Breakout Sessions

SATURDAY SESSION 1

Unique Challenges for Women in Missions

Laekan, Student Strategist, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Kim Andrews, Campus Minister, University of Alabama
Room 347

Are they challenges or are they opportunities? Or both? Bring your questions, talk it through with women who have mentored others through the process of living on mission where you are now and where you will go.

Worship is the Goal and the Fuel of Missions

Worship Initiative Team
Room 443

“Therefore, worship is the goal and the fuel of missions: Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Missions is our way of saying: the joy of knowing Christ is not a private, or tribal, or national or ethnic privilege. It is for all. And that’s why we go. Because we have tasted the joy of worshiping Jesus, and we want all the families of the earth included.” – John Piper In this breakout, we will move together from theology to practice—examining the relationship between worship and missions and answering what it practically looks like when we go. We’ll discuss how worship can be thoughtfully incorporated into cross-cultural contexts, helping participants think biblically, creatively, and humbly about worship as they engage in God’s mission among the nations.

Seeing Your Campus as a Mission Field

Brock Langley, Campus Minister, University of Alaska Anchorage
Room 444

Let’s explore ways to shift our mindset from campus being a place we attend to a place we serve.

Use this Broken Vessel, Lord - How God Can Use Regular, Every Day People and Jobs to Impact the World

Hannah, teacher, International Christian School of Budapest, Hungary
Room A401

Your life doesn’t have to be “perfect” for God to use it. You don’t have to have things “all together” in order to come to Jesus or to serve God. He can use a normal, 9-to-5 kind of person for His glory and the good of those around you!

You Belong in the Great Commission: Black Students and God’s Global Mission

Julius Tennall II, Summit Church
Room A402

This session invites Black students to explore their place in God’s global mission while honestly addressing common challenges such as family expectations, fundraising, safety, and limited exposure to missions. Together, we’ll consider how God uses our stories, communities, and calling to send us faithfully to the nations.

Staying Healthy: Being Healthy (Spiritually and Physically) Enough to Go – What Does it Take?

Janna Smith, American Peoples Next Gen Strategy Team Leader, Mexico
Room A406

Are you healthy to serve in missions? Come learn about requirements to serve, but more importantly, come learn about loving the Lord with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. This is about grace and growth – not judgement.

Reaching People Who Don't Want to be Reached

Patrick, IMB Missionary, France
Room A408

In a post-Christian world it isn’t that people have heard the Gospel, instead many have a concept of God and the Gospel and choose to reject both. In this session, we will look at tangible principles to incorporate into our daily lives in order to open doors for spiritual conversations with those who have intentionally closed doors to God, the Gospel, and the church.

Summer Missions – Serve Anywhere in the World

One Mission Students Team
Room A411

Thinking about where the Lord may be calling you to serve this summer? Come learn about specific needs and opportunities, and your next steps to go!

How do you reach Next Gen students who distrust institutions but crave connection?

Jake, City Leader, Lima, Peru
Room A412

This session explores conversational and relational approaches to sharing Christ —methods built on presence, listening, and authentic relationships.

Sharing the Gospel to the Cultural Christian

Jerrod Brown, Campus Minister, University of South Alabama
Room A413

This breakout explores how to pursue gospel engagement with people who identify with Christian language, values, or traditions yet may not have encountered the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. Students will discover gospel emphases that will help their friends see Jesus clearly and respond to the good news in faith.

Living On Mission Where You Are

Jonathan, Globalization Catalyst, Portugal
Room B402

We all know we should share our faith, but sometimes we just don’t know how to go about it, and if we’re honest, we’re a little scared as well. In this interactive session, we will learn some easy tools to help us understand why we do evangelism, who we can share with, and what to say. You’ll walk out more confident and ready to begin sharing your story and God’s story.

Representation in God's Story

Dewayne Rembert, Pastor, Flatline Church, Montgomery
Room B403

This session examines the historical and biblical reality that Christianity did not originate in the West but in the Middle East, with early and significant roots in Africa. By exploring passages such as Acts 13:1, we see that multicultural leadership was present in the early church from the beginning. We will address common misconceptions about race, identity, and representation while grounding our discussion in Scripture and church history. Ultimately, this session seeks to strengthen missional clarity, cultural humility, and confidence in a gospel that has always been for all people.

Biblical Manhood – What Does it Really Mean to Be on Mission

Jesse Powell, Church Planting Catalyst, NAMB, Phoenix
Room B404

The world has lots of bad ideas of what it means to be a man. In this breakout, we’ll explore how the Bible defines a man and gives him purpose.

Staying Healthy: Sexual Sin and Addiction - Guys Only

Tanner Ethridge, Thorington Road Baptist Church, Montgomery
Room B405

Have you ever asked, “How can I serve when I can’t get past this sin?” or “Does my sin exclude me from serving?” This conversation about sin and serving is a candid look at the theology of sin and the qualifications of serving.

The Missionary Task and Spiritual Warfare

Cindy, Central Asia
Room B408

There is opposition in every aspect of the M-Task. Come to this breakout session ready to join the battle on your knees!

Project 3000: Finishing the Task-Finding the Last UUPG's

Kelly and Jamie Zbinden, IMB Project 3000
Room B409

More than 3000 UUPGs live all over the world in cities and villages. Some are hidden in plain sight and some are difficult to find. We are looking for Missionary explorers to locate them, learn about culture, discern literacy and needs, develop a prayer network and help our teams with long-term strategies for gospel access and ongoing gospel presence among them. National partners work alongside our Explorers as we pass this vision to the next generation of believers all over the world. We have sent more than 50 Explorers. We would like to send 250 more. Come hear what God is doing around the world and how you can be a part of this venture.

Encouraging and Engaging B.R.I.C.S. (Black Religious Identity Cults)

Troy Gause, Pastor, Cross Community Church, Marrero, LA
Room B412

What are B.R.I.C.S.? What fuels them? Why should we take them seriously?

More Than a Job: Using Your Vocation to Advance Church Planting

Jon Chasteen, Director of Next Gen Mobilization, NAMB
Room B415

What if your future job isn’t just a paycheck, but a missionary assignment? In this breakout, you’ll explore how everyday careers can advance church planting, why churches need more than pastors, and how to make wise, mission-shaped decisions after college.

SATURDAY SESSION 2

Staying Healthy: Sexual Sin and Addiction - Girls Only

Emily Hamilton, Restoration Counseling, Rainbow City, AL
Room 347

Unique Challenges for Women in Missions

Laekan, Student Strategist, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Kim Andrews, Campus Minister, University of Alabama
Room 348

A Voice, A Vision or a Blueprint: Discerning God’s Call to Ministry

Julia, IMB Student Mobilization Strategist
Room 443

What does it mean to be “called of God?” Do you see yourself as being called to serve God with your life? Does every Christian have a calling, or just a special few? How do you know if and when God is calling you to a particular assignment? This session will help you develop a biblical understanding of calling and ways to discern God’s leading in your life.

Seeing Your Campus as a Mission Field

Brock Langley, Campus Minister, University of Alaska Anchorage
Room 444

Let’s explore ways to shift our mindset from campus being a place we attend to a place we serve.

Use this Broken Vessel, Lord - How God Can Use Regular, Every Day People and Jobs to Impact the World

Hannah, teacher, International Christian School of Budapest, Hungary
Room A401

You Belong in the Great Commission: Black Students and God’s Global Mission

Julius Tennall II, Summit Church
Room A402

Marketplace Missions - How to Create, Develop, and Utilize the Marketplace to be on Everyday Mission

Kevin Scott, Pastor, Boston
Room A406

Missional opportunities are available everyday in the Marketplace; from coffeehouses to fitness facilities. This breakout is for anyone who would like to learn how to develop a missional strategy in a business context or learn to recognize daily gospel opportunities outside of traditional ministry parameters.

Reaching People Who Don't Want to be Reached

Patrick, IMB Missionary, France
Room A408

Staying Healthy: Being Healthy (Spiritually and Physically) Enough to Go – What Does it Take?

Janna Smith, American Peoples Next Gen Strategy Team Leader, Mexico
Room A409

Developing a Gospel Culture in the Church

Chuck Smith, Pastor, Cincinnati
Room A411

People don’t just care about what you claim to believe; they care about what they see and experience. If the Gospel message is that the Kingdom has come, then do our churches look like the Kingdom? This session will look at what the role of the church is in regards to reflecting the Kingdom that it claims to represent.

Encouraging and Engaging B.R.I.C.S. (Black Religious Identity Cults)

Troy Gause, Pastor, Cross Community Church, Marrero, LA
Room A412

What are B.R.I.C.S.? What fuels them? Why should we take them seriously?

Sharing the Gospel to the Cultural Christian

Jerrod Brown, Campus Minister, University of South Alabama
Room A413

Faith That Lasts: Following Jesus Through College and Beyond

Zach Beasley, Campus Minister, Alabama State University & Tuskegee University
Room B402

College is full of questions, pressures, and new freedoms. This session helps students explore how to build a faith that’s authentic, resilient, and rooted in Christ amid the chaos of campus life. Through real stories, Scripture, and practical tools, we’ll talk about developing spiritual habits, finding community, navigating doubts, and living missionally on campus. Whether you’re thriving or struggling, this is a space to be honest and encouraged.

Why We Go

Mary Conley, Disciple Making Catalyst, Uganda
Room B403

Scripture is full of support for missions as we see God’s heart for His glory and the nations throughout it. Together we’ll look at what Scripture says about missions in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Medical Missions & Missions Internship

Harrison, Nurse Practitioner, Romania
Room B404

How to effectively use internship opportunities (medical or general) in rural Transylvania for long-term Gospel impact. When I don’t have a desire to be a part of Healthcare strategies, is there still a place for me in reaching a people where Healthcare has been the primary focus/strategy?

Wandering the Wilderness Faithfully: Lessons for Life's Uncertain Seasons

Wes and Ashley Costello, Collegiate & Partnership Director, Metro New York Baptist Association
Room B405

In this breakout, we’ll discuss some things the Lord is teaching us as we navigate unexpected seasons. From God providing for our needs to His guidance in each season, expect to be encouraged and challenged to walk faithfully in the unknown.

Biblical Manhood – What Does it Really Mean to Be on Mission

Jesse Powell, Church Planting Catalyst, NAMB, Phoenix
Room B408

The world has lots of bad ideas of what it means to be a man. In this breakout, we’ll explore how the Bible defines a man and gives him purpose.

Evangelism for Introverts

Clint Culpepper, Campus Minister, Auburn University
Room B412

Do you have friends who seem to naturally share their faith? Do you think, “I could just never do that, I just don’t have their personality?” Join us for this session to discuss what it means and doesn’t mean to be an introvert and how to leverage your personality for sharing the Gospel.

More Than a Job: Using Your Vocation to Advance Church Planting

Jon Chasteen, Director of Next Gen Mobilization, NAMB
Room B415

SATURDAY SESSION 3

Staying Healthy: Sexual Sin and Addiction - Girls Only

Emily Hamilton, Restoration Counseling, Rainbow City, AL
Room 347

A Voice, A Vision or a Blueprint: Discerning God’s Call to Ministry

Julia, IMB Student Mobilization Strategist
Room 443

College Ministry Outside the Bible Belt: What It is Like and How You Can Get Involved!

Jess Senasack, State Collegiate Ministry Director, Maryland/Delaware
Room 444

Have you ever met a college student who didn’t know anything about God or the Bible? Or a student who has rejected the Bible because they don’t like what it says? If you haven’t yet, you will soon! Join us for a session on how to be ready to help reach students like this, or how you can come to the Mid-Atlantic to start reaching them right now.

Explore Your Purpose: Transforming Lives Through International Missions

Chris, IMB Church Planting Catalyst, Mexico
Room A401

Looking to make a difference in the world? Explore how your story fits into God’s work among the nations. Learn how ordinary people live out extraordinary purpose on the mission field.

Marketplace Missions - How to Create, Develop, and Utilize the Marketplace to be on Everyday Mission

Kevin Scott, Pastor, Boston
Room A406

Faith That Lasts: Following Jesus Through College and Beyond

Zach Beasley, Campus Minister, Alabama State University & Tuskegee University
Room A408

Going with IMB | Pathways to the Mission Field and the Application Process

Madai, IMB Candidate Consultant
Room A409

Join IMB’s candidate consultant to explore ways and next steps to going with IMB to reach the nations.

Being God’s Ambassador to International Students on Your Campus

Beth Gardner, Campus Minister, University of South Alabama, and Rachel Bedford, Campus Missionary, University of South Alabama
Room A411

Be equipped and inspired to live as God’s ambassadors among international students on your campus—building genuine friendships, sharing Christ across cultures, and reflecting God’s love in a global community right where you are.