Identity: Part 1 – Why the NAB?
Over a span of six weeks, we will be sharing a series of articles from NAB Executive Director Harry Kelm about our identity as the NAB. You can read the first article below or find all of them on the NAB website.
I often get asked, “Why should my church be a part of the North American Baptist Conference?” The Scriptures are filled with verses that speak about our connection to one another as God’s people. As followers of Jesus, we are brought into the body of Jesus Christ. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 12:12, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” Then later in verse 27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” As Christians, we bring all that we are to one another – our God-given design, abilities, talents, and spiritual gifts. In doing this, we add to each other, complement one another, and serve with each other. There is strength and encouragement in our unity in Jesus Christ and in our unity with each other.
There is the same value in our walking and working together as a conference of churches. To come together recognizes our need for brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. It recognizes that we can do more together than alone. Ephesians 4:4–6 states, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” As an NAB community of faith in Jesus, we can learn from each other. We can challenge each other. We can be blessed by the diversity of being a community of faith that comes from different backgrounds and from different places but shares a vision to serve and to minister in this world.
You might ask, “What then distinguishes the NAB from other groups or associations of churches?” In a series of six short articles, I want to describe our identity as a North American Baptist Conference of churches. I am thankful to be on this earthly journey with you as we seek God’s will and mission together.
New(ish) Missionaries to Cameroon
The NAB is happy to announce that Craig and Maureen Moody are once again joining our international missions team.
From 1984, when Maureen first ventured to Banso Baptist Hospital, to 2018, when Craig and Maureen Moody worked with the primary healthcare program LAP, and the four other times serving in between those dates, it is obvious that God has placed Cameroon on this couple’s hearts.
In March 2022, Craig and Maureen will be returning to Yaoundé, a city where they previously served as house parents for missionary kids attending Rain Forest International School (RFIS). This time they will be serving at RFIS in new capacities: Craig will be the Finance Manager and Maureen will be the school nurse, in addition to working in nursing education with the Cameroon Baptist Convention. They will serve in these roles until June 2024.
The excitement of being a part of the RFIS team that supports missionary families as they serve in central Africa is certainly obvious when talking with the Moodys. To better prepare them for serving in this French-speaking city, they have begun taking French classes, and they will start two months of full-time language school in France beginning in January.
If you would like to join the financial support team for the Moodys, click on the link below.
Church Planting Summit
With only a month to go, time is running out to schedule your flight to Chicago, Illinois, to take part in the Church Planting Summit, October 13–15. More than a dozen church planting couples from across the NAB have already signed up, but there’s room for more. (Read about one church planter’s excitement for the retreat.)
Mike Lueken, co-author of Renovation of the Church and lead pastor of Oak Hills Church in Folsom, California, will lead a number of discussions, but this time together will also include hearing from each other. We will share what God is teaching us and where the rigors of church multiplication are calling us into a deeper life with God.
Follow the link below to find out more information and to register.
Planter Summit Info & Registration
New Heritage Horizons Newsletter
If you visited the North American Baptist Heritage Commission virtual booth at the 2021 Triennial, you likely already know that the latest edition of Heritage Horizons is currently out! The good news is that even if you didn’t get a chance to read it then, you can do so now! Check out the Summer 2021 Heritage Horizons newsletter at the link below.
The Heritage Commission exists to manage the archives of the NAB. This includes encouraging the translation of key historical documents from German to English. It is the main resource for all materials and research services related to the NAB. You can find out more on the Heritage Commission at our website.