More than 200 global church leaders convened in Florida from October 20–24, 2025, for the ICOC Delegates Meetings—our first in-person Delegates gathering since 2022 and a powerful reaffirmation of our unity and shared mission. Representing 767 churches in 148 countries and a fellowship of 107,000 disciples, Delegates, Catalyst Team members, Regional Family Chairs, Service Team representatives, and observers came together with purpose, collective care, and passion. Over five days, participants exchanged best practices, received key updates on global initiatives, and openly addressed areas of need with fresh insight and shared resolve, renewing our commitment to building healthy congregations that proclaim God’s love to every corner of the world. By the end of the week, many expressed a renewed conviction that we are far more unified than different, strengthened by the shared mission that binds us together. One attendee noted that the time together “reaffirmed our need for one another” and showed how open, honest conversations are essential to fostering deeper unity.
The week began on Monday with a joint gathering of the global Regional Family Chairs (RFCs) and the Catalyst Team (CT). Catalyst Team co-chair Ron Conkling opened with an excellent presentation tracing the history that led to the 2006 United Plan for Cooperation and the updated Delegate System adopted in 2018. His overview brought clarity and encouragement as he outlined the roles and responsibilities of Delegates, RFCs, and Service Teams. Mathis Wosegien, RFC for Western Europe, followed with an inspiring message titled “Building Healthy Unity.” He reminded us that while unity can be challenging, it is both possible and purposeful—part of the very process God uses to shape us. He began by quoting an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” That afternoon, the RFCs and CT continued their work with discussions on continental groupings and best practices for ensuring healthy leadership transitions.
On Tuesday morning, the RFCs and Catalyst Team reconvened to hear a presentation from the Evangelist Service Team, which highlighted areas of our fellowship experiencing encouraging growth, as well as regions needing renewed focus. This sparked a robust, heartfelt discussion that culminated in two shared affirmations: “Our relationships are more important than any disagreement,” and “We all want to be part of a vibrant, growing fellowship.” Tuesday afternoon was filled with parallel Service Team meetings as they advanced their respective areas of ministry.
The Delegates’ portion of the meetings began Wednesday afternoon with a moving time of prayer as voices from around the world lifted praises in multiple languages. Catalyst co-chair Moufid Tohme and his wife Jessy, from Beirut, opened the session by acknowledging the painful reality of war in many regions and reminding us that “our language is the language of love, unity, and charity.” After a recap from Ron Conkling, Darren Gauthier, elder in Chicago and elder representative on the Catalyst Team, delivered a thoughtful message on “Healthy Disagreement.” He urged us to approach conversations with humility, curiosity, and a genuine desire to understand one another.
Tony Fernandez, Catalyst Team member and evangelist for the host Broward Church, closed the session with a consensus enabling the Catalyst Team to appoint a group to propose a conference rhythm and schedule that will bring clearer values and vision to the fellowship.
Later that day, we heard a presentation on Community Theology and a Statement of Belief, which led into a robust period of table discussions in assigned groups and subsequent sharing with the entire delegation.
On Friday morning, brothers from the SPA Region presented on strengthening and empowering the RFC role. Delegates again broke into table discussion groups and several themes emerged with clarity. Many emphasized the need for consistent and transparent communication from RFCs to their Regional Families, noting that gaps in communication often lead to varied experiences of our global fellowship from region to region. Others affirmed that efforts to strengthen global structures must always remain in step with valuing the local church.
Several comments captured the spirit of the room. Steve Morici from Los Angeles reminded the group, “Relationships lead to movement. It is in times like these—talking to each other instead of about each other—that trust is built.” Sergey Kononenko from Moscow added humor and trust, saying in Russian, “I don’t know what you just said, but I trust you!” John Markowski from New York said, “Expediency and deliberation; there’s a biblical case for both.”
We culminated our time together with a moving and convicting message from Moufid and Jessy Tohme titled “Building Healthy Shepherds.” They called us to be shepherds who serve the flock rather than ourselves, who lead by our example, who “smell like the sheep,” and who willingly sacrifice for the sake of those we shepherd.
As the 2025 ICOC Delegates Meetings drew to a close, we were reminded that our shared mission binds us far more than our differences separate us. We left Florida grateful for the hospitality of the Broward Church and encouraged by the innovative ideas, heartfelt discussions, and testimonies of faith and service shared over these four days. Most importantly, we left with renewed conviction to build healthy congregations, deepen relationships across our global family, and faithfully proclaim God’s love to every corner of the world. Inspired by the call to “build healthy shepherds,” each of us returns to our local communities with a renewed commitment to lead with humility, serve with sacrifice, and guide with love—trusting that together, we can fulfill the vision God has given our fellowship.
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