Missio Nexus Recap of *Priority – Mission Leaders Conference in Louisville

Louisville, KY – September 13, 2024 – Missio Nexus concluded the 2024 MISSION LEADERS CONFERENCE and CHURCH MISSION LEADERS CONFERENCE in Louisville on Friday. Over 1,000 agency and church mission leaders convened for three days in Louisville to focus on the theme of “*Priority: Progress, Prospects, and the Panta Ta Ethne,” to network with peers and experts, and to explore seventy available workshops in fourteen tracks.

In the opening keynote, Lisa Pak of Finishing the Task talked about the need for a pure church to accomplish the task of the Great Commission.
 
Later, Shodankeh Johnson of New Harvest cautioned that “The diversity of unreached does not allow you to apply a one-size-fits-all approach.”

Brian Bell, senior pastor at Calvary Murrieta, said that “We go fundamentally because there is no one, absolutely no one, as great as Jesus. He is the One, True, Almighty, and loving God. Who is worth declaring, worth proclaiming, worth obeying. We go because Christ is Great.”

Our closing session featured a panel with Lisa Pak, Peter T. Lee, and Greg Parsons who discussed the benefits and challenges surrounding the unreached people group (UPG) paradigm.

• “[American missiology] is one way to do things, but we must be careful to see it is not the only way. We must be careful about a dogmatic approach to missions.” —Lisa Pak
• “Naturally will draw in more next gen for missions if we emphasize the Great Commission along with the Great Commandment (love God, love others), and the golden rule.” —Peter T. Lee
• “How do we make sure people have access to the gospel – not just access to internet – but with missionaries who can be Jesus in their midst and evangelize to the fringes.” —Greg Parsons

Three honorees were recognized for their service. The eXcelerate Award was presented to Brent McHugh, as an outstanding leader in innovation and excellence. Brent McHugh is the International Director of Christar, providing spiritual, visionary, executive and developmental leadership. The Lifetime of Service Award was presented to Dr. Tom Steller. Tom has lived his life in service to the Great Commission in various roles here and abroad and exemplifies a life well lived. Also worth noting, Wendy Wilson who is retiring this year was presented an Award of Appreciation in grateful recognition of her years of dedicated service to the Great Commission community as director of the Women’s Development Track of Missio Nexus.

Two new Missio Nexus staff members were introduced. Bob McNabb, Director of the Field Leaders Network, and Jenn Williamson, Director of Leadership Formation. We are thrilled to be expanding our membership benefits to include more attention and resources for leaders in the field. May the gospel spread to all peoples of the earth!

Michael VanHuis announced the grantees of the 2024 Innovation Fund!

• Collaboration Grants went to: SIL Global and Switchboard
• Macro Grants went were awarded to: FaithTech, OneHope, and Mission Training International
• Micro Grants were received by: Converge International Ministries, GoLiveServe, Partners International (Canada), World Team, WorldVenture, Outreach Canada Ministries, and Disciple Makers Increase

We give thanks to Byron Aram and Southeast Christian Church for leading us in worship this week. Thanks also to Concilium Inc. for providing an amazing and popular professional portrait station. With appreciation to each exhibitor, the Exhibit Hall was a busy hub of connections and networking every day.
 
After four years at the helm, Ron Nelson has passed the baton to Phil O’Day as our new board chair! We want to express our gratitude for Ron’s visionary leadership and dedication that has helped shape and guide Missio Nexus. Phil O’Day’s experience and commitment to our mission promise an exciting future for Missio Nexus. Thank you, Ron, for your service, and welcome, Phil!

‌The conference would not be possible without the amazing support of our team members and volunteers! Thanks for making Priority 2024 a great success!

Videos of the keynote sessions will be available on the Missio Nexus website soon. Mark your calendars for next year’s Mission Leaders Conference, ECHO 2025, taking place September 24-26, in Orlando, FL.