Mark & Karen Naylor

Mark Naylor grew up in the home of BC home mission church planters Chris and Lois Naylor, watching
the commitment and sacrifice of his parents. He attended NBTC where he met Karen Braunberger and
together they set their sights on the mission field. As young wannabe world changers, Mark and Karen
were challenged by Dr. Vern Middleton to serve in an overlooked part of the world. Because of their
relationships with Fellowship leaders, including uncles, aunts, grandparents and cousins, Fellowship
International was the natural choice and Pakistan was the destination. They served in country for 14
years 1985-1999 and raised their 3 children there.
 
Mark’s focus was on meeting with Sindhi men, introducing them to the Saviour and trying to plant a
church. Despite mistakes and cultural clumsiness, God was faithful and in response to much prayer and
the ongoing generous support of Canadian believers, Sindhis did commit their lives to the Lord Jesus
Christ. Some of these brothers and sisters in Christ are not only continuing in their faith but are training
others, including the next generation, how to disciple their families and neighbours.
Mark was also privileged to lead the Sindhi Bible translation team in the translation of the Old
Testament, a work which continued after their return to Canada and was completed in 2007. In
addition, a revision of the New Testament for a Muslim audience and the preparation of the New
Testament for a Hindu audience was completed in 2022. Work continues with the preparation of a New
Testament study Bible for Muslims and Old Testament selections for a Hindu audience.
 
After decades of working with and learning from Sindhis, Mark’s passion to understand the relationship
between gospel and culture led him to earn a Th.D. in missiology using his translation and cross-cultural
experience. His research involved listening to Sindhi men communicate how their understanding of God
changed in response to reading the Bible in their heart language.
In partnership with Northwest College and Seminary, Mark’s studies and experience are now being used
to train others who are called into cross-cultural ministry so that they develop competencies as
intercultural change agents.
As the coordinator for intercultural leadership development (CILD) with Northwest College and
Seminary and Fellowship International and with the support of Karen’s administration expertise, Mark
mentors four disciple makers in Pakistan, each of whom have a significant disciple making ministry using
the discovery method of disciple making. He trains disciple making catalysts for Fellowship International
and other mission organizations for a number of countries worldwide, including Francophone Africa,
Nepal, Japan, Spain, Canada and the US.