Plenary

Plenary 1 – A Heart to Heart with the Children of Missionaries

What is it like to grow up on the frontlines of Global Missions? This plenary showcases the voices of people born to missions from new sending countries. Together, we will explore the unique joys, profound sorrows, and experiences that shape their lives. These young leaders—dedicated to God’s glory from birth—share what it means to navigate identity, culture, and faith. As member care in some of these regions grows from its early stages, our hope is that the next generation will become the recipients of informed, preventative care.

Plenary 2 – The Journey Continues: Faithful in Every Season

NASA prepares astronauts extensively for launch to outer space. It also plans extensively for their return to earth. An interesting fact – the actual rocket reaches outer space in 8-10 minutes while the trip back to a splashdown takes about 17 hours, a very gradual process where controlled atmospheric conditions are measured so the rocket can re-enter and align accordingly. In a similar manner, missions agencies, churches, and private setups have mostly done well in the launching of missionaries and workers. What do we have in place for coming home, navigating, and entering the next season of life and ministry? Is continuation of ministry necessary to continue to feel fulfilled? This plenary invites us to listen to several missionaries’ stories, specifically preparing the family, finances, and future ministry. They will discuss family dynamics, financial challenges, and whether there are future ministry options. In the Asian context, how might this season affect spouses, children and extended family. Is the missionary’s return home, a burden or a boost to all concerned? Mission agencies and sending churches will also share how they have come alongside missionaries in this return stage. The journey continues. The seasons change. And faithfulness means preparing wisely for what God may be doing in this next steps.

Plenary 3 – Heart to Heart: Listening Across Generations

Bringing children of missionaries and missionaries into one plenary can be especially meaningful, as both groups are navigating seasons of transition—grappling with identity, change, and belonging. Rather than a traditional session, this will be a guided space for attentive, cross-generational listening, where stories are shared, heard, and honored. It is a sacred listening space.