The following article appears in the Fall 2025 Onward. See below to access the full issue online or sign up to receive future copies in the mail.
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By Stu Streeter
VP of Church Multiplication and Ministry Advancement
One of the great joys of the NAB missional-formational movement over the last fifteen years has been watching a renewed vision of the church take root among us. Together, we have longed to join God in the work he is already doing in our churches, communities, and neighborhoods.
When the Executive Team first wrestled with these ideas, leaders like Cam Roxburgh were stirring conversations few of us had ever considered. I can’t speak for those early pioneers, but I doubt they imagined where the Spirit would lead us. Yet, here we are, shaped by that renewed theological vision and surprised by joy at every turn.
From the beginning, those who championed this vision knew it could not be sustained without the next generation being part of the journey as well. The question wasn’t “when” but “how.”
We live in a rapidly changing world. Many younger leaders do not share the same interest in continuing the exact forms and practices their parents and grandparents valued. As NorCal Regional Minister Kent Carlson has often said, “Our kids don’t want the keys to dad’s car.”
While that could be cause for concern, in the NAB, it has instead become a source of beauty and hope. . . .
The Fall 2025 edition of Onward is out now! If you live in the US, it should have already reached you; for those in Canada, we have been told it will be mailed tomorrow, so you should see it soon!
This newest issue is all about emerging leaders, with a special focus on The Gathering from this past summer. Nearly every piece of this issue focuses on the world of emerging leaders, those younger generations in our churches who are poised to lead, or already doing so.
If you haven’t already received your free copy of Onward in the mail and would like to stay abreast of the news, stories, and updates from the NAB family, you can follow the sign-up link below to be added to the mailing list.
This past July, 230 students descended on Orange County, California, for six days to be the hands and feet of Jesus as they served with local nonprofits as part of The Gathering.
One of those who attended The Gathering was Mackenzie, a student from Terwillegar Community Church in Edmonton, Alberta:
We spent five days working/cleaning in houses that were smoke-damaged from the Los Angeles fires. We were able to bring three families back into their homes that week, which was truly amazing. God was working in all these moments to not only bring us together as a group but as a reminder that we weren’t only helping those families, we were working for God, doing acts of worship.
Ephesians 6:7–8 says, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.” When we were feeling extremely exhausted one day before starting our work, I read this to my team as a reminder that we needed to be working hard and putting our full efforts as much as we can.
During the last session, we talked about having a Kingdom mindset and seeing the world as Jesus does. This trip not only strengthened my faith, it also helped me build connections, meet new people, work for God, and open my eyes to understand the hardships people go through that we might not. This was an overall amazing trip, with so many experiences and lessons I will carry with me and cherish for a long time.
While all who attended The Gathering contributed to the cost of putting on such a massive undertaking, much of the expense was offset by the Ministry Resource Fund. This all-purpose fund is crucial for ongoing ministries across the North American Baptist Conference.
When you give to the 2025 Fall Offering, you are actively supporting ministry opportunities like The Gathering, as well as others like Blue Ocean, Year of Equipping, and much, much more. You can read more about what took place at The Gathering, as well as discover ways to give, by following the link below.
In addition to giving to the Fall Offering, we invite every NAB church to take a Thanksgiving offering in support of the Ministry Resource Fund. When you click on the link below, you will find slides, videos, bulletin inserts, and more, all designed to help you promote the 2025 Fall Offering during your service.
Tomorrow is the deadline to apply for Blue Ocean 2025–26.
Blue Ocean is a transformative one-year learning experience. You’ll be part of a cohort that journeys together throughout the year, exploring what it means to join God on mission, be formed into the character of Christ, and dwell in your neighborhood – sharing and living out the Gospel. We meet three times a year in three different cities across the United States and Canada for multi-day retreats. Blue Ocean includes pastors, leaders, and regional ministers from across the NAB. Each cohort represents a cross-section of regions, church sizes, and ministry styles. The discussions are both encouraging and challenging.
Module 1 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Module 2 Location: TBD Module 3 Location: Medina, Ohio |
There is no cost for Blue Ocean, though participants are responsible for covering their travel and accommodation costs. All other costs are covered by the NAB. The deadline to apply is October 17.