My name is Akeem Ayuba. I am 29 years old and from the Republic of Benin. For many years, I lived as a wizard, bound by the powers of darkness, until I encountered the gospel of Jesus Christ on January 2, 2021, at Word Alive Missionary Baptist Church in Ibadan, Nigeria, through Brother Joseph Eniowo. That day, my life was forever changed.

Every generation of believers must rediscover the power of the gospel. It is not simply a message to be preached but a force that transforms every part of life. When the gospel enters a heart, a home, or a community, everything changes. This new series, The Gospel Changes Everything, will highlight stories from the field and principles that remind us why we exist as BMA Global, to make disciples of all nations through the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

When Nathan Heintze first joined a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic in 2024, he didn’t expect it to change the direction of his life. But what began as a simple step of obedience has become a calling, a way to serve God and others with both heart and hands.

2025 has been one of the busiest and most fruitful years for BMA Global’s Missionary Care ministry. We have hosted numerous activities to encourage and support our missionaries, and we have one main goal: to care for those who serve. But right now, this ministry itself needs some care.

Short-term missions (STM) have become one of the fastest-growing trends in global ministry. From their roots in the 1960s and 70s with pioneering youth movements like Operation Mobilization and Youth With A Mission, short-term trips now send millions of believers across the globe every year.

As pastors, most of us know what it’s like to balance income and expenses. But when it comes to missions, how do we see it—an expense or an investment? I imagine most of us would quickly say “investment,” but do we truly feel that way when the time comes to give? We often tell our congregations, “You can’t outgive God” when it comes to supporting our local church.