By Kerry Bender
VP of International Missions
In October of 2023, I had the amazing privilege of traveling to the Philippines to see the work of Claire Marker and her husband, Tim, at the Bicol Center for Christian Leadership (BCCL). Claire is a Global Missionary Partner with the NAB who grew up in the Philippines and now directs BCCL. They are training the next generation of pastors, missionaries, and leaders in the Filipino context. Most of these students are already in a ministry context and working a “secular” job to pay the bills. It was exciting to hear their stories and see their passion for ministry. Some of these students, along with Claire, host a group of Hindu students from a medical school nearby for game nights and conversations. This grew out of a global religions class where they not only learned about global religions but engaged with them in the hope of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pray for this endeavor!
I also had the unique privilege of being at BCCL while Gregg Evans was teaching a week-long intensive on the epistles Gregg, along with this wife, Maria, were NAB missionaries in Japan and then in the Philippines. Gregg took me on a whirlwind tour of churches and sites that were started by NAB missionaries in partnership with Filipino leaders. It was amazing to see the work that has continued to evolve and grow years after the initial NAB investment.
Again and again, I was greeted with warmth, and new friendships were immediately made. . . .
Nick and Iris Hung began serving with NAB International Missions in 2009 in western Africa; afterward, they served in a closed country in East Asia. Due to growing persecution of the Church in their country of ministry and greater scrutiny by the government – especially given the threat their presence presented to the local workers and servants – the Hungs, along with the leadership of NAB International Missions, decided it was time for them to leave their current country of ministry. They continue to be passionate about reaching the people of this country who are dispersed throughout Asia.
NAB International Missions and the Hungs are currently exploring plans for the Hungs to be redeployed to work in Japan targeting the immigrants and students from their previous country of ministry. There are obstacles to be overcome, but we are hopeful to be able to send them in the spring of 2024. In the meantime, the Hungs, along with NAB International Missions staff, will debrief their past experiences and assess steps to ensure the greatest health for them and their ministry moving forward.
To all of you who support the Hungs through prayer and finances, thank you! It is greatly appreciated, and your continued support is needed. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kerry L. Bender, vice president of International Missions, at kbender@nabconf.org or to Caryn Young, director of Administration for International Missions, at cyoung@nabconf.org. Blessings, and thank you!
The 2024 Triennial is just around the corner! Only seven more months until we will be gathering in St. Paul, Minnesota, for a celebration unlike any other in the NAB Conference.
In fact, there is less than a month until the cost for an adult registration increases. After January 31, 2024, the cost will be $420, an increase of $75!
Don’t wait! You won’t want to miss out on this Triennial.