“If we believe what we believe is true, then our cities should be a better place to live.”

This past July, 230 students descended on Orange County, California, to demonstrate the truth behind this statement from Ric Olsen, the regional minister for the SoCal Association and pastor of The Beacon. For six days, middle and high school students from thirteen churches in Canada and the US were the hands and feet of Jesus as they served with local nonprofits as part of The Gathering.

With The Gathering, every three years, students come to Southern California to serve, worship, fellowship, and learn from speakers, with the goal of taking to heart their experiences in Orange County and bringing it all back with them to their own communities, hence the theme: “Here and At Home.”

While all those who attended The Gathering contributed to the cost of putting on such a massive undertaking, much of the expense was offset by the Ministry Resource Fund. This all-purpose fund is crucial for ongoing ministries across the North American Baptist Conference. Would you consider giving to the 2025 Fall Offering to help, in part, support ministry opportunities like The Gathering, Blue Ocean, Year of Equipping, and much, much more?

Give in Canadian Dollars     Give in US Dollars
Give in Canadian Dollars Give in US Dollars

One of the most unique aspects of The Gathering as a youth conference is the varied and diverse projects. Each day after breakfast, the teams of students and leaders are sent off to their service project in the cities of Orange and Anaheim, where they partner with local nonprofits all morning and into the early afternoon hours. All these projects are coordinated by Love Orange, also led by Ric Olsen, and Love Anaheim, under the leadership of Nathan Zug, pastor of Community Presence at Magnolia Baptist Church in Anaheim.

One of the projects was the restoration of three family homes that were affected by the fires that burned through Los Angeles earlier this year. Everett, Makenzie, and Thomas from Terwilleger Community Church in Edmonton, Alberta, were part of this team. They saw God work in how they grew closer as friends, and they gained new perspectives about the people who do this sort of work for a living full time. They said they plan to go home with a newfound joy in seeking where they can continue to serve God and others in their own backyard. “Giving up our time is important,” Thomas said, “It’s what we’re called to do.”

As part of another service project, students from Heartland Community Church in Medina, Ohio, helped clean up the Jeanne Carter Nature Center. Connected to a local high school, this nature center has been used for decades as a natural classroom where students can learn about native flowers, bugs, and birds in a hands-on environment. However, it had been neglected for a few years, allowing the weeds to overtake the paths, pond, and plants. In sharing about their service project, Allie, a student at Heartland, said, “The founder, Jeanne, had retired and was deeply affected by the place’s condition. However, by the end of the week, I could see God’s presence in her happiness and gratitude for the work that had been done. Her radiant smile reflected the positive impact of God’s influence on her and those around her.”

Even though the students were only there for a week, each of the projects were firmly rooted in long-term relationships. “These students are serving as the hands and feet of partner organizations we [at Love Orange] have been working with,” said Ric Olsen. The same is true of Love Anaheim; every service project was part of an existing and ongoing relationship between Love Orange and Love Anaheim and the city or local organizations. The seeds sown by the students at The Gathering were not haphazardly tossed into the soil; through local NAB leaders, they will continue to be cultivated in the months and years to come.

When sharing about the service project his group was part of – cleaning up a community equestrian center – Lincoln Eekhoff, one of leaders from Steamboat Rock Baptist Church in Steamboat Rock, Iowa, said, “We’ve all been pushed out of our comfort zone.” Whether it was students being teamed up with those from different backgrounds – Canada/US, rural/urban, etc. – or it was the tasks that seemed beyond what they could handle, Lincoln said they really pushed themselves.

In addition to the service projects, it is the times of teaching that help make The Gathering such a unique event in the lives of NAB students. Rather than just focusing on a week of missional service, The Gathering has a second focal point: the formational times of teaching and worship. Across all six days, students heard from speakers Charlie Conder and Eric Samuel Timm, as well as a few from the NAB: Wayne Stapleton, Luke Miller, and Ric Olsen.

As Darrion from Grace Community Church in Detroit, Michigan, said, “The messages we heard were different than anything else—they weren’t just motivational talks but Spirit-led words that convicted and challenged us to live out our faith.”

Ultimately, ministry opportunities like The Gathering are not possible without faithful giving to the NAB’s Ministry Resource Fund. This event taught leadership skills to NAB students, influenced their lives in Spirit-led ways, and impacted communities through the servant hearts of every volunteer. Even more, their experiences at The Gathering will continue to be lived out at home, in their churches, schools, and communities. When you give to the Ministry Resource Fund, you are giving to support this kind of transformational ministry, not just among emerging leaders but throughout the NAB. Will you partner with the Kingdom work taking place in and through the NAB by giving a one-time or recurring gift of $25, $50, $100, or more? Each and every gift makes an indelible difference in our world.

Miah, another student from Grace Community, summed it all up well when she said, “God is always sending you somewhere.”

Give in Canadian Dollars     Give in US Dollars
Give in Canadian Dollars Give in US Dollars

You can also text to give. Just text any amount followed by “FALL” to:

204.400.2238 (Canada)
916.249.0534 (US)
(204) 400-2238 (Canada)
(916) 249-0534 (US)

Canadians can also give using e-transfer; simply use givecanada@nabconf.org and put “Fall” in the note field.

Consider asking your church to partner with us in these ministry efforts. Here are some ideas for getting involved:

• Give a personal gift today and encourage your family and friends to do the same.
• Distribute materials at Sunday service or weekly Bible studies, classes, or groups.
• Share one of the videos during Sunday service or on social media.