Stories from the Field
Breakout Sessions with our Global Guests
9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
Light Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.
There are three breakout sessions taking place simultaneously each hour. You can choose 1 session per hour.
Breakout Sessions - Hour 1 (9:00-10:00 a.m.)
Faithful Leaders for the Church: Training Pastors Across the World
(Fellowship Hall)
FACILITATOR: ROBERT SEAY
Global Partners serving in Europe, Asia, and Africa share how God is raising up pastors and disciples through theological education, mentoring, and long-term investment.
How does the global church grow effective leaders in varied and different cultural contexts?
Partners serving in Europe, Asia, and Africa share how God is raising up pastors and disciples through theological education, mentoring, and long-term investment. You’ll hear what leadership development looks like from their perspectives, and why it's critical for the future of the church.
Panel Participants:
Marek & Wojciech (Eastern Europe – seminary educators)
Andrew (Asia – pastoral training)
David & Mary Alice (Africa - pastoral training)
The Gospel at Work: Business as Community Member
(Chapel)
FACILITATOR: LEIGH SISTRUNK
Explore how business, education, and professional skills open doors for gospel impact, especially where traditional ministry is limited.
God uses more than traditional ministry roles to reach the nations.
This session will include discussion about how legitimate business, holistic services, education, and professional skills open doors for gospel impact. When traditional ministry is limited or prohibited, creativity and integrity are essential to access and longevity among the least reached. Come hear how every day work is transformed to strategic missions.
Panel Participants:
Jeri with Gigi (Eastern Europe & Middle East; business as community member)
David (Middle East; mobilization; taking your job with you)
Caring for Those Who Go: Global Partner Health, Resilience, and Support
(A121/22)
FACILITATOR: CHRISTY BICKNELL
Come hear how caring for the spiritual, physical and emotional health of those we've sent out is essential for long-term faithfulness in cross-cultural ministry.
Long term cross-cultural ministry is rewarding but demanding, requiring support, resources and daily dependence on the Lord.
Hear from those who serve partners on the field about emotional health, burnout, resilience, and why care is essential for long-term faithfulness. This session is for anyone who wants to support well, sends, or is considering going.
Panel Participants:
Mark & Rhonda (Middle East; global partner care)
Vicki (Middle East field experience & global partner care)
Dawn (nurse, Middle East field experience)
Breakout Sessions - Hour 2 (10:15-11:15 a.m.)
Following the Path of Jesus in the Middle East
(Fellowship Hall)
FACILITATOR: LEIGH SISTRUNK
Stories of discipleship, the underground church, and God’s work among the persecuted church.
What does faith look like where following Jesus means leaving your family, friends, and community?
This session shares stories of discipleship, the underground church, and God’s quiet but powerful work across the Middle East. Come hear how believers are growing in courage, faithfulness, and hope.
Panel Participants:
Jenny, wife of Keynote Speaker (Middle East; church planting & discipleship)
Dawn (Middle East experience)
David & Vicki (regional insight, discipleship and support)
NOTE: (Same region as Hour 1, but different focus: stories & discipleship vs care-oriented)
Evangelism That Builds the Church: From First Yes to Discipleship
(Chapel)
FACILITATOR: CORKY WHITE
How evangelism connects to discipleship, pastoral training, and holistic care.
What happens after someone says yes to Jesus?
Global partners serving in Europe and Latin America share how evangelism connects to discipleship, training, and holistic care—building lasting faith and healthy churches beyond life-transforming decisions.
Panel Participants:
Gabriela & Kateřina (Eastern Europe – evangelism & English camps)
Lety, Abel, & Galo (Mexico – new believers & pastoral training)
Dan (Latin ministry – holistic care, discipleship & evangelism)
Teaching, Training, & Multiplication in Asia
(A121/22)
FACILITATOR: DON SHERMAN
How leaders across Asia are being equipped to multiply churches and movements.
God is multiplying leaders across Asia through training, discipleship, and pastoral development.
Hear how educators, pastors & teachers are equipping local believers to lead their own churches and vibrant communities of Jesus followers,
often with limited resources, but deep faith.
Panel Participants:
Pradip & Judith (Asia – pastoral training & discipleship)
Andrew (Asia – educator & trainer)
Ron (Asia - worship educator)
Closing Large Group – Sending out with One Mission, Many Callings
Gather back in the Fellowship Hall to connect all that we have learned and heard and solidify what the Bible tells us is God’s heart for the nations.