IMB Commissions First Lumbee Couple to Serve Canada's First Nations

The International Mission Board (IMB) has commissioned RJ and Elayna Locklear, members of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, as missionaries to Canada’s First Nations. The couple, accompanied by their son, relocated to Calgary, Alberta, this summer to work as church-planting strategists. Their appointment marks a milestone in a collaborative effort between the IMB, the North American Mission Board, and the Canadian National Baptist Convention to mobilize Indigenous believers for ministry.

The Locklears' journey to the mission field faced several years of setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and personal health challenges. Despite these delays, the couple expressed that the timing was intentional for their specific calling. IMB President Paul Chitwood noted that Native American believers are uniquely positioned to reach unreached populations, as they can offer a culturally relevant approach to the gospel.

Ministry in these regions involves navigating the complex legacy of historic mistreatment of Indigenous peoples by Christian institutions. To address these barriers, the Locklears plan to focus on building long-term, cross-generational relationships within First Nations communities to share the Christian message.