About the NAB
NAB stands for North American Baptist
The Early Stirrings
Our early history is largely the story of the German people who came to America to escape political, economic, and religious persecution. The intensity of this persecution can only be understood and appreciated as we study the events of the past. As the Lord worked in and through lives in Germany during the early 1800s, there was a strong movement of the Spirit to draw people back to the vitality and shape of the New Testament Church. Under the pioneer leadership of such men as Johann Oncken, Baptists broke away from the formalism and secularism of the State Church. This movement was demonstrated by believer’s baptism by immersion that Oncken practiced and used as the basis for the church membership.
Time to Move
As the reward for such an expression of their convictions, many early Baptists were persecuted as heretics and even martyred. Also, many young men were conscripted into the military forces that various German princes were developing. This caused many whole families of a pietist (ultra-pious) persuasion to immigrate to the United States. Many of these were Baptists. During this time, many other Germans also emigrated but not necessarily for religious reason. However, these people presented a promising German-speaking mission field for Baptists to evangelize.
Early Leadership
Konrad Fleischmann was a German-speaking emigrant who became a believer in Switzerland as a young man of twenty years. After several years of pasturing and preaching, he was not allowed back into Switzerland after trying to recuperate from poor health at his home in Germany. He then decided to migrate to New York in 1839 to minister to the spiritual needs of the German immigrants there. He arrived as a forceful evangelistic preacher. As a result of this preaching, a mighty revival broke out in 1841 near Philadelphia.
The First Church
In 1843 K. A. Fleischmann baptized five German-speaking believers in Philadelphia , PA. Later in the year, the Fleischmann Memorial Baptist Church, the oldest NAB Church, was founded in Philadelphia.
Go Into All the World
In Mark 16:15, Jesus commanded his disciples to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Throughout the years, God has blessed North American Baptists by allowing us to participate in His work of preaching the Good News not only in North America, but throughout the entire world.
Make Disciples
It is the purpose of North American Baptist to make disciples of Jesus Christ at home and internationally. God's grace has been evidenced as the North American Baptist Conference has grown to represent almost 400 churches throughout the United States and Canada with over sixty worldwide missionaries.
What We’re All About
The mission of the North American Baptist Conference is to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ at home and internationally. This can best be accomplished as we combine the strength of all member churches. The International Office seeks to support this mission by helping churches and mission fields develop leaders who are able to multiply ministries in their respective settings.
Priorities of the NAB International Office
Diverse and Growing
The North American Baptist Conference is a family of over 400 churches with more than 74,000 worshippers in the United States and Canada. Founded by an immigrant missionary, North American Baptists are a diverse group of believers representing many cultures and languages. You’ll find us worshipping in small rural churches, large auditoriums, schools, storefronts, and homes. In addition we have the privilege of bringing the gospel to five continents (Africa, Asia, South America, Europe and North America) through mission endeavors.
Regional Connections
Each of our local churches chose to be part of the North American Baptist Conference because they wanted to be part of a larger church family focused on making disciples. That decision to cooperate with others is a very important witness to our unity in Christ.
Much of that cooperation can be seen locally through 13 NAB Regions that allow many of our churches to network, maximize resources, and partner on important initiatives.
The Time is Now
We’re humbled that God has chosen us to be a part of His massive redemption story. The moment to dive headlong into the adventure God is calling us to is now. Together, we’ll do all He asks of us and partner for the purpose of expanding His Kingdom.
The Early Stirrings
Our early history is largely the story of the German people who came to America to escape political, economic, and religious persecution. The intensity of this persecution can only be understood and appreciated as we study the events of the past. As the Lord worked in and through lives in Germany during the early 1800s, there was a strong movement of the Spirit to draw people back to the vitality and shape of the New Testament Church. Under the pioneer leadership of such men as Johann Oncken, Baptists broke away from the formalism and secularism of the State Church. This movement was demonstrated by believer’s baptism by immersion that Oncken practiced and used as the basis for the church membership.
Time to Move
As the reward for such an expression of their convictions, many early Baptists were persecuted as heretics and even martyred. Also, many young men were conscripted into the military forces that various German princes were developing. This caused many whole families of a pietist (ultra-pious) persuasion to immigrate to the United States. Many of these were Baptists. During this time, many other Germans also emigrated but not necessarily for religious reason. However, these people presented a promising German-speaking mission field for Baptists to evangelize.
Early Leadership
Konrad Fleischmann was a German-speaking emigrant who became a believer in Switzerland as a young man of twenty years. After several years of pasturing and preaching, he was not allowed back into Switzerland after trying to recuperate from poor health at his home in Germany. He then decided to migrate to New York in 1839 to minister to the spiritual needs of the German immigrants there. He arrived as a forceful evangelistic preacher. As a result of this preaching, a mighty revival broke out in 1841 near Philadelphia.
The First Church
In 1843 K. A. Fleischmann baptized five German-speaking believers in Philadelphia , PA. Later in the year, the Fleischmann Memorial Baptist Church, the oldest NAB Church, was founded in Philadelphia.
Go Into All the World
In Mark 16:15, Jesus commanded his disciples to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Throughout the years, God has blessed North American Baptists by allowing us to participate in His work of preaching the Good News not only in North America, but throughout the entire world.
Make Disciples
It is the purpose of North American Baptist to make disciples of Jesus Christ at home and internationally. God's grace has been evidenced as the North American Baptist Conference has grown to represent almost 400 churches throughout the United States and Canada with over sixty worldwide missionaries.
What We’re All About
The mission of the North American Baptist Conference is to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ at home and internationally. This can best be accomplished as we combine the strength of all member churches. The International Office seeks to support this mission by helping churches and mission fields develop leaders who are able to multiply ministries in their respective settings.
Priorities of the NAB International Office
- Leadership Development - Leaders need resources and training to maximize their impact in developing disciples.
- Ministry Multiplication - The effort to assist every NAB church to see the gospel of Christ impact their community and beyond.
- The Best Cared for Missionaries - Investing in them the resources and support that allows them to fulfill the call of God ontheir lives.
Diverse and Growing
The North American Baptist Conference is a family of over 400 churches with more than 74,000 worshippers in the United States and Canada. Founded by an immigrant missionary, North American Baptists are a diverse group of believers representing many cultures and languages. You’ll find us worshipping in small rural churches, large auditoriums, schools, storefronts, and homes. In addition we have the privilege of bringing the gospel to five continents (Africa, Asia, South America, Europe and North America) through mission endeavors.
Regional Connections
Each of our local churches chose to be part of the North American Baptist Conference because they wanted to be part of a larger church family focused on making disciples. That decision to cooperate with others is a very important witness to our unity in Christ.
Much of that cooperation can be seen locally through 13 NAB Regions that allow many of our churches to network, maximize resources, and partner on important initiatives.
The Time is Now
We’re humbled that God has chosen us to be a part of His massive redemption story. The moment to dive headlong into the adventure God is calling us to is now. Together, we’ll do all He asks of us and partner for the purpose of expanding His Kingdom.
