by Tony van der Hiele

God writes amazing stories in the lives of the alumni of Canadian Baptist Theological Seminary & College. When students graduate, their ministry is often in the beginning stages, but looking back after years of faithful service, they are amazed at how God put things together. Today, we share a little about the life and ministry of alumnus Bo Neal. Twenty years ago, he moved from Texas to Canada to pursue a Master of Divinity at CBT. Just a few years later, he played a leading role in launching a church plant and initiating a church planting network, and is now a national ministry leader, serving in the role of Associate Executive Director for the Canadian National Baptist Convention. Obviously grateful, he says, “I could have never drawn this out, not in a million years.”

Bo started his journey with the Lord as a child, growing up in Burleson, Texas. His mom Debbi was a strong follower of Christ who made sure to pass her faith on to her four children. In high school, Bo’s faith got more serious and it was during his economics degree at Baylor University that God called him into ministry. As part of Baptist Student Ministries on campus, he helped a group of new freshmen adjust to life as a student, figuring out rhythms and remaining or discovering for the first time an abiding relationship with Jesus. “It was during that time that God made clear to me that I would not be satisfied doing anything but shepherding people.”

In 2004, he moved to Cochrane, Alberta to start his degree at CBT. The practical and hands-on education was pivotal for him. “That’s what really drove me,” he says. What he learned at school, he could put into practice in his internship at Trinity Baptist Church in south Calgary. “Our school is not just strong in academics; it also focuses on making sure students succeed in life and ministry.” As Bo looks back on his education at CBT, he mentions how the biblical languages have equipped him with tools which, to this day, have impacted him as a pastor. Remembering classes like Christian Theology, Dealing with Conflict and Developmental Psychology, he says, “So many classes have informed the way I think and lead.”

Trinity Baptist Church was also the church where Bo met his wife Rachel, and when that congregation was led to plant a church, Bo and Rachel both joined the team. In 2007, Southwinds Church was launched under the leadership of Dr. Rob Blackaby, and Bo became their lead pastor in 2009. He learned so much, he says, as he looks back on the church planting journey. “It taught me that planting a church does not mean starting a worship service. Planting a church means engaging with the people we are trying to reach and sharing the goodness of Jesus in the midst of that. A church is a group of God’s people waking up each day and participating in a disciple-making movement.”

Listening to Bo share about his passion for God, people, church, communities, and the wisdom he gained through twenty years of ministry, it is no surprise that God had yet another task for him. Starting in October 2023, Bo serves full-time as CNBC’s Associate Executive Director. “The operational things we do in the CNBC help resource pastors, missionaries, and church planters to do what they have been called to do. These leaders are our heroes! We have such an amazing team here at the CNBC. I am honoured to work with each of them and grateful for their Kingdom hearts and the leadership of our Executive Director, Jeff Christopherson.”

The CNBC’s core functions are closely related to those of CBT. As Bo puts it, “The job of the pastor and of any minister is to equip the saints for the work of ministry. The job of our school is to equip leaders to go and equip leaders. That means taking one step of faith and then the next step of faith. I’m confident God is going to continue to use our school so students can be equipped and take their next step of faith. And it doesn’t matter where you end up. If you’re co-vocational, bi-vocational or in full-time ministry, what matters is, ‘God, how am I following you in this step of faith?’ And then, ‘What is my next step of faith?’ Because God doesn’t waste anything, He will use everything you’re going through right now to equip you for what He has next.”

Bo’s story is a testimony of faith in God, obedience, and faithful service. He is also keenly aware of the people God used to help him grow in ministry and leadership. “Pastors like Mark Vincent, Bob Miller and Dr. Rob Blackaby, professors like Dr. Steve Booth and Dr. Don McNaughton, trusted friends and mentors like Chris Johnson, Dwight Huffman, Gordon Grieve and Jeff Christopherson, my family including my Mom and sisters and my wife, Rachel, and our church families at Oak Grove, Trinity, and Southwinds. There is no way I could list all the people God has used to mold and shape my life and for whom I am so grateful,” he says. And now, God is in turn using him to be an influence on those he leads. Commenting on his current position, Bo shares, “This assignment is a dream. I often sit in this chair and ask, ‘Lord, how did I get here?’ And the only right answer is You.”

Eugene Peterson’s “A long obedience in the same direction” has been quoted more than once at CBT. It is what the faculty and staff pray for students as they graduate and plunge into a life on mission for Christ. Bo’s twenty years of ministry in Canada following his graduation have been a living testimony of that long obedience. That is what truly matters. “It is not about where you end up; it is about being faithful,” says Bo.