|
|
Nathan
Nathan was born
and raised mostly in Flint, Michigan and was
saved at the age of 8 by a man walking down the
street who stopped him and asked him if he was
sure of his eternal security. This
man was a pastor who was just beginning a church
in the area, and not having a place to meet, the
church began meeting in Nathan's home.
During his early teen years, he served
faithfully at the Twin Cities Baptist Church
where his grandfather, Edmund Dinant, was
pastor. Upon his passing, Nathan and his
family joined the Great Lakes Baptist Temple in
Flint, Michigan where T.G. Wille is pastor.
He served faithfully there and at the age of 20
Nathan surrendered to become a missionary,
though a specific field was not given to him by
the Lord.
Upon graduation from
Carman Ainsworth High School in Flint, Nathan
attended and graduated from
Boston Baptist College with a degree in
missions.
Nathan's ministry
experience includes teaching 6th grade boys'
Sunday school, working with Jr. High and Sr.
High classes, teaching 4-5 year old class on
Wednesday evening, leading worship/praise team
during the Sunday morning and Wednesday evening
services. He has played a vital part in
working with baby churches and assisting them
with developing ministries and outreach.
Melissa
 Melissa
was born and raised in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
Having grown up in a Catholic family, she was
introduced to Jesus at the age of 14 and
accepted the Lord at the age of 15.
Shortly thereafter, she knew the Lord wanted her
in full-time service, so after high school
graduation, she attended
Boston Baptist College and graduated from
there with an Associates Degree in Biblical
Studies. She went on to complete her
Bachelors Degree at the
University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Melissa's ministry
experience includes assisting with Kindergarten
Sunday School classes, teaching 1st and 2nd
grade Sunday school, teaching 4-5 year old class
on Wednesday evening, working with Jr. and Sr.
High classes, assisting with choir direction and
participating in praise team.
Our meeting
and calling
Nathan and Melissa
met at
Boston Baptist College in 1997 and married
in 1999. We knew the Lord would have us in
full-time service, but where? Shortly
before our college graduation in 2003, we sought
the Lord's will for our lives through prayer.
After having looked for ministry opportunities
in the states to no avail, we commenced looking
into short-term missions in Mexico. When
that didn't work out, we decided it was God's
will for us to be satisfied where we were, buy
a home and work in our church. As Nathan
was on the telephone with our Realtor discussing
a bid on a house, we received a telephone call
from the Baptist Bible Fellowship Missions
Office. God had finally revealed to us
where He wanted us to go. The Director of
the Short-Term missions program told us about an
opportunity in Vancouver, British Columbia.
After having worked
for one year in Vancouver, the Lord called us to
Toronto to work with Jarret and Jennifer
Hamilton. They are living and working in Oshawa,
Ontario starting Affinity Baptist Church (www.affinitybaptistchurch.net).
Nathan will serve as Family Pastor, establishing
ministries catering to the family and Melissa
will be doing what she loves; working behind the
scenes in ministry.
|
