At the beginning of 2023, Pastor Ryan Sidhom of River City Church in Vancouver, Washington, attended a plea hearing of a young man who had broken into River City, destroyed church property, and trashed the entire building. Ryan was there to make a request: that the church be one of the avenues through which this young man would fulfill his inevitable community service hours. This was likely to be denied by either the court or the young man and so would not be granted.
Regardless, Ryan was praying this unusual request would at the very least stir up something in the people who were at court that day, even if it was denied. This young man was in need of help, a community that could circle around him and lovingly support him. River City was willing to be that community, but only because they were part of the larger NAB community that cared for and supported them.
“Before I was connected to the NAB, I was feeling hopeless and depressed,” Sidhom shared. He said the previous ministry network the church was connected with “didn’t think our ministry was worth investing in, so the NAB brought me the hope needed to pass on grace!”
One of the ways we strive to make the NAB different from the prevailing culture we find ourselves in is through fostering a sense of community among our churches and missionaries. But not just any community; we want to be a Christian community formed by God as his loving alternative to the ways of the world. When you give to the NAB’s Ministry Resource Fund, you are helping support ongoing efforts to foster, encourage, and grow this community across North America and around the world. Ultimately, your generosity gives hope to leaders like Pastor Ryan and others who are seeking to be focal points of grace and compassion in their communities. . . .
Ryan Sidhom also took the time recently to tell another story from River City Church and invite you all to join him at the 2024 Triennial. Click the link below to hear yet another story of life transformation, and be sure to share the video.
We’re also please to announce that registration for the 2024 Triennial opens in just five weeks!
Starting November 1, you can register to join in the fun at St. Paul, Minnesota, July 11–14, 2024. Hope to see you there!
Ryan's Triennial Walkabout Video
Many people who are non-Indigenous don’t always feel they have a safe place to discuss the issues tied to better understanding Indigenous peoples or the space to ask honest questions.
This is why the Understanding Indigenous People Workshops are being held. The goal is to grow in our understanding of our Indigenous neighbor, that we might love them the way Christ has called us to in the Great Commandment. Your questions are not merely welcome, they are coveted.
The workshops will take place on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. Pacific / 8:00 p.m. Eastern every two weeks starting October 10. Come to one, or come to all; your questions and desire to better understand your Indigenous neighbor are welcome. These workshops will be led by Parry Stelter, Bible teacher, author, speaker, workshop facilitator, chaplain, and ambassador of Jesus Christ, as well as ambassador of his fellow Indigenous people. He is originally from Alexander First Nation, which is part of Treaty Six Territory in the province of Alberta, Canada.
Sign up at the link below.
Register for the Indigenous Peoples Workshops
For youth workers, finding space to connect with other youth workers can seem impossible. If you are are a youth worker, don’t let the feeling of impossible overwhelm you.
Take the opportunity to connect with other youth workers on Thursday, October 12 at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific) on an hour-long Zoom call. This call will feature YOU, the youth workers, sharing stories from the summer, how the fall is going so far, and what your dreams, hopes, and prayers are for this school year for your students.
This Zoom call will be hosted by April Wahl (EYELET member) and Wayne Stapleton (VP of Cross-Cultural Engagement and Emerging Leader Engagement). Click below to register for the Zoom call.