I don’t get to too many missions conferences. It is kind of awesome I was able to join a missiology conference (EMS) in South Carolina, USA, and now a missions convention in Cavite, Philippines all in one year.

It was a great event and was glad to join. We had four main speakers. Two were former teachers of ours (one at seminary and one online) while another was the head of a major missions mobilization organization, while the fourth was a regional director of one of the largest mission agencies in the world. It was quite an impressive line-up for the 200 to 300 delegates.

Missiology is a bit of a hobby (probably not the right word) of mine. I tried focusing on how they define missions and missionary. For two of the speakers missions, missions was all about UPGs and UUPGs (unreached people groups and unreached unengaged people groups). The third speaker was an expert in Missionary Member Care and so did not address issues of mission definitions. The fourth speaker went in a very different direction than the first two speakers.  I am not sure that he gave clear definitions. However, he definitely questioned looking at missions in terms of people groups. He promoted focusing on people, especially those in the great urban centers of the world. He also encouraged  NOT being guided by “Western” definitions and strategies. The Philippines should discover its own path.

I must admit that I sort of vibe with the last two speakers. I valued the third speaker because I am involved in Missionary Member Care (MMC). I valued the fourth speaker because I believe he is thinking more in terms of where the Philippines can (and should) fit into world missions. I think the influence of Ralph Winter may be a bit too great on the first two speakers. That is not to speak ill of Winter. I just think the “third wave” of Protestant missions has already crested, and we should prepare as the next swell builds. People Groups are no longer central, and we need to emphasize the melting pots (or salad bowls) of the cities of the world.

While I may see greater relevance with the fourth speaker, I am glad to see multiple perspectives. The last Triennial Congress I attended had guest speakers from one organization, and their job was to promote one program from one perspective. And that is perfectly fine, and I had a great time. Still, God’s mission (Missio Dei) is broad. It is good if we can embrace at least some of that broadness.

The testimonies of Filipino missionaries were inspiration and at time heartbreaking. Their dedication to their calling puts many of the rest of us (and I am most definitely including myself) to shame.

The Philippines as a missionary sending country still feels a bit new… and a bit wild. Mission agencies that are not simply departments of foreign agencies are quite young. One Sending Body had its first congress 15 years ago.