Good intentions aren’t enough. Everyone wants to see extreme poverty alleviated, but too often, well-meaning e=orts, especially from the North American Church, fall short.
Poverty is more than just a material issue, and those a=ected are more than a set of problems to be solved. True change requires a comprehensive shift in thinking on both sides of the bridge and an understanding that we must do ‘with’, not ‘for’, the poor. Kurt Kandler, author of "If You Really Want to Help," will lay out a fresh blueprint on how to change the paradigm of how the Church engages the global poor.
Is the Great Commission really only relevant to those that are on the “mission-field”? Is it only relevant to the 0.01% of all Christians that are vocational missionaries? What about the rest of the church, the other 99.99% who are not on the mission-field? Is their job to simply fund their endeavors, to tithe, write a check, or support via prayer? The largest missions opportunity for the church today is not only the 10/40 window, but also the 9 to 5 window. In this session Rob Lim will empower us to consecrate, configure, catalyze and commission the marketplace saints for this season of outpouring.
An intense fire is unstoppable; it is difficult to control and even harder to extinguish. This is the kind of fire we need, especially in missions. If it is not quenched or worn down, the fire will continue to burn, steadily growing in intensity. At a certain point, it will surge uncontrollably, rapidly expanding from a small, contained flame into an all-consuming blaze that fills the entire room. This sudden transformation is known as a flashover. Similarly, the Holy Spirit can ignite a flashover in our lives, sparking a powerful, transformative impact wherever we go.
When we talk about world missions, we tend to talk about world evangelization. We put the focus on the conversion experience. We want people to get saved. But what if our mission is supposed to be more than that? In the Great Commission, Jesus extends the mission of the church far beyond evangelism. Yes, conversion is crucial. But is it enough? What if there are other questions we need to be asking? What kind of world does the Great Commission envision? What would the world be like if the Great Commission were fulfilled? What if the mission of the church isn’t just global evangelization? What if the mission of the church is global holiness?
Endless strategies for evangelism, countless curriculums for growth, and an ever-changing view on culture’s readiness for church can distract us from where ministry really begins, the one vital place where all ministry has to start. It begs the question, is laying it all down the place where it really all begins? Surrender may be the first step to any step with Jesus. For those who lead in ministry, and for those who are recipients of it, surrender just may be the tipping point for it all. Through personal experience and Biblical example, Sarah will invite us to make this vital step a constant focus.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus gives a clear and powerful promise: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This power is not merely for personal strength or comfort—it is the divine empowerment to take the message of Jesus beyond our walls and into the world.
The question for us today is this: Are we truly leaning into the power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus intended? Are we allowing this power to shape us, guide us, and move us to be witnesses in our local communities, our broader regions, and to the ends of the earth?
The Acts 1:8 Church is one that doesn’t just experience the Holy Spirit but actively empowered to walk in His power, advancing the mission of Jesus in ways that transform lives and communities. It’s a call to trust, a call to action, and a call to step into the fullness of the Spirit’s work.
Kurt Kandler - All too often, the process of finding and vetting global mission partners falls into two categories – people someone in our church knows or places on a map. But as stewards of our church’s resources, global mission leaders must do more. In this session, Kurt Kandler, Executive Director of the 410 Global Outreach Network, will share a comprehensive approach to thoroughly vetting global mission partners, ensuring that the partner and the church are aligned in their mission, values, and strategy.
Kurt Kandler - We’ve heard it hundreds of times, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth measuring.” But what should we measure when it comes to global missions? Are we measuring activity or outcomes? In this session, Kurt Kandler – author of “If You Really Want to Help” – will share his insights on e=ectively measuring impact on both sides of the bridge.
Healthcare professionals of today face stresses that have previously been unknown in nearly every segment. Moreover, there are hardly any members of the healthcare community who have not encountered the tremendous stress of dealing with patients, their family members, and colleagues amid these overwhelming and tragic circumstances.
It is with these stress and impacts in mind that the 8-lesson group training program ‘Care for the caregiver’ was developed by Companions of Grace International (COGI). Using large group learnings, small group sharing and peer-to-peer sharing, it focuses on equipping Christian healthcare professionals to deal more effectively the the difficulties they face in their daily lives at work, at home, and within their communities. The program is presently rolled out in five countries through partnerships with three major Christian Healthcare organization and some key churches - more countries are joining the ever-expanding network.
This session at the conference is a taster of the full 8 module course. The session identifies some of the causes and consequences of stress that a healthcare professional faces. It also provides insights into to why healthcare professionals fail to seek for help themselves or often uncared for. A significant portion of the session will focus on selected concepts/ skills taken from the full course and a roleplay demonstration of one of them. The role play will demonstrate to participants the skill and tools and how the program provides a therapeutic experience to participants. A question answer sections will also be included.
We will uncover four key shifts that must be made to have high mission outreach (local and global). And we will explore six key strategies that when implemented, move missions from a program of a church to the core DNA of the church. This will begin to help conference participants answer questions after attending Beyond These Walls-- What next? Where do we go from here? How?
Come and experience how to move the mission needle in your church. Learn how to mobilize others toward reaching your near neighbors and those who are unreached. Experience the steps that must be taken to move someone in the congregation from the sideline to involvement.
Sonji Pass— How do you move missions from a program of the church to the heartbeat of the church? This shift won’t happen without intentionality. The first step in a church's journey is to create a strategic missions outreach plan. The goal of the workshop is to present core principles and key practices in developing a customized mobilization plan that spans local, national, and international mission outreach.
We will uncover four key shifts that must be made to have high mission outreach (local and global). And we will explore six key strategies that when implemented, move missions from a program of a church to the core DNA of the church. This will begin to help conference participants answer questions after attending Beyond These Walls-- What next? Where do we go from here? How?
Through this breakout, pastors, missions leaders, and next-generation leaders will explore practical ideas on how to engage your students in God’s work in the world through missions. From living everyday life on mission to local missions to global missions, this breakout will help you build processes and systems to help move the students in your ministry from the sidelines to the frontlines of missions.
From its roots in the beginnings of the founding of the United States, Methodism has understood its mission to be "spreading scriptural holiness." This mission lit a fire for every Methodist circuit riding preacher to move out from their place of comfort and spread the gospel throughout the American frontier. Once Methodism had spread all the way West to the Pacific Coast, they instinctively began sending missionaries across the world to continue their mission. This workshop will outline the meaning and significance of the Methodist mission to "spread scriptural holiness" and show its relevance for evangelism and missions today.
Majority world Christianity is familiar with the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. They experience the gifts of the Spirit and the miraculous on a regular basis. They minister deliverance from demonic powers, healing, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. "Charismatic" Christianity is normative in the 2/3's world. Why is it not so with the church in the West? Why do we not minister deliverance, healing, and the power of the Spirit with such regularity and fluency? Dr. Bellini understands the problem as a worldview problem. The operating worldview in the West does not account for the "invisible" world of angels and demons. It does not allow for the daily supernatural activity of the Holy Spirit. Learn more about worldview, spiritual warfare and deliverance so that you may be equipped to demonstrate the power of the gospel and set the captives free.
Sarah Parham — Come join as we look forward to what’s next for all of us as we follow Jesus and His great commission. We will celebrate what God is doing and explore how mission agencies and churches can partner together for the sending of the next generation of missionaries. We will also share practical next steps for individuals and churches ready to engage in God’s mission.
Discover how the Chalmers Center, creators of the best-selling When Helping Hurts, has partnered with churches worldwide to train thousands of leaders and reach over 3 million people living in poverty. This is your opportunity to explore how these resources can transform your ministry and community.This interactive workshop is designed to equip Global Methodist Church leaders in the Majority World with tools to address poverty and foster sustainable change. Learn about the Chalmers Center’s Christ-centered training and resources, including programs that equip leaders to proclaim the gospel in both word and deed, apply biblical principles to care wisely for those in poverty, organize savings groups to empower families, and encourage entrepreneurship to improve livelihoods.
Have you ever felt that missions can become more about doing than being, about building instead of connecting? Based on John 15 and the Greek word meno (abide), this workshop explores how a simple yet profound shift — embracing a ministry of presence — can transform the way we engage in missions.
Learn how "abiding" redefines missions from transactional to transformational, emphasizing relationship over results and connection over construction. Discover how abiding in Christ inspires a new way of serving, where being present with others becomes the most powerful expression of love and partnership.
Through personal stories, scripture reflection, and practical insights, this session will challenge you to reimagine missions as a journey of abiding, both in Christ and with the people you are called to serve. Whether you’re a seasoned missionary, a short-term volunteer, or simply curious, this workshop will encourage you to prioritize presence and leave a lasting impact that flows from the heart of abiding.
How is your church responding to God's call to love and welcome immigrants in your community? This workshop invites you into the welcome journey—a transformative process rooted in Scripture and God's heart for immigrants. We'll explore the Biblical foundation for loving immigrants and how this understanding leads us to both kollaō (deeply connect) with immigrants and practice philoxenos (Biblical hospitality). Through powerful stories and practical steps, we will discover how the Church can embody God's love by creating pathways of welcome. Join us to discern how your church can actively reflect the love and justice of Jesus, making space for immigrant newcomers to experience true belonging and connection.
The best programs make people in poverty the protagonists of their own stories. We’ll introduce you to real world examples of innovative programs you can integrate into your church or ministry's community outreach programs. Models include: Food Co-ops, Earn-it Projects, Christmas Markets, Work Shuttles, Award for Performance, Childcare Co-ops, Discounted Provider Networks, Mentorship & more."