Mission Leaders Conference 2026 · Recap

A look backat MLC 2026

Over three days in Orlando, 1,066 mission leaders gathered around one question: what does it take to shape disciples who last?

WhenSeptember 23–25, 2026
WhereOrlando, Florida
ThemeDEEP: Shaping Global Disciples
By the numbers

1,066 missionleaders.One gathering.

Leaders from across the missions ecosystem came together in Orlando to learn, worship and build relationships that carry on long after the last session.

Read the full recap
Mission leaders1,066Pastors, practitioners and ministry professionals.
Organizations400+Agencies, churches, ministries, businesses and partners.
Workshop tracks13From executive leadership to people care.
Breakout sessions60+Practitioners learning alongside their peers.
The 2026 theme

DEEP:Shaping GlobalDisciples

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.

Bob McNabb at the podium under the Deep and Wide keynote slide
Attendees talking in a group in the ballroom between sessions
A speaker at the podium in front of the Shaping Global Disciples slide
A speaker on the main stage under a Together for the Kingdom screen
Attendees talking in the exhibit hall
Keynotes

Voices from the main stage

Closing keynote · Ted EslerWhy Discipleship Doesn’t Scale: Four Observations to Close MLC 2026
Anna Liu
Anna LiuA Persecuted Church’s Testimony: Beijing Zion Church’s Story of Faith Under Fire
Bob McNabb
Bob McNabbDeep and Wide: Why the Great Commission Needs Both Evangelism and Discipleship
Robert Asirsians
Robert AsirsiansDiscipling Farsi-Speaking Believers: A Contextual Model for the Iranian Church
Ted Esler
Ted EslerWhy Discipleship Doesn’t Scale: Four Observations to Close MLC 2026Featured above
In their words
“Had so many divine connections… it was the hallway conversations that will literally change the world!”
2026 attendee
“Thursday night I sat at a table with four other true peer CEOs… For that dinner, the loneliness of senior leadership wasn’t there.”
2026 attendee
“Eating together is such a rich experience at Missio Nexus… I always come away with new relationships that strengthen my faith and ministry.”
2026 attendee
“It’s the highlight of our year.”
2026 attendee
Highlights

Moments worth remembering

Ted Esler presenting the Lifetime of Service Award on stage at MLC 2026

Lifetime of Service Award

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

An award plaque presented on stage at MLC 2026

Excelerate Award

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

The new Missio Nexus logo on the main-stage screen with the band below

A new brand, unveiled

Ted Esler introduced the refreshed Missio Nexus brand and the website you’re on now.

Thank you to our sponsors

MLC 2026 was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and partners.

Save the date:MLC 2027

September 14–16, 2027 · Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Spotsylvania/Fredericksburg, Virginia

More details coming soon.