Last year, NAB missionaries in Brazil teamed up with two area missionaries to come alongside church planters in their region to create a support network. For decades, southern Brazil has been a hard soil in which to plant churches. Coupled with a lack of resources and support, this creates an environment ripe for pastoral burnout rather than flourishing new churches.

The initial meeting included more than twenty church planters interested in such a network.

Since then, NAB missionaries Lyndell Campbell Réquia and Brandon and Marci Jones have helped support the pastors in this new network by offering mentoring, pastoral care, retreats, continuing education, equipping series, pulpit supply, and connections with groups that visit from North America.

For a number of years now, the NAB has been guided by Four Ends, directives we believe God has called us to as a conference. These directives state that NAB churches will be:

  • trained for missional ministries
  • seek opportunities to engage cross-culturally
  • develop spiritual leaders
  • send and support international missionaries.

 
Looking at this new church planter network in Brazil, we see the hallmarks of each of these Resource Fund, you are, in part, helping us to resource missionaries, local churches, and leaders so we can seek these Ends together as a conference of churches.

The type of ministry that reflects the Four Ends isn’t just taking place internationally; we see it happening every day in and through churches across North America. This past year, C. J. Tubig, a pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Calgary, Alberta, took part in the Year of Equipping, a cohort of younger leaders learning what it means to be a missional people in our communities. He said he “found a community that looks to God with awe and seeks to love those around them—walking with others not perfectly but with faithfulness and grace.”

Another example of such training is found in the Discovery Project, what Mario Rodriguez, pastor of Tabor Kitchener in Kitchener, Ontario, described as “a powerful weekend of interactive learning that left us with a renewed imagination for how we can step out as everyday missionaries,” said Mario he said, “we were, and continue to be, excited to move out of our comfort zones and expand our reach right here in our neighborhood, particularly alongside our Hispanic community.”

Engaging across cultures isn’t just about expanding outreach into new communities, it’s also about conversations around the table. After Mark Lubienski attended a Men’s Breakfast at Grace Community Church in Detroit, Michigan, where Wayne Stapleton talked about Ground Rules for Cross-Cultural Conversations, he said, “If the church is living out the ground rules, it provides a safe, grace-filled space for them to wrestle with tough issues.”

Then there are the upcoming FUSE trips with Gateway. These short-term experiences are designed to engage churches, especially teens and young adults, in international missions. Gateway is planning a FUSE trip to the Philippines in the summer of 2027 and Cameroon in March of 2028. The goal of these trips is not just to experience ministry in another culture or country but to spark a love for God’s mission in our world and possibly even build sister-church partnerships between churches in North America and those in other countries.

As we continue the momentum God has created through our shared ministry this past year, would you prayerfully consider supporting the Ministry Resource Fund? Your ongoing donation of $50, $100, or more will help expand the impact of these efforts by equipping more NAB churches for missional ministry, fostering cross-cultural engagement, developing spiritual leaders, and sending and supporting international missionaries.

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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.