(HQ-General Director) "Deep": 2026 Missio Nexus Conference
- Oct 05, 2026
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Pastor Ron Ward
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (Jn 15:16)
I recently returned from the 2026 Missio Nexus conference in Orlando, Florida, which I attended with Dr. Ezra Cho, Pastor Juan Seo, and Pastor Moody Salah. The conference brought together approximately 400 mission organizations and missionary-sending churches that are connected with about 50,000 missionaries serving around the world. These leaders share God’s calling to world mission and a deep commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission. The conference theme was “DEEP,” with a particular emphasis on discipleship.
The closing message was delivered by Ted Esler, president of Missio Nexus. With his broad experience and understanding of North American missions, he offered a sobering assessment of the state of discipleship today. He warned that many mission leaders and churches have not given sufficient attention to personal, intentional discipleship. In particular, he cautioned that large churches may produce shallow and ineffective discipleship if they focus primarily on organizational growth. He also challenged pastors, who are often occupied with many administrative responsibilities, to make time for one-to-one spiritual investment.
Other messages and presentations made a similar point: effective mission depends on deep spiritual formation. One survey reported that 47 percent of missionaries sent from North America return within three years. The reasons are complex, but the survey identified significant factors: inadequate preparation in Bible study, prayer, and spiritual foundations. This reminds us there can be serious consequences if we send people into mission without first helping them grow deeply in Christ.
During the conference, Leighton Ford received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Ford is Billy Graham’s brother-in-law and worked alongside him for 31 years in evangelistic ministry. After the tragic death of his 21-year-old son, Ford reflected deeply on his life and calling. His ministry gradually shifted from a primary focus on large evangelistic crusades toward mentoring younger leaders through personal relationships, Bible study, and spiritual formation. For more than three decades, he has quietly invested in young Christian leaders throughout North America. Several prominent evangelical leaders testified that his personal ministry had profoundly influenced their lives. Now 94, Ford could not attend the ceremony in person, so his granddaughter accepted the award on his behalf.
As I reflected on the conference, I thanked God for University Bible Fellowship. I was reminded that the discipleship heritage we have received is a precious gift and a serious responsibility. Through deep Bible study, Daily Bread, testimony writing and sharing, and earnest prayer, we have learned to patiently invest in people.
We do not always see immediate results, but faithful discipleship produces genuine and lasting fruit over time. Therefore, we must not lose our focus on deep Bible study and personal spiritual formation. If we abandon this calling, we risk losing an essential part of God’s purpose for UBF in North America.
May God help each of us remain faithful to deep Bible study and discipleship, and may he enable us to bear fruit that will last.
