Our Vision
The Upstate Missions Conference exists to inspire, equip, and mobilize churches to take the Gospel to their neighborhoods, their nation, and the nations. Through engaging keynote speakers, practical breakout sessions, and real-world ministry training, attendees will gain the vision, tools, and confidence to make a greater Gospel impact wherever God has called them.
Whether your church is just beginning to engage in missions or has been sending and serving for years, you'll find practical encouragement and actionable ideas to help you take the next step. Designed for pastors, ministry leaders, mission teams, and church members alike, the Upstate Missions Conference offers something for everyone with a heart to see the Gospel advance.
Breakouts
Missionary Care - How to effectively care for our Sent Ones
Greg Queen
Church Engagement Strategist | IMB
Sending missionaries is a privilege and a joy for the church, but our responsibility does not end at deployment. Sending well means caring for missionaries before, during, and after their time on the field. In this session we will discuss strategies for comprehensive missionary care that foster sustainability and maximize impact.
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Serving Refugees
David Johnson
SEND Relief | Clarkston, GA
Details Coming Soon
Love your Neighbour: The neighbourhood as the future of missions
Kris Kuriger
Church Planter | IMB
We've been taught that missions mean passports and plane tickets. The world is in the largest era of migration in recorded history, and much of it is moving West. I live in Manchester, England, one of the UK's most multicultural cities, which is undergoing significant cultural changes. This session looks at loving your neighbour as the future of Western missions: less about going far away and more about how to welcome the nations God is sending to us.
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How to Accidentally Start a Church: Learning to Trust God and Take the Next Step
David Lopez
Pastor | Joy Way Church, New York City
What happens when you simply say yes to God’s next step and that yes leads somewhere you never expected?
In this breakout, David will share the story of how Joy Way Church was “accidentally” planted through a series of ordinary acts of obedience. Together, we’ll explore the challenges and principles of walking by faith, discerning God’s leading, and living on mission when the path ahead isn’t clear. The goal is to equip you to take your next faithful step toward mission, ministry, and life.
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AI and the Great Commission
Scott Nutter
National Director Church Engagement | Faith Comes By Hearing
Using technology to accelerate the translation and distribution of Scripture.
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Hope has an Address | The Church's Role in Foster Care
Andrew + Jo Smith
Associate Missions Pastor & Español Pastor | Church at The Mill
Learn how foster care gives every believer an opportunity to put the gospel into action.
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Living with Islam
Joel Turner
Philippines
What do they believe, how do we share with them and what is life like living among Muslims?
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“Fan into flame the gift of God.”
2 TIMOTHY 1:6