From the beginning, God has called his people to bear witness beyond what is familiar—to go where the good news of Jesus Christ has not yet been fully heard. This calling has shaped the North American Baptist Conference since its earliest days, and it continues to guide us today.
We see this in stories across the NAB, especially through the efforts of NAB international missionaries such as Claire and Tim Marker. In their work in the Philippines, the Markers and the students they teach at the Bicol Center for Christian Leadership have befriended Indian medical students, which has led to a regular Prayer Time, what the Hindu students call the small worship service going through the story of Jesus. One student, ‘V,’ said, “Finally, I will understand what the Bible says in English!”
The apostle Paul wrote, “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known” (Romans 15:20 NIV). These words remind us that the mission of the church is not only to strengthen what already exists, but also to respond faithfully as God leads us toward places and peoples where Christ is still largely unknown. Would you support the NAB Global Missions Fund to help sustain the work God is already doing and prepare the way for the Gospel to be proclaimed where it is least known?
As a conference of churches, we sense God inviting us to take careful and faithful steps toward the least reached places in our world—the large populations with little to no Gospel access—while continuing to sustain and care for the NAB missionaries already serving around the globe.
For decades, the NAB team in Brazil has been partnering with local seminaries to train pastors and lay leaders. Through our current seminary partner, the team connected with Tânia, a student who leads a ministry to migrant women, providing spiritual formation, emotional support, and practical assistance. One Venezuelan immigrant Tânia’s worked with, Elizabeth, has grown deeply in her faith and begun working with other immigrant women; Elizabeth will soon be trained at the seminary as she prepares to help lead the new church plant emerging from Tânia’s ministry. . . .
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Eastertide is the season in the Christian calendar following Resurrection Sunday and running up to Pentecost Sunday. In the life of the disciples, these days were a time of change as they came to understand the true meaning of the cross and the empty tomb. The resurrection forever changed them; for them, it was not merely an event, but an ongoing transformational life – one shaped and powered by the Holy Spirit for the sake of the Kingdom, one that must be practiced every single day.
Starting April 8 and ending on May 24, Pentecost Sunday, the Missional Initiatives Team is sending out a 21-day Eastertide devotional series, releasing new devotionals every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This special devotional series will help us lean into the same Resurrection Way the disciples learned to live.
If you are interested in receiving these devotionals, simply sign up below and select the box for the devotionals. Those who are already receiving the daily Lent devotionals will need to sign up for these separately, as they are sent out by the Missional Initiatives Team.
sign up for the eastertide devotionals
Bonfire 2026 is May 5–8, 2026, in Medina, Ohio.
This year, we are streamlining Bonfire in a way we hope reflects its purpose. There will be two main evening sessions for the entire group, including dinner, fellowship, worship, and unified speakers. During the days, each attendee will join their specific group gathering, or Ministry Track – Multipliers Summit, MAT, Missional Alumni, etc. – to engage with each other.
This year, based on much feedback, we are streamlining this event in a way we hope reflects this purpose. Bonfire will now be the name we use to refer to the overarching event, the main umbrella under which these various gatherings of NAB leaders meet. There will be two main evening sessions for the entire group, including dinner, fellowship, worship, and a unified speaker. During the days, each attendee will join their specific group gathering, or Ministry Track – Multipliers Summit, MAT, Missional Initiatives Alumni, etc. – to engage with each other.
It is our hope that Bonfire 2026 will serve you, equip you, and encourage you in ways both specific to your individual group but also in broad ways as a vital member of our conference of churches.
A few weeks back, we held our ninth Fit Assessment. These few days together with potential church planters, church revitalizers, and international missionaries are intended to help each candidate and couple discern together their best next step in ministry. Our February Fit Assessment was in Roseville, California, hosted by Grace Collective Church – a church whose pastor went through Fit Assessment exactly one year prior.
Already we are looking ahead to the next Fit Assessment in Edmonton, Alberta, at the end of May. If you are or know anyone interested in even just dipping a toe in what it would mean to plant or revitalize a church or serve as an international missionary, we guarantee these few days will provide you a clear picture of your strengths are and what skills you will need to sharpen, as well as tangible steps to take as you follow God where he is leading.
To learn more or apply, follow the link below.