Wordeed Magazine - Issue 4 - Winter 2026

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Stewarding Resources a publication of CBM

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Faithful Participation in God's Purposes Holistic Stewardship 4

Wordeed is the convergence of two seemingly distinct but indissociable dimensions of God’s mission. Wordeed Magazine is a compilation of voices, sharing written stories of how we are called to be the heart, hands, and voice of God in the world.

Wordeed Magazine is published three times a year by Canadian Baptist Ministries.

Copies are distributed free of charge and available digitally at cbmin.org/wordeed.

Bulk quantities available by request.

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Please Stop Giving Beyond Financial Stewardship 10 Faith, Earth & a Just Transition The Justice of Environmental Stewardship 15 Not What We Give but How We Live Personal Resource Stewardship 9 Presence as Our Witness Relational Stewardship 24

Head, Heart & Hands in God's Economy 8 Faith Shaped

by Generosity 13 A Place We Call Home

17 Uniquely Gifted, Intentionally Called

22 Our Place in the Puzzle 26

Special Contributors John Campbell Director of Development and Director of Technology for Education, Acadia Divinity College

John serves as Acadia Divinity College’s Director of Development and Director of Technology for Education, working at the intersection of fundraising, innovation, and Christian formation. Ordained in 2008, he brings extensive pastoral experience and academic training from UNB and Acadia. John lives in Kentville, Nova Scotia, with his wife, Sara, and their two children.

Jocabed R. Solano Miselis Director at Indigenous Memory; Missionary at Unidos en Misión

Jocabed is Director of Indigenous Memory and a missionary with Unidos en Misión. A member of the Gunadule nation in Panama, she accompanies Indigenous Christian leaders in reclaiming and strengthening collective memory and diverse expressions of faith. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Theological Studies with NAIITS.

A Way with Words with Jennifer Lau

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many wise leaders who serve the Church around the world. One of them is my CBM colleague, Polisi Kivava, who shared with me his perspective on careful and intentional stewardship of what we have, no matter how big or small the amount. “There is no man so rich that he does not need anything, and no man so poor that he has nothing to offer.”

Polisi wasn’t just talking about money. His words continue to resonate, as a reminder that if we aren’t attentive, we may miss how God shapes us through the use of our gifts. It’s not about keeping a financial ledger or reducing what we have down to merely a ministry strategy. Stewardship is about constant mindfulness of God’s ongoing faithfulness. This kind of attention and intention is deeply theological: seeing every part of life as something to be held with intention, gratitude, and purpose.

In this issue of Wordeed, we invite you into that same posture of paying attention.

Across our global work, we encounter countless expressions of stewardship — not just in how resources are managed, but in how relationships are nurtured, communities care for creation, and individuals offer their gifts in ways that bear witness to God’s kingdom.

Stewardship is not an isolated action; it is a way of

Scott Simpson Senior Pastor, Bonavista Baptist Church, Calgary, AB

Scott is Senior Pastor of Bonavista Baptist Church in Calgary and has served CBWC congregations since 1992. A former Western Canada Representative with CBM, he now chairs the Gull Lake Centre Board and co-chairs the CBWC Ordination Examination Council.

Scott lives in Calgary with his wife, Christine, and their family.

living. It shapes our prayers, our decisions, and the commitments we make with both joy and humility.

As you read through these pages, I hope you will be encouraged to reflect on the resources God has placed in your own hands — some seen, some subtle, all significant. I hope you’ll sense the quiet invitation to join others around the world who are seeking to honour God with what they have, where they are.

May this issue stir your imagination, strengthen your faith, and remind you that when we steward God’s gifts with openness and trust, we participate in a story far larger than our own.

Jennifer Lau Executive Director, CBM

Melora Hatchard Multi-time CBM SENT Participant

Melora is a Grade 4 teacher in Moncton, New Brunswick, and a long-time participant in CBM’s SENT program.

Passionate about the global Church working together meaningfully, she is committed to learning from and supporting Christian communities worldwide. Recently married, she and her husband, Aiden, value global engagement and cross-cultural connection.

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by Elie Haddad Regional Team Leader, MENA Region, CBM

Faithful Participation in God's Purposes Holistic Stewardship

hen Christia ns hea r the word “stewardship,” many instinctively think of finances. Churches hold stewardship campaigns, ministries speak about financial responsibility, and donors are thanked for their generosity. Yet Scripture presents a far richer and more expansive vision.

Stewardship is not primarily about money; it is about identity, calling, and participation in the mission of God. To understand stewardship biblically, we must begin not with budgets but with Genesis 1–2, the story of God’s creative generosity and humanity’s vocation within creation. Here we discover that stewardship is woven into what it means to be human. It is the means by which God calls his people to bear his image faithfully in the world.

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Stewardship Begins with God’s Generous Ownership The opening chapters of the Bible reveal a God who creates freely, abundantly, and without need. Creation is an expression of divine generosity. Humans enter this world as recipients of God’s gifts and as participants in his purposes.

Genesis identifies humanity as created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27) and entrusted with the care of God’s world (Genesis 2:15). This establishes the

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foundation of biblical stewardship: God remains the owner; we receive creation as gift and responsibility.

The psalmist echoes this truth: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). All that exists belongs to God. We do not possess creation; we receive it.

C. S. Lewis captures the posture this should produce: even if we devoted every moment of our lives to God, we could never offer him anything that was not already his.1 Recognizing this shifts stewardship from a strategy for resource management to a response of worship.

We Are Entrusted Stewards, Not Autonomous Owners In Genesis, God places humans in the garden “to cultivate and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15) The verbs used — serve, guard, and tend — carry a sense of active, responsible care. Human beings are entrusted with the ongoing flourishing of creation.

This entrustment includes every sphere of life: relationships, communities, material resources, time, opportunities, influence, and even the gospel itself.

God entrusts these to his people for his purposes. But entrustment alone is not enough. Biblical stewardship flows from something deeper: calling.

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Stewardship Flows from Our Calling Genesis portrays humanity not as accidental managers but as a called people. The mandate to cultivate, guard, and bring life to God’s world is not a secondary task — it is part of what it means to be human. Calling, therefore, is foundational. Our lives are oriented toward God’s purposes from the beginning.

Os Guinness describes calling as God summoning us to himself “so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction.” 2 Calling is first about belonging to God, then to his mission, and to his world.

When calling is understood this way, stewardship becomes far more than the management of resources. It becomes a lived response to God’s summons. It integrates our identity, our gifts, our relationships, and our decisions under the authority of the One who entrusts them to us.

In this sense, stewardship is the practical expression of our vocation. It is our way of participating in God’s purposes with whatever he places in our hands.

This entrustment includes every sphere of life: relationships, communities, material resources, time, opportunities, influence, and even the gospel itself.

Stewardship Extends to Every Gift God Gives Because stewardship is rooted in creation and calling, it naturally extends beyond finances. Scripture speaks of gifts, grace, opportunities, and responsibilities entrusted to God’s people. As 1 Peter 4:10 puts it, “Use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as stewards of God’s varied grace.” Here are some key areas where stewardship unfolds:

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Clive Staples Lewis, Mere Christianity (Zondervan, 2001), 137.

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Os Guinness, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling God's Purpose for Your Life (Thomas Nelson, 2018), 59.

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Time: Time is finite and formative. Stewarding time involves

discerning what aligns with God’s purposes, embracing rhythms of work and rest, and cultivating attentiveness to God’s presence.

Talents & Spiritual Gifts: God equips his people with capacities (leadership, creativity, teaching, hospitality, craftsmanship, discernment) meant for service. Stewardship involves cultivating and offering these gifts generously for the flourishing of others.

Material Resources: Homes, finances, technology, and physical

goods can become tools for hospitality, compassion, and service when entrusted to God’s purposes.

Relationships & Influence: God entrusts us with people and with

influence. Relationships require humility, truthfulness, reconciliation, and care. Influence, whether public, communal, or organizational, is a resource to be exercised with justice and love.

Emotional & Physical Energy: Humans are finite. Stewarding

energy means honouring limits, cultivating healthy rhythms, and nurturing habits that sustain long-term faithfulness.

Wisdom, Knowledge & Experience: These accumulate over

time. They are entrusted to us for the good of others. Stewardship involves mentoring, teaching, guiding, and sharing what God has formed in us.

Opportunities: Opportunities emerge under God’s providence.

Stewardship requires discernment, embracing what aligns with God’s mission, and releasing what distracts.

Creation and & the Environment: From Eden onward, humanity

is called to care for creation. Environmental stewardship reflects God’s character as Creator and sustains the world entrusted to us.

Organizational & Cultural Resources: Churches and ministries

steward vision, culture, governance, and communal trust. These require intentional alignment with Christ’s character and mission.

The Gospel Itself: Perhaps the most sacred trust is the gospel. Paul

speaks of the Church as carrying a “good deposit” to be guarded and proclaimed (2 Timothy 1:14). Stewardship includes the verbal proclamation of the gospel, speaking of Christ with clarity, compassion, and courage. Evangelism, teaching, and discipleship are part of this entrusted responsibility. We steward truth. We steward hope. We steward the message of reconciliation.

This understanding aligns naturally with integral mission, in which the proclamation of the gospel and the demonstration of the gospel are inseparable. Stewardship requires both: speaking the good news of Christ and embodying it through justice, mercy, compassion, and creation care.

Faithful Participation in God’s Mission Genesis reveals that God intends humans to participate in his ongoing purposes.

Stewardship is participation in the Missio Dei — God’s mission of reconciliation, healing, justice, renewal, and salvation.

Every gift entrusted to us, whether material, relational, spiritual, institutional, or the gospel itself, is an invitation to join what God is doing.

To steward well is to proclaim Christ in both word and deed, embodying the unity of integral mission as we participate in God’s reconciling work. Stewardship transforms our homes into places of hospitality, our skills into instruments of service, our relationships into channels of compassion, and our voices into carriers of hope.

When we embrace this vision, stewardship becomes joyful. It becomes worship.

It becomes a daily rhythm of faithful participation in the life of God.

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by Michael Waddell Team Lead, Marketplace Engagement, CBM

Head, Heart & Hands in God's Economy When there was a crisis of addiction in their community, the people of Alempang Baptist Church in Nagaland, India responded.

Their faithful action reflects the kind of stewardship we are all called to — one that encompasses our heads, hearts, and hands.

Through Vennture, CBM's faith and work initiative, we often talk about how our daily places of work are sacred spaces where the church scatters and God’s mission expands. The way we think (head), feel (heart), and act (hands) in those spaces becomes a demonstration of our own stewardship.

When all three are aligned with God’s purposes, our work becomes worship and provides us with unique opportunities to join God’s mission.

The Head — Stewarding Our Thinking

[ top] MITA Servicing Centre in Nagal and, India — a busines s to employ young people bat tling addic tion built by Alempang Bap tist Church. [bot tom] MITA spices

The congregation of Alempang Baptist understood that meaningful work is important to those struggling with addictions, to the church as an extension of their outreach, and to God. Stewardship begins with how we view the world. If we believe that everything belongs to us, then we’ll use the resources we have for personal gain. But if we truly believe that “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1), then everything we have (time, skills, money, relationships) becomes part of God’s redeeming story.

Stewarding our minds means learning to think theologically about our decisions. What does faithful investment look like? How do we treat employees, competitors, and customers? How do we measure success? Are higher profit or social impact and human flourishing the main goal?

To Alempang Baptist Church, stewarding their thinking meant seeing their struggling sisters and brothers as ones created in the image of God, worthy of care and support.

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Through our work, businesses, and daily chores, we participate in God’s redemptive economy, an economy not of scarcity, but of abundance.

The Heart — Stewarding Our Passion Stewardship is a matter of love before it’s a matter of action. When our hearts are aligned with God’s heart, generosity and service come from a place of joy, not obligation.

The people of Alempang Baptist were moved by their love for the young people who were struggling with addictions. It wasn’t enough to simply acknowledge their need.

What we love most shapes and informs how we live. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). If our hearts are shaped by fear, anxiety, or greed, we’ll clutch our resources tightly. But if our hearts are shaped by gratitude and trust, we’ll live open-handedly, ready to share and to serve.

Stewarding our hearts means nurturing a love for what God loves: justice, mercy, humility, compassion, and generosity. It’s about being moved not by guilt, but by grace.

The Hands — Stewarding Our Work Seeing someone through God’s eyes is an essential step in faithful stewardship, but a powerful next step is externalizing our love through active compassion.

Using the skills, assets, and resources they had around them, Alempang Baptist Church built a business to employ young people battling addiction to make spices, dried fruit, and organic fruit juices, supplying high quality products to their community. They also created an automotive service center to clean and detail cars, which offered a needed service to the community and provided additional jobs to recovered young addicts.

Stewardship is expressed through what we do. God’s first instruction to humanity was to work, to tend and cultivate creation (Genesis 2:15). Work, in its truest form, is a sacred calling.

When we steward our hands, we use our skills, energy, and labour to participate in God’s ongoing creation and restoration. Paul writes, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). Stewardship of our hands means offering our everyday work as an act of worship, trusting that God uses even ordinary labour for extraordinary purposes.

Stewardship — Participation in God’s Redemptive Work When our head, heart, and hands work together, stewardship becomes more than responsible management of resources, it becomes participation in what God is doing around us.

Through our work, businesses, and daily chores, we participate in God’s redemptive economy, an economy not of scarcity, but of abundance.

Stewardship, then, is not about giving something away; it’s about giving ourselves to God’s mission.

It’s about asking, “How can everything I have and everything I am, my ideas, my influence, my resources, my relationships, serve God’s redemptive purpose?”

Through Vennture, we encourage stewardship that includes living out our faith through our work — bringing our head, heart, and hands together to serve God and others.

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by John Campbell Director of Development and Director of Technology for Education, Acadia Divinity College

Please Stop Giving Beyond Financial Stewardship

Faithful obedience means giving consistently, joyfully, and sacrificially. But obedience is only the beginning. True stewardship shapes far more than our behavior; it forms who we are becoming.

f you’re r a ising support for ministry, "Please Stop Giving" is probably the last phrase you would want to use for a campaign. Telling people not to give sounds like a terrible fundraising strategy, but Scripture invites us into something deeper than simple giving; it calls us to biblical financial stewardship.

The word "giving" can be tricky. It implies that our money belongs to us, is ours to share or ours to keep. We live in a consumer culture that can often treat charity like a personal purchase. We give to what moves us, on our terms, based on our preferences. If we aren't careful, this cultural mindset can drift into our faith and warp our understanding of generosity. Scripture calls us back and reminds us that we are not owners of our possessions, but stewards.

We are entrusted with God’s resources for God’s purposes.

Think of it this way: when a birthday card arrives for my children, they appreciate the mail carrier, but they know the gift is actually from their grandparents. The carrier is simply the trusted steward of someone else’s generosity. In the same way, Psalm 24:1 tells us, "The earth is the LORD’s, and all that is in it." Everything we hold belongs first to God. We are, in a very real sense, just the intermediaries of his generosity.

This changes the question entirely. For Christians, the issue moves from "Will I give?" to "How will I faithfully manage what God has placed in my hands for the sake of his kingdom?"

When we stop “giving” and start “stewarding”, we transform a charitable gesture into a holy responsibility. One that completely reframes how we participate in God’s mission. This responsibility is, first and foremost, an act of faithful obedience.

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Stewardship as Faithful Obedience Scripture never asks us to consider giving. It commands it. Jesus doesn't say, "If you give...". He says, "When you give..." Stewardship starts here, with a clear call to obedience, and obedience roots stewardship in our allegiance to God. It removes giving from the realm of "optional generosity," where we act as free agents and reminds us we are servants carrying out the Master’s instructions to invest his resources wisely.

This realignment places God’s priorities above our own. Faithful obedience means giving consistently, joyfully, and sacrificially. But obedience is only the beginning. True stewardship shapes far more than our behavior; it forms who we are becoming.

Stewardship as Spiritual Formation Generosity is an external action, but it creates internal change. Giving steers our hearts away from greed, fear, and the illusion of control. It turns us toward humility, gratitude, and a deeper dependence on God. Jesus makes this connection explicit: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt 6:21). Note the order: treasure leads, and the heart follows. Action builds faith, and obedience brings formation. Every joyful act of stewardship is an act of surrender and a declaration that we trust God to provide for our future.

In this way, stewardship forces us to confront our idols. It pries our fingers loose from the need to secure our own future, the desire to be self-sufficient, and the instinct to hold more than we need. Every time we distribute God's resources, we quietly choose whom we will serve.

Biblical stewardship shapes disciples who look less like consumers and more like Christ.

As the Spirit forms us, our giving becomes something the world can see. It becomes its own testimony.

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Stewardship shares burdens from down the street, across oceans, and around the world. It shifts our mindset from charity to partnership, from donation to family obligation, and it enables us to lift one another up.

Of course, God provides for our needs and the needs of our families, too. But even here, we must carefully discern the difference between our needs and our wants.

Stewardship requires clarity about how we use the rest of our possessions to further the kingdom of God. I see this in action in the life and ministry of Joselito Alba, the pastor of God’s Army Community Fellowship in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Often in my social media feeds I will come across photos of Joselito and members of his congregation praying over a new purchase, like a car or house. Their prayer is not only one of thanksgiving for the Lord’s provision, but a prayer of dedication that the item will be used for God’s will. It is a powerful reminder that nothing we possess is ultimately ours.

When we live this way, giving becomes a classroom for discipleship. Biblical stewardship shapes disciples who look less like consumers and more like Christ. As the Spirit forms us, our giving becomes something the world can see. It becomes its own testimony.

Stewardship as Radical Witness The testimony of Christian stewardship confronts our self-centred culture. Christians are called to give without gaining control, demanding recognition, or receiving a reward. As Jesus said, “When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). We are called to give control of the resource to God through his people. We entrust the church to oversee these resources, believing that God is at work through the body of Christ.

This is a radical witness in a world of scarcity and self-interest. Our generosity signals that we serve a different King with a different economy. When we give freely and sacrificially, we challenge the cultural narrative that says security comes from holding on tight and self-worth comes from having more.

In a deeply individualistic society, the church’s generosity invites others to imagine a different way of living.

It is a life rooted in abundance rather than fear, trust rather than control, and love rather than self-interest.

Stewardship as Global Solidarity True stewardship is never done alone. It is communal, global, and relational. When the church gives, we shoulder the weight of mission together. It is a tangible way to share the burden of ministry across borders and cultures. This reflects the biblical vision of the church as one body: "If one member suffers, all suffer together with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26a). Christians around the world support each other in diverse ways, offering spiritual gifts, wisdom, hospitality, prayer, and courage. Financial resources are just one part of this mutual support.

Stewardship shares burdens from down the street, across oceans, and around the world. It shifts our mindset from charity to partnership, from donation to family obligation, and it enables us to lift one another up.

We don’t give because others cannot manage without us.

We give because we belong to one another in Christ.

Returning to the Heart of Stewardship When we choose to steward rather than simply give, we look for partners who embody this same vision of obedience, formation, witness, and global solidarity where our money is not merely spent but invested, not controlled by us but entrusted through the body of Christ globally. When we steward God’s resources faithfully, we join a global family committed to long-term relationships, mutual learning, and gospel-shaped impact.

So please, stop giving and start stewarding a holy investment in the kingdom of God.

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by Gordon Brew Creative Strategist, CBM

Faith Shaped

by Generosity

For more than a century, Canadian Baptist Ministries has relied on the quiet generosity of faithful Christians across the country. Their giving has sustained pastors, strengthened churches, and supported ministries that respond to the needs of the world with compassion and courage. Many of these supporters prefer to serve without attention. Their contributions are not about recognition, but about participating in God’s mission however they can.

Recently, we spoke with one such supporter, now in her later years, who has been connected to CBM for decades. She asked to remain unnamed but offered her story in the hope that it might encourage others to think deeply and prayerfully about the stewardship of their financial resources.

Living Out Gratitude Her journey begins the way many do: “I grew up in a Baptist home.

From the time we were small, we learned about church, mission, and giving. It was simply part of the Christian life.” Those early experiences stayed with her, shaping an instinctive understanding that faith expresses itself not only in belief but also in generosity.

As adulthood unfolded, church remained a steady part of her life, though mission giving was not yet central. That changed after she was widowed. “When my husband died, I had to rethink everything. I realized I had more than I needed, and many people did not.

Giving became a way of living out gratitude.”

Her local church introduced her to CBM, and something about the ministry’s purpose resonated deeply. “It felt natural to support CBM. It was a way to help others share the love of Christ where I no longer had the ability to go myself.”

Over time, relationships became one of the strongest threads drawing her into CBM’s work. Through visits, letters, and conversations, she met several global staff who were serving in difficult contexts. “Knowing them personally made everything more meaningful. It was no longer just a program. It became a friendship, a connection. When someone you know is serving, you want to help them continue their work.”

A Posture of Trust This relationship-based giving mirrors CBM’s global approach: strengthening the local church, walking alongside partners, and participating in God’s mission through word and deed. It also reflects the heart of integral mission, which holds together proclamation and practical compassion.

She describes it simply: “Supporting mission is something I can do. I may not be able to travel or physically serve anymore, but I can help others who can. It gives me a sense of being involved in Christ’s work.”

Stewardship, for her, is not about numbers or obligation. It is a posture of trust.

“It means using what I have thoughtfully

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and meaningfully. It is recognizing that the Lord has given me something, and I have a responsibility to use it well.” She considers stewardship part of worship, even if she had never used that language before. “I suppose it is. It is responding to God with what I have.”

When asked what she would say to someone just beginning to think about Christian giving, she answered with characteristic simplicity: “Remember that Christ’s work continues because of our support. If we can help others know his love, we should.”

A Profound Testimony There are moments that have strengthened her conviction.

She remembers the explosion in Beirut and the ministry of a CBM partner who opened their doors to care for those who were injured or displaced. “They could have said ‘too bad,’ but instead they took people in. That touched my heart. It made me want to help in any way I could.”

She also spoke of her ongoing support for a youth discipleship program in Western Canada. As someone shaped by Christian education in her own youth, she sees this as a way of “helping young people find direction and meaning and offering them a chance to grow in their faith.”

Throughout the conversation, one theme recurred: trust.

She gives because she trusts CBM to use her gifts in a way that reflects the character of Christ. “There is so much in the world that is unkind or harmful. I want to support people who are trying to do good, who are showing Christ’s love in practical ways. I believe CBM is doing that.”

“There is so much in the world that is unkind or harmful. I want to support people who are trying to do good, who are showing Christ’s love in practical ways.”

Her story is not dramatic. It is gentle, steady, and marked by a lifetime of faithfulness. Yet within it lies a profound testimony to the quiet, sustaining power of Christian generosity. She has supported CBM not because she sought influence or recognition, but because she believes that the gospel is lived through participation. “I cannot go anymore,” she said with a smile, “but I will support the ones who can.”

Her story reminds us that stewardship is not only about money. It is about faith, relationship, trust, and a willingness to join God’s mission wherever we are.

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Five Questions to Consider Before Making a Charitable Gift Drawing on insights from this conversation, here are five questions that can help you discern where and how to give with clarity and confidence.

Do I trust this organization to use my gift in ways that reflect Christ’s compassion and my own Christian commitments?

Clear governance, transparent financial processes, and accountable stewardship are key parts of building trust. When finances are handled wisely and openly, supporters can give with confidence that their support contributes to Christ-honouring work.

Can I see how my gift contributes to meaningful change in the lives of real people and communities?

Timely updates, honest reporting, and stories from partners help supporters see how longterm impact takes shape through steady, faithful presence.

Does this opportunity invite me to participate in God’s mission in a way that fits my season of life?

Stewardship is a form of participation. Even when direct involvement is not possible, giving allows supporters to join God’s renewing work alongside the global church.

Are there relationships or stories that help me understand the heart of this ministry?

Encounters with global workers, updates from partners, and stories from local churches reveal the character of the ministry and offer insight into how compassion, dignity, and mutuality shape the work on the ground.

Does this gift reflect my responsibility to help Christ’s work continue in the world?

Thoughtful giving is an expression of discipleship. It supports ministries that embody the compassion of Jesus and advances the work of the global Church in places of significant need.

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by Jocabed R. Solano Miselis Director at Indigenous Memory; Missionary at Unidos en Misión

Faith, Earth & a Just Transition The Justice of Environmental Stewardship

hen a child is bor n a mong my people, the Gunadule of Panama, we celebrate with a ceremony called “My First Tree.” At birth, the family takes the placenta and the umbilical cord and plants a tree — often cacao or coconut. The grandparents, parents, and elders gather to pray, to sing, and to welcome the newborn into the cosmic community of creation.

Because the child is too young to care for the tree, the family tends it until the child grows old enough to take responsibility. Each birthday, the child remembers: the day you were born, a tree was also born. The two lives are intertwined.

This ceremony teaches us the importance of all relationships. For the Gunadule, there is no greater ethic than relationship — the sacred bond between Creator, creation, and community. These trees remind us that the Creator is the first gardener, and that the earth and everything in it belong to God. They also remind us that we are not separate from creation but part of its great family.

From my Indigenous spirituality, I understand myself as a child of the earth and, above all, a child of God. My Christian faith deepens this conviction. In Genesis, we see God creating and blessing life, calling it very good. God’s shalom — the wholeness of peace — is not limited to human flourishing but embraces the entire cosmos. In Genesis 2, God plants a garden and invites humanity to cultivate it. Abraham plants a tree. In Revelation, the nations are healed by the tree of life. The story of Scripture is deeply rooted in the soil.

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An Ethic of Life This ethic of life shapes how I understand theology, mission, and justice. It calls us to recognize that all life is interdependent, that justice and care must extend beyond human boundaries to include the whole community of living beings.

Among the Guna, we have more than seventy-two names for the earth. One of them, Nabgwana, means “the heart of mother and father.” It expresses our belief that the earth holds a sacred place in the heart of God — Father and Mother — who created out of love and invites us into complementarity. Men and women, rivers and mountains, wind and fire — all exist in relationship.

This worldview resonates with Jesus’ words in John 10:10: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Abundance is not measured by wealth or consumption but by harmony, reciprocity, and mutual flourishing.

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Justice, Reciprocity & Climate Negotiation For many years I have participated in global climate negotiations, representing Panama on the issue of a “just transition.” In these settings, governments, corporations, and civil society gather to decide how the world will respond to climate change. These are deeply political spaces — but they are also profoundly spiritual.

Indigenous Peoples safeguard 80 percent of the planet’s biodiversity. If Indigenous communities protect the earth so faithfully, what might the global church learn from them about mission, care, and justice?

Yet, despite this stewardship, Indigenous Peoples are among the most vulnerable to climate change. The same communities who protect the land suffer first and most when ecosystems collapse. This paradox reminds me of Jesus’ compassion for the marginalized and his call to bring good news to the poor.

My grandfather once asked me, “What is poverty?”

In a world where worth is measured by money, Indigenous Peoples are often labeled poor. But true poverty, he said, is not knowing how to cultivate the land or live in harmony with it. Poverty is losing the wisdom to recognize creation as sacred gift.

Sacred Responsibility of a Just Transition In global climate work, the term “just transition” refers to the process of moving from a fossil-fuel-based economy to one that is sustainable and equitable. For me, it is not only a technical process but an ethical and spiritual responsibility.

A truly just transition must integrate ecological, social, and spiritual justice. It calls us to reduce emissions and transform economies while protecting vulnerable communities, safeguarding biodiversity, ensuring dignified work, and promoting participation for all — especially Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth.

For the Gunadule, justice is not a policy but a sacred relationship of harmony with the earth. It is rooted in respect, reciprocity, and the dignity of every living being.

We believe, as Leonardo Boff has written, that we are “a portion of the earth.” Our theology speaks of humans as “little mother earths” within Mother Earth. We come from the soil, and one day we will return to it. The earth is not a resource but a relative — the oldest theologian, teaching us daily about God’s generosity and grace.

Faith in the Halls of Power In the negotiation rooms — where oil companies send large delegations and nations debate their responsibilities — I often remind myself that every word, every comma, can change policy. For me, each negotiation is an act of prayer.

The Spirit of Life moves even in those halls of power.

Justice cannot be reduced to numbers or agreements.

Life itself is sacred, and Jesus reminds us that life is greater than the law. As followers of Christ, we are called to bear ethical witness in these spaces, trusting that God’s shalom includes all creation.

Sometimes, victories come slowly. There are days when I leave meetings discouraged, when decisions that could save ecosystems are postponed for the sake of political interests. Yet I continue, sustained by two sources of hope.

First, my faith in Jesus — the one through whom all creation was made and who reconciles all things to God. Though the earth groans like a woman in labour, I believe that renewal is coming, and we act now because the Spirit is already at work.

Second, my Indigenous heritage. The songs of my people carry stories of survival and hope. Despite colonization and centuries of struggle, we endure. Our existence is itself a sign of hope. When I see the faces of Indigenous children and youth, I remember my grandfather’s mango tree — planted not for himself but for future generations.

Planting Hope Whether in Panama, Canada, or elsewhere, we are all called to plant trees — literally and metaphorically — to restore the soil of relationships between peoples and with the earth itself. There is no climate justice without justice for Indigenous peoples. There is no reconciliation with creation without reconciliation among nations.

Each act of care, each prayer for justice, is a seed of hope planted in the soil of God’s kingdom.

Afterword: Listening from Canadian Soil Jocabed’s reflection reminds us that reconciliation with creation is inseparable from reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. For Canadian Baptists, this means listening, learning, and standing alongside First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities as we seek shalom here and now—renewing our relationship with the Creator, with one another, and with the land beneath our feet.

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by Lilian Yang Global Staff, Thailand, CBM

A Place We Call Home Nestled in the mountains of Northern Thailand is a small village that Mr. Boon and generations of families have long called home. But life changed dramatically when the area was suddenly reclassified as national forest land. Overnight, villagers who had cared for and cultivated the land for decades — long before the law existed — were labeled as encroachers. The very place they lived, farmed, protected, and loved now regarded them as outsiders.

With a heavy heart, Mr. Boon recalled, “I cannot allow this land to be taken from me and my fellow villagers. We have lived here for generations.

I have been fighting for our right to remain on our homeland since my days as village head.”

As a former village leader, Mr. Boon devoted much of his life to protecting his people and their livelihood. Now 70 years old, he hopes the younger generation will continue his mission of caring for and leading the community he loves.

Overnight, villagers who had cared for and cultivated the land for decades — long before the law existed — were labeled as encroachers.

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Building Bridges For years, this land-rights struggle brought uncertainty and tension. In response, the Mekong Rainbow Foundation (MRF) — founded under Jireh Church in Northern Thailand and partnering with CBM — stepped in to help support the villagers whose livelihoods were under threat. MRF served as an advisor and trainer, equipping villagers with knowledge about their rights and guiding them in how to present their case to the authorities. Through this work, a bridge has been built between the community and government officials, fostering understanding and paving the way for peaceful solutions to both the conflict and the broader issue of forest conservation.

Mr. Boon, a deeply respected elder, always carries his villagers in his heart.

“I believe that if land tenure is secured, people are educated, and households have stable income, the quality of life in our community will certainly improve,” he shared.

His advocacy is not only about land rights — it is rooted in a profound relationship between the villagers and the forest. “We are forest people,” he explained. “Our lives depend on the forest. It is our responsibility to protect it.” Each year the villagers build firebreaks to prevent wildfires, safeguard their homes and farms, and plant trees to expand green spaces around the community.

Evidence across Thailand shows that where forest communities exist, the land is better protected and green cover remains. Much of the country faces deforestation, but villages like Mr. Boon’s demonstrate how local stewardship can benefit the broader environment.

Through this work, a bridge has been built between the community and government officials, fostering understanding.

Mr. Boon, a respec ted le ader and l and rights ac tivist for his vill age in Northern Thail and.

Hope in the Next Generation What are “Land Rights”?

Indigenous land rights recognize the long-standing relationship between Indigenous peoples and the lands and waters they have cared for over generations. These rights affirm that Indigenous communities should be able to protect, use, and make decisions about their homelands according to their own traditions and needs.

Because these connections existed long before modern states and borders, land rights are both a matter of cultural survival and of justice — ensuring that Indigenous peoples can sustain their identities, steward their environments, and shape their own futures.

Grateful for the life he has lived, Mr. Boon added, “I thank God, our Creator. He cares for us and provides for our needs each day.”

Yet his heart also carries a hope for the future. Many young people leave the village in search of work or education in the city. Mr. Boon longs to see the next generation take up the responsibility of caring for their land and community.

“My hope lies with the younger generation,” he said. “I want them to carry on our way of life, continue developing the community, and remain united and faithful — to God and to the people.”

His leadership has become a source of inspiration and encouragement for many. In a time when Thailand faces severe weather, landslides, and flooding — often worsened by deforestation — the role of community-based environmental care has never been more crucial.

Thanks to the commitment of MRF staff, village leaders, and advocates like Mr. Boon, the village has recently gained a more stable status that allows them to continue living and farming in the place they call home. Though the journey continues, meaningful progress has been made through constructive dialogue and persistent training.

May this village — and every place people call home — continue to be a source of peace, security, happiness, and hope.

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by Scott Simpson Senior Pastor, Bonavista Baptist Church, Calgary, AB

Not What We Give but How We Live Personal Resource Stewardship

“Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to his service, you could not give him anything that was not in a sense his own already.”

— C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

y da d ha nded me the keys to his Mercury Cougar with a grin, and said, “Have fun.” He wasn’t giving me the car but allowed me to borrow it for the day. It was a kind of coming-of-age moment. So, with my freshly minted driver’s license in hand, I set off for the open road with a full appreciation of the rules of engagement: don’t scratch it, return it with a full tank, and enjoy the ride.

The generosity that my dad showed in sharing his prize possession was not an unusual act; it was a way of life that came from a heart of gratitude. The resources he possessed were meant to be shared with others, and, in turn, he taught all his sons to do the same.

In the Christian imagination, stewardship is often associated with financial giving or church volunteering. But while budgeting and serving remain vital, faithful stewardship of personal resources reaches deeper and broader. It encompasses everything from how we use our time and skills to how we care for our bodies, emotions, and relationships. It involves not just what we give, but how we live.

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We can sometimes limit our understanding of stewardship to the conservation of present assets and materials.

But stewardship is also creational and forward-looking.

Stewardship is about Vocation, Not Just Contribution The average person in the pew can be forgiven for assuming that stewardship is primarily the act of donating time or financial resources to church or mission. Often pastors feel compelled to preach a “stewardship” sermon series at least once a year, especially when offerings are low! The efficacy of these messages tends to be measured by nickels and noses — increased giving and greater participation. But biblical stewardship is not just about giving what we have, it’s about offering who we are.

Throughout Scripture, we see that true stewardship includes a more holistic approach to life by caring for our physical bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), developing skills and intellect (Exodus 35:30–35), cultivating emotional and relational health (Romans 12:10), and honouring God with our work (Colossians 3:23–24).

If we exhaust ourselves in ministry but neglect the stewardship of our inner life, we risk offering God a diminished version of ourselves. Stewardship calls us to prepare body, mind, and spirit, so that when God calls, we are ready to respond.

Stewardship is Participation in the New Creation For many, stewardship feels like maintenance; keeping things in order, preserving what already exists. We can sometimes limit our understanding of stewardship to the conservation of present assets and materials. But stewardship is also creational and forward-looking. In Surprised by Hope, N.T. Wright states, “What we do in the present — by painting, preaching, singing, sewing, praying, teaching, building hospitals, digging wells… and caring for the needy — will last into God's future.”

Wright believes that in stewarding our personal resources, we are planting seeds of the kingdom, participating in God's renewal of all things (Revelation 21:5).

Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). Stewardship, then, is not simply responsible living — it is missional anticipation, using our resources in ways that reflect God’s future reality.

Consider how we use: • Time — Do we schedule margin for God’s interruptions?

• Energy — Do we invest in things that bring life?

• Relationships — Do we seek reconciliation and justice?

• Skills and influence — Do we use them to lift others?

Stewardship is about living in ways that reflect the world as God intends it to be.

As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” Even the smallest act of faithful stewardship has eternal value.

Stewardship is not shaped by fear of failure, but by hope in the resurrection.

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Stewardship Depends on God’s Abundance, Not Human Scarcity One of the great obstacles to stewardship is the fear of not having enough — enough time, enough energy, enough impact. But the biblical story invites us to live from God’s abundance, not human scarcity.

In Genesis 1–2, God places humanity in a garden of provision and calls them to “be fruitful and multiply… fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). This command is rooted in abundance. Later in Scripture, we see the opposite in Egypt under Pharaoh's rule; a system of scarcity and anxiety. As Tim Mackie of the Bible Project observes: “Scarcity is the narrative of Pharaoh. Abundance is the narrative of the Kingdom.”

Jesus affirms this when he says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Likewise, Paul reminds the church in Philippi, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Good stewardship of personal resources is not driven by anxiety, but by generosity.

So how do these theological insights translate into everyday mission-focused living?

A stewarded life is: • Purposeful — Our actions are intentionally aligned with God’s mission (Ephesians 2:10).

• Prepared — Healthy in body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

• Prophetic — Practices today shaped by God’s future (2 Corinthians 5:17).

• Generous — Giving because of who we are, not what we have (2 Corinthians 9:6–8).

Stewardship is not merely supporting God’s mission — it is embodying it. It is recognizing that everything we are, and everything we have, is entrusted to us not for preservation but for participation in God’s redeeming work.

As I watched my eldest daughter navigate our aging Honda Odyssey out of the garage on her first solo drive, I thought back to the day my dad handed me the keys to the Cougar.

I wasn’t exactly providing her with a premium automotive experience — a mini-van is not the same as a muscle car — but it was enough.

By giving her the keys she was able to experience my trust and gain a sense of freedom.

And the simple sharing of my personal possession was a natural act that came from a grateful heart and an open hand.

May we offer not just our personal resources, but our whole selves, in joyful co-labouring with Christ.

“Therefore, in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

—Romans 12:1

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by Melora Hatchard Multi-time CBM SENT Participant

Uniquely Gifted, Intentionally Called Not once while growing up in Canada did I think that playing volleyball would be a resource of mine that God would use while on a SENT trip to Bolivia. Little did I know, volleyball would end up being one of the main ways that I was able to build relationships and make connections with people from both the church and the wider community.

Upon reflection, what I did not understand then was that God uses all our personal resources. He uses our time, our giftings, and even our interests including the parts of us that we may deem “unusable.” Volleyball — the part of me that I had labelled as “probably not very important” — ended up opening doors for me. It allowed me to lead an outreach event where youth and children could participate in a devotional, eat some good food, and learn how to play a sport they were interested in. By using the resources I have been given, I was better able to build and foster relationships with those who were around me.

Carla’s Quiet Stewardship My different cross-cultural experiences have been an incredible gift. I have had the pleasure of learning from many different people using the resources God has given them. Carla Bottani is one of those people. She is the director of La Casa de la Amistad in Cochabamba — one of CBM’s long-standing programs in Bolivia.

Carla used her time, her giftings, and her interests in her role at the Casa. Every morning, Carla showed up early to open the building for students who didn’t know where else to go.

Every afternoon, Carla stayed a bit later for the students who needed extra connection.

Every day, I watched as Carla used her gifts of leadership, mercy, and hospitality to welcome new families or to encourage the students. I watched as she used her interests and humour to connect and engage with children and teens who were a part of her program. That

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is what made Carla so wonderful at her job. Carla didn’t try to be someone she was not, but instead, by leaning into the resources that God had gifted to her, she was able to build something special with the students at La Casa de la Amistad.

Uniquely Gifted All too often I think we stop ourselves from using our personal resources.

We say things like: “How can I help? I’m just a student.”

“How could God use me? I struggle with anxiety.”

“How can I contribute? I’m still just learning about this culture.”

I know I have had similar thoughts, and I am sure that you could fill in the blanks with phrases that you have used, too. The problem with this way of thinking is that it neglects the fact that we serve a God who has gifted each of us uniquely, for a purpose.

Everybody brings something different to the table — none better or more important than the other. This is why when Paul talks about the body of Christ in Corinthians he says, “In fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” (1 Corinthians 12:18).

Part of an Active Body Ultimately, by stewarding our personal resources and building relationships with others we are participating in the command to go and make new disciples.

The body of Christ was always meant to be active — to reach people around the world with both our words and our deeds. That mission is not possible if the body of Christ chooses to be inactive by forgetting about the ways God has uniquely gifted us. Rather, let us choose to be active in the stewardship of our resources. Let us choose to use our time, our talents, and our interests to build relationships and further the growth of his Kingdom.

We serve a God who uses what even we deem as “unusable.” He has created you “just as he wanted [you] to be” so that you can share his love with those around you. Let us make the choice not to doubt him, but to trust in his perfect plan.

Upon reflection, what I did not understand then was that God uses all our personal resources. He uses our time, our giftings, and even our interests including the parts of us that we may deem “unusable.”

[below ] Photos from Melor a's SENT e xperience in Bolivia, participating in CBM progr amming with local partners.

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by Helle Liht Director of Partnerships, Africa, Europe & MENA, CBM

Presence as Our Witness Relational Stewardship

a m fascinated by how our world works. Recent studies in ecology show that what really keeps an ecosystem strong isn’t just how many species live in it, but how tightly they are connected and how they interact with each other. Scientists are finding that the structure of these relationships — who depends on whom, how strongly, and in how many ways — often matters more for an ecosystem’s resilience than the mere number of species. Species that support one another, share resources, or adapt together can buffer stress in ways isolated organisms cannot. It is as if God’s creation itself is whispering to us: relationships sustain life.

It is also fascinating that long before contemporary scientists discovered this principle in creation, the Early Church Fathers described divine life the same way. The Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — was never meant to be an abstract puzzle but a picture of divine life as shared life. God is not solitary but communion. Not isolation, but interconnection. Not withdrawal, but reciprocity. And through Jesus Christ, human beings are invited into this divine life and called to play their part within it.

Pulling these two pictures together, we can say that all life is interconnected.

Individuals, human communities, and non-human creation are all bound together by visible and invisible threads, held together in God. What does this mean for the Christian church today — its ministry, its witness, and each of us personally?

Several contemporary theologians have engaged these questions to help us discern meaningful guidance in today’s complex, polarized, and challenging world. Their insights offer pointers that each of us can follow in our personal lives, church ministries, and in our engagement with the wider society. Here, we look at two of these.

I

Species that support one another, share resources, or adapt together can buffer stress in ways isolated organisms cannot.

It is as if God’s creation itself is whispering to us: relationships sustain life.

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The Reciprocity of Being The first pointer comes from Canadian theologian Douglas John Hall (1928–2025), who argues that the entire Judeo-Christian vision of life can only be understood on “the grounds of reciprocity of being.” To be, Hall insists, is always to “be-with”.1 This is not simply a poetic ornamentation. It is a theological truth with real consequences. If God’s own nature is Emmanuel, Godwith-us (Isiah 7:14), then our deepest calling is to mirror this divine with-ness in our relationships — in our families, with friends and colleagues, within human communities near and far, and with the entire creation. This is how God created life to be, and it cannot be understood or treated in any other way. We are created to share life with each other.

The Virtue of Presence The second pointer comes from an American theologian and ethicist James Wm. McClendon Jr. (1924–2000), who contributed significantly to the development of baptistic theology and ethics. One way to describe what is ethically good and desirable is through the language of virtues. In our churches we often speak of love, kindness, patience, humility, and other classical Christian virtues. Yet McClendon introduces a new category, the “virtue of presence”. He describes presence as an active, attentive practice of “being there for and with the other,” and emphasizes that this presence is an important Christian virtue. 2

For & With Now imagine two people who have gone together to a café, sit at the same table, enjoy their coffee and cake, yet scroll on their phones without even looking at or talking to each other. Although these two people share the same physical space and are bodily present, they are not present for and with each other.

Yet the opposite is also possible. Even without sharing the same physical space, one can be there for and with the other through prayer, by holding the other’s reality in mind, and by participating in their life through giving and receiving. This requires greater intentionality and perseverance, as physical distance must be bridged by cultivating mental and spiritual closeness — but it is entirely possible. And today’s digital communication tools certainly make it easier.

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When the war in Ukraine began in 2022 and the worldwide Baptist family mobilized its resources to support local Ukrainian churches through finances and prayer, Ukrainian Baptist leaders said they felt deeply that the global Baptist family — including many Canadian churches — was there with them and for them.

Very recently, Mstyslav Chernov, director of the highly acclaimed documentary “2000 meters to Andriivka” (2025) which tells the story of Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline, said in a public interview that while he spent time in the trenches with soldiers, surrounded by death, they felt that the community — the relationships and support from near and far — kept them, and continues to keep them, alive. They sense the presence of those who support them, and this gives them strength and courage in an otherwise very overwhelming situation.

Relationships sustain life.

Yet there are places in this world where this supportive and lifegiving presence of others is not experienced.

Reasons may vary — limited to human or financial capacity, political choices, or religious convictions. These places and people still belong to the same ecosystem because it is impossible to disconnect them. This is how God has created life: individual people, communities, and all of creation are all interconnected. But presence is something we can choose.

McClendon goes on to say that the opposite of presence is avoidance and alienation. It is not simply absence which might seem like a neutral way of keeping a safe distance from issues and circumstances we hesitate to engage. No, the opposite of presence is a refusal to enter the shared space where God’s light can shine and transformation can occur. McClendon concludes, “Presence is one of the profound forms of Christian witness.”

This vision resonates deeply with CBM’s calling. As an organization, we seek to build, and nurture, and steward relationships that reflect God’s own with-ness — relationships marked by presence, faithfulness, and mutual care.

We strive to bear witness to the God who abides with us and invites us to abide with one another.

Together, we commit to enter shared spaces as faithful stewards, to shine a light, and, in this shared life, God’s reconciling story continues to unfold in the world.

1

Douglas John Hall, Imaging God (2004)

2

James Wm. McClendon, Jr., Ethics (2002)

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by Catherine Cole, Team Lead, Communications, CBM

Our Place in the Puzzle A well-known English anthropologist once compared her vision of the world to a jigsaw puzzle — terrifying and insurmountable when you consider the whole picture at once. But when you take just the pieces that have been placed in your hands and consider the pieces being worked on by others, the vision becomes much more hopeful.

This reflection offers a surprisingly fitting lens for understanding our shared calling in global ministry. When we look at the world today — marked by conflict, hunger, displacement, and rapid change — the full picture can feel overwhelming. The needs are vast, and no single organization, church, or individual could ever respond to them all.

Yet it also reminds us that hope grows when each of us tends faithfully to our part of the work, trusting that many others are also committing themselves to the pieces entrusted to them. When we lift our eyes from our own small section of the puzzle and notice how our edges meet those around us, something new emerges: a clearer, stronger, and more hopeful picture of what God is doing among us.

This outlook resonates with how CBM understands its mission. We believe that God invites us not into solitary effort, but into shared ministry. We are part of a global Christian community in which every partner, every church, and every individual brings a unique set of gifts. The effectiveness of our work depends on how well we honour these connections and join with others in a spirit of humility and cooperation.

In a culture shaped by individualism, it is easy to default to working alone — to protect our own space, build our own programs, or pursue our own plans. Yet this is not how God intended us to live or serve. From the beginning, we were created for community, shaped to flourish through shared life and collective purpose. Partnership may not always be the simplest path, but it is the faithful one. In a world where needs continue to grow and shift, collaboration becomes not only wise but essential. When we work in isolation, we limit both our impact and our imagination. But when we join our efforts with others, we discover possibilities none of us could achieve on our own.

For CBM, stewarding our relational resources — the network and partnership circles that we are privileged to be part of — is one of the most faithful ways we can respond to God’s call. Our partnerships allow us to contribute our piece of the puzzle while connecting deeply with others who share our commitment to justice, compassion, and hope.

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When we lift our eyes from our own small section of the puzzle and notice how our edges meet those around us, something new emerges: a clearer, stronger, and more hopeful picture of what God is doing among us.

Where Our Puzzle Pieces Meet Others

Why These Connections Matter

While CBM has worked in partnership with local churches around the world for much of our history, in more recent years we have expanded that collaboration across networks of like-minded organizations. Each one is a continued reminder that we are part of something larger than ourselves — a global family seeking the flourishing of people and communities around the world. Here are three networks — a mix of established and new — that CBM is invested in collaborating with

Across the world, our partners often express that what matters most is not simply the financial resources we share, but the assurance that they are not alone. These relationships carry a quiet but profound strength. They remind us that the global Church walks together — that we accompany one another, learn from one another, and encourage one another in the work God has placed before us.

In this way, collaboration becomes an expression of hope. It tells a different story than the one so often told by division, competition, or isolation. It reflects a belief that God is at work through many hands and many communities.

The Baptist World Alliance (BWA)

Through the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), CBM is part of a global family of Baptists committed to gospel witness and mutual care. By standing alongside local leaders, we help shape responses that are rooted in solidarity and hope. Instead of duplicating work, we share learning, coordinate resources, and align our strengths, offering timely, thoughtful support to communities facing hardship.

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB)

As a founding member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, CBM joins a community across Canada committed to ending global hunger. Through this partnership, we share resources, access matching funds, and draw on trusted guidance that strengthens emergency food responses and long-term food security work. By working alongside 14 other agencies, our collective impact is multiplied — allowing hope to take deeper root in communities around the world.

The Ascent Network

The Ascent Network reflects our shared desire to help North American churches engage more deeply in God’s global mission. Through collaborative learning, theological formation, and shared leadership development, CBM is joining others who are passionate about sowing the gospel in North America and around the globe.

Seeing the Bigger Picture, Together The metaphor we began with reminds us that none of us can see the full picture of God’s mission. We are each responsible for a small portion, yet our faithfulness is multiplied when we allow our work to connect with the work of others.

When CBM partners with networks like BWA, CFGB, and Ascent, we are choosing a posture of shared ministry. We are saying, together: We believe in a God who draws people into community.

We believe that collaboration strengthens witness.

We believe that hope grows when we work side by side.

And as we connect our puzzle piece within new and existing networks, stewarding the relationships that God has entrusted to us, the emerging picture becomes clearer — a picture of compassion, justice, reconciliation, and hope taking shape around the world.

As a new year begins, we’re called to steward God’s gifts with care and compassion — through prayer, reflection, and shared action. As part of the CBM family, we invite you to journey with us in a few meaningful ways: Pray with Us Use the Seasons of Prayer guide (January–April) to shape simple, weekly rhythms of prayer for our partners and the communities they serve.

Pause & Reflect Spend time with this issue of Wordeed. Let the stories linger.

Pay attention to what stirs your heart.

Give as You’re Able This February, we’re highlighting CBM’s global food

CBM · 7185 Millcreek Drive · Mississauga, Ontario L5N 5R4

Faithfully Stewarding 2026, Together

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programming — meeting immediate needs while building lasting food security. If you feel led to give, your support makes a real difference.

Join Your Church Family On Solidarity Sunday, April 12, churches across Canada will learn and worship together in unity with our global neighbours. We hope your church will join us.

Thank you for walking with us. Your prayers, presence, and generosity are gifts we deeply value.

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