Why Local MIssionaries?

The Local Missionary Advantage

How can the gospel find its way into a village or city where everyone is Buddhist, animist, or secular? 

The most effective way is through a loving and helpful Christian. That disciple-maker needs to be someone who cares about the people’s physical and spiritual needs. He or she must work purposefully towards establishing a body of believers who can also care for and disciple others.

ASAP has a unique approach to effective gospel work in Southeast Asia: We hire local missionaries who already know the language, who want to work for the Lord, and who understand the worldview, customs, and traditions of the people they serve. Where local workers are available, it is a much more cost-effective way of ministry than sending expatriate workers.


We hire church planters, medical missionaries, and teachers through the local church missions and provide them with a monthly stipend. Because these missionaries work hard in lonely and challenging situations, they need encouragement and further equipping. So, ASAP Ministries provides additional support through field supervisors and annual training events. At these events, we take time to hear their stories and pray for their needs. We also give instruction in education, gospel, humanitarian, and medical ministry work. These special times of fellowship and learning are more than worth the significant cost they entail.