By Orville Erickson
Pastor of Greenhill Baptist Church
Cedar Falls, Iowa
To say I was shocked the first Sunday several Haitian refugees came to Greenhill Baptist would be an understatement. It was a unique development in my ministry at Greenhill, where I have pastored for the last twenty-four years in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It turns out several Haitian families moved into a housing complex about a quarter mile from our location, and we were the nearest Baptist church, which I found out later was their church background. They came here following the instability and violence in Haiti, most of them leaving professional careers – one was a teacher, another a nurse, for example – to escape the situation in their home country.
The first Sunday, there were four; the next, a few more; and now we generally have about eight to twelve Haitian believers who regularly attend our Sunday morning services. Learning how to minister to them and also help meet their needs has been a learning curve. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we strongly felt the call to come alongside them to help with their adjustment to our community. We had no idea how little assistance they actually receive in accessing services or dealing with all the paperwork they face. . . .
Every spring for the last number of years, leaders from across the NAB have been gathering together in Chicago, Illinois, for a week of events that have proven themselves to be crucial touchpoints within the NAB. These events include:
- Blue Ocean – Part of a year-long cohort, this third and final gathering focuses on Becoming a Missional People.
- Year of Equipping – Part of a new cohort of emerging leaders in the NAB, this final in-person gathering will be joining with Blue Ocean.
- Multipliers Summit – This gathering of the NAB Multipliers Community is all about the soul care of the multiplier couple.
- Bonfire – This is an annual reunion of NAB leaders who have given themselves to joining God on mission in their various contexts.
In addition to these groups, other groups, such as the Missions Advisory Team, the NAB Governing Board, and EYELET, will also be meeting during this week.
Whether you come to one group or a handful, registration for all the events will take place through a single portal. Just click on the link below to find out more details and register.
(Cost varies depending on the events you attend and whether you pay by USD or CND.)
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.
The Gathering takes places July 13–18, 2025.
To find resources, promotional videos, and the full registration packet, click on the link below.