The Birth Of
Before there was a name, there was a spark.
In 1990, God planted a dream in the heart of an 11-year-old girl named Cyrena. As she listened to her mother’s stories of powerful mission trips—especially to South Africa—
something inside her came alive.
A fire had been lit.
A seed of purpose had been sown.
Cyrena age 11
At 17, a prophetic word confirmed it: she would be an instrument in God’s hands to impact the nations.
In 2020, while pursuing pastoral certification, Cyrena joined Steiger International, a global missions movement. Over three years, she was equipped and sent—serving through evangelism in her hometown of Minneapolis, across the U.S., and into parts of Africa.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
On June 2, 2020, just nine days after the murder of George Floyd, Cyrena stood at the intersection of 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis. God handed her a microphone—and a mandate. She preached the Gospel to a city searching for hope.
“As I spoke, it felt like spiritual blinders fell. I saw the world the way God sees it—wounded, weary, and ready for awakening.”
From that day forward, missions wasn’t a concept—it became her covenant.
Minneapolis became her Jerusalem.
North America, her Judea.
And Africa—and the global African Diaspora—her ends of the earth.
This includes both those living on the continent of Africa and those of African descent around the world—from the Caribbean to Europe, the U.S. to Latin America—united by culture, calling, and Kingdom purpose.
Cyrena age 17 with parents at
high school graduation
Cyrena speaking at what is now George Floyd Square on June 2, 2020
A Movement Is Born
Out of this flame, Black Fire Ministries was born—a missions training organization raising up bold, diverse, next-generation leaders from the African Diaspora and beyond.
These Catalysts are bringing Gospel transformation through an intergenerational, cross-cultural, Spirit-empowered model of mission rooted in Acts 1:8.
Our four pillars—Ignite, Transform, Catalyze, and Amplify—
shape everything we do.
Our Covenant
We are committed to:
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Illuminating the history and legacy of African Diaspora missions
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Equipping 100 Catalysts by 2030
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Championing Gospel transformation across nations
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Modeling unity across generations, cultures, and continents
We’re just getting started—and we need you.
Pray. Give. Share. Partner.
Together, we’re fueling the fire for global Gospel transformation.