After an extensive search, we are pleased to announce that the next Vice President of International Missions is Rev. Joel David.
He officially starts on April 9.
Joel has served in many ministry roles, including church planter, global mission leader, and theological educator; for more than fifteen years, he has been the lead pastor of Asian Christian Church, an NAB congregation in Edmonton, Alberta, where he currently resides with his wife, Asha, and their two daughters. He holds a masters of Theology degree from the University of Wales and is currently undergoing doctoral studies.
Originally from India, Joel brings a wealth of experience in church leadership, theological education, and global missions to the role of VP of International Missions. As an affiliate faculty member at Taylor Seminary (now part of Kairos University), he taught New Testament studies and guided students in theological research and academic writing. For several years, he has served on the Leadership Council of the Alberta Baptist Association.
His diverse background also includes founding a Bible college/seminary in India, pioneering computer training programs for the disabled, introducing Natural Church Development in India and Ukraine, serving as area coordinator for World Vision India, and leading regional mission movements. He also serves as the International Coordinator of the Lausanne Sikhism Working Group.
His missional passion for seeing God’s wisdom and glory displayed through the local church has driven his work in training church leaders and developing strategic networks for global missions. His unique blend of pastoral, academic, and cross-cultural experience positions him well to lead the NAB’s international mission efforts.
Join us in welcoming Rev. Joel David to his new role leading NAB International Missions.
Every year, we invite every NAB church to set aside the Sunday before Palm Sunday as Spring Missions Sunday, a day to share stories of what God is up to through NAB International Missions and raise money to support NAB missionaries in fields around the world.
This year, Spring Mission Sunday is scheduled for THIS SUNDAY, April 6.
To help you and your church in preparation for Spring Missions Sunday (www.springmissions.com), we have made a few resources available for you to use, including a widescreen and standard slides, bulletin inserts, and even social media graphics and a variety of logos for this year’s Spring Missions Offering. Click on the links below to find the Spring Missions Offering and the Spring Missions Sunday resources.
Spring Missions Sunday Resources
In last week’s Update, we shared what this year’s Multipliers Summit would look like. This week, we wanted to share more about Bonfire, taking place April 29–May 1 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Both Multipliers Summit and Bonfire are part of a larger collection of events we have nicknamed Super Week, all of which take place in Chicago during the same week.)
This year’s Bonfire is also going to look a bit different than Bonfires of the past.
For more than ten years, the NAB has been focused on creating a missional movement within our churches, with Bonfire serving as the yearly reunion of those who have been on this journey together. Typically, we have invited a single speaker to come and give input, but this year’s Bonfire will have several speakers joining us virtually: David Fitch, Alan Roxburgh, Sam Wells, and others. We will also focus on the stories of what God is doing in the NAB.
Over the years, we have talked a lot about the shifts we are needing to make, but this year’s focus will be on us helping one another to actually put these shifts into practice:
- From Strategy to Discernment
- From Doing For to Being With
- From Our Agency to God’s Agency
- From Programs to Practices
Come and join us as we work together to dwell in our neighborhoods, discern where God is at work, and join with him on mission in the places he has sent us.
Everyone who attends Bonfire is also invited to arrive early to participate in Multipliers Summit. 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.)
Register for Bonfire (and Multipliers Summit)
The Missional Initiatives Newsletter has a new look and a new format! It still keeps you informed about the latest from the Missional Initiatives Team, and, as always, includes stories, resources, and practices to help and encourage you as you seek what God is up to in your neighborhood and join him on mission.
But now you can sign up to receive it directly in your inbox, regardless of any other email you are signed up for.
This month’s newsletter includes a reflection from Karen Wilk on the foundational practice of dwelling, a story from Natalie Warkentin on how taking part in Blue Ocean has shaped her perspective on the everyday corners of life, and two resources to aid you on your missional journey: a podcast co-hosted by Jenny Sinclair and Alan Roxburgh.
