NBA Board of Trustees November 2025: Hybrid Homecoming at Fowler Communities 

The National Benevolent Association’s Board of Trustees gathered November 6–8, 2025, for a milestone hybrid meeting—welcoming both in-person and virtual participants to Dallas, Texas, and the historic Juliette Fowler Communities. This gathering marked the first major in-person convening since the BOT Retreat in February, and the first since welcoming seven new trustees this past June. The blended meeting renewed connection with NBA’s ongoing commitment to innovation, equity, and justice. 

A Gathering at Juliette Fowler Communities

The Board’s business sessions and community-building activities were hosted at Juliette Fowler Communities (JFC), a ministry with deep NBA roots. As NBA President & CEO Mark Anderson reflected, “Fowler Communities is a ministry rooted in boldness, humility, healing, and hope.” The NBA’s partnership with JFC stretches back to the late 1800s, when Juliette Peak Fowler’s vision for intergenerational care was realized by her sister, Sarah Peak Harwood, and formally linked to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1903. Today, JFC continues to serve seniors, children, and families, embodying the values at the heart of NBA’s mission and is part of the network of Health and Social Service Ministries.

Meeting Highlights  

The three-day gathering was packed with meaningful work and connection. Trustees began with committee sessions that shaped priorities across finance, governance, programs, and development. Together, they shared in an opening devotion led by NBA Board Chair, Rev. Dr. Judy Alston, and heard a powerful President’s Report from Mark Anderson. A keynote from Dr. Joel Brown, President of the Disciples Historical Society, invited deep reflection on how NBA and its partners can lead faithfully amid social change. The agenda also featured conversations with the 2025 SENT Cohort, a presentation from Juliette Fowler Communities, and a pivotal discussion affirming NBA’s updated Vision, Mission, and Values. Trustees reviewed financials, approved the 2026 budget, and explored governance updates, technology enhancements, and future planning. Throughout, shared meals and fellowship underscored the spirit of collaboration, culminating in a closing benediction that sent participants forth with hope and purpose.

Stewarding Resources for Justice and Impact

A central focus was the approval of the 2026 operating budget, reflecting NBA’s commitment to equity, innovation, and operational excellence. The process was marked by transparency, shared accountability, and a justice-centered approach. As Anderson noted:

“Our 2026 budget is a clear reminder that we root our work in justice for and within the communities we serve and seek to accompany. Our financial budget and narrative convey our commitment to strive for just outcomes in all the places and spaces that our faith calls us to be.”

Vision, Mission, and Values: A Step Into the Future

The Board affirmed updated Mission, Vision, and Values during this meeting—an important milestone that will guide NBA’s strategic direction in the years ahead. More information and a deeper dive into these changes will be shared in 2026, as part of a broader story about how these commitments shape our work and future impact.

A Spirit of Gratitude and Hope

The meeting closed with a powerful benediction from Rev. Dr. Alston, sending trustees forth as “bearers of hope, doers of good, and stewards of God’s boundless love.”

“So go forth—
Grounded in compassion, guided by courage,
Aligned with God’s purpose and the NBA’s calling,
Trusting that the seeds planted here will grow into
thriving communities of care, justice, and hope
for all humanity.

And now—
May the peace of Christ sustain you,
The wisdom of our ancestors surround you,
And the power of the Holy Spirit propel you into the world—
To lead, to serve, and to love boldly. Amen.”

Looking Ahead

NBA’s Board of Trustees remains committed to bold leadership, equity-centered governance, and deepening its mission of creating communities of compassion and care. The hybrid format, the historic setting, and the spirit of collaboration all point toward a vibrant future for NBA and its partners.