Jon Siebert, General Director
Here we are in 2026 … 80 years since God raised up NCEM! Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving to Him. He has sent many labourers over these years, each with stories of God’s personal enabling, and of God’s work in our hearts and the hearts of First Nations people. God raised up unique people to serve together, with many different ideas and personalities, and He makes it work!
We are not perfect people, and make mistakes, but we have worked together for the common goal of seeing First Nations people come to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and to walk daily with Him. Many workers experienced hardship, but love for God and love for people spurred them on. Over the years fruit began to emerge in the form of vibrant believers and church fellowships.
We are also thankful to God for raising up many volunteers, as well as prayer and financial supporters who have stood with our missionaries, some for many many years. This ministry could not have happened without them; they are vital to the work of God.
We are thankful for early missionaries visiting homes and traplines, sharing the Word through Bible studies, children’s Bible clubs, in prisons, in hospitals, and at wake services and funerals. Missionaries began organizing summer Bible camps for the youth in their communities. A printshop began publishing literature geared for Native readers. Prayer letters and prayer cards were printed. (Check out www.tribaltrailsbooks.com where you will find books written by several of our pioneering missionaries.)
Radio broadcasts began, then Tribal Trails TV was launched, which has allowed many First Nations believers to share of God’s work in their hearts, along with Bible teaching. Now Generation Hope has been launched, an online media ministry to First Nations youth.
This year we reopened our Bible school (now called Keywaytin Discipleship Center). Another ministry department that has served all of these programs and outreaches over the years has been our Aviation team.
As we look back, we thank God for His great faithfulness. Looking ahead, by God’s help we will continue to share the clear Gospel message. Our desire is to “work while it is day” because “night comes when no man can work” (John 9:4). As we look forward, we urgently ask you to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers. There are opportunities in church planting and departments, including an urgent need for a bookkeeper.