Three Questions is a semi-regular series introducing individuals across the NAB by asking them about their story, their ministry, and what they are learning. These features on members of our NAB family also provide great opportunities to pray for them as we get to know more of their story. This week, we hear from Lyndell Campbell-Réquia, an NAB missionary in Brazil.
What’s your story?
I was born and raised in Saskatchewan – go Riders! – and I grew up in a Christian home. I gave my life to Jesus at summer camp at the age of 7 and was baptized when I was 14 years old. Looking back, I see many influences that contributed to my faith: my parents; my grandparents; my great aunt, who faithfully prayed for me daily; and my youth group pastor and his wife, whom I followed to Bible college when I graduated high school. And these are just the ones I know about. Church always had a central place in our family. It was at church that the Lord helped me realize he had a purpose for me.
I knew from a young age that the Lord was leading me into international missions. As a child, my favourite Sundays were when the missionaries visited our church. Their stories made God seem so much bigger than I had realized. It was just a matter of waiting on God’s perfect timing.
After two years of study at the North American Baptist College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (now Kairos University), I received my vocational calling into full-time ministry. I had the privilege of serving in three NAB churches and at Taylor University College in the Student Development Department. All of this was in preparation for the Lord opening the door for me to start serving in southern Brazil in 2003. . . .
Beyond just a time of personal instruction and growth, the kind of engagement taking place in the Year of Equipping is growing roots that go deeper and wider than just the individual experience. Tony Engeler, the director of Summer Camps and Retreats at Camp Caroline, said, “I couldn’t help but share the lessons I’ve learned over the dinner table with friends.” More than that, he said, “It has already led to numerous conversations back home with my staff for changes and perspective changes we need.”
These kinds of shifts in perspective that lead to real-world changes in how we follow God on mission are exactly why the missional trainings in the NAB exist, whether it’s Year of Equipping, Blue Ocean, Ethos, or Discovery.
Would you consider partnering with us in these missional efforts by giving $50, $100, or more to the Ministry Resource Fund? Your gift will not only, in part, support the Year of Equipping, it will also go toward training churches and leaders across the NAB as they find ways to engage missionally with their cities, towns, and neighborhoods, sharing the story of a God who is up to something new in our world.
Give to the 2024 Christmas Offering
The newest edition of the Missional Initiatives newsletter is now available! This edition includes an article, story, and resources contributed by Cam Roxburgh, VP of Missional Initiatives, much of it centering around what Alan Roxburgh calls the 75-year story. You can find out a bit about what that means, and also read about a small experience of from the recent regional minister / executive team trip to Romania, by clicking on the link below.
In the midst of the Canada Post strike, we have some great news for all Canadians!
The NAB now accepts Interac e-transfers! This means you can give to the NAB directly from your bank account, at no cost to you (or to us). Simply send your e-transfer to givecanada@nabconf.org. You may still designate your gift to a specific fund by inserting that information in the note field. (Any donation sent without a designation will be applied to our Ministry Resource Fund.)
As always, you can still give through our website: nabconference.org/give. If you need any assistance with this, please do not hesitate to contact Briana Eaton at beaton@nabconf.org or 916‑797‑6251. She will be more than happy to assist you.
For US residents, other than USPS putting a hold on all mail to Canada, mailing has not been impacted by the strike, so you can continue to send your gifts as normal.
As you consider donating to the NAB in tax year 2024, here are a few factors to keep in mind to make sure that we are able to give you a tax receipt for calendar year 2024:
- If you are sending a check, please make sure the check and the envelope postmark are both dated no later than December 31, 2024.
- Online credit card transactions must be charged and processed no later than December 31, 2024.
- Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) forms must be received at the NAB’s Roseville, California, office no later than December 16, 2024.
- The deadline to donate stock prior to the end of the year was December 10, 2024.
Please note the NAB International Office is closed beginning at 4:00 p.m. (Pacific) on Monday, December 23, 2024, and reopens at 7:00 a.m. (Pacific) on Thursday, January 2, 2025.