Table Group Discussions provide a fantastic way to connect with peers and colleagues over dinner while conversing on specific issues relevant to your role or ministry. We have slated the following discussions for dinner on Wednesday and Thursday.
Location: You’ll find these tables in the Palms Ballroom where dinner is served. Follow the signs for Table Discussion Groups and grab a seat at the table. Seating is limited so be sure to arrive early.
Wednesday Evening Table Discussion Groups
Table 1 The Impact of Mission on Bengali Society
This table will provide space for collaborative dialogue around the unique opportunities and challenges of mission among the Bengali people—one of the largest and least-reached populations in the world today. Let’s explore practical ways to strengthen efforts and partnerships in reaching Bengalis with the Gospel. Facilitated by Jagannath Naberjee, Kristalaya Mercy Mission
Table 2 Christ-Centered Use of AI in Ministry
How does your ministry use AI? Does it have a role in outward-facing use cases? How can it be leveraged to help fulfill the Great Commission? Facilitated by Jake Carlson, The Apologist Project
Table 3 The Great Commission Needs a Great Connection
Together, we will explore how field workers can strengthen their ministry by engaging ordinary Christians beyond the mission field, improving communication with supporters and sending churches, and mobilizing believers through prayer, encouragement, and practical help. Facilitated by Scott Elequin, Switchboard
Table 4 Where Does Training Fit in Your Organization?
Most mission-sending leaders would agree that training is an important consideration, but how is that agreement lived out in how our organizations are structured? How does your organization’s structure support or hinder quality training? Facilitated by Dick Freed, One Mission Society
Table 5 Mission Collectives Throughout North America
What if missions orgs and local churches worked together to develop city-wide “collectives” that can collaborate together through combined events, “adopting people groups”, hosting classes like Perspectives together, etc.? Come share ideas! Facilitated by Grant Haynes, Global Frontier Missions
Table 6 Start Your Own Podcast!
A Missio Nexus Discussion group inspired me to launch The TŌV Podcast. Over 100,000 downloads later, the ministry continues. What message do you have that people need to hear? Facilitated by Levi Hazen, Life in Messiah
Table 7 Data-Driven Insights to Support Global Ministry Decisions
This table will discuss research and strategic information that provide data-driven insights to support global decision-making, ministry effectiveness, and cultural engagement through research, analysis, and strategic communication and collaboration. Facilitated by Lara Heneveld, Team Expansion
Table 8 Social Media: When You Have More Than One Audience
How do you build an effective social media strategy when you need to both engage the recipients of your ministry and enroll donors in the cause? Facilitated by Martha Korban, Cafe 1040
Table 9 “Relevant Presence” as Core Strategy
How do you establish Relevant Presence amidst global nationalism and generational shifts. How is your organization navigating the changing environments where foreigners are decreasingly welcome/respected, and younger generations shift towards “go and get a job” rather than “raise support and serve Jesus”? Facilitated by Josh at fireflyproject.org.
Table 10 Cultivating Resilient Field Leaders: Sharing Proven Strategies
Join us to explore proven ways to train, mentor, and support field leaders—sharing insights, challenges, and best practices to help them thrive with resilience and long-term effectiveness. Facilitated by Bob McNabb, Missio Nexus
Table 11 New Opportunities to Practice Hospitality to Strangers
How do we remain faithful to the call to be hospitable to strangers in the current political and social environment? Is there a way to bridge the divide that is taking place between those who emphasize legal issues and those that emphasize compassion? Facilitated by Richard Mendola, International Friendships
Table 12 The Future Role of BAM
How do mission sending agencies view BAM, and what impact will it have, if any, over the way missions is carried out over the next 5 to 10 years? Facilitated by Herbert Severin, Marketplace & Development Enterprises
Table 13 International Grant-Making: Partnership and Accountability
We want to collaborate as partners and peers. Funding distorts relationships. Accountability is dictated by federal regulations and principles of good stewardship. How do you handle these tensions? Facilitated by Timothy Stoker, Wycliffe Bible Translators
Table 14 Gathering of Those Who Work in Leader Development
Are you in charge of Leader development in your organization? We will look at ways to build connection with other leader developers in order to share resources and best practices. Facilitated by Jenn Williamson, Missio Nexus
Thursday Evening Table Discussion Groups
Table 1 Four Constraints Impacting Missionary Training
This group discussion will focus on how the tension between the constraints of time, quality, money, and scope impact how missionary training is being delivered in our organizations. Facilitated by Dick Freed, One Mission Society
Table 2 Mobilizing Minority and Diaspora Groups into Missions
Come share thoughts, ideas, struggles, and breakthroughs concerning mobilization of ethnic minorities in North America. What can we learn from those seeing African, Hispanic, Asian American and other individuals/churches engaged in the work? Facilitated by Grant Haynes, Global Frontier Missions
Table 3 Whole Missionary Family Care
How do agencies effectively provide care and support to whole missionary families when only one individual is the agency’s “employee”? Facilitated by Tim Hood, Shepherd’s Staff
Table 4 Travel Solutions for Mission Teams
We will go around the table sharing what people have learned from past travel-booking experiences – scoring great prices, avoiding financial mistakes, navigating delays and cancelations well, and fair reimbursements practices. Facilitated by Luis Lama, Summit Travel
Table 5 The Changing Face of International Student Ministry
How do shifting populations of international students, visa restrictions, and global growth of ISM affect those connected to international student ministry? Facilitated by Richard Mendola, International Friendships
Table 6 The Effective Use of Narrative in Mission Mobilization
Stories, both fiction and non-fiction, are an effective way of drawing readers into the cause of missions. “Narrative Missiology” does just that. If you are an author or potential author let’s discuss together how to effectively do that. Facilitated by Marvin Newell, Missio Nexus
Table 7 Is Covid or the Generational Shift the Real Issue?
Covid accelerated the generational shift from millennial to Gen Z. Most organizations think that they’re still recovering from covid but the problem might be that they haven’t shifted their focus to the next gen. How do you know and adapt? Facilitated by Nicole Parks, Cafe 1040
Table 8 Intercultural Agility
As we go and as the world comes, we are interacting globally. Becoming a cultural learner instead of a cultural critic is vital in our divided environment if we truly desire to establish relationships and build God’s kingdom with the Gospel. Facilitated by Linda Reavis, Wycliffe Bible Translators
Table 9 What Happened to the Men? the Striking Skewing
The striking underrepresentation of men in missions, a phenomenon unpredicted in scripture, has impacts on mission-critical concerns of our organizations. Innovative thinkers come together to discuss realities, implications, and response. Facilitated by Kathy Sands, Lift Off
Table 10 Meeting Sending Challenges
What are the 3 biggest problems missions sending agencies have to deal with today, and what problems will be expected in the next 20 to 50 years? Facilitated by Herbert Severin, Marketplace & Development Enterprises
Table 11 Cross-Cultural Church to Church Partnerships
What to look for in a Cross-Cultural Church to Church Partnership. What are the factors that will ensure success? How can your church benefit from a partnership like this? What are some issues to be aware of that can harm your partnership? Facilitated by Daniel Shoemaker, Reciprocal Ministries International
Table 12 The Great Commission Goes Digital: Activate Your Church
96% of unreached groups are digitally accessible. Millions of Christians are ready to serve but lack direction. Let’s explore how to mobilize them to own The Great Commission. Facilitated by Heather Trumpfheller, Switchboard
Table 13 The Intersection of Global Missions and Higher Education
Join us for a conversation with Ed McManness and Paul Cornelius on the intersection of global missions and higher education.
Missio Nexus encourages interaction on diverse and difficult topics. Be aware that the information shared in these discussions may not reflect the views of the Missio Nexus staff, board, or other community members.