Matt and Ellie Kanaar -  BBFI Missionaries to Nicaragua

Matt Kanaar was saved at the age of five when he realized he was a sinner and needed his sins forgiven.

His family later moved from Toledo, Ohio, to Birch Run, Michigan, where they began to attend the Bible Baptist Church. He was baptized by pastor Fred Smith at the age of 11. He felt like God was dealing with his heart about ministry, but kept pushing the thought aside during his teen years. A "life storm" got his attention and youth pastor Jeff Ellis talked him into going to Winter Camp 1996 where Evangelist Kent York was speaking. "It was there that I knew God was calling me to be a missionary."

Ellie was saved at a young age and baptized at First Baptist Church in Walsh, Colorado, at the age of five. At 16, God allowed her to work in five day clubs during that summer and take a missions trip to Jamaica. As more opportunities came, she used her musical and teaching talents in various ministries and felt led to Bible college.

Matt also enrolled at BBC where he met and married Ellie. After graduation they returned to Bible Baptist as missionary interns. They have worked in every facet of church ministry, and the Kanaars are anxious to serve in Nicaragua.

Excerpt from the Baptist Bible Tribune November 2005 issue,  page 10