Outreach To Asia Nationals

10/02/2026

"They're doing everything they can with the knowledge that they have, everything a church is supposed to do. But they have very little understanding of the Bible."

When OTAN’s director heard that report about a group of 50+ pastors in Cambodia, he knew that Outreach To Asia Nationals could help. “They needed someone to come alongside them and nurture their knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures,” he says.

“When we taught them ways to study and understand the Bible (hermeneutics), you could see the lights come on for them,” Al says. “They broke into small groups to discuss observations in the Scripture. They’ve never had anyone come to help them in this way before."

Read the full story about these faithful Cambodian leaders here: https://otan.org/resources/otannews/ That story and updates on Indonesia and Nepal are each less than a 2-minute read in our fall newsletter.

09/25/2026

At OTAN, we believe that equipping nationals is the most effective method of bringing the gospel to the “uttermost parts" of the world.

Rather than creating a culture of dependency on churches in the United States, OTAN strives to empower local Asian churches to flourish and grow in faith, knowledge, and maturity.

We are Outreach To Asia Nationals, and we're celebrating 40 years of God's faithful provision that allows us to reach nations by equipping nationals.

09/24/2026

Nationals! At OTAN, we believe that equipping nationals is the most effective method of bringing the gospel to the “uttermost parts" of the world.

Rather than creating a culture of dependency on churches in the United States, OTAN strives to empower local Asian churches to flourish and grow in faith, knowledge, and maturity.

There are many advantages to training and equipping nationals, including:

- No language school needed. They're already fluent.
- Nationals use their own culture to their advantage and don’t make the cultural mistakes that foreigners ultimately do.
- They “fit in with the crowd.” Foreign faces stand out and can attract unwanted attention. Nationals blend right in to their country and their communities.
- More and more countries are not open to receiving missionaries. Nationals don’t have to deal with passport red tape, visa delays, or declined admittance.
- Nationals don’t have to worry about leaving the support system of family, friends, and community.
- They don’t need to come home to raise funds or tend to family matters. They ARE home!
- And they're financially efficient. A national pastor in most Asian countries needs approximately 10% of the support costs of a North American missionary overseas.

We are Outreach To Asia Nationals, and we're celebrating 40 years of God's faithful provision that allows us to reach nations by equipping nationals.

09/10/2026

09/04/2026

Many of our house churches in China are multiplying into more and more groups as persecution increases. But because of this, more groups and people are learning about the love that the Father has for them.

Young Chinese believers are reacting to oppression in their homeland, but can you guess what that is compelling them to do? (It's pretty amazing!)

Read the latest news from our China team here: https://otan.org/resources/otannews/. And remember to click the bottom of the page to see prayer requests and updates from our Chinese pastors

08/31/2026

A Message from OTAN's Media Manager

The OTAN headquarters is located about two hours west of the monuments, architecture, politics, and traffic(!) of our nation’s capital and about two hours east of the majestic mountains, canyons, and waterfalls of West Virginia.

When I visit my favorite mountain park, I always keep an eye out for wildlife. But I’m just as likely to be looking for crows’ foot, wild apple trees, Indian pipes, and road-side daisies along with a few choice, smooth stones from mountain streams.

One of the natural features that always makes me stop and stare for a while is a small group of trees growing between a wall of gray sandstone and the Blackwater River. They’re scattered among a patch of boulders, and they seem to be growing right up out of the rocks.

Every time I see those trees, I see a picture of faith. In rock-strewn surroundings, there they are…clinging to immovable boulders, their roots wrapping around and burrowing into the ground for nourishment and stability.

Something about that feels hopeful. And it’s especially meaningful to me right now as OTAN enters a new phase of our mission to train and equip persecuted Asian pastors.

Could I ask a favor? Would you take a moment today to pray for OTAN and for the development of the Goodwin Asia Training Center?

Ask the Lord to help us cling to His leading and hold fast to His plan for this venture. Ask Him to help the center take root and grow. Ask him to provide needed funding and to move in the hearts of those who will become future students and future staff. And most of all, thank Him joyously for His 40 years of faithfulness to OTAN and to the Asian leaders we serve.

If you can, leave a comment to let us know you're praying. Thank you!

Nancy.

08/13/2026

OTAN trains and equips persecuted Asian pastors to reach and teach their own people.

For 40 years, that's been the mission of Outreach To Asia Nationals.

But what does training and equipping mean? And what does persecution look like? Find out on our "Learn" page here:https://otan.org/learn/

In this 2-minute read, you'll discover the kinds of biblical courses our pastors and leaders study. And you'll get a better understanding of the challenges and oppression faced by the nationals we serve.

See why our pastors say, "I finally feel like I'm able to do the work God has called me to do!"

08/07/2026

Friends like you have helped us pass the halfway mark for start-up funds for the Goodwin Asia Training Center!

As oppression and persecution increase in the restricted countries where we train and equip Asian pastors, a door is opening to create a safer, consistent addition to our in-country ministry: a designated training center located in Asia! Named for our founders Otis and Roxann Goodwin, the Goodwin Asia Training Center will:
- provide a designated venue in an open Asian country for our pastors in oppressed regions to train, in addition to their in-country courses
- serve as a second location for our residential 2-year discipleship school for young adults. Graduates of the discipleship school will also earn a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification.
- create opportunities for a new generation of American missionaries to serve and immerse themselves in the cultures and people groups of Asia

Would you consider becoming a "ground floor giver" to help us launch this new ministry opportunity? Learn more about the center and give securely online here: https://otan.org/training-center/

*Image is an artist's rendering and a representation only.

Become a ground floor giver and provide a safe training location for our Asian pastors. give YOUR GIFT now Training and equipping our Asian pastors is our first priority. As oppression and persecution increase in China, we sense the Lord opening a new door: a designated training center located in…

07/31/2026

Forty years ago, Otis and Roxann Goodwin had no idea what "training and equipping persecuted Asian pastors" would look like.

In 1986, Outreach To Asia Nationals consisted of a lawn chair in a spare bedroom and a bank account of $750.

Today, OTAN reaches into more than 13 countries in Asia, training national pastors and leaders to teach, disciple, lead, and serve their own people in countries where sharing the story of the love of Jesus is restricted or even forbidden.

Read or download the 3-page story of "OTAN: How It All Began" on our "Stories" page here: https://otan.org/stories/. In this 4-minute read, you'll walk alongside Otis and Roxann as they wonder how God is going to use them and as they watch God's plan for them and for OTAN unfold.

07/23/2026

As a young man, I attempted to rally the men of my village against the communist government. I landed in a prison cell and was sentenced to 13 years of hard labor.

Prison only increased my anger, which was slowly turning to bitterness. When I asked one of my fellow prisoners what he had done to cause him to be arrested, he said he was in prison for sharing the gospel.

I laughed. Imprisoned for sharing? And what in the world is the gospel?

Over the next several months my friend explained the gospel to me. My heart warmed to Jesus, One who was also persecuted by His government. When I learned of His cruel death, my heart was grieved. When I heard of His resurrection I rejoiced but then wondered how this could be. When my friend explained that Jesus was God’s Son, I asked, “Then why did He allow those men to treat Him like that?”

It was then I learned that it was sin that caused Him to go willingly to the cross. Jesus took my punishment so that I would not have to bear it.

My heart was crushed with my guilt and overwhelmed by God’s love for me. Alone in the dark that night I cried out to Jesus for forgiveness. I thanked Him for taking my punishment and asked Him to take away the anger from my heart.

Many years later when I was released from prison, I began to share with my fellow villagers how God had delivered me of my anger and bitterness. I taught them everything my prison friend had taught me through the years. Soon I had a group meeting in my home to learn more about Jesus. God gave me wisdom, and I became their shepherd. Only Jesus can use a prison to set someone free!

Read Hanh's full story here: https://otan.org/resources/otannews/ Remember to click the bottom of the story to read an update from our Vietnam Ministry Manager on the front page.