(HQ) 2026 World Mission Congress and Missionary Shepherd Conference
- by ubf media
- Jun 03, 2026
- 16 reads
By Spurgeon Lee
We give thanks and praise to God for abundantly blessing the 2026 World Mission Congress (WMC) and Missionary Shepherd Conference (MSC).
The planning for this event began in the fall of 2024. We gathered feedback from shepherds through surveys and formed a task force. By the summer of last year, we sought to establish the overall direction, prayer topics, theme, and content of the conference. Together with the continental coordinators, we shared information and prayed that this event would be one in which UBF coworkers around the world would participate wholeheartedly. True to its name, “World Mission Congress,” we intended it to be a conference where everyone would take ownership and actively contribute.
Because this was the first in-person gathering in ten years, there was both great anticipation and considerable pressure. Even deciding on the official conference logo and launching the registration website required much time and effort. There were also challenges in revising the message format from our original plans. Above all, preparing a Mission Expo—something never attempted before in UBF history—felt like moving a mountain. Launching the K-Mission Camp for younger generations who might find it difficult to attend the MSC was also a completely new endeavor.
Faith was required in every step. The Lord raised up faithful workers for every task and united us through the faith of offering our five loaves and two fish. We adopted the official theme, “Who Will Go for Us?”, and summarized the event's purpose through the vision of the 3Rs: Restoration, Renewal, and Revival. We also embraced the prayer topics of raising 1,000 short-term and long-term missionary volunteers, welcoming 3,500 participants to the World Mission Congress, and 700 participants to the Missionary Shepherd Conference.
At the National Graduates Shepherds Conference last June, God enabled us to take the first step toward this conference with Isaiah 6:8, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” as the theme verse, and we received nationwide prayer support. The National Young Adult and Student Conference, held in January, served as a bridge to this event and gave us a glimpse of the vision for the World Mission Congress, with nearly 1,000 young adults and students in attendance. Prayer support, personnel, and infrastructure from every continent made this conference feel like a spiritual Olympics.
At times, we felt sorry for many missionaries because we asked so much of them and frequently adjusted their schedules and content. Yet they never complained and instead worked together wholeheartedly. I am deeply grateful for their sacrificial cooperation. Even when the venues for the Congress and Conference changed, missionaries and shepherds trusted the preparation committee and continued to support the work faithfully. We would also like to express our deepest gratitude and respect to the staff shepherds who served beyond their strength in their respective departments. We are thankful for the students who joyfully participated in performances while managing their academic responsibilities and preparing for examinations. Although it was not an easy decision for all Korean chapters to gather at KINTEX on Sunday, May 17, for worship and the Congress, every chapter participated joyfully, and for this we are truly grateful.
General Director, Pastor Ron Ward, repeatedly read, meditated on, memorized, and revised the main message. Through this process, he delivered a deeply moving message that addressed exactly what we needed at this time. From among many testimonies submitted from various continents, four life testimonies were selected and presented. Each testimony had its own unique character and brought fresh inspiration and encouragement.
Many coworkers labored through great pains to prepare the worship and praise, orchestra, choir, drama, dance presentations, and the UBF history video. We are deeply thankful for their dedication. During the Missionary Shepherd Conference, Missionary Livingstone Kang and Missionary Juan Baek proclaimed that living out the way of the cross is the power of God’s salvation. The seventeen life testimony and mission report speakers, along with the twenty-one mission strategy presenters, spent more than seven months preparing and became key contributors to making this conference unforgettable. The eleven Interest Group presenters also provided highly beneficial sessions despite their limited preparation time.
We prepared 3,800 seats, expecting approximately 3,500 attendees at the World Mission Congress, but nearly 200 additional participants arrived, creating an unexpected but joyful challenge. At the Missionary Shepherd Conference, 770 people attended, and another 70 participated in the K-Mission Camp, bringing the total to approximately 840.
We were concerned about whether missionaries and local coworkers from economically challenged countries would be able to attend due to the high costs of airfare and conference registration. However, continental coordinators and Korea Director Nehemiah Kim actively promoted the Congress and Conference at continental gatherings and encouraged participation. Through multiple online forums, we explained the significance of the event and listened carefully to suggestions and feedback.
Most importantly, Korean coworkers offered sacrificial mission offerings beyond their means, and Headquarters also provided generous support. As a result, we were able to invite many who otherwise could not have attended. Most of the missionaries and local shepherds who came testified that they were deeply moved, spiritually renewed, and strengthened to continue living as missionaries. They also expressed renewed hope after witnessing the tremendous potential of our younger generation.
We were concerned about whether missionaries and local coworkers from economically challenged countries would be able to attend due to the high costs of airfare and conference registration. However, continental coordinators and Korea Director Nehemiah Kim actively promoted the Congress and Conference at continental gatherings and encouraged participation. Through multiple online forums, we explained the significance of the event and listened carefully to suggestions and feedback.
Most importantly, Korean coworkers offered sacrificial mission offerings beyond their means, and Headquarters also provided generous support. As a result, we were able to invite many who otherwise could not have attended. Most of the missionaries and local shepherds who came testified that they were deeply moved, spiritually renewed, and strengthened to continue living as missionaries. They also expressed renewed hope after witnessing the tremendous potential of our younger generation.
As with any large event involving thousands of participants, there were some shortcomings and unexpected issues. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused and ask for your gracious understanding.
During the conference, I had opportunities to share meals with the president of Qumran Publishing and the former president of Dongyang University of Arts. Both remarked that this was something only UBF could accomplish and praised the conference as a powerful testimony to the hope of campus mission and world mission.
May God help us use our united strength to prepare well for upcoming summer conferences in every chapter and diligently advance the work of disciple-raising, so that within the next ten years every UBF chapter may experience spiritual multiplication. We pray that Korea, as the Zion of UBF, may continue sending both short-term and long-term missionaries and be used as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. May the Lord, who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, continue to use us for Campus Mission Revival and World Mission Revival. Thank you.
During the conference, I had opportunities to share meals with the president of Qumran Publishing and the former president of Dongyang University of Arts. Both remarked that this was something only UBF could accomplish and praised the conference as a powerful testimony to the hope of campus mission and world mission.
May God help us use our united strength to prepare well for upcoming summer conferences in every chapter and diligently advance the work of disciple-raising, so that within the next ten years every UBF chapter may experience spiritual multiplication. We pray that Korea, as the Zion of UBF, may continue sending both short-term and long-term missionaries and be used as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. May the Lord, who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, continue to use us for Campus Mission Revival and World Mission Revival. Thank you.
Detailed report by Spurgeon Lee attached below.
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