For centuries, the cross has been a symbol of the promise of good fruit on the other side of suffering: the restoration of all things. Since war broke out in Ukraine, NAB missionaries who work in Eastern Europe have been serving as emissaries of this promise by providing resources, care, and support to some of those who need it most, serving as agents of peace in any way they can.
After the war began, the team at Camp Falcon Rock in Romania quickly opened up their doors to refugees as they made their way toward safety. One refugee, a young Nigerian woman studying in Odesa, had previously made plans to be baptized, plans interrupted by war. Yet, when the opportunity arose, her pastor from the church in Odesa came to Romania to perform the baptism at Camp Falcon Rock! This was just one of many beautiful moments in the midst of darkness as this young woman shared her testimony and publicly confessed her devotion to Jesus as her Lord.
While Gary Clatterbuck has been unable to travel to Russia or Ukraine, where he serves as an NAB liaison and a teacher for our seminary partners, he is still in communication with both seminaries. In addition to providing encouragement in these difficult days, Gary is also continuing to serve as a liaison with Odesa Theological Seminary, helping connect them with necessary resources to keep classes going in the midst of war.
One of the most direct ways the NAB has been supporting relief efforts is through the Community Health Evangelism ministry overseen by NAB missionaries Ron and Jeannie Seck. One of their most recent CHE partners is Leonard Hanykovics. Himself a Ukrainian refugee, Leonard has been working with MEK, the Hungarian arm of CHE, to make regular supply runs to the border, where he connects with a host of partners in the country to take food, medical supplies, and hygiene products to the areas most in need.
While all these efforts have been supported through overwhelming generosity of those who have given to the Ukraine World Relief Fund, it is ongoing gifts to the Global Missions Fund that support NAB missionaries as they plant Kingdom fruit globally. Visit one of the links below to give to the Spring Missions Offering in support of NAB international missionary work.
We are counting down the days until the kick-off of Bonfire with David Fitch. For a number of years, Fitch has been a crucial part of the third and final gathering of the Blue Ocean cohorts. His book Faithful Presence has had a shaping influence on a number of leaders across the NAB. We are excited that this long-time friend of the NAB will share with us his unique perspective that provokes in the best way while still remaining full of grace and truth. Fitch’s soon-to-be-released book will form the basis of the sessions we have together; we will wrestle with issues of leadership in the church and how we may have given in to the wrong form of power.
We are excited to be able to spend time learning from David Fitch. Bonfire takes place in Chicago, Illinois, April 25–27, 2023. The deadline to sign up is April 10.
You are also invited to come early to sit in on Planter Summit, learning from year’s speaker will be Jeff Vanderstelt, the executive director of Saturate and author of Saturate, Gospel Fluency, and Making Space. Planter Summit will run April 24–26, 2023.
Sign up today to guarantee your spot!