By Joel David
VP of International Missions
As Paul and Tanya Gericke conclude their service as NAB missionaries on January 31, 2026, we pause with deep gratitude and joy to celebrate what God has done through them in Romania. Over more than a decade of faithful service, Paul and Tanya have been used by God to advance his Kingdom through the NAB’s continuing partnership with the Convention of Hungarian Baptist Churches in Romania (HBCR).
One of the most visible and lasting reflections of their ministry is Camp Falcon Rock, which stands as a testament to their vision, leadership, and commitment. Paul and Tanya modeled exemplary partnership as North American missionaries, serving alongside Tomas and Tunde Modi, Romanian nationals and directors of Camp Falcon Rock, who also serve as NAB Global Missionary Partners. Together, they demonstrated what healthy, Christ-centered collaboration across cultures can look like.
Throughout their years in Romania, Paul and Tanya invested deeply in people—especially in teaching, training, and mentoring youth leaders, most notably at Szentkiraly Baptist Church and through Camp Falcon Rock’s ministries. We rejoice that two of the many leaders they mentored, Miriam Modi and Robi Bálint, have recently been appointed as NAB Global Missionary Partners, a beautiful reminder that spiritual multiplication continues across cultures.
God also used the Gerickes to help foster and strengthen sister-church partnerships between NAB and HBCR churches. These partnerships opened doors for numerous mission teams from North America to serve in Romania and provided an especially meaningful opportunity for young people from Romania to serve and minister in North America. These exchanges have left a lasting impact on churches, leaders, and individuals on both sides of the Atlantic.
These highlights represent only a portion of what God accomplished through Paul and Tanya’s ministry—there are many other wonderful stories, relationships, and moments of faithfulness worth remembering, recounting, and celebrating.
While Paul and Tanya have returned to Canada and are concluding their term as NAB Missionaries, we are grateful that Paul will continue serving in a limited, part-time role from February through August 2026, working out of Edmonton, Canada, to assist with ministry transitions. We are thankful for his willingness to continue serving during this season.
Though their term of service is formally ending, the relationships they built, the leaders they nurtured, and the example they set will continue to bear fruit for years to come. The NAB’s partnership with the HBCR remains strong and full of promise, and both the NAB and the HBCR are eager to see this partnership grow across multiple ministry pathways. God is already leading us into an exciting future:
- Jonathan and Jeni Bransford are newly appointed NAB missionaries whose intended field of service is Romania.
- Vern and Gloria Wagner, NAB missionaries, continue to serve faithfully at Camp Falcon Rock and are deeply loved by our brothers and sisters in Romania.
- NAB Gateway, under the leadership of Randy Schmor, will continue to facilitate short-term mission trips and sister church partnerships with Hungarian Baptist churches in Romania.
- Stu Streeter, VP of Church Multiplication, and Drew Steinhart, pastor of Disciples Church in Medina, Ohio, are leading a team of NAB church multipliers to Romania in February 2026 to connect with church multiplication efforts in Romania.
- Efforts are ongoing to recruit additional NAB missionaries for service in Romania in camp ministries, church planting, theological education, and outreach among the Roma people.
There is so much to celebrate as we reflect on what God has done—and continues to do—through NAB international missions in Romania and around the world. You have been an essential part of this work through your prayers and faithful financial support. We celebrate with you and thank God for you and your partnership in the Gospel. As you prayerfully consider redirecting your financial support, we invite you to consider the following opportunities:
- Jonathan and Jeni Bransford (Romania) (US giving; Canada giving and Lindsey Gelinas (Japan), our newest NAB Missionary appointees, who are actively raising support.
- Claire and Tim Marker (Philippines), NAB missionaries, whose growing ministries equip church leaders, future evangelists, and missionaries, and who share the Gospel among people of other faith backgrounds; they are in urgent need of additional financial partners.
To all who have faithfully supported Paul and Tanya Gericke over the years—thank you. Your generosity has made a tremendous difference. We encourage you to consider transitioning your support to one (or more) of the NAB missionaries listed above. If we do not hear from you by February 1, 2026, we will direct your support to the NAB Global Missions Fund.
To those who have prayed for Gerickes or Camp Falcon Rock but were not financial supporters, would you consider coming alongside the Bransfords, Lindsey, or the Markers as they seek to proclaim the Gospel to people most of us will never have the opportunity to meet?
Thank you again for your continued partnership with NAB international missions and for joining us in what God is doing around the world. If you have any questions or would like to talk through the process of transitioning or starting up your support, please feel free to reach out to Joel David, VP of International Missions, or Caryn Young, director of Administration for International Missions.
May God bless you richly as together we continue to follow where he leads.