week at a time, over a two-year period.

When the twelve meet together, they are working through an established curriculum that accelerates their growth as spiritual leaders, as well as organizational leaders.

As word about this work in Japan spread across Asia, interest grew. Asian Access began to explore how to help leaders in other places in Asia.

When the indigenous church began owning it, the growth was exponential in one of the largest countries in Asia. Joseph Handley, President of Asian Access, or A2, says, "'In the provincial capitals, we'll call it 'B2,'" describing how the enthusiasm for a homegrown A2 movement began spreading.

What's more exciting, Handley says, "They've launched an entire movement of leadership training that follows this vision: to be a vibrant community of servant leaders with vision, character and competence, leading the church across Asia."

Because the Gospel is making huge inroads, "Not only did they start a B2 movement--the country is so large and they want to impact more rural areas--they've now started a C2 movement," says Handley.

In India, A2 leaders want to start their own B2 movement. Handley says prayer is huge, and a lot hinges on the identification of the right leaders. "As we look toward expansion in countries like India, one of the most critical components we have is finding the right pastor who will become a regional or city leader to lead the effort."

You can find out more about how you can help. Click here for details.

• This article originally published by Mission Network News; click here to read.
• Listen to the radio broadcast, including an interview with Joe Handley: 
  
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Asian Access looks for coaches and 'spiritual fathers' for the growing body of Christ in Asia

ASIA (MNN) ― The church in Asia is booming. Faced with the population of the region, identifying and targeting key "influencers" is as important as evangelizing them.

First Generation believers are coming to the forefront as leaders. However, this generation essentially has no "spiritual fathers."

Joe Handley with Asian Access says many times the new Christian leaders find themselves woefully underprepared to minister. "They're thrown into the thick of being pastors, oftentimes shortly coming to Christ. Other times, there are Bible schools and seminaries, but they aren't really equipping them with the kind of mentoring and discipleship that it takes to lead the church."

The model they're following comes out of the New Testament church. The situation they face is not unlike Paul investing in Timothy and then having a Barnabus alongside of him. Yet the dearth of mentors means many of these pastors are left wanting. Handley says, "They're the ‘Timothys' of the world today , but there's no ‘Paul' that is investing in their lives, and there's no ‘Barnabus' to come alongside. S, the need is tremendous."

A2s pastoral team says these leaders have the desire to build on God's investment in their nation. Looking back over a 200-year survey of missions in their nation reveals God's blessing on evangelistic work despite oppressive circumstance.

That legacy galvanized this team's commitment to training up new leaders to fulfill the Great Commission as one of the greatest missionary sending countries in the world.

Asian Access is helping to flesh out this vision with the help of experienced pastors and disciplers. Handley explains: "We'll have 12 pastors in a session and then a seasoned veteran pastor that comes in and helps coach and mentor and disciple these fellows. The time they get is so rich and rewarding, plus they're learning from one another, which creates a dynamic community of learning."

So, what you're doing is taking leadership development to the next level? "It's really strengthening the capacity of pastors throughout Asia, and it's really facilitating the church planting movement."

Asian Access has established leader development programs in nine countries with the vision for establishing work in 20 countries in the next several years. There is more information on how you can help here.

• This article originally published by Mission Network News; click here to read.
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Leadership marks three decades of growth 

JAPAN (MNN) ― Asian Access (A2) observes an important anniversary this month. Their leadership development program in Japan just marked 30 years, and 189 pastors helped to celebrate.

Asian Access President Joe Handley says ministry has come a long way since 1979. "The word on the street for Japan for decades has been 'it's a missionary's graveyard.'" 

Not anymore. A2 picks a dozen church leaders to be a part of an accelerated two-year training program. The goal: to deploy 100 church multiplication teams.  

When the twelve meet together, they are working through an established curriculum that accelerates their growth as spiritual leaders, as well as organizational leaders. Over the course of their training sessions, leaders in and outside of Japan resource them so they have what they need to grow.

By the time they are ready to graduate, they have developed skills to equip their congregation for effective service. At the end of the program, these church leaders lay out their long-term vision and then begin to develop strategies for growth and multiplication.

Handley explains that "over the next two to three years, we hope to double the amount of networks that we have in Japan. These networks are becoming a model for other countries as well." 

As word about this work in Japan spread across Asia, interest grew. Mongolia was the first country to indicate interest. They adapted the Asian Access/Japan model and began training sessions in 1996.

Soon, other countries were added. Asian Access has established leader development programs in eight countries thus far, with an ambitious vision for establishing work in 20 countries by 2010.

An added benefit is that the strategy unifies the church body. As the leaders implement their plans for evangelism, discipleship and church growth, they share a common vision.

From that, Handley notes, "You see remarkable fruit from church planting movements that have birthed essentially from this leadership development institute that launched in Japan." 

Once these pastors begin church planting, A2 networks three or more of them so they can make the best use of their strengths. They meet together for a period of 3-4 years, during which each pastor aims to reproduce a congregation.

The only thing holding back their growth is a lack of funding. Can you help? Click here.

• This article originally published by Mission Network News; click here to read.
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As suicide rate increases in Japan, Asian Access responds with hope of Christ 

Japan (MNN) ― In Japan, suicide is on the rise. Nearly 34,000 people took their lives last year alone, according to USA Today. This number is the second-highest toll ever in Japan and ranks Japan at ninth for suicide rates worldwide.

This has been the case for the last decade as Japan's economy continues to weaken and spiral downward. Since 1998, there have been over 30,000 suicides each year, reported the Japan Times.

Takeshi Takazawa with Asian Access (A2) said two factors contribute to this.

"This basically shows the hopelessness. They think killing themselves is better than continuing life, so they basically give up," he said. Also, many feel isolated, without anyone to talk to or show support.

Asian Access in Japan is trying to turn this number around.

Takazawa said the church in Japan needs to reach out to society, rather than waiting for the hopeless to come knocking on the church doors.

"We're encouraging our Japanese pastors to become a true bridge to those people who desperately need hope and salvation of Christ," he said.

One way they did this was by sending several pastors to the U.S. through the pastor's vision tour. These pastors visited Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington, as well as Vancouver, B.C. and according to A2's Web site, "had a very fruitful time."

Takazawa said Seattle area is one of the least-evangelized places in the U.S. Thus, the pastors observed the unique models and approaches evangelists used there and were taught how to use them in Japan.

The pastors realized two main issues they needed to address in Japan as a result of the conference.

First, Takazawa said, "[The] Church needs ears to listen to society. The answer is Jesus Christ, always, but what questions are they asking?"

Second, they became aware of the need to create multi-site churches. Rather than keeping the church in one location, the church would go to the searching and allow them to connect on a deeper level.

Pray for the church in Japan as they seek to reach out to lost and hopeless individuals. Pray that they will reach people before they feel the need to end their lives.

To learn more about the ministry of Asian Access and how you can get involved, click here.

• This article originally published by Mission Network News; click here to read.
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The winds of change drive new openness for ministry team in Japan

Japan (MNN) ― Japan's opposition swept to a historic victory in elections Sunday, following the theme of "change."

The new Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) promised to rebuild the economy and breathe new life into the country.

As a result, the opposition swept 300 of the 480 seats in the lower house of parliament, ousting the Liberal Democrats (LDP). 54-years under the same rule has come to an end, but in that time, the government has acknowledged things have gone astray.

According to Asian Access (A2), leaders in Japan have characterized their own nation as "a super power without a moral compass." This is a relatively new phenomenon in a country that was guided, for centuries, by a moral and religious ethic that came out of Shintoism and Confucianism.

However, at the same time, disillusionment is running high. In a country known for its traditional ways, this could mean many open doors for the Gospel.

Tim Clark with A2  says the election results are an example of that. "People of all ages are chanting, 'Yes, we can! Yes, we can!' I think that shows a desire for change. And then, this week's election is really very remarkable as decades of rule have ended, and political shift has been dramatic."

More importantly, it signals a paradigm shift in thinking.   "Asian Access missionaries, along with Christians throughout the country, are hoping that this change will really come forward in a desire for change, spiritually."

Clark says people are very open to the Gospel now, making it a ripe harvest for summer evangelism teams, called  J-Teams. These are teams of 3-5 people who work with a Japanese church to do community outreach through English classes, coffee houses, children's ministry, camp and other relationship-building activities. Team members' specific interests and abilities can usually be incorporated into the ministry as well.

Clark says this year "teams were able to build relationships with many non-Christians who normally would not be at a church. But because of this new openness and this new search for hope and encouragement, they found their way to a church."

Despite the needs in the church and the culture at large, the greatest need is for people who faithfully live and represent the reality of Christ and the power of the Gospel. The Japanese need the Life and hope that Christians can bring. You can help. Click here to read more about Asian Access j-Teams.

This article was originally published by Mission Network News. Click here to read.

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Biblical discipleship program answers Japan's growing divorce rate

Japan (MNN) ― One in every four marriages in Japan now ends in divorce. The issue has been a source of concern for a society in which families are a core strength. The Japanese grow up following their society's emphasis on social interdependence---the concept of being members of the whole as opposed to the individual.

Family responsibilities take precedence over individual desires, and familial relations provide the model for social integration at all levels. Furthermore, the family plays an important role in determining individual life chances. That's why the rising divorce rates have shaken the society to its core. The family unit foundation is falling apart for both this generation and the next, tearing at the fabric of their society.

There are ways this is being addressed. Tim Clark with Asian Access is working with a pilot program called "The Marriage Course" by Alpha. However, some of the facilitators were concerned about how it would be received by the Japanese.

It's a delicate issue because the Japanese are known for their sensitivity, propriety and privacy regarding marriage and families.

That was soon overcome. Clark acknowledges that "many start the course with a little bit of skepticism and hesitancy, not wanting to go deep into discussion. But both Christians and non-Christians are finding it to be a great way to ease into discussing important matters that are crucial to the health of their marriages."

The Alpha Course provides a comfortable environment topeople from all walks of life to discuss and learn about foundational issues of the Christian faith. The course is designed to serve those seeking to study the essential basics--new believers as well as seekers (those who have not yet come to a place of fully believing).

From the course came a seven-week study for marriages. Participating couples are equipped with biblical tools for communication, conflict resolution and growth.

Clark says interest is rapidly growing from the three marriage courses running now, and A2 is beginning the Japanese translation of the course materials. "There are very few resources in Japan for strengthening marriages and families. Many churches are recognizing this need, both for church members as well as for their friends and others who aren't a part of the church."

This article was originally published by Mission Network News. Click here to read.

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Disease threatens war refugees; believers stand in the gap

Sri Lanka (MNN) ― Sri Lanka's refugee camps are being called "an epidemic waiting to happen." The overcrowding combined with monsoon rains and bad sanitation threatens the camps with cholera and typhoid.

Adrian De Visser is the national director in Sri Lanka for Asian Access, and he describes their action plan. "The short-term, of course, includes food, clothing, water, shelter and medical needs." Before the crisis, he established a center for widows, which both houses the widows and their children and teaches widows and men a vocation to provide for their family.

De Visser is no stranger to the needs specific to the region. He is founder of the Kithu Sevana Church church movement in Sri Lanka. 

Kithu Sevana is translated as "Shadow of the Cross" or "Shadow of Christ." Its meaning gives hope to people in crisis because it takes someone from the insecurities they face and introduces them to the solid assurance of the promises of God, once they've come to Christ. In much the same way, the Kithu Sevana workers becomes the hands and feet of Christ to share the hope of the Gospel as they meet physical and spiritual needs.

It's no surprise that De Visser hopes to see growth of the existing ministries in areas where they haven't been--areas where war has so recently devastated.  "Long-term, we are looking forward to: setting up boys' homes, girls' homes, widow centers, and vocational training centers."

Because the hospitals are understaffed and inadequately resourced, they have also asked for help from Asian Access (A2). "A humanitarian crisis presents a platform to serve the people that long-term provides acceptance of the church."

That kind of response eventually means outreach. De Visser notes that they're hoping to launch an Asian Access project in the northern sector. Kithu Sevana and Asian Access work together because of roots in the country and A2's expertise. "There is a need to train some of the available pastors to become effective in becoming good shepherds of their own people."

Pray for Christians as they respond and for reconciliation between the Sinhalese and the Tamils. If you can help A2 support these new church leaders and outreaches, click here.

• This article originally published by Mission Network News; click here to read.
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Churches minister to refugees who have lost everything in the war

Sri Lanka (MNN) ― A decades-long civil war appears to be coming to an end in Sri Lanka.  In the meantime, however, a humanitarian crisis is developing.

Tens of thousands of civilians are trapped in a tiny area less than two miles square, between the government forces and the last holdouts of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.  Many thousands more have fled the area and are living as refugees.

"You have a lot of refugees running out of the area that's hit so hard," said Joe Handley of Asian Access. "And there's no way of getting relief into the areas that are hit. So the challenge is trying to come alongside these people that are in trauma."

The situation is impacting the ministry of Christian churches and pastors in the area, says Handley. Asian Access has trained and supported a number of pastors in Sri Lanka.  Some live in the northern area, where the war is going on.  Their churches are working to help those impacted by the conflict.

"The churches we work with are trying to come alongside of these folks who are escaping and trying to help them out --  people with no homes, a sense of loss, a sense of trauma, and whose lives are being impacted so strongly," Handley said.

Handley said that the church in Sri Lanka tries to influence the government positively to promote peace, but generally avoids taking political stances because of the country's religious climate. 70 percent of Sri Lankans are Buddhists, 15 percent are Hindus, and only 8 percent are Christian. The rest are Muslims.

"They just want to be the church, and be available in the midst of the crisis," Handley explained. "They don't want to be limited from providing the relief that they can, so they put most of their efforts into that part."

Pastors associated with Asian Access are very involved with providing relief for the refugees. "The leader of our work there in Sri Lanka is actually helping and sending folks in and trying to do counseling and all sorts of help for safe homes, those types of things, livelihood projects," Handley said.

The Gospel is spreading, as suffering people search for spiritual answers.

"Anytime that you have a crisis of this proportion, people do show an interest in spiritual things," Handley explained.   "The counseling and the crisis relief efforts are seeing that, in the midst of this, [people] appreciate the spiritual help that they're being offered. People are much more open to hearing about religious things."

The pastors are recommending that Asian Access add some material to its pastor-training curriculum, so they will be more prepared to deal with humanitarian crises in the future.

The curriculum would deal with issues like "How do you come alongside of people that are hurting and in need and in poverty, impacted by an ongoing war?" Handley explained.  "That is the kind of training that we haven't been offering, and thus our leader in Sri Lanka is suggesting [that] we need to offer some new, specified leadership training courses to help the church in this humanitarian crisis."

To support the ministry of Asian Access, click here.

• This article originally published by Mission Network News; click here to read.
• Listen to the radio broadcast, including an interview with Joe: 
  
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Cambodia struggles to free itself from division and instability

Cambodia (MNN) ― In North America, it is estimated that there is one trained and competent Christian leader for every 1,300 people. In Asia, that ratio is 1:600,000.  Because the pastors are the frontline advance of the Gospel, they need to be well grounded.

Asian Access (A2) Country Resource Coordinator PoSan Ung has a heart for Cambodia where "the church in Cambodia is a very young church, I would say, still in nascent stage."

That presents its own conflict. Add to that official opposition. "There's a law out there that is against public evangelism. Then, for you to organize a public event, you need to apply for permission from the government, and that's tricky."

Cambodia is still struggling to heal from a bloody past. Mistrust has proven divisive, but through the training programs, unity has been growing stronger, and the foundation is being laid for kingdom building.

Having lived through the Cambodian Holocaust and grown up as a Cambodian refugee, Pastor Ung is uniquely in touch with the Cambodian experience and has forged ministry from it.

The [Asian Access] leadership training program he and national director Pastor Meng Aun Hour launched creates a strategic network that encourages both awareness and the efforts among Cambodian churches.

Today, the training has been called a "diaspora ministry" back to Cambodia where PoSan and others are teaching, supervising, and developing curricula to aid in the training of Cambodian pastors in Cambodia.

According to A2, the key to the effectiveness of its program is the careful selection of twelve emerging leaders every two years. These leaders are then invited to be a part of a class that meets four times a year, for a week at a time, over a two-year period.

When the twelve meet together, they are working through an established curriculum that accelerates their growth as spiritual leaders, as well as organizational leaders.

The pastors are beginning to work together and share their resources. "They're able to visit each others' church and go on mission trips within Cambodia itself to the countryside together and train the church leaders in the provincial area. Within the capital, there is a fellowship of pastors."

If you'd like to support theministry or would like more details, click here.

This story was originally published by Mission Network News: http://mnnonline.org/article/12534