Five members of the Global Partners Impact Team—Scott Soden, Paul and Barb Stanley, Stacy Maggard, and Tom Schiefer—recently returned from the MissioNexus Missions Conference. MissioNexus is an organization that supports mission-minded leaders and churches through training, relationships, and other programs. The theme of this year’s conference, a four-day event, was “Echo: Amplifying the Need for Global Evangelism.” The conference was underpinned by scripture such as 2 Corinthians 5:20, John 17:20-21, and Matthew 28:19-20 (the Great Commission). The MissioNexus conference was encouraging, challenging, and energizing, not just to our team, but to all of the 1,100 attendees.
The Undiminished Urgency of the Gospel
The overarching truth amplified at the conference was clear: The need to spread the good news of the Gospel remains as prevalent and important today as ever. While much attention was rightfully placed on traditional unreached people groups across the globe, a surprising and significant takeaway was the recognition of new mission fields within the West. Many previously ‘reached’ cities and rural areas are now home to large, unreached people groups. The mission field is no longer “over there”; it is increasingly right here.
Engaging the Global Youth Culture
A highlight for the team was the profound message from Aaron Pierce of Steiger International. Pierce passionately encouraged mission workers to engage the global youth culture. In his message, he said that while many young people are restless and spiritually hungry, they are not interested in walking into a traditional church. This spiritual hunger transcends borders and cultures. Even in challenging regions like Saudi Arabia, the youth are connecting globally through social media, seeing the need for something beyond the hate and domination sometimes promoted by their reigning religion. Pierce’s testimony confirms a powerful truth: God goes ahead of us, awakening his people in places we’ve scarcely begun to go.
The Power of Partnership and New Resources
The conference underscored the critical need for sharing resources and partnership to effectively meet the vast needs of the world. Many breakout sessions focused on developing relationships between churches, para-church organizations, and indigenous ministries to ensure the Gospel is spread efficiently and broadly.
Furthermore, a large section of the program was dedicated to helping the next generation of leaders, pastors, and missionaries learn new ways to engage the world. The exhibition hall was a vibrant hub of ministry tools and resources, including:
- Travel agencies focused on mission trip travel logistics
- Specialized mission trip insurance and medical providers
- Sending agencies offering experience, support, and infrastructure.
- Mission trip planning tools.
The Global Partners team enjoyed networking with new friends, fellowshipping with one another, and gathering information to bring home.
Call to Action: Seeing Our Neighbors with Fresh Eyes
The energy and challenge of the “Echo” conference must not fade upon our return. If mission fields are now appearing in our cities and towns, who are our neighbors, and where is Christ sending us today?
We implore the Brethren community to embrace the insights we brought back by making a tangible shift in perspective:
Look Closely at Your Neighborhood: The unreached people groups that once seemed confined to distant lands now live down the street. They are the coworker, the family at the park, or the new face in your local store. The call to evangelism and discipleship starts where you are.
Engage the Gap: Many of our new neighbors—especially the global youth culture—are searching for authenticity but are uninterested in traditional structures. This is an opportunity to share the Gospel in fresh ways, meeting people where they are through service, hospitality, and genuine relationship.
Start the Conversation: The Brethren Church is called to be Christ’s ambassadors. As you go about your daily life, commit to seeing your community with fresh eyes and seizing opportunities to engage with those you never knew were there.
Looking Forward: Deepening Our Engagement
The insights gleaned from “Echo” have equipped our team with a fresh perspective on the mission field—both globally and locally—and armed us with valuable new resources. Over the next few months, we will be working to engage the Brethren Church with these insights and provide opportunities for our churches to access the many resources we discovered.
We are grateful for the challenging conversations, the encouraging fellowship, and the amplified echo of the Great Commission. We are already looking forward to next year’s conference, themed “Deep: Shaping Global Disciples.”
Respectfully Submitted,
Scott Soden
Director, Global Partners
