By Joe Conway
Editor’s note: This article and video are part of a series on missionaries featured during the 2013 North American Missions Emphasis.
Lorna Bius, LoveLoud West Region Catalyst
RENO, Nev.–Unbridled enthusiasm or cautious reflection? Anyone familiar with Lorna Bius already knows how she views her new role as the North American Mission Board’s first regional LoveLoud catalytic missionary. She’ll take the former approach.
“Though I am only a month into this role officially, I am excited to see how LoveLoud will be able to strengthen the work of church planting and church revitalization,” says Bius. “I am encouraged to see the willingness of SBC partners to work together in multiplying existing ministries as well as begin new ones. I also look forward to working with Send North America city coordinators, state convention and associational staff in building a strong network in the west.”
LoveLoud is a movement of churches demonstrating God’s love by meeting significant human need while sharing Christ. Al Gilbert, executive director of NAMB’s LoveLoud initiative, shares Bius’ enthusiasm for her new role.
“As a LoveLoud Catalyst, Lorna is discovering best practices and connecting churches who want to learn how to LoveLoud with those who are doing it best,” says Gilbert. “She also challenges churches to look at their communities in a new light and see how they can meet significant need while sharing Christ.”
Bius is presently in transition from her missionary role with the Nevada Baptist Convention where she served in the areas of ministry evangelism, women’s ministry and missions education. She plans to relocate to Denver this month.
Born in Valdosta. Ga., Bius was raised in a Christian home and surrendered her life to Christ at age 9. Her family moved several times in her formative years, but their commitment to raising her to follow Christ never waivered.
“I was baptized at East Hill Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Fla.,” says Bius. “I was mentored in Girls in Action®. My family later returned to Valdosta, where I was nurtured in ministry at Northside Baptist Church. In 1993, I surrendered to full-time ministry and over the next 12 years served in three churches across South Georgia in youth ministry. In 2005, I joined the Nevada Baptist Convention as a NAMB missionary.
“From an early age, God has given me a passion for His kingdom work expressed through His people. I genuinely love the Church and the impact it makes in families and communities. The opportunity to serve with Southern Baptists in a renewed effort to share Christ’s love across the west was the big factor in joining the West Region Team. It’s a blessing to see how local churches are strengthened as SBC entities partner together. I want to draw the attention of Southern Baptists’ to God’s work in the west, as well as help connect the support of the NAMB to the west,” says Bius.
Her experience as a member of GA will come full circle in 2013 when Bius will be privileged to represent her colleagues as a Week of Prayer missionary. GA and Royal Ambassadors chapters will be praying for her just as she prayed for missionaries as a member of GA. Look for more stories and videos on Bius during the 2013 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® for North American Missions. For now, Bius would “love” for people to check out LoveLoud.
“There are several ways people can connect with LoveLoud efforts,” says Bius. “Leaders and volunteers are encouraged to express interest by going to www.namb.net and signing up through ‘Mobilize Me.’ There’s a place to mark LoveLoud ministry. You can also visit the LoveLoud website at www.namb.net/loveloud, email me at lbius@namb.net or follow me on Twitter @LornaBius for LoveLoud related information.”
Joe Conway is a writer for the North American Mission Board and covers the West Region.