Mobilizing the next generation for cross-cultural mission work is one of the most urgent challenges facing churches and mission agencies today. This page brings together a growing body of research, insights, and analysis focused on understanding how people discern a call, what factors shape their engagement, and where current mobilization efforts are succeeding—or falling short. Drawing from multiple research approaches and practitioner perspectives, these resources are designed to inform strategy, provoke thoughtful reflection, and support those stewarding the future missions workforce. New studies and articles will be added regularly as this work continues.
Research on Mobilization
Explore the latest mobilization data from Missio Nexus member agencies by clicking below, or watch our AI created video below for a concise overview of the report.
2025 Qualitative Mobilization Research
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.
Mobilization: Gen-Z
Mobilization of the next Generation of missionaries is always a relevant and timely issue! Check out our brand new infographic on mobilizing Gen-Z and research documents focused on Gen-Z perspectives.
Mobilization: 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Mobilization succeeds only as far as an organization’s overall health—Gen Z quickly disengages from agencies that seem outdated or disorganized.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.
Link here to see graphics, reports and audio overviews of this research.
Mobilization: Church Partnerships
The local church serves as the primary sender of missionaries, with mission agencies acting as supportive facilitators. Strong church partnerships are key to long-term field retention and effective missionary preparation. Agencies bypassing the church face higher attrition rates and reintegration challenges, making formal partnership agreements essential for success.
Link here to see graphics, reports and audio overviews of this research.
Mobilization: Short-Term Pipeline
Research across 18+ mission organizations reveals that short-term missions excel at inspiration but consistently fail at integration, leaving a significant gap between emotional impact and long-term commitment. To close this gap, organizations must shift from project-centered trips to discipleship-centered design—pairing participants with long-term field workers, prioritizing immersive one-to-three-month experiences, and following up within 72 hours of return to transform short-term missions into robust pipelines for the next generation of global laborers.
Link here to see graphics, reports and audio overviews of this research.
Mobilization: Kingdom-Minded Collaboration
Kingdom-minded collaboration prioritizes a candidate’s calling over institutional recruitment. By referring candidates to better-fit agencies, organizations build trust, foster reciprocity, and ensure long-term missionary success. Shift your focus from “recruiting” to “kingdom stewardship” for global impact.
Link here to see graphics, reports and audio overviews of this research.
Mobilization: From Recruitment to Spiritual Direction
Mission organizations are shifting from a traditional recruitment paradigm toward a “spiritual direction” model that prioritizes helping candidates discern God’s unique calling rather than filling organizational slots. This research demonstrates that by focusing on a candidate’s spiritual welfare and “Kingdom fit,” agencies paradoxically build the deep trust necessary to achieve superior mobilization outcomes and long-term field retention.
Link here to see graphics, reports and audio overviews of this research.
Soon to be released mobilization research...
Second Career Missionaries
The Discovery Conversation
Mobilization Technology and Systems
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 [email protected].
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.
Partner Projects and Resources
Missio Nexus also co-sponsored a separate quantitative research on mobilization with Gospel Mobilization in 2025. For those findings visit Launch Survey.
Check out this great printable resource from Gospel Mobilization to fuel mobilizers with the 100 Best Practices of Missions Mobilization!Â
This is a must have resource to print off, discuss with your team, post in your office, and review on a regular basis.