The following is an interview with Wayne Stapleton, NAB’s VP of Emerging Leader Engagement and Cross-Cultural Engagement, and David Williams, President of Taylor Seminary and Kairos Executive Partner, as they discuss both the impact and value of the Year of Equipping. Kairos, one of the most important changes in theological education over the past 10 years, and Year of Equipping are, at times, thought to be incompatible when, in fact, the exact opposite is true. Here is what these two leading NAB voices have to say about how Kairos and Year of Equipping work together.
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Gentlemen, thanks for this. I know how important the topic is and am grateful for the fact that you both invested time to paint a picture of the opportunity presented to those in the NAB.
Wayne, let’s start with you. The Year of Equipping originated with you. What is it, and why do we do it in NAB?
Wayne: I wanted to create an initiative that could specifically engage and develop our younger leaders. I believe as a conference that we should put effort into the training and equipping of younger leaders in an ever-changing ministry landscape. We owe it to the future of the church to engage with and encourage younger leaders, and our NAB International Office staff exists to support the local church in doing so. We have established great training around missional initiatives, so it was a great fit to flow from what the Missional Initiatives Team has been doing through Blue Ocean.
Another exciting benefit from Year of Equipping is the development of connections with other emerging leaders from around the US and Canada. I have been so encouraged as I watch each cohort develop authentic relationships with other brothers and sisters in NAB ministry. It is exciting and important for younger leaders in the NAB to experience community with each other.
David, one of the exciting things that has happened in the NAB during my time on staff is the Kairos program. Can you tell us a few things about Kairos and what makes it “work?”
David: Kairos is a missional approach to theological education that centers the educational journey on discipleship in and for the context of the student. We de-center the “institution” in order to center on what God is doing in the life of the student by building a mentor team around the student that stewards the educational journey to flourish in the context to which God has called them. By doing this, we can bring the resources of six educational institutions to support that journey in the way that adapts to how the student learns. We have also been able to reduce the cost of that educational journey dramatically.
Ok, so back to you, Wayne. . . .
When God’s people come together in unity, something special happens. Whether it’s for celebration, service, worship, or something more, God’s presence in our world is announced when we gather under his name and for his purpose.
This past May, more than 100 leaders from across the NAB gathered in Medina, Ohio, for Bonfire, where they shared what God is doing in our midst. When asked what was most impactful for them at Bonfire, one participant said it was “the deep yet humble commitment to being on mission together where God has placed us.”
When you partner with the NAB by financially supporting the Ministry Resource Fund, you help ministry leaders stay on mission in their local contexts. As we look ahead to the next big gathering at Triennial in July 2027, would you help us finish strong in this fiscal year? Consider a gift of $250, $150, $100, $75, or whatever amount the Lord is leading you to give by the end of August.
give to the summer offering (Can)
give to the summer offering (us)
Twice a year, a cohort of sending churches and church planters meet in person to learn from one another. Stu Streeter hosts the gathering, but the core of training, discussion, and workshopping is led by the pastors and leaders of the host churches. This is an opportunity to learn at the feet of NAB leaders who are actively sending out church plants, campus launches, and revitalization efforts.
The first gathering of this year’s Sending Church Cohort took place in Fargo, North Dakota, in April. The second gathering will take place September 15–16 in Edmonton, Alberta, where Pastor Jeremy Putz of Central Baptist will lead our time together, sharing about their multi-site model that has continued to expand to new sites in recent years.
We are so committed to the process that the NAB International Office covers all the cost of the cohort once you arrive in the host city.
If you are interested in learning more, or letting us know you are interested in attending, click on the link below.