When the School of Mission in Bengaluru, India, agreed to host the 2025 CHORD Forum, CHORD was truly excited. The Bengaluru School was established in 2012, becoming the first of our School of Missions outside of the United States. This made this year’s Forum both highly anticipated and truly historic. It was all buzz and energy as participants from a total of 21 nations descended on the city for the three day event. For our churches in India, this marked the first time hosting a gathering of such global scope, and they welcomed CHORD with joy. For many of us, it was also our very first visit to South Asia. Formerly called Bangalore, the city officially became Bengaluru in 2014 and is known as the “Silicon Valley” of India.
This year’s conference theme was “The Art of Becoming.” Speakers guided us through CHORD’s Seven Values of Leadership Formation, challenging us to explore our “being” and “becoming” in Christ. Workshops gave space for reflection, discussion, and deeper growth.
We rediscovered the depths of our scriptural call to Christ-likeness and learned how to grow in “Being, Knowing, and Doing.” Students and alumni of the Schools of Mission spent a full day together—bonding, reflecting, shedding tears, and drawing strength as “veterans” shared their journeys with emerging leaders. The day was sobering yet inspiring, planting lifetime friendships that began online through CHORD Connect Classes and now flourished face-to-face.
Academic directors also shared a day together, drawing inspiration from reports across all 14 Schools of Mission. We celebrated the unique strengths of each school and the victories God has worked in the lives of young men and women serving in ministries worldwide. In spite of the stark geographic and cultural differences, we are one in heart and purpose. The sense of shared vision and communal support was palpable.
Our time in Bengaluru wasn’t all work. The food amazed us – fresh chapattis and rotis, savory chicken and mutton sauces rich with India’s spices. Meals were special, joyful times of fellowship. We also took some time to enjoy the wildlife of India, visiting Bannerghatta National Park to see tigers, lions, elephants, and leopards.
Our last night was a Gala Night featuring a rich display of outfits, dances, songs, and entertainment from every continent that was represented. We ate, we danced, and celebrated being together. As our visit drew to close, we all agreed that our time in India had been the full package: spiritually transforming, relationally uplifting, deeply edifying, fun, memorable, and beautiful.
For more information about CHORD and the CHORD Forum, please visit www.chord.org.
