August 2026 Newsletter

Hey, friends!

A lot has happened since our last update! I (Brenton) attended the CTL (Christian Tech Leaders) meeting in Madison, Wisconsin, traveled to Thailand for EMDC (Eurasian Media Distribution Consultation), and completed my Army Annual Training (AT) at Fort Hunter Liggett, California.

CTL

The CTL meet-up happens twice a year and brings together the heads of IT from some of the most prolific U.S.-based mission organizations. Attendees included CIOs and IT Directors from Cru, The Navigators, Frontiers, Pioneers, WCF, SIL, Wycliffe, and other ministries. This meeting was hosted at InterVarsity’s headquarters.

Our conversations primarily focused on three things: how we are addressing AI across our organizations, our thoughts on Gloo taking over so much of IT within missions, and how we are approaching the build-versus-buy debate.

The purpose of this group is to give us a place to openly share our thoughts and work together so that none of us expend our very limited resources duplicating efforts another organization has already accomplished. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet, pray, fellowship, and encourage others whom God has given the same charge He has given me. Our next meet-up will be in September.

EMDC

I attended EMDC in the Netherlands last year, but this year’s event in Thailand was even better. I had the opportunity to lead a couple of training sessions for the ministries in attendance, and four new ministries adopted MBP.

Declare Global Mission Outreach in Nigeria (DGMO), Great Commissions Ministries in Ethiopia (GCME), Equip Mozambique, and Audio Video Center (AVC) of Pakistan have all taken MBP back to their home countries and have since started using it.

I also received fantastic user feedback during my time there and released version 2.0. The system is now more streamlined, which empowers users to share MBP with other ministries. Since the end of EMDC, AVC, OneWay, and GCME have already held their own familiarization trainings.

Almost all the ministries I met at EMDC expressed a desire for app versions of MBP to be published in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Please pray for a timely release so the app can reach as many users as possible.

AT

I had planned to do a lot more evangelism while I was out in the field. I spent three weeks in California supporting CSTX 26-02, and I thought I was going to be with a whole bunch of dudes out in the desert, where we would “enjoy the suck” together.

Instead, I ended up spending most of each day in a SCIF—a secure building—working in a communications closet and handling tickets and trouble calls. After that, I would travel around the desert fixing various things.

It was certainly an experience. I hope that the next time God takes me away for three weeks, He gives me the wisdom to understand how I can better serve Him if I find myself in that position again.

Thankfully, He also took care of my family while I was gone. A thunderstorm knocked down multiple trees around our camper, and a brush fire became so severe that the fire department had my family evacuate because of the thick smoke. I am so thankful to know that our God is still the One who can protect and care for my family in ways I never could.

Life at JAARS

I (Nicolle) have continued my work at the MK Station and have committed to serving there on an ongoing basis. Having the opportunity to care for these kiddos has brought me so much joy.

Anastasia, who will continue attending until preschool starts again next month, and Theodore have both grown to love going to the MK Station. They also love each of their wonderful teachers.

We have had some wonderful summer volunteers travel from out of state to serve at the MK Station. They have been such a blessing and will be greatly missed when they return home. Please pray that more volunteers will come this fall so we can remain open for the families here at JAARS.

The discipleship program has also been going well. Many of the groups have been on an official meeting pause, as the majority of the apprentices are currently attending ICC (Intercultural Communications Course) or recently served at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh event in Wisconsin.

Please continue praying for the discipleship program, as a small leadership shift is taking place. One of the leaders and his family—some of our dearest friends—will be leaving for their overseas assignment this month.

What’s Next

Our first PD trip is coming up in mid-August! Please pray that we will have good connections, both new and old, and that God will provide new prayer and financial partners. Please also pray that the kids will be sustained during the travel and unusual schedule.

Brenton will be attending CTL in Orlando in mid-September. The Missio Nexus conference will also be held in Orlando during the same week as the CTL meeting, and we are praying for the funding needed for him to attend both.

Our goal for him to attend only the CTL meeting is $600. For him to attend Missio Nexus as well, our goal is $1,500.

It is also almost time for Anastasia to go back to school! She is already asking when she gets to return, even though she currently attends the MK Station three days a week. This year, Anastasia will be in the four-day Pre-K class.

Please pray for an easy transition for her and for guidance for Brenton and me as we help her—and ourselves—adjust to the new schedule.

With grateful hearts,
Brenton, Nicolle, Anastasia, and Theodore Maltbie