NBA Board of Trustees Approves Strategic Roadmap for the Next Chapter of Ministry 

The National Benevolent Association’s Board of Trustees gathered virtually in June to engage in discernment, governance, and strategic planning for the future of NBA’s ministry. During the meeting, trustees approved a new strategic roadmap that will help guide organizational priorities, decision-making, and mission impact in the years ahead. 

The roadmap reflects a collaborative process involving staff, leadership, and trustees and builds on several years of organizational reflection, assessment, and visioning work. Rather than prescribing a fixed set of actions, the roadmap provides a shared framework to help NBA remain responsive, mission-focused, and aligned as it continues its work of creating communities of compassion and care. 

Rev. Monica Wedlock Kilpatrick, Vice President of Organizational & Leadership Development, emphasized that the assessment process offered NBA both a clearer understanding of its strengths and a practical framework for moving forward with focus and alignment.

“Effective organizations use assessment as a way to plan ahead. Through our process, we’ve been able to pinpoint and define our strengths while gaining a clearer understanding of our opportunities for growth. The strategic roadmap helps keep our focus aligned and brings our activities, resources, and priorities together for greater impact.” — Rev. Monica Wedlock Kilpatrick, Vice President of Organizational & Leadership Development

During the meeting, President and CEO, Mark D. Anderson, reflected on the significance of the moment and the role trustees play in shaping NBA’s future:

“If this season has a chapter title, then this meeting today is one of the pages where we help write what comes next.”

Anderson noted that the strategic roadmap is rooted in a shared commitment to faithful stewardship, courageous imagination, and deep care for the communities NBA is called to accompany. 

A Shared Direction for the Future

Throughout the meeting, trustees reviewed findings from a comprehensive organizational assessment designed to better understand how current programs, operations, and resources align with NBA’s mission and future aspirations. The assessment affirmed the strength of NBA’s existing work while also identifying opportunities to strengthen organizational capacity, collaboration, and long-term sustainability. “So much of the NBA’s work is about helping leaders and social service ministries focus on and nurture sustainable, healthy practices. For NBA, this has been such a meaningful season that we too could take time to do this internally as well,” reflects NBA Board Chair, Rev. Dr. Judy Ann Alston.

The roadmap approved by the board emerged from that listening and assessment process and represents a shared commitment to helping the organization move forward with greater clarity and purpose. 

Trustees engaged deeply with themes of leadership development, public witness, organizational wellbeing, innovation, and sustainability—areas identified as critical to NBA’s continued impact amid a rapidly changing social and ministry landscape. 

Practicing Faithful Stewardship

The board also fulfilled its ongoing governance responsibilities, including meeting with auditors to receive a clean audit report. With a clean review of NBA’s financial records and processes, the Board focused on ensuring that NBA’s resources remain aligned with mission priorities and long-term sustainability. 

Throughout the meeting, trustees returned to a common theme: governance is more than oversight—it is a form of ministry and stewardship in service of the communities NBA serves. 

Welcoming New Leadership and Honoring Service

The Board of Trustees also celebrated important leadership transitions.

Beginning July 1, Casey Osterkamp and Rev. Josh Sawyer will join the Board of Trustees as members of the Class of 2029. Trustees also affirmed second terms for Rev. Jorge Cotto, Dr. Xochitl Alvizo, and Rev. Brian Moore.

The board expressed tremendous gratitude for the faithful leadership and service of Rev. Shanna Steitz, Rev. Danny Gulden, and Todd Reed as they complete their terms of service. 

Looking Ahead

Anderson reminded trustees near the conclusion of his report:

“Together, we are writing the next chapter—rooted in faithful stewardship, courageous imagination, and deep care for the communities NBA is called to accompany.”