Around the World
Why Men Need MOVE
By Jim Beaird
On January 21, 2020, 44 men from across the U.S. met at the airport in Houston to board a plane to Liberia, Costa Rica, to participate in a MOVE building trip. Every year an Open Bible MOVE ministry team chooses a project to undertake. The locations vary but usually require travel to a foreign country where men work and live in less-than-ideal conditions.
I scanned the group of men for a couple guys I knew from college days, Dick Crawley and Rick Jarvis. I must admit to a certain level of apprehension as I realized I was not a young man anymore, and that it was too late to bail out.
I had not participated in a MOVE trip for 28 years. I had allowed the business of ministry and the responsibilities associated with my position as regional executive director to negate the possibility of spending a couple weeks being “one of the guys” sent to make a difference in the lives of people who desperately needed our help as the answer to their prayers.
After connecting with my two dear friends, we grabbed a bite to eat and waited to board our flight. Once the flight took off, our team spent the next three and a half hours getting acquainted and sharing our expectations as best as we could speculate. Some men were new to this kind of expedition, and others were veterans with up to thirty years of trips behind them.
Once in Liberia, we boarded a bus for a two-hour trip to Upala, where we were assigned rooms and roommates for the next two weeks. After a full day of travel, the simple accommodations of a no-frills motel room beckoned to us for a good night’s sleep before beginning our long-awaited project of building a beautiful church in rural Costa Rica.
The next morning, we boarded another bus for a forty-five minute trip to a small community called Nazareth. A cement slab greeted us, as did villagers wondering what to expect. We gathered on the slab and had prayer, just as we would do every day before beginning work. Each morning a different man would share his personal story. We became aware of the narratives behind each man and what brought him to this point in his life. I could tell that this trip was about to change everything I believed about the real purpose of MOVE trips.
Challenge for Lonely Leaders and Unchallenged Men
As I previously stated, my schedule and budget simply had not allowed me to participate in such ventures, or so I thought. Leadership is lonely. Nobody understands that aloneness as well as a leader who is continually called upon to solve problems and act as the perceived paragon of virtue. A leader often cannot have a “buddy” with whom he can occasionally let his hair down or enjoy carefree moments not attached to his role as leader. During the 48 years of my ministry, I forfeited many opportunities to have a close friend or a life apart from my ministry.
In addition, most churches are blessed with men who will unite behind a common goal or agenda – men who are project-driven and enjoy accomplishing tangible projects that meet a specified need. It’s sad when church leaders don’t promote these projects and men miss out on a challenge not even presented to them.
My participation in this trip provided me with insight I would like to pass on to lonely leaders and these unchallenged men. Leadership does not have to be lonely, and men need their leaders to challenge them to a project in which they work together to beat the odds and produce something only God can bless.
In Costa Rica eight pastors joined thirty-six laymen in a cross-cultural project in which more was erected than simply a physical building. “Skilled craftsmen” such as those found in Exodus 31:1-6 provided the guidance and labor for laying block, welding, and utilizing various other skills needed to successfully complete the task at hand. I felt my heart bonding with the hearts of men from across the nation as we labored together – each man doing his part to build a lasting monument to the glory of God. We laughed with each other, and at times we cried. There were times when someone would touch my shoulder and say, “Here, let me help.” We were there for each other, and we saw to it that everyone stayed safe.
I know of no other project presently in Open Bible Churches that brings lonely leadership and challenge-driven men together as does MOVE. A special thanks to Pastor Aaron Keller, MOVE’s national director, and Dave Bethany, its director of construction, for their galvanizing efforts to provide this opportunity to serve God’s Kingdom.
By Jim Beaird
Dr. Jim Beaird pastored for 30 years before becoming the regional executive director for the Southeast Region of Open Bible Churches, a position he held from 2002 until his retirement in 2019. He has a heart to train pastors and leaders to be true to their calling and to be lifelong learners who finish life’s course with a strong and vibrant effort. His books include The Proximity Factor and The Providence Factor.
“We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation
to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done”
(Psalms 78:4 NKJV).
On March 1, 1967, Melvyn and Barbara Kelderman moved to Trinidad and Tobago. That step of obedience began a family legacy that decades later led us—their son and daughter-in-law—to return as full-time missionaries serving with the School of Global Leadership (SGL). Looking back, we see God’s faithfulness from one generation to the next.
Before being appointed as missionaries in 2024, we both taught secondary school while serving at Open Bible Church in Omaha, Nebraska. During those years, God gave us countless opportunities to grow in ministry and deepen our calling. Having served in cross-cultural ministry in several countries, we were grateful when He opened the door to join Global Missions full time. Today we serve with the School of Global Leadership, helping believers discover their role in God’s global mission and equipping those who are moving from called to sent.
School of Global Leadership
Since its beginning in 2010, SGL has helped revitalize the vision for missions within the Open Bible Standard Churches of Trinidad and Tobago. Their work in Trinidad and beyond has helped SGL to become a partner with the Global Missions department in helping connect, expand, and reach into other countries around the world with the Gospel.
One of SGL’s greatest joys is hosting teams from Open Bible Churches in the United States. These short-term ministry experiences allow participants to encounter Trinidad’s diverse religious landscape, including Muslim, Hindu, and African-derived faith communities, while discovering how God may be calling them to serve. SGL also equips future missionaries through online courses and hands-on training. Whether you’re exploring God’s call, preparing for long-term service, or simply wanting to learn more about His work among the nations, we’d love to help you take your next step.
Looking to the Future
While Trinidad remains our training base, we believe God is expanding this vision. Our hope is to establish SGL training hubs in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa so that future leaders can be equipped within their own languages and cultures. As we continue partnering with Global Missions, we believe God will open doors to train and equip missionaries from everywhere to everywhere.
We are deeply grateful for the churches and individuals who pray for us and faithfully support this ministry (Philippians 1: 3). Together we are helping prepare the next generation of workers who will carry the gospel to the nations. Just as others invested in us, we now have the privilege of investing in those God is calling today – and we believe He will continue telling His story from generation to generation.
About the Authors
Brent and Sara Kelderman are pastors and missionaries with Open Bible Churches USA. After serving as teachers at a public high school in Nebraska and as associate pastors in their local church, God expanded their calling into full-time missions. Throughout their marriage, God has woven a passion for the nations into their hearts. They currently serve within the School of Global Leadership (SGL) in Trinidad and Tobago. Their ministry includes hosting missions teams, leading missions training, and partnering with local churches. They are grateful for all God has done and look forward to all He will continue to do in and through their lives.
In parts of Nigeria today, land is no longer just a livelihood – it’s a battleground. In search of increasingly scarce water and grazing land, semi-nomadic Muslim herdsmen are moving their flocks south into areas already inhabited by Christian farmers. This encroachment has intensified conflict, resulting in thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions, increased kidnappings, and deepening ethnic tensions. This is the environment in which Open Bible’s ministry continues day after day.
Despite these challenges, the Gospel is advancing.
Okon Obot, Open Bible’s Superintendent in Nigeria, shared the following story with me:
Recently we held an evangelistic crusade in one of the affected regions. Despite security concerns, people came looking for hope and peace. Evangelistic crusades remain a powerful and effective way to share the Gospel in village communities where fear and uncertainty are a part of daily life.
The theme of the crusade was “Arise and Shine,” and over 300 people gathered. By the end, sixteen people had given their lives to Jesus and fifteen were immediately baptized and welcomed into the church, each a testimony to God’s faithfulness.
A high point of the crusade was the reconciliation of a family of brothers divided for five years. Under the conviction of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God was shared, they chose forgiveness and were restored to one another. They returned to their homes with joy and peace.
In response to God’s work in their lives, the brothers donated a large piece of property in their village, Mbabuu, for the construction of a church building.
This is where the 2026 Global Harvest Offering, “Build Hope for Africa,” comes in. When we reach our goal of $200,000, Nigeria will be one of the recipients. Open Bible will partner directly with Pastor Okon to build a new church building in a place like the village Mbabuu.
This is more than a construction project – it is the next step of what God is doing. Despite hardship, churches in Nigeria are growing and new buildings are needed to serve expanding congregations and reach their communities.
Your gift to “Build Hope for Africa” can help provide a visible witness of Jesus in a region marked by instability and equip local leaders like pastor Okon to continue evangelizing where the need is great.
In a place where land is fought over, God continues to build His Church!
Snapshots of the vibrant ministry happening in Nigeria:
About the Author
Tammy Swailes is passionate about cross-cultural Christian education, so working with INSTE Bible College to disciple and equip leaders throughout Europe and beyond is a great fit! Tammy has lived in Europe since 1999 – first in Hungary and now Ukraine. Before that, she was in Japan, as well as Spokane, Washington. She now serves as INSTE regional director in Europe, assisting INSTE programs in five languages. Tammy has her undergraduate degrees in both Missions and Christian Education and a MA in Intercultural Studies. Photography, good coffee, multi-cultural experiences, and the family’s Yorkie are some of Tammy’s favorite things.
Have you ever wondered, What in the world are our Open Bible missionaries doing now? We wish we could visit every church or sit down over coffee and share what God is doing where we serve—but that isn’t always possible.
So this month, we’ve gathered brief notes from missionaries around the world. As you’ve read these updates from around the world, we invite you to pray for our missionaries—their families, their ministries, and the communities they serve. Please also share these stories with your church so others can join in prayer.
Use the interactive map below to see the updates:
Trouble seeing the map? Click HERE
About the Author
Tammy Swailes is passionate about cross-cultural Christian education, so working with INSTE Bible College to disciple and equip leaders throughout Europe and beyond is a great fit! Tammy has lived in Europe since 1999 – first in Hungary and now Ukraine. Before that, she was in Japan, as well as Spokane, Washington. She now serves as INSTE regional director in Europe, assisting INSTE programs in five languages. Tammy has her undergraduate degrees in both Missions and Christian Education and a MA in Intercultural Studies. Photography, good coffee, multi-cultural experiences, and the family’s Yorkie are some of Tammy’s favorite things.