Outreach To Asia Nationals

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.

07/21/2026

07/09/2026

Ningkai* has had low vision issues since he was a child. Now in his mid 30’s, his sight is degenerating.

“He has night blindness, his vision is decreasing, and he will eventually lose his sight,” says D, our China Ministry Manager. “In China, physical disabilities can be an embarrassment to families and also a burden. Disabled people are sometimes treated like they are ‘less than.’ There is often little social structure for assistance, especially in rural areas.”

In 2013, Ningkai enrolled in OTAN’s two-year Chinese discipleship school. D says, “When he came to us, he was so socially awkward. He didn’t integrate well with the other students.”

Over the next two years, Ningkai changed. He grew in his faith and in his ability to build friendships. After graduating, he intended to teach in his hometown but found no opportunities there. He returned to our discipleship school and became an instructor.

As Ningkai’s sight fades, D says, “He has developed unbelievable memorization skills…chapter after chapter of Scripture. He can recite long passages from the Old and New Testaments in Chinese and in English. For instance, if a student asks about the verse that talks about having wings like eagles, Ningkai can not only quote the verse but the entire chapter of Isaiah 40 where it’s found.”

Along with teaching the students who are regularly enrolled in the discipleship school, Ningkai also pastors a local underground church. He has not only found love and acceptance among our China ministry team, but as his physical vision fades, he has grown in his understanding that no one is “less than” in the eyes of Christ.

How can I pray?

Today, would you pray for Ningkai? Pray for patience and safety as he navigates a world that is literally becoming darker for him. Pray that his eyesight would not deteriorate further. And pray that the Lord would ease his loneliness and send him a Godly wife.

*Names and images are representations only.

07/03/2026

Two of the countries where OTAN serves have intersected in an unusual way.

Last year, we learned something from our Burmese (Myanmar nationals) church leaders who are living in Malaysia: the children of refugees are not allowed to attend public school.

When our director traveled to Malaysia earlier this year, he met with Burmese pastors and leaders who have founded a Christ-centered school that serves hundreds of the children of displaced people.

Read their story at https://otan.org/resources/otannews/ along with updates about Vietnam, Laos, and an important venture that will help us train and disciple our Asian pastors for years to come.

Each story is about a 1-minute read. Click the bottom of the newsletter cover image to read any feature inside.

06/26/2026

The journey toward making the Goodwin Asia Training Center a reality is underway!

With freedoms shrinking and restrictions rising in China, the news coming from many of our partner churches is deeply concerning. Historically, "as China goes, so goes Asia."

We sense that a new door may be opening that will strengthen our ability to train and equip pastors who live in restricted countries:
a training center in an open Asian country!

This new, safer location to train our pastors will also be a 2-year residential discipleship school. In addition to biblical studies, Asian graduates will earn a *TESOL certificate. The center will also create opportunities for a new generation of American missionaries to immerse themselves in the cultures and people groups of Asia.

How can I pray?
Ask the Lord to give us clarity as we investigate a few locations for the center. Ask Him to help us clearly understand which option He is leading us to. And ask Him to move in the hearts of many who will partner with us to raise these "ground floor" funds.

How can I help?
Friends like you have already provided $25,000 of the needed $50,000 start-up funds! Learn more about the center and give securely online here: https://otan.org/labor-of-love/

Thank you!

*Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages