The most recent issue of Onward is out now! The following article written by Candelario Arredondo comes directly from this issue. Candelario, a member of Faith Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was one of the panel members of the Saturday cross-cultural breakout session at the 2024 Triennial.
My life is a never-ending question: Does ethnic harmony matter? And my response is: YES! Ethnic harmony does matter!
At the 2024 NAB Triennial, I participated on a panel led by Faith Baptist Church in which we talked about becoming a people of peace as it relates to ethnic harmony. I see this work as my calling, and I continue to live the reality of what it means to be a follower of Jesus in the context of ethnic harmony in his church.
Daniel 7:14 states, “And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed” (ESV, emphasis added).
This conviction has made me go against the grain in my family and in my community. As a result, I often deal with strained relationships with family and friends. It recently happened when my family visited to celebrate my daughter’s quinceañera, a traditional event meant to emphasize the importance of faith and family. It was a wonderful time, but it also confirmed a fear I have lived with for years: My family was of the belief I had abandoned my Mexican roots to better succeed and fit in a different culture. . . .
Registration for The Gathering is now open!
Every three years, middle and high school students from across the NAB come together in Orange County for an experience unlike any other. For five jam-packed days, students hear from gifted speakers, sing praises to God, dive into the Word, engage in service projects, and interact with others from across Canada and the US.
This is The Gathering, a youth conference and missions experience that provides students with a variety of thoughtful encounters to dive deeper in faith, community, and service as an opportunity to become ambassadors for Jesus in Orange County, with the ultimate goal of inspiring them to serve God and others when they return home. The Gathering is the only venue that assembles students from across the NAB in one place for a time of worship, service, transformation, and fun.
The Gathering takes places July 13–18, 2025.
Download the Registration Packet
We are excited to announce that Mike Anderson is the new regional minister for the Saskatchewan Baptist Association! Mike has served as associate pastor at Springside Baptist Church in Springside, Saskatchewan, for the past nineteen years, and he’s also served on EYELET and, previously, the NAB’s Youth Ministry Leadership Team. He loves to be involved with the planning team for The Gathering since his own experience going to a similar event was so transformational for him.
Mike and Marcie were married in June 2005, only two months before he began serving at Springside. He has enjoyed serving a church with a long-term mindset. Mike and Marcie have three children: Carys, Leah, and Owen.
Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Education from Ambrose University and is finishing his master of arts in Theological Studies from Briercrest College and Seminary. He is a pastor who seeks to learn from Jesus, walk alongside and teach others, and work together to see how we can join God where he is at work by defining our reality and discerning together. When he is not serving in ministry, he enjoys traveling and camping with his family, riding horses, playing sports, or facing off against his son in any sports video game.
If we are to love like Christ in our everyday lives – a love Scot McKnight describes as “a rugged, affective commitment of presence, advocacy, and direction” – we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable like Christ. This Advent season, let’s dive into what it looks like when the God of the universe shows us how to love – a vulnerable, irrepressive, and potent love – and how we in turn should respond. You can sign up to receiving daily devotionals through the entire season of Advent, which starts December 1, by clicking on the link below.
Sign Up for Advent Devotionals
There is still time to sign up to receive NAB Advent devotional resources for your church or small group, including promotional graphics and the full series of devotionals in a print-ready file. Simply click on the link below to find the resources that are currently available. (The devotionals are still in the works; if you would like to be made aware as soon as they are available, you can email us at communications@nabconf.org.)