The southernmost state of Brazil is currently in the midst of a catastrophic natural disaster unlike any they have seen in modern history. Due to record-breaking rains, the rivers of the state of Rio Grande do Sul have swelled beyond their banks and into roads, highways, homes, and cities.
In response to this catastrophe, we sent out a call earlier this week asking for donations to a special relief fund to help those who have been displaced by these floodwaters. All funds given will be funneled by NAB missionaries Lyndell Campbell-Réquia and Brandon & Marci Jones toward the churches and other organizations who are caring for those in need. Already, in just three days’ time, we have raised more than $9,000!
However, the need is still great. Lyndell has shared that the island region just outside the capital city where many of the poorest communities are located is completely inundated. The city of Puerto Alegre itself, home to Lyndell, Paulo, and the Joneses, is cut off from the next city over, where Lyndell and Paulo’s church is located, and the airport will likely not open until May 30. Needless to say, seminary classes have been canceled for the week.
Thank you for giving, and please continue to keep the nation of Brazil and its people in your prayers.
We will continue to keep you updated in the coming days and weeks.
After 32 years of faithful service in Cameroon, Julie Stone will be retiring as an NAB missionary in March 2025. We are grateful for Julie and the grace with which she has served all these decades.
Prior to her full retirement, she will be leaving the field in August, after which she will continue on home assignment until March 2025, visiting churches and working with the Cameroon team to ensure a smooth transition for all. She is also hoping to return to Cameroon in the fall to participate in the graduation of the current class, as they personally requested she attend, a testament to her work and the relationships she has built, not just with this class but with all her students and the rest of the hospital staff.
Thank you for the many ways you have supported Julie throughout the years, financially, prayerfully, and a myriad others.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Caryn Young, director of Administration for International Missions, at cyoung@nabconf.org.
There is still time to sign up for the webinar with Michael Wear on May 14 at 2:00 p.m. (Pacific) to discuss his newest book The Spirit of Our Politics. Diving into today’s political landscape, Wear draws from the insightful teachings of the late theologian Dallas Willard and his approach to spiritual formation regarding our engagement in the political sphere. The NAB’s emerging leaders team is hosting this event, but everyone is welcome to join and earn some wisdom from this timely discussion.
We are planning a cohort uniquely designed to reach emerging leaders, those twenty- and thirty-something women and men who are active leaders of our churches and who will continue to serve NAB churches for the decades to come.
This cohort will entail three, three-month modules, each reflecting the three modules in Blue Ocean. The goal of this experience is to develop and enrich the relationships of our emerging leaders, to provide instruction and conversation about the movement of God in the world and how we participate, and to deepen the preparation of our emerging leaders for the future of the NAB.
If you are interested in this new cohort, or know of someone who would be a great candidate, we are currently accepting applications through May 31, 2024.
Triennial 2024 is coming up fast. Taking place July 11–14, 2024, there are only 9 weeks until we all gather together in St. Paul, Minnesota, for fellowship, worship, instruction, and connection. Don’t delay; register today!