By Jeff Huett
DECATUR, Ga. — A couple with more than 20 years of service to CBF Global Missions, including 12 years as field personnel serving in Barcelona, Spain, have been named to new strategic Global Missions leadership roles.
As senior directors of field ministries, Matt and Michelle Norman will oversee the development and execution of field strategy, and direct field-focused activities, including supervising field personnel, new field personnel onboarding processes and field personnel training.
The Normans will continue to serve as field personnel in Barcelona, working toward self-sufficiency for their ministry in the coming years. This dual focus reflects both their commitment to their current calling and their readiness to embrace this new opportunity to serve CBF’s broader mission.
Creating these leadership roles that support field personnel in a more focused and intentional way is one of the steps CBF took in response to conversations with field personnel about their ministry needs.
Matt and Michelle were invited to consider the role after a task force of field personnel and staff worked for nearly a year to develop a strategic framework for the future of CBF Global Missions.
Michelle said she was deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue walking alongside CBF field personnel.
“Matt and I remain rooted in the field ourselves, and we hope that our experience and continued presence in this context will help us support our colleagues in meaningful and practical ways,” she said. “We’ve seen firsthand the faithful and creative ways our field personnel bear witness to God’s love around the world. It’s a true gift to serve with them as part of this Fellowship”
Matt, reflecting on the past 22 years of service with CBF Global Missions, called it a blessing to move into this new role and walk alongside field personnel.
“The global environment in which we find ourselves offers unique challenges missiologically, but we know that God is actively ministering in every community in the world, and we have an ongoing invitation to join God in the work of reconciliation, healing and justice,” he said. “I am excited for the work ahead of us as an organization as we seek to embody Christ’s love and to see people affected by displacement, poverty, injustice or limited access to the gospel flourish in stable, dignified and abundant lives.”
CBF’s Coordinator for Global Missions Laura Ayala said, through the years, Matt and Michelle have demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to advancing global missions.
She said they have successfully developed and implemented innovative strategies that have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of mission work. Their ability to build strong relationships with partners and stakeholders has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and achieving impactful results, she said.
“Their extensive experience in field operations equips them with a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities that arise in diverse contexts,” Ayala said, and “their passion for training and mentoring field personnel reflects their dedication to empowering others and ensuring sustainable growth within the ministry.”
CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley said they bring a remarkable combination of gifts and experiences to their new roles.
“As I have had opportunities to work closely with them in recent years, I’ve been deeply impressed by the depth of their faith, the strength of their commitment to the mission of Christ in all of its fullness, and their resolve toward helping our field personnel flourish in their ministries,” Baxley said. “I look forward to serving with them in their new responsibilities. Following the incredibly important work of our field personnel flourishing task force, this new leadership position is an essential next step in the strengthening of CBF’s participation in Christ’s mission through our field personnel in collaboration with CBF congregations and with followers of Christ all over the world.”
The Normans’ ministry in Barcelona assists local churches in connecting with their secular community as well as welcoming immigrants and refugees. They lead trainings for local churches, Bible studies with individuals interested in learning more about the Christian faith and assist local ministry efforts. They are also engaged in social ministry, seeking to address the felt needs of the community through various endeavors.
Relationship development and connecting with European partners such as the European Baptist Federation are also among their responsibilities.
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Led by the love of Christ, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship invites churches and individuals to partner in transforming God’s world, working together as a global community to spread good news, justice and hope through impactful ministries, missions and resources.