By Wayne Stapleton
VP of Cross-Cultural Engagement & Emerging Leader Engagement
In the United States of America, January 20, 2025, is not only the day of the presidential inauguration, it is also the recognition of the ministry and message of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For me, MLK Day has always been a little bit bigger than just focusing on the person; it is a reminder of an era.
This year, I will be 60 years old. My birthday has always understandably been meaningful to me, but only a few years ago it took on a deeper significance when I realized the very day of my birth, Sunday, March 7, 1965, also marks another event taking place in Selma, Alabama – Bloody Sunday. While my mother was in labor, which I am sure involved pain and blood, this peaceful march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge featured pain and blood as well, the result of Alabama State Troopers and members of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan violently confronting those who were marching on behalf of voting rights.
While he was not in Selma that day, Dr. King led a march from Selma to Montgomery later that month. Our day for remembering him calls to mind the forces he and many in the Civil Rights movement faced. Many Americans take voting rights for granted, part and parcel of being an American, and yet all Americans have not always had this privilege.
It is meaningful to me that Bloody Sunday is not ancient history – it took place during my lifetime and the lifetimes of millions of other Americans. . . .
Every spring for the last number of years, leaders from across the NAB have been gathering together in Chicago, Illinois, for a week of events that have proven themselves to be crucial touchpoints within the NAB. These events include:
- Blue Ocean (April 27–29) – Part of a year-long cohort, this third and final gathering focuses on Becoming a Missional People.
- Year of Equipping (April 27–29) – Part of a new cohort of emerging leaders in the NAB, this final in-person gathering will be joining with Blue Ocean.
- Multipliers Summit (April 28–30) – This gathering of the NAB Multipliers Community is all about the soul care of the multiplier couple.
- Bonfire (April 29–May 1) – This is an annual reunion of NAB leaders who have given themselves to joining God on mission in their various contexts.
In addition to these groups, other groups, such as the Missions Advisory Team, the NAB Governing Board, and EYELET, will also be meeting during this week.
Whether you come to one group or a handful, registration for all the events will take place through a single portal. Just 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.)
Have you ever dreamed of walking where Jesus walked and experiencing the lands where the Bible’s stories took place? November 10–21, 2025, we’re embarking on an incredible NAB Study Tour to Israel, and you’re invited to join us. This tour will take us to the places where Jesus taught and performed miracles, allowing us to explore the Bible in its original context. Together, we’ll gain a deeper understanding of Scripture and see how its truths connect to our lives here in North America.
This is also a fantastic opportunity for pastors, church leadership, and anyone looking to see how to be on mission in their own ministries. By immersing yourself in the context of the Bible, you’ll gain fresh perspectives and inspiration to bring back to your ministry or community.
For those interested in finding out more, we’re hosting an information Zoom meeting on January 30 at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific). Simply click on the link below to register for the meeting to learn all about this amazing opportunity!
This is more than just a trip—it’s a transformative experience where the Word of God comes alive.
NAB Study Tour Registration and Details
Every three years, middle and high school students from across the NAB come together in Orange County for an experience unlike any other. For five jam-packed days, students hear from gifted speakers, sing praises to God, dive into the Word, engage in service projects, and interact with others from across Canada and the US.
The Gathering takes places July 13–18, 2025.
Payments can be made online or by check (just be sure the envelope is dated by January 10). If you need help getting started with planning, training, or fundraising, or you are just looking for promotional videos, click on The Gathering Info.