For the first time, SCBaptist partnered with International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries in Madagascar, sending three college students through BCMGO to serve alongside a missionary family for five weeks in one of the most spiritually rich yet challenging areas of the world.

 Through BCMGO, college-aged men and women across the state are equipped to engage in local, national, and international missions.

A Calling Rooted in Faithfulness 

Nathan and Tessa Baker arrived in Madagascar through different paths, but with a shared sense of calling. Tessa had long felt God’s tug toward missions in Africa, while Nathan’s call came more unexpectedly. “I did not want to be a missionary,” he said. “But through short-term trips, relationships, and the clear voice of the Lord, it became obvious we were being called back to Madagascar.” 

The Baker’s ministry is centered around two key areas: oral storying for discipleship and evangelism, and student ministry for future leadership development. 

In an area where literacy is low, oral Bible storying is a powerful tool for spreading the Gospel. “We’ve seen over the past decade that those most engaged in story groups grow the deepest in their faith,” Nathan said. Groups meet regularly to hear Bible stories, retell them in their native dialects, and discuss how they apply to their lives. 

At six years old, one girl first heard the Gospel through these stories. Now, over a decade later, she’s a young mother and a key leader in her local church, still sharing those same stories that once captured her heart. 

Student ministry is also a crucial piece of their strategy. “Students are a key sector ready for change,” Nathan explains. “They have the enthusiasm and the energy to be the leaders of our churches now and into the future.” The BCMGO team played a vital role there, serving through English clubs, university outreach, and leadership development. This work is laying the foundation for future leaders who will carry the Gospel to their peers. 

Ministry in Motion, Life on the Field 

Daily life for the Bakers is as dynamic as it is demanding. Between leading story groups, visiting bush churches, serving other IMB teams, and traveling to remote areas, no two weeks look the same. While Tessa and the children remain primarily in their town during the school year, Nathan often travels to check on churches and ministries in far-off regions. 

Raising children on the field brings its own set of blessings and challenges. Their kids are immersed in a French-speaking school system while learning Malagasy from local friends. “We’ve really benefited from the cultural simplicity here,” Nathan reflects. “There are fewer distractions, and the kids are grounded in a cross-cultural experience that’s forming them in beautiful ways.” 

Even the youngest members of the family take part in the mission. Their daughter Chyella, just eight years old, recently shared her faith at an English club. When asked whether she trusted more in Jesus or her earthly father—an especially poignant question in a culture that reveres ancestors—she said, “I trust Jesus as my Savior, and I trust my dad to take care of me.”

The Power of Partnership 

SCBaptists have already made a meaningful impact in Madagascar through sending teams, offering generous hospitality, and providing stateside support. “We’re so grateful,” Nathan shares. “People in South Carolina have made it clear that we’re not forgotten. South Carolina Baptists are especially close to our hearts because so many of our extended family are a part of South Carolina Baptist church families.”

Looking ahead, there are exciting opportunities for churches across the state to grow even more connected to what God is doing on the island. “There’s so much potential,” Nathan explains. “We’d love to see more teams come, stay longer, and invest in learning the language or sharing practical skills. Whether it’s through training leaders, offering ESL classes, or simply walking alongside local churches, every bit helps strengthen the body of Christ here.”