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International Missions staff and missionaries at the Missions Pop-Up in Parma Heights, Ohio.
God continues to work in hearts as people seek to serve him around the world. I am grateful to be a small part of what he is doing.
In May, I was able to travel to Ohio for a week of meetings, worship, and fellowship with leaders from around the North American Baptist Conference. It was my last time to gather with our Blue Ocean cohort, along with the emerging leaders in the Year of Equipping cohort. We had lively conversations around the tables and valuable teaching from leaders as we talked about how to be in community as the church, and how to be in the community.
At the end of the week, Cross of Hope Church in Parma Heights, Ohio, hosted a Missions Pop-Up. People from local churches joined us as we talked about what God is doing in NAB missions around the world. We had the special treat of having Maureen Moody and Lyndell Campbell Réquia join us to share about Cameroon and Brazil, respectively.
What is a Missions Pop-Up event? A church can host this event and invite local NAB churches to join them for an evening of fellowship with NAB International Missions Department staff and missionaries on home assignment. Contact any of us from the International Missions Department for information.
At the end of July, I traveled to North Dakota for a week with senior high youth at Crystal Springs Baptist Camp. I led a breakout session each afternoon about missions. About 15 of us talked each day about John 4 and about how to prepare to be a missionary, or anything else God might be calling us to be. I also had the privilege of talking with several students specifically about the possibility of being a missionary in the future. That was a special delight for me because I had had the same experience as a senior in high school when April Zimmerman was our camp missionary and sat with me to talk about God’s call to missions.
I also enjoyed reminiscing about the times I went to Crystal Springs as a camper and counselor. It was fun to catch up with friends who were also serving and who live there. I got to chat with friends’ children who are now adults serving God around the NAB in North and South Dakota, as well as an on-site staff member who was part of my youth group when I was in seminary. What a joy to see how these young people have grown in their walks with Jesus and to see them flourishing.
While at camp, I was also invited to share about the upcoming Gateway FUSE trip to the Philippines, July 27–August 10, 2027. The FUSE trips are for young adults aged 17 to about 30 years old. These trips are designed to give young adults a glimpse into the life of a missionary, as well as to help the missionaries as they serve Jesus in their contexts. If you have a young adult in your church who would be interested, please contact me or Randy Schmor as soon as possible!
Small town Minnesota was the perfect place for a short vacation with a friend. We enjoyed exploring the area’s small towns and delicious food. We even rode a carousel with hand-carved animals. I chose to ride the dragon.
A reminder as I close, the second Tuesday of the month we host an online prayer meeting for missions. Watch for information in the Thursday Updates from the NAB, or contact me directly at the email address below.
Thank you for your prayers and support of me and what God is doing around the world. May he be praised!