North American Baptist Conference

What North American Baptist Conference does

The North American Baptist Conference (NAB), legally North American Baptists, Inc., is a nonprofit Baptist denomination headquartered at 1219 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville, California, with parallel operational reach across Canada. The organization operates on the doctrinal premise that every follower of Jesus is a missionary, and its mandate is to equip missionaries for service in churches and communities across Canada, the US, and international mission fields spanning Brazil, Cameroon, Japan, Kenya, the Philippines, Romania, Russia, Serbia, South Asia, Hungary, and Nigeria.

The NAB delivers its mission through an interconnected portfolio of programs rather than a unified technology product. Core North American initiatives include Church Planting (Church Multiplication), Leadership Formation, Cross-Cultural Engagement, Emerging Leaders development, Equipping cohorts, and Missional Initiatives. International mission work is coordinated through NAB on Mission (nabonmission.org) and includes the Gateway short-term mission trip program, the Blue Ocean one-year leadership formation cohort, the Year of Equipping training program, and direct missionary deployment to partner organizations. International partner ministries include the Bicol Center for Christian Leadership in the Philippines, Camp Falcon Rock in Romania (a 60-acre property owned by the Hungarian Baptist Convention), Chain of Love orphan care in Brazil, and healthcare initiatives at Mbingo Baptist Hospital in Cameroon. Content channels include the Onward bimonthly magazine, the NAB Stories podcast, MIT Monthly, Multipliers Monthly, and TouchPoint newsletters. There is no proprietary technology stack; the organization's digital infrastructure consists of content publishing, online giving portals (US and Canada), and standard communication channels.

The NAB is funded entirely through donations from member churches and individuals, with no public stock listing, no venture or private equity backing, and no parent company. Donation streams include general offerings, recurring missionary support, child sponsorships (Chain of Love at $420/child/year), targeted special projects (e.g., Cameroon healthcare initiatives, Romania camp expansion, Philippines BCCL operating budget), and crisis relief funds (Ukraine, Brazil floods). Outreach to missionaries and member churches is executed via a community-led, event-driven model anchored by the Triennial conference held every three years (next instance: St. Paul, Minnesota, July 11-14, 2024), regional ministers who serve specific geographic territories, and peer referrals within the Baptist network. Governance is exercised through a Governing Board, and the organization is led by Executive Director Harry Kelm with functional leadership across International Missions, Cross-Cultural Engagement, and program-specific directors.

Name

North American Baptist Conference

Legal name

North American Baptists, Inc.

Website

https://nabconference.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

North American Baptist Conference is a nonprofit Baptist denomination headquartered in Roseville, California, equipping missionaries and member churches across Canada, the United States, and 12+ international mission fields through church planting, leadership formation, and partner ministries funded by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Denomination Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Religious denomination services
• Church planting programs
• Missionary mobilization support
• Leadership formation training
• International missions outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Roseville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Offerings: The NAB is funded entirely through donations from member churches and individuals. Donors contribute to various funds including: Global Missions, Ministry Resource Fund, special projects for specific countries/ministries, missionary support, crisis relief funds (Ukraine, Brazil floods), and organizational initiatives like Triennial and Heritage Commission.
2. Special Projects Funding: Targeted donations for specific initiatives: Cameroon healthcare ($600,000 Mbingo Cancer Radiation Therapy goal, $10,000 Fridges for Rural Health), Romania Camp Falcon Rock expansion ($500,000), Philippines BCCL operating budget ($50,000), missionary housing ($55,000), and leadership training.
3. Chain of Love Sponsorships: Chain of Love in Brazil offers child sponsorship at $420 per child annually, providing loving homes for abandoned and abused street children in Rio Grande do Sul. Also accepts project-based one-time gifts for specific needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The North American Baptist Conference is a Baptist denominational organization that equips missionaries for service in churches and communities in Canada, the US, and on international mission fields. Its core offerings center on church planting and multiplication initiatives, leadership formation programs, missionary mobilization through the Gateway program, and formational cohort experiences such as Blue Ocean and Year of Equipping. Sustaining programs include the Triennial conference, the Onward magazine and newsletters, and partner-driven ministries such as Chain of Love (Brazil), Camp Falcon Rock (Romania), and the Bicol Center for Christian Leadership (Philippines).

Product overview

The North American Baptist Conference operates a portfolio of interconnected ministry programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include church planting and leadership formation initiatives, missionary mobilization through Gateway, and formational training via Blue Ocean and Year of Equipping programs. The organization publishes Onward magazine and distributes newsletters (MIT Monthly, Multipliers Monthly) alongside a podcast. Internationally, NAB supports the Bicol Center for Christian Leadership in the Philippines, Chain of Love orphan care in Brazil, and Camp Falcon Rock in Romania. Additional programs include missionary support, special projects for humanitarian relief, and the Triennial conference held every three years. Digital infrastructure includes giving portals for US and Canada donors, but no technical product or SaaS offering is provided.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NAB on Mission: International missions division of the NAB serving missionaries globally
• Gateway
• Blue Ocean
• Year of Equipping
• Onward
• TouchPoint
• MIT Monthly
• Multipliers Monthly
• Chain of Love
• Camp Falcon Rock
• Bicol Center for Christian Leadership (BCCL)

Products and services

• Church Planting Church multiplication initiative that equips missionaries and leaders to plant churches in Canada, the US, and internationally, reflecting how God works in different settings. Targeted at affiliated NAB member churches and church planters.
• Leadership Formation Program designed to help leaders live out the Good News and effectively proclaim it through structured development and training. Targeted at pastors, ministry leaders, and emerging leaders across the NAB network.
• Gateway NAB Gateway missionary mobilization program that connects potential missionaries with opportunities to serve internationally, including Gateway Global teams and Volunteer in Mission placements. Targeted at prospective missionaries and short-term mission participants.
• Blue Ocean A transformative one-year learning experience helping NAB leaders engage in what it means to join God on mission, be formed into the character of Christ, and learn to share the whole Gospel through a cohort model with three module gatherings per year in different cities (Vancouver, Auburn CA, Chicago).
• Year of Equipping A cohort-based training program that provides evangelistic equipping training for emerging leaders across different locations. Targeted at emerging church leaders and pastors.
• Triennial Conference A major gathering held every three years bringing together NAB churches from Canada, US, and international fields to celebrate what God is doing, fellowship, and spurring one another on toward love and good deeds. Triennial 2024 was held July 11-14, 2024 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
• Chain of Love An NAB partner organization in Brazil that operates foster homes with caregivers committed to the integral care of abandoned and abused street children in Rio Grande do Sul. Sponsored at $420 per child annually; begun by NAB missionaries and now entirely handed over to Brazilian nationals. Led by Telmo Camargo; NAB VP Kerry Bender serves on the international board.
• Camp Falcon Rock A 60-acre camp property in Romania owned by the Hungarian Baptist Convention, partnered with NAB for evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development. A $500,000 expansion campaign is underway for Camp Falcon Rock.
• Bicol Center for Christian Leadership (BCCL) A training center in the Philippines that trains pastors, evangelists, and church leaders, founded in 2001 and led entirely by Philippine nationals with assistance from volunteer short-term lecturers from North America. Annual operating budget goal: $50,000. Currently directed by Claire and Timothy Marker.
• Special Projects Giving Programs A portfolio of targeted special projects supporting local ministry efforts globally, including scholarships (Kairos University $35/month scholarships), crisis relief funds (Ukraine, Brazil floods), leadership training, healthcare initiatives (Mbingo Cancer Radiation Therapy $600,000 goal, Hearts for the Deaf $250/year per child), Bibles for Outreach ($30+ per gift), and humanitarian aid across Brazil, Cameroon, Philippines, Romania, and other regions.
• Cross-Cultural Engagement Program supporting cross-cultural engagement initiatives to equip missionaries and leaders for ministry across cultural contexts. Targeted at NAB missionaries and member churches seeking cross-cultural ministry training.
• Onward Magazine NAB's official bimonthly publication featuring stories, resources, and articles for NAB churches and members, including mission stories, theology, and ministry resources.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hungarian Baptist Convention (HBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the Romania mission field. HBC owns and operates Camp Falcon Rock (60-acre property purchased 2000), a ministry center for evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development. NAB partners with HBC for Roma village ministry through Community Health Evangelism (MEK in Hungary). Pastor Csaba Janos has made 35 ministry trips into Ukraine since the war began, with NAB funds supporting humanitarian relief efforts.
• Bicol Center for Christian Leadership (BCCL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining center in the Philippines for pastors, evangelists, and church leaders. Founded 2001, led entirely by Philippine nationals (currently directed by Claire & Timothy Marker). NAB provides volunteer short-term lecturers from North America and funding for facilities and support. Goal: $50,000 annual operating budget. Teaching from Baptist perspective but open to whole Christian community in Bicol region.
• Chain of LovecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAB partner organization in Brazil led by Telmo Camargo. Provides loving, secure, caring homes for abandoned and abused street children in Rio Grande do Sul through foster homes with house parents. Begun by NAB missionaries but now entirely handed over to Brazilian nationals. NAB VP Kerry Bender serves on international board. Sponsorship: $420/child/year.
• Cameroon Baptist ConventioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for least-reached people group evangelism in Cameroon and Nigeria. Three interconnected priorities: evangelism, education, and community development. NAB supports national missionaries with ministry funds, provides medical staff (Dr. Rick & Debbie Bardin at Mbingo Baptist Hospital), and supports health initiatives including cancer radiation therapy ($600,000 goal), Hearts for the Deaf school, and HIV/AIDS support.
• Southern Independent Baptist Theological Seminary (Brazil)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAB missionaries teach courses at the seminary. NAB also supports with resources and leadership training for Baptist churches and church plants in the region.
• Kairos University / Projecto EtosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Brazilian students and pastors through Projecto Eto, a contextualized partner of Kairos University. Goal: $21,000 to subsidize costs for students. $35/month for 50 scholarships.
• Japanese Baptist ConferenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for missions in Japan. NAB missionaries Nick & Iris Hung serve in evangelism and discipleship; Yuri Nakano in equipping disciples; Lindsey Gelinas in evangelism.
• Dana Farber Cancer Institute at HarvardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting funding of Mbingo Baptist Hospital cancer radiation therapy bunker in Cameroon, alongside CBC Health Services.
• Billy Graham Center for Evangelism at Wheaton CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership providing statistics on evangelism trends. Lifeway Research conducted study with the center in 2019 finding only 29% of unchurched people had a Christian share how to become a follower of Jesus with them.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pioneers: An interdenominational mission agency that sends missionaries to least-reached people groups globally. Comparable peer in cross-cultural missionary deployment, donor sponsorship models, and team-based ministry.
• Canadian Baptists of Western Canada: A western Canadian Baptist convention that operates regional church networks and international mission partnerships. Comparable as a geographic peer with similar member-church and missional model.
• Cooperative Baptist Fellowship: A North American Baptist network emphasizing missions, church planting, and leadership formation. Comparable peer given overlapping focus on equipping leaders and supporting missionaries across the US and internationally.
• SEND International: An evangelical mission-sending organization that mobilizes, trains, and supports missionaries globally. Comparable as a peer in missionary deployment, support raising, and field-based ministry partnerships.
• Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec: A Canadian Baptist convention with a member-church network spanning a Canadian province, comparable to NAB's regional minister structure (e.g., British Columbia Baptist Association with 28 churches).
• American Baptist Churches USA: A national Baptist denomination in the United States with a similar structure of member churches, regional ministers, and a missions-oriented mission statement. Comparable as a peer Baptist body with overlapping church-planting and missional programs in North America.
• Canadian Baptist Ministries: The Canadian Baptist mission-sending body for multiple Canadian Baptist conventions, sharing NAB's model of equipping missionaries and supporting international fields. Directly comparable in mission mobilization, donor-funded programs, and triennial/annual conference cadence.

Broad incumbents

• Baptist World Alliance: A global Baptist fellowship connecting Baptist conventions worldwide, including partners of NAB such as the Cameroon Baptist Convention and Japanese Baptist Conference. Comparable as a broader umbrella body with overlapping international Baptist network relationships.
• Southern Baptist Convention — International Mission Board: The largest US Baptist mission-sending agency, deploying thousands of missionaries globally. Comparable as a broad incumbent in Baptist international missions with overlapping field countries (Brazil, Cameroon, Japan, Romania, etc.).

Regional players

• Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada: A regional Canadian Baptist convention serving Atlantic Canada with member-church and missions programs. Comparable as a denominational peer in the Canadian Baptist ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nabaptistconf
• Facebookfacebook.com/NorthAmericanBaptists
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/north-american-baptists-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about North American Baptist Conference