Missions Conference 2025

2025 Conference Theme: CALLED

Theme Verse: 2 Timothy 1:8-9

“8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…” - 2 Timothy 1:8-9

Every believer is uniquely gifted and called by God. Like the Great Commission, this is not just an optional thing but a mandatory endeavor. God is calling every single one of us to be a part of his great plan and story, living our lives missionally anywhere he calls us—not settling for something that is easy or something that we want, but truly surrendering everything to the Lord and obeying his plan and vision for our lives. Throughout the Bible, God set apart his chosen people to be a holy priesthood who minister to Him and witness his name to all nations. Paul is charging the church to take up this same call from the one who has saved us—each chosen for a specific task, vocation, and ministry to live out the grace given to us and bring the Good News to every tribe, nation, and tongue, both in our own communities and to the ends of the earth.

Director's Note

Welcome to the 95th annual Clyde and Anna Belle Cook Missions Conference! It has been such a blessing and joy to plan this conference, lead our incredible staff, and see the ways that God has already been moving on this campus. This conference is by students, for students, so we invite you to lean into the conference and actively engage in the sessions, events, and spaces that have been prepared for you.

Our heart for this year is that every student realizes how YOU are uniquely called and chosen to fulfill the Great Commission. This is a command that God invites each and everyone of us into—to multiply and further his kingdom, bringing his abundant life here and to the ends of the Earth! We and so many others have been praying for this conference & are expectant and excited for how God is going to move!

Schedule

Students will have to obtain 5 total conference credits. All credits over 5 will become chapel credits. Livestream will be available, but cannot be used for credit. Please reach out to chapel.accountability@biola.edu with any questions.

 

 

Creating a Kingdom Culture: Tools & Training for Practical Evangelism

• Speaker: Jerrod Gunter
• Location: Chase Gym
• Description: Jerrod Gunter is the founder of the movement “Riotstarters,” which equips students to create a culture of prayer and evangelism in their schools and communities. Come learn how to practically live out the next steps towards reaching your community for the gospel!

 

Live the Mission: From Campus to the Nations

• Speaker: Eddie Lozano
• Location: Calvary Chapel
• Description: This workshop will provide students with tools and actionable steps to prepare for the mission field while they're in college.

 

Moving Past Our Fears

• Speaker: John and Jenn Chen
• Location: Crowell Music Hall
• Description: Are you sensing God’s call on your life but struggle with fears? Come explore what moving forward can look like through stories, Biblical reflection, and a guided time of listening to the one voice that really matters - Jesus.

 

Making a Difference in Foster Care

• Speaker: Ryan MacDonald
• Location: BUSN 109
• Description: Engaging in foster care is overwhelming. There is so much need and brokenness it is hard to know where to start. In this session foster parent and Regional Director for Foster the City, Ryan MacDonald will share how you can take steps to making a difference in foster care.

 

The Nineveh Protocol and the Great Admission

• Speaker: A Missionary (Anonymous)
• Location: Ethel Lee
• Description: That time I almost sold my friend for a camel, asked my neighbor to invite Jesus into her dog; why the unreached are still unreached.

 

"Who Cares About the Local Church?" — A Panel on Being Called to the Local Church as a College Student

• Panel Speakers: Chad Miller, Rynelle Frow (Southlands Brea), Dr. Joshua Smith (ZOE Center), Wilson Wang and Kristen Whitmore (Renew Church OC), Jonathan Wyatt (Neighborhood Church)
• Location: Mayers Auditorium
• Description: Various ministry leaders discuss what it looks like to be a part of the local church body as a college student, share practical tips on what this can look like for you, and answer your questions regarding this subject.

   
  

CALLED to Worship

• Speaker: Circuit Riders
• Location: Chase Gym
• Description: What does it look like to be called to both The Great Commission and be a musician? Circuit Rider Music delves into their experience and answers your questions surrounding this subject.

 

CALLED to the Science Field

• Speaker: Dr. Kit Ng, Dr. Patrick Sun, Dr. Elaine Kojima Chiu, Dr. Jessica Lu, Professor Terrence Gee
• Location: Mayers Auditorium
• Description: What does it look like to be called to both The Great Commission and work in the science field? Various Biola professors delve into their experience and answer your questions surrounding this subject.

 

CALLED to Educate

• Speaker: Dr. Luciano Cid, Brittany Mann (Teach Beyond), Mary Ivey (ELIC), Lauren Kennedy (Nicaragua Christian Academy International)
• Location: Crowell Music Hall
• Description: What does it look like to be called to both The Great Commission and work in the education field? Various educators from around the world delve into their experience and answer your questions surrounding this subject.

 

CALLED to Film: By the Word of Their Testimony 

• Speaker: Gospel Through a Click
• Location: Ethel Lee Auditorium
• Description: What does it look like to be called to both The Great Commission and work in the film industry? A missionary from Japan shares his story of using film to reach one of the largest unreached people groups. He shares practical tips to develop skills using film as a form of outreach.

 

Yielded, Surrounded & Grounded: Redemption Journeys through Missional Business

• Speaker: Carmen Owen
• Location: BUSN 109
• Description: Delve into the journey of the Naomi House Discipleship and Entrepreneur Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Discover how God is redeeming broken narratives of women, children and families impacted by trafficking, incarceration, abuse and marginalization—bringing hope, healing and sustainability to the “least of these.”

 

How to do Muslim ministry...with confidence!"

• Speaker: A Missionary Couple (Anonymous)
• Location: Calvary Chapel
• Description: Come learn from a couple who have given their lives to see Muslims come to know Jesus! You will be surprised, encouraged, and empowered. You can do it too, not just them!

 

Speed is the Enemy of Missions: A Discussion on Church Planting

• Speaker: Morgan LeBlanc & Ethos 360
• Location: Chase Gym
• Description: A discussion on the challenges of reaching unreached people groups and the necessity of steadfastness in church planting. We’ll explore why deep, lasting ministry takes time, the role of short-term trips, how careers can support missions, and the vital contributions of women—whether as wives, mothers, or ministry workers—in advancing the gospel worldwide.

 

Enter the Story

• Speaker: Hung Thach
• Location: Crowell Music Hall
• Description: In this session, we’ll explore how to enter into the stories of Gen Z and Gen Alpha—understanding their struggles, questions, and perspectives—so we can effectively bring them the life-changing story of Jesus. Through practical strategies, real-life examples, and engaging discussion, we’ll learn how to listen well, build trust, and connect the gospel to their personal journeys in a way that resonates deeply. This seminar will equip you to walk alongside students with empathy and purpose, leading them toward Christ in a meaningful and transformative way.

 

Motherhood in Stages: Living a Life of Hospitality

• Speakers: Laureen Mgrdichian
• Location: Calvary Chapel
• Description: Motherhood is the height of hospitality: you get to clothe the naked and feed the hungry. How do we live a holy life (which He has called us to) when we are waiting upon Him for the fulfillment of desires – such as motherhood – that we feel He has placed on our hearts?

 

Engaging Mormons: Equipping to Reach Current and Former Members of the LDS Church

• Speaker: Melissa Johnson
• Location: Mayers Auditorium
• Description: Mormonism uses Christian terms to teach false doctrine, making it difficult for members to distinguish truth from deception. This workshop will equip you to engage both active and former Mormons with clarity and love, as we define and demystify some key beliefs and identify effective differentiators to help start the conversation.

 

Faith Under Fire: The Untold Story of Manipur’s Refugees

• Speaker: Sean Tornquist (First Peter Ministries)
• Location: Ethel Lee
• Description: Hear how two Talbot students followed God’s call into the war-torn jungles of India, leading to the founding of a nonprofit ministry dedicated to serving 20,000 refugee children.

 

 

Prayer Chapels

• Times: 24hrs Wednesday and Thursday
• Location: 
  • Talbot “Jonah” Chapel: personal or introspective prayer
  • Rose Prayer Chapel: global and corporate prayer
• Description: Stop by any of these prayer chapels for a space to process with the Lord or to pray for the nations!

 

Echoes to the End

• Times: Wednesday 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m.; Thursday: 1-2 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m.
• Location: Metzger Lawn
• Description: Echoes to the End is a walk-through event to pray for the nations. Each country will be represented, and students will be able to go at their own pace.

 

SUB Worship and Prayer

• Times: 3/19 Wednesday and 3/20 Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• Location: Student Union Building
• Description: Join us for a time of corporate worship and prayer! This space is designed to be a set apart place to encounter God’s presence and process conference outside the main sessions. Fellow Biola students will lead worship!

   
  

Global Awareness

• Times: 
  • Wednesday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 3:30-7 p.m., 8:30-9:30 p.m.
  • Thursday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 3:30-7 p.m.
• Location: Kim Dining Room
• Description: Global Awareness is an immersive event walking students through missionaries’ experiences as they share the Gospel with various unreached people groups – a mission field that remains critically lacking in resources today. Through these stories, this room invites students to see what it looks like to be called out of comfort into the unreached nations, catching a glimpse of the need to support and go.

 

Missionary Organization Fair

• Speaker: 3/19 Wednesday and 3/20 Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Location: Lot F by Fluor Fountain
• Description: This event is a highlight of Missions Conference. Missions Organizations worldwide, focusing on local and global missions, have come to Biola to share what they do and how you can get involved.

 

Missionary Picnic/Storytime

• Times: Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Location: Metzger Lawn
• Description: Join us to hang out and listen to stories with missionaries!

 

Creative Engagement

• Time: Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Location: Lower Bardwell Patio
• Description: Creative Engagement is an event that will offer students an opportunity to respond to prompts related to the callings found in scripture, and reflect upon their own callings.

 

Piece by Piece

• Time: Thursday, 5-6:30 p.m.
• Location: Fireplace
• Description: Piece by Piece is an opportunity for students to further engage with Missionary Organization Representatives while listening to live jazz and solving puzzles representing the continents.

 

Marketplace

• Time: Wednesday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Location: Fluor Fountain
• Description: Here, you can purchase merchandise at Fluor Fountain!

 

Sunrise Worship

• Time: Thursday, 6:30-8:30 a.m.
• Location: Metzger Lawn
• Description: This will be a time of worship, coffee, and muffins.

 

Base Camp

• Time: Thursday, 10-11 p.m.
• Location: Fireplace Pavilion
• Description: Join us for a time of worship, prayer, and reflection after Thursday’s evening session! 

 

Serving with Sweetness: Baklava and our Global Mission

• Time: Thursday, 12-1:45 p.m.
• Location: Fireplace Pavilion
• Description: Serving with Sweetness is a two-part event meant for students to reflect on what they are called to through a walkthrough educating on unreached people groups and videos with students that have gone on mission trips to the Maldives, Turkey, and Afghanistan. This event does offer snacks!