
Lifetime of Service Award
Leighton Ford, for decades of evangelism, mentoring and investing in the next generation of leaders.
Over three days in Orlando, 1,066 mission leaders gathered around one question: what does it take to shape disciples who last?
Leaders from across the missions ecosystem came together in Orlando to learn, worship and build relationships that carry on long after the last session.
The Great Commission calls us to more than making converts. Across keynotes, workshops and hallway conversations, leaders kept returning to one question: how do we form mature disciples who multiply their faith in others?
No single organization has all the answers. The wisdom sits across the whole community.









“Had so many divine connections… it was the hallway conversations that will literally change the world!”
“Thursday night I sat at a table with four other true peer CEOs… For that dinner, the loneliness of senior leadership wasn’t there.”
“Eating together is such a rich experience at Missio Nexus… I always come away with new relationships that strengthen my faith and ministry.”
“It’s the highlight of our year.”

Leighton Ford, for decades of evangelism, mentoring and investing in the next generation of leaders.

Don Barger of the International Mission Board, for helping mission organizations put new technology to work.

Ted Esler introduced the refreshed Missio Nexus brand and the website you’re on now.
MLC 2026 was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and partners.
September 14–16, 2027 · Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Spotsylvania/Fredericksburg, Virginia
More details coming soon.