Asian Access' work of leadership training, done through the Japan Church Growth Institute, has been recognized as one of the most creative and fruitful leadership training programs in 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. At their training sessions, they are resourced by leaders in and outside Japan.

In the course of the training, the leaders are able to become more aware of their distinct strengths individually, as well as the unique giftedness of their congregations. They are also given the skills to determine more precisely the needs of the communities and the context in which they live and minister. Upon that knowledge, they then develop skills to equip their congregation for effective service. Following that they articulate their long-term vision and then begin to develop strategies for growth and multiplication. The training program in Japan now uses a curriculum that has been developed entirely by Japanese, for Japanese, in Japanese.

By 2003, there were five Regional Training Networks throughout Japan, training about 60 leading pastors.

Dr. Ralph Neighbour, Jr.
Missionary, Church-Planter, Author, Professor