Nelson has been an NAB pastor since 2009, when he planted Fresh Manna Fellowship in Edmonton, Alberta. Fresh Manna Fellowship eventually merged with another NAB church – Steele Heights Baptist Church, in 2021. Prior to Fresh Manna, Nelson also planted churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Canada, and Kenya. He has extensive experience in social work in Canada, working among people with addictions, those experiencing homelessness, refugees, and new immigrants. His work amongst immigrants is aided by his fluency in several languages, including French, English, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Kinyamulenge, Lingala, and some other African languages.

Nelson’s field of service will be Kenya, where Steele Heights Baptist Church has a sister-church partnership. He will work to advance church planting, pastoral and ministry leadership training, and holistic community development among the refugee population in Kenya. He has a vision to see local churches planted in Kenya and beyond and the national leaders raised up to lead their churches. He is very passionate about using a holistic approach to serve individuals, families, and communities by addressing their physical, spiritual, emotional, social, and mental well-being.

We are especially excited to welcome Nelson to the NAB family of missionaries and looking forward to his ministry in Kenya and the surrounding region. That region in Africa has many refugees who have been forced to leave their homes because of war, persecution, violence, poverty, and disaster. With his deep experience and intimate knowledge of the region, Nelson is truly God’s gift as we develop the NAB’s mission in Kenya and beyond in East Africa.

Pray for Nelson as he develops a team of prayer and financial supporters who will partner with him in raising up indigenous leaders – evangelists, pastors, church planters – and ministering to the needs of refugees in Kenya.