-by Brian Garrison, Associate Mission Director

In October 2017, pastor and author, Paul Chappel,l wrote an article entitled “5 Goals for a Church Missions Conference.”  In it he outlined five proposed outcomes any church should desire when hosting a Missions Conference. (Click here for the complete article)

As we approach the fall season, and many churches are gearing up for their own Missions Conference, it would be wise to consider these five goals.

1. To see the Great Commission come alive

Anyone in their mid-40’s and above will vividly remember the Coca-Cola commercial with Mean Joe Green.  As our missionaries file in and begin to share the incredible things God is doing, and will do, all around the world, we at times become just like that little kid and stand in awe at what is transpiring.  Witnessing the fulfillment of the Great Commission “to the uttermost” can serve as a great impetus to the Church reaching out to their own Jerusalem.

Bright Idea: Have a “Virtual Missions Conference” with those missionaries who can’t physically be present.  Saturday evening is Sunday morning in many parts of the world.  View part of their worship service.  Participate in worship together.  Let the missionary take you on a virtual prayer walk in their community.  Have a live Q&A session with the missionary family.

2. To develop relationships with missionaries

Perhaps one of the most defining characteristics of the Independent Baptist Church is the way we do missions.  Instead of simply sending missions money in to a denominational board…we help send missionaries all over the world.  Each church prayerfully decides which missionaries they should support and one of the best ways to make that decision is to meet them in person.  The Missions Conference is a great way to facilitate this relationship.

Chappell adds that “At missions conferences there are even greater opportunities to meet the missionaries present, seek to understand the unique challenges and needs of their fields, and learn how to pray for them.”

Bright Idea: Harness the power of Social Media to increase exposure to the missionaries your church supports.  See to it that they “follow” the missionaries on the various Social Media platforms used.  The more your people feel like they know the missionary, the more they will pray for them.

3. To develop a heart for missions among young people

Growing up in an Independent Baptist Church I was given ample opportunity to meet literally dozens of real life missionaries and hear first-hand accounts of how God was using them all over the world.  The Missions Conference serves as a link between those who are going and those who are still growing in their faith.  I remember sitting in a particular Missions Conference as a teen, while listening to a missionary to Tanzania share some amazing stories, and thinking… “I could do that.”  And I did!

Bright Idea: Be creative in getting the missionary in front of the youth in your community…chapel speaker for local Christian School or Bible College…5^th Quarter after a High School football game where the missionary is the guest speaker…an interview on a local radio station…

4. To encourage missionaries

Some of the greatest experiences in our missionary career happened in Mission Conferences.  Whether the schedule was busy throughout the week or more relaxed allowing us time to breathe; or, whether we were being introduced with the fanfare of the Rocky theme, we almost always drove away from a Missions Conference recharged and refreshed.

Bright Idea: Use pre-recorded videos to facilitate opportunities for encouragement.  Have each missionary family record a short video detailing some specific prayer requests and play it in a service.  Contact another missionary who is either a friend/family member or serving in the same part of the world and ask them to record a brief video of encouragement for the missionary.

5. To renew our giving commitments for world evangelism

Just as the Lord’s Supper provides each believer with a time for introspection, the Missions Conference is another opportunity to “look to the fields”, evaluating our past efforts and increasing our faith to allow the Gospel to reach the ready harvest.

Bright Idea:  Have missionaries share their own Faith Promise giving stories.  Seeing that those who go are also giving sacrificially can have quite an impact on your congregation.

Whether your Missions Conference is one day, one week or somewhere in between, we are here to help.  The BBFI Mission Office stands ready to assist in making your event a successful one with various available resources:

•      Design Packs built with speed, cost, and ease in mind, each item can be used as is or customized to fit your church’s needs. Packs are complete with banners, bulletin covers, posters, invite cards, looping video elements, and much more. Click here to see our Design Packs.  
•      Mission Videos give you content from the BBFI perspective. Geared towards evangelism, discipleship, and church planting all around the world, we want to inspire and encourage believers to fulfill the Great Commission.  Click here to see our videos or visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more.
•      Faith Promise Materials act as tools that will help prepare hearts and minds before your Faith Promise Commitment day.  Click here to see the Faith Promise Resources available.
•      Guest Speakers (all Directors travel regularly). Please contact our office at 417-862-5001 and we will be glad to help make that connection.
•      List of available missionaries who could potentially participate in your Missions Conference.

Please let us know how we can help maximize the missions impact you desire to make with your church!