The PNBM Story
The story of Points North Baptist Mission begins with the vision of Missionary Gary Forney. As a 20 year veteran of Arctic missions, Bro. Forney established several gospel preaching churches in Canada’s Western Arctic. Eventually health conditions required Bro. and Mrs. Forney to return to the USA. In October 1996, God began moving upon the heart of Bro. Forney to establish a mission agency to specifically address the need for missionaries in the circumpolar regions of the world. Brother Gary Forney and current PNBM Director, Bro. Steve Donley, were the first missionaries of PNBM.
The biblical philosophy that all ministry in this New Testament age must fall under the jurisdiction of a local church has always been paramount. PNBM was originally a USA based, local church ministry of Calvary Baptist Church in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Those early and successful days of PNBM drew the attention of missionaries called to places that did not fit the Arctic specific template of PNBM. In 2003, All Points Baptist Mission was birthed with the broader scope which thrives today represented by missionaries going to all points on the compass. However, it was soon obvious the need for PNBM to champion Arctic and indigenous missions based within Canada.
From Canada, PNBM can assist missionaries with their Canadian-based support and with immigration sponsorship. Originally, PNBM became a ministry of the First Bible Baptist Church of Inuvik, NWT. Bro. Forney was instrumental in her planting and later FBBC matured under Bro. Donley’s leadership. As FBBC began to transition to autonomy, PNBM moved her local church authority to Harvester’s Baptist Church in Ontario. Several good decisions at HBC strengthened PNBM as it continued to grow and mature.
In 2020, PNBM once again went under the authority of FBBC in Inuvik, NWT, pastored by Reilly Featherstone where it remains today.
After the passing of Dr. Gary E. Forney, veteran missionary Steve Donley took over the position of director and did a superb job for 4 years. In July of 2025 Bro. Donley felt led to turn the position over to Missionary Nathan D. Jones.
Bro. Jones and his family have served for over 18 years in the Arctic as church planters in the remote Canadian territory of Nunavut. Bro Jones has a burden to see labourers head north and will be seeking to enlist more and assist them in any way he can.
Points North Baptist Mission continues to be an arctic, northern and indigenous focused mission agency. Its role in helping missionaries reach into the circumpolar regions of the world fulfills the Great Commission commandment to go to the uttermost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
