Mission Summary (Biography)

Serving in The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Dave was raised Roman Catholic in western New York (near Buffalo & Niagara Falls). He attended Mass regularly, but had stopped going to confession, as he felt he could confess his sins to God. His outlook on life was grim, as he was honest with himself about his own sin, and lack of being good.

Dave joined the U.S. Air Force and met Jeff Athey, an 18-year-old Baptist who proved to be a faithful witness and soul-winner. On September 27th, 1980 Jeff led a “Christian Fellowship” that he himself had organized. After presenting God’s Plan of Salvation, he gave an invitation after which he led Dave to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Dave believed the gospel by repentance and faith, and received God’s gift of eternal salvation. He used to struggle with boredom, now he is never bored serving the Lord.

Michelle spent about 14 of her first 18 years in Thailand. Her mom & dad were Disciple of Christ missionaries there. She was not saved until the evening of January 14th, 1981. She had made a false profession and realized it during the preaching that evening at a “Revival” meeting, Bible Baptist Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Upon realizing her lost condition she called upon the Lord to save her, repenting of her sins and receiving God’s gift of eternal life, she was born again, and very glad about that.

Upon arriving Grand Forks Air Force Base in October of 1983 Dave joined Bible Baptist Church and became active with the bus ministry. Over the next two years Dave and Michelle became good (and “just”) friends working together with the Bus Ministry, in Children’s Church, on a church clean-up crew, and attending classes at the church’s Bible Institute. The Lord clearly was at work in both of their lives.

Realizing the strength of their friendship, with many thanks to their good and faithful friends for pointing this out, they began their courtship in February of 1985, and were married on June 13th 1987. The Lord has blessed their marriage in many ways, and they are very thankful for their three children. As a family they appreciate God’s grace and mercy through five miscarriages, and the many other challenges and blessings that they have experienced over the years while serving Him together as a family.

Deborah, Joseph, and Ruthie have all come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Deborah was saved during Family Camp at our home church near Grand Forks, North Dakota. She was in her teens. Joseph was born again one evening at home following a message on Biblical repentance, at the age of twelve. Ruthie was almost 10 when she understood and believed the gospel. What a difference it has made in our home, with each of the children now being saved. God has been very good to us in many ways.

Dave separated from the Air Force in 1989, graduated from the Bible Institute in 1990, and joined the Army Reserves that fall. He received training as a 91B (Bravo), combat medic, which led to further training as a 91C (Charlie), practical nurse. Dave then completed an RN program in May of 1993. While working in nursing and seeking God’s direction for their lives through Godly counsel, Dave realized God’s call to The Pas, Manitoba, Canada.

This area has a population of about 10,000 people; made up of mostly Cree Indians, as well as a large number of whites (of European descent). There is a mixed race of Metis people that originated when the area that was first settled by the Cree, and was further settled by a group of French trappers and fur traders. The Pas is 350 miles north of the US border.

There are many Anglican, Roman Catholic, Ukrainian Orthodox, Apostolic, Mennonite, and Alliance “churches” in northern Manitoba, but few Baptists of any stripe. We are laboring here to make a difference and to be used of God to lead folks to salvation in Jesus Christ. We desire to teach and train them in Biblical truth so that they become strong disciples and members of scriptural Baptist churches.

The focus of our ministry by publishing the Word of God through the distribution of scriptures and gospel tracts. It is our desire to lead folks to a salvation in Jesus Christ, disciple these new converts, and see new churches started in communities throughout our region.

We conduct Services in The Pas and Moose Lake, to include a weekly children's church service in The Pas and an occasional Bible Club in Moose Lake. Our prayer is that God will raise up more labourers from amongst those we are working with here.

Brother David Brauer