A conference leader who still loves being a Sunday greeter sounds simple until you hear what he’s carried. Harry Kelm joins us from Edmonton, Alberta to tell the story behind 37 years of pastoral ministry and his current role as executive director of the North American Baptist Conference (NAB). We start with the roots: a German-speaking immigrant church in Milwaukee, a childhood faith shaped by belonging, and the moment that “ought to” religion became a love relationship with God that still fuels his leadership today. 

From there, Harry walks us through the real path of vocational calling: Bible school that kept extending, seminary formation, and a series of ministry moves across the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and Canada. He shares what he learned when confidence outpaced wisdom, why some seasons taught him “maybe you shouldn’t have done that,” and how a hurting pastor and a hurting church can heal together. If you care about pastoral resilience, church revitalization, and long-term discipleship, these stories land with honesty and hope. 

If this conversation helps you lead with more clarity and kindness, subscribe, share it with a pastor or church planter, and leave a review so more leaders can find it. What part of Harry’s story hit closest to home for you?

North American Baptist Conference

https://nabconference.org/

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