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These days, I spend a lot of time making travel plans, traveling, and recovering from travel – and I love it. I have the privilege of meeting people from around the NAB as we interact at meetings, at retreats, on Sunday mornings, or over Zoom. We have the opportunity to share stories of God’s faithfulness, to dream about what he has planned for the future, and to discuss our part in his work.
Worship time at Faith Baptist Youth Retreat – Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 2026.
In February, I was able to spend time with youth at Faith Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as we studied from Isaiah 6:1–8 with the theme, “Here I am. Send me.” It was a weekend filled with study, worship, fellowship, and speed volleyball. I was filled with such hope as I witnessed the students’ desire to study God’s Word and worship together, as well as their sheer delight in playing together.
Just before my surgery in March, I was able to join NAB friends from around Detroit, Michigan, as we gathered for an annual missions conference hosted by four of the NAB churches in the Detroit area. I have had the opportunity to attend this conference several times while on home assignment over the years. I appreciated seeing friends, talking about missions with many people and meeting our newest NAB missionaries, Jonathan and Jeni Bransford. A special blessing was getting to see Yuri before she returned to Japan!
I went back to Detroit in April, with my weak voice, to join the Great Lakes Association (GLA) annual meetings. I was able to meet many pastors and leaders for the first time and renew friendships with others. I was encouraged hearing stories of God’s faithful work in the churches of the GLA. We had a moving time of prayer and worship to open our time together. I appreciated the chance to share my heart for missions, how God is at work around the world, and how we can partner together to spread the gospel.
While in Detroit, I met with missions team leaders and members who are also passionate about spreading the fragrance of Christ to the nations and sending out workers into the fields ripe for harvest. We talked about what makes an effective team and some of the important responsibilities they carry.
If your missions team desires to become more effective or has ideas about how to become more effective, let’s talk and share our ideas and heart for the world. (Email me at the address below!)
If your church or cluster of churches or association wants to become more intentional about learning about God’s heart for the world and how to raise up leaders to be sent out so that others may hear, let’s talk. (Email me at the address below!)
Many of us have heard the Oswald Chambers quote: “Prayer does not equip us for greater works; prayer is the greater work.” I believe this is true, and I suspect if you have read this far into this letter, you do, too. In response to this understanding, we have started a monthly online prayer meeting to pray for our NAB missionaries around the world.
Join us the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. (Central) for a half an hour of prayer. Often, we have missionaries join us to share their requests before we pray together. As time goes by, we hope to host these prayer times at various times of the day to accommodate those who cannot join us in the evenings.
Thank you for your prayers for my surgery. I was pleasantly surprised when the surgeon called me in the pre-op room to let me know that, after reexamining my scan, he would only have to remove half of my thyroid since the nodule was contained on the left side. It has become easier to breathe and swallow, which I did not realize had become an issue since my body was trying to adapt to the large mass (which was benign!) pressing against my esophagus. Please continue to pray for my voice to gain strength and for me to be patient as it heals!
I am looking forward to more travel this summer, especially to two camps to spend time with senior highers. Please pray not only for safe travels but also for Spirit-led conversations as we dream about how God is calling people to be sent out into the fields ripe for harvest.