Still Unshaken @ 25!

For the beginning of our 25th year, the Lord provided perhaps the most glorious Pacific Northwest weather we have ever had, and our “unshaken” theme resonated well as both a look back, and a look forward to, Lord willing, the next 25 years!

Looking back for perspective…
MissionConnexion Northwest was birthed with 9-11 as the backdrop in 2001…
– then MissionConnexion Southwest was birthed with the global Covid pandemic as the backdrop in 2021…
– and with the Gaza-Israel conflict in the background, here we are collaborating with church leaders in that part of the world, preparing to launch what they are calling “Mission Connection Middle East”, with God’s help, this Fall.

ALL Praise goes to Jesus Christ for His abundant Glory!

What those attending said about “unshaken”…

• “I especially loved Pam Arlund best speaker so far! I recommend having a ‘singles’ event at this conference so that Christians called to missions might be able to meet!”
• “Nowadays I’m a mom who is also a welcomer of internationals…currently being called to stay and be a welcomer… possibly expanding into refugee ministry as international student population is dwindling.”
• “Stetzer was a highlight, and what he said about being concerned about folks separating their heart for God from God’s heart for the nations has really stuck with me.”
• “Two of our young men responded to Reid Saunders and went forward…”
• “Encouraged by what Ed said about openness in Portland…and Jim Elliott and John Chau were both native sons!”
• “Great to see The Ambassador’s Forum impacting youth at a critical time in their lives.”
• “As a Perspectives leader, not manning the exhibit, I was blown away by the interest.”
• “Impressed with Send Radio…my first time seeing a 3-D Printer, and how little it costs to make a big impact in audio only cultures, plus value for shut-ins locally.”

Attendees participating in person and online were also ‘unshaken’…

• 6 Individuals gave their lives to Christ responding to the invitation given by Reid Saunders in the closing session!
• 1,901 registered– highest turnout since the pandemic – came in person from a variety of backgrounds and locations!
• About 687 first-timers attended in person which represents 36%!
• Churches: over 350 were represented

In Person:

• 21 States: Attendees from over 42% of the USA were represented in person, in descending order: OR, WA, CA, NC, TX, CO, PA, MO, NV, AK, AZ, MI, IN, MN, VA, IL, TN, DC, LA, MD, UT
• 5 Countries came in person: USA, Egypt, British Columbia, Canada, and Kenya, West Africa!

Online:

• Our online Live-Streaming audience included: OR, WA, CA, IL, TX, LO, OH, AZ, NJ, UT, MI, CO, MS, MN, FL, AR, AL, ID, IA.
• 6 Countries Watched Online: USA, New Zealand, Mexico, Hong Kong, Cameroon, and South Africa!
• 98 Exhibitors which included 18% first-timers!
• 53 Workshops: Over 1757 attended in total over the four 16 tracks sessions. Listen to all of them here .
• Leadership Connexion: 70 attended “The State of the Church, The Future of Missions, and a Gospel Path Forward” with Dr. Pam Arlund, and Dr. Ed Stetzer
• The Unfinished Story for Youth: We had ten on Friday and 56 on Saturday who came to this event. There were two youth groups and a handful of individuals. This was fantastic for a first time event in the Northwest!
• STM Connexion provided a “conference within a conference” for the 4th year in a row. There were 62 registered. The room was full. The connections were great.
• Videos: Live stream recordings are on the website.
• Gift Match Challenge: Generous MissionConnexion donors invested $35,000 toward a principal amount with hopes it could be matched during the January event. We are 85% of the way to reaching our Match Goal so if you would like to donate, you may do so online here, or send a check.
• To sum up: In response to the “Next Steps” invitation at the closing of the last session, many people came to the front indicating their desire to serve as a Learn-er, Pray-er, Mobilizer, Sender, Welcomer, or Go-er!

Finally, I just want to add a few personal comments on reaching this 25th anniversary milestone…
First, this whole endeavor began with a Vision the Lord gave me in 1994 – 31 years ago – and my wife, Joan, receives much credit for helping me discern the will of the Lord in it all.

• We waited on the Lord for the first eight years to show us how and what to do next…
• After we launched in 2001, we operated as an “all-volunteer army” for the first eight years, until she and many others felt it was time for me to go full-time, and receive a salary which we had no resources or infrastructure for.
• She has been a constant support and helped me navigate challenges we faced as the ministry grew and matured. I could not have done any of this without her.

Secondly, from the very beginning, this whole vision-turned-ministry has been a team effort. Initially, it was fellow mission leaders like John Wilson, Norm Cook, Gary Anderson, Doug Hazen, Mike Hildenbrand, John Jordan, Dan Larsen, Bob Wagar, Dan Ferguson, and others who agreed to pray. As we developed various areas of responsibility for jobs that needed to be done, other leaders stepped up like John Link, Jim Davis, David Bilby, Dean Sandow, Gary Cowles, Barry Arnold, Pat Thurman, Jonathan Martin, CJ Coffee, Steve Rouse, Rick Calenberg, Gilbert Gleason, and later, board members Greg Stamm, Scott Ballard, Bob Ervin, Holley Clough, Peggy Speck, Earnestine Cellestine, Bas Vanderzalm, Bill Zipp, Ed Dressel, Dennis Fuqua, John Jordan, and Brian Heerwagen. Many have moved out of the area, some to Heaven, and others to different ministries, far away. Additionally, there were many churches that stood with us and continue to stand with us like Greater Portland Bible Church, Good Shepherd Community, Village Church, Cedar Mill Bible, Sunset Church, Helvetia Community, Laurel Community, Rolling Hills, Crossroads, Solid Rock, Southwest Bible, Southwest Hills Baptist, Grace Bible Fellowship, River West, Gospel Fellowship, etc. All were essential to MissionConnexion taking root, growing, and expanding.

Thirdly, I was completely surprised by the presentation of both the 25th anniversary video that was created and presentation on the platform by my colleague, and MissionWorks Executive Director, Brian Heerwagen, of the gift clock which appropriately proclaims our conviction: ”A quarter century…and we’re just getting started!” Then there were the completely unexpected ‘cameo appearances’ on video congratulating us on this milestone from previous keynote speakers like Joni Eareckson Tada, Andrew and Kevin Palau, Sean McDowell, Bob Goff and others. All these details were orchestrated by Shirley Radford, my Executive Assistant, who loves to stay in the background, but who manages every conference’s details and makes it possible for me to do all of the things that only I can do. Thank you Shirley, we could not function without your hands-on skill, wisdom, and “can do” spirit!

This “unshaken” frame of mind is leading us, after extended prayer and concerted collaboration with about 100 churches in Egypt, culminating with the Partnership Conference led by Kasr el Dobara Evangelical Church of Cairo at the conclusion of our event…to a Mission Connection Middle East this Fall of 2026 which we will be sharing more details about in coming months, so please pray.

May the Lord continue to help you grasp all He is leading you to do and become for the Great Commission – unshaken!