Eight Missions Conference Ideas
Preparing for your next missions conference? Here are some good ideas we have heard about. And if you have ideas of your own, we’d love to see them
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All Scripture to All People
There are nearly 7,000 languages in the world today, with the entire Bible translated into 438 of them. This service is designed to help us understand how that might feel and to consider how God might use our unique gifts and skills to participate in His plan bring all Scripture to all people in a language they can understand. Used by permission from College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave, Wheaton, IL
Host an international dinner
At a dinner sometime toward the end of the missions conference, spread out the missionaries at different tables and then ask a person (not the missionary) at each table to share something they learned about the missionary or their ministry. To facilitate discussion, there might be a small sheet of general questions on the table. Used by permission from Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, PA
Host an international bazaar: Around the world in 80+ minutes
Get families involved with a Missions & Me (M&M) workbook
Great for children's ministries. The church chooses six projects and makes up a children’s workbook with each project. The church hands out the books seven weeks before the mission fair; the children work on them and hand them back on the Sunday prior to the fair. Used by permission from Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, PA
Minister to your missionaries
On the Sunday after your missions activities, host a debrief luncheon with just your missionaries, pastoral staff and missions committee. Give an encouraging devotional. Allow for good quiet discussion, pray as they go on their way. Used by permission from Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, Lancaster, PA
Concert of Prayer
Congregations are often told that they are the senders, the ones to give and to pray. Yet frequently, apart from passing the offering plate and poorly attended Wednesday evening prayer meetings, Joe Pew-Sitter has no clue how to be involved praying for missions. Every other year, Calvary Church holds an all-church concert of prayer during Global Missions Week. All other Wednesday night family ministries become part of this all-church event in the sanctuary. Used by permission from Calvary Church, Lancaster, PA
Readers Theater on missions
This is a program for a church that has a large number of missionaries come together for a conference. Instead of introducing individual missionaries, they are involved throughout the entire service. The morning’s message is a Readers Theater style of presentation. Everyone’s role is important in communicating this message. Used by permission from College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187
Scavenger hunt
Great for children's ministries. Have missionaries send in the description of an item or two from their display table that children can check off from a list. Print up some “missions bucks” for the kids to collect either from the missionary, or from a cashier based on found items and then allow the kids to buy items from the store, or better yet from the missionaries who came prepared. Gifts can include interesting candies or global snacks, small cultural icons, pencils or pens, small books, etc. This gets the kids involved and they often sweep their parents into the action. Used by permission from Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, PA
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
