International (MNN) — A3 has named Janelle Stoops as its new U.S. President, making her the chief leader of A3’s U.S. operations.
In this role, Stoops will help advance the ministry’s mission of developing Christlike leaders who multiply churches and transform communities across Asia and beyond. Stoops says the need is urgent and the strategy is clear: discipleship that reproduces.
“I believe that for the Gospel to spread to every unreached and unengaged people group, it’s going to take godly, Christlike leaders who reproduce disciples — so movements can spread to the ends of the earth,” she explains.
Raised in a Christian household, Stoops had the opportunity to commit her life to Christ and sensed His calling early on. Her calling to global ministry began with a trip to Central Asia. After sensing God’s leading to return, Stoops eventually went back — first as a single woman, then later with her husband and their daughters — living and serving in the region for ten years.
Representative photo of a mosque (Image by LoggaWiggler from Pixabay)
Serving in predominantly Muslim communities also brought unique challenges. The family was often singled out for having only daughters.
Stoops says people sometimes asked, “Aren’t you sad you don’t have boys?” and “Is your husband angry — will he make you get an abortion?” Stoops replied, “No, because my husband loves the Lord, and the Lord loves girls — and He loves women.”
They used those moments as opportunities to reflect Christ’s love — love that transcends cultural norms and expectations.
“We also got to show the people we were living with and around that God values men and women,” she adds.
During that time, she witnessed Gospel breakthrough firsthand. “I had the privilege of seeing the very first church in that part of the country,” Stoops says.
Having returned to the U.S., Stoops brings nearly three decades of global missions leadership — experience that has prepared her to lead A3’s U.S. team into its next season. She shares A3’s vision for empowering local leaders, saying:
“What’s it going to take to see the Gospel reach the ends of the earth? I believe it’s going to take the very work A3 is doing — developing the very people needed to carry it forward.”
Pray that A3 advances Christ’s work through the leaders it trains, and pray for A3’s plans as the ministry enters this new season.
Header photo: Janelle Stoops (courtesy of A3).
