Missio Nexus conducts annual quantitative research on mission mobilization across the United States and Canada. To deepen these insights, we partnered this year with researcher Mark Harris to conduct a complementary qualitative study, engaging mobilization leaders from 18 organizations through structured interviews. These leaders representing; ABWE, Action International, AIM, Avant, Compel Global, Crossworld, East-West Ministries, FIM, Globe International, Gospel Mobilization, IMB, International Friendships, Launch Global, MAF, Mesa Global, Pioneers, Send International, and Serge – offered valuable on-the-ground perspectives that enrich and expand our understanding of current mobilization realities.
We are now releasing the first wave of reports from this qualitative research and plan to explore each theme more deeply in early 2026.
Missio Nexus 2025 Quantitative Mobilization Report
Partner Launch Survey
Missio Nexus also co-sponsored a separate quantitative research on mobilization with Gospel Mobilization in 2025. For those findings visit Launch Survey.
2025 Qualitative Mobilization Research
Click on the bars below to link to the .pdf summaries.
The Mobilization Landscape
Organizations face significant drop-off between interest and application, largely due to slow response times—half of agencies take more than a week to reply, while top performers respond within 24 hours. A major shift is underway from a recruitment mindset to a spiritual-direction approach that prioritizes helping candidates discern calling rather than filling slots.
Understanding Generation Z
Gen Z is wary of institutional messaging but responds strongly to authenticity, transparency, and consistent relational investment. They want clear processes and support structures, evaluate entire organizations—not just mobilizers—and prefer skills-driven pathways over location-based appeals.
Universal Best Practices
Rapid response communicates value and is the single strongest predictor of engagement. Agencies that act as spiritual directors, collaborate kingdom-mindedly, offer clarity through action, and prioritize church partnerships see dramatically higher conversion rates.
Critical Systems and Infrastructure
Mobilization succeeds only as far as an organization’s overall health—Gen Z quickly disengages from agencies that seem outdated or disorganized. High-performing organizations prioritize immediate response systems, structured long-term communication, early high-bar assessment, and strong field-preparation pathways including vision trips.
On Going Research:
Missio Nexus will continue to explore these themes through additional research, with expanded reports on each topic scheduled for release in early 2026. If you or your organization would like to participate in future mobilization research efforts, please contact Michael VanHuis, Executive Director of Missio Nexus, at mvanhuis@missionexus.org.
This year’s qualitative research was conducted by Mark Harris, a veteran ministry practitioner, researcher, and nonprofit leader with decades of experience in intercultural studies, global evangelism, and qualitative analysis. Now serving as President of Spiritual Counterfeits Project and leader of Mission Consulting Group, Mark brings deep expertise to this work from his years in Russia, his academic scholarship, and his long service to Christian organizations.