{"id":29483,"date":"2025-12-16T17:46:58","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T15:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/?p=29483"},"modified":"2025-12-29T15:36:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T13:36:27","slug":"2025-delegates-meeting-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/2025-delegates-meeting-report\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Delegates Meeting Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Moufid Tohme, Catalyst Team co-chair and Regional Family Chair for the Middle East.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More than 200 global church leaders convened in Florida from October 20\u201324, 2025, for the ICOC Delegates Meetings\u2014our 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<\/a>, 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\u2019s 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 \u201creaffirmed our need for one another\u201d and showed how open, honest conversations are essential to fostering deeper unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> 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<\/a>. Mathis Wosegien, RFC for Western Europe, followed with an inspiring message titled\u00a0\u201cBuilding Healthy Unity.\u201d\u00a0He reminded us that while unity can be challenging, it is both possible and purposeful\u2014part of the very process God uses to shape us. He began by quoting an African proverb:\u00a0\u201cIf you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.\u201d\u00a0That afternoon, the RFCs and CT continued their work with discussions on continental groupings and best practices for ensuring healthy leadership transitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Delegates from Hong Kong, Texas, California, Virginia, and Tokyo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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: \u201cOur relationships are more important than any disagreement,\u201d and \u201cWe all want to be part of a vibrant, growing fellowship.\u201d Tuesday afternoon was filled with parallel Service Team meetings as they advanced their respective areas of ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Delegates\u2019 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 \u201cour language is the language of love, unity, and charity.\u201d After a recap from Ron Conkling, Darren Gauthier, elder in Chicago and elder representative on the Catalyst Team, delivered a thoughtful message on \u201cHealthy Disagreement.\u201d He urged us to approach conversations with humility, curiosity, and a genuine desire to understand one another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Perrie Keeve, Delegate from South Carolina shares input after breakout discussion groups.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Several comments captured the spirit of the room. Steve Morici from Los Angeles reminded the group, \u201cRelationships lead to movement. It is in times like these\u2014talking to each other instead of about each other\u2014that trust is built.\u201d Sergey Kononenko from Moscow added humor and trust, saying in Russian, \u201cI don\u2019t know what you just said, but I trust you!\u201d John Markowski from New York said, \u201cExpediency and deliberation; there\u2019s a biblical case for both.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We culminated our time together with a moving and convicting message from Moufid and Jessy Tohme titled \u201cBuilding Healthy Shepherds.\u201d They called us to be shepherds who serve the flock rather than ourselves, who lead by our example, who \u201csmell like the sheep,\u201d and who willingly sacrifice for the sake of those we shepherd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s love to every corner of the world. Inspired by the call to \u201cbuild healthy shepherds,\u201d each of us returns to our local communities with a renewed commitment to lead with humility, serve with sacrifice, and guide with love\u2014trusting that together, we can fulfill the vision God has given our fellowship.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Service Team updates: Campus<\/a> | Communications<\/a> | Elders<\/a> | Evangelists<\/a> | Global Missions<\/a> | Singles<\/a> | Teachers<\/a> | Women\u2019s<\/a> | Youth & Family<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good news videos: Africa<\/a> | Europe<\/a> | Las Americas<\/a> | Middle East<\/a> |<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

More than 200 global church leaders convened in Florida from October 20\u201324, for the ICOC Delegates Meetings, our first in-person…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":29485,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[387],"tags":[73],"post_folder":[151],"class_list":["post-29483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-leadership","tag-events"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_2325.jpeg?fit=1270%2C867&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"Lai-Yan Faller","author_link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/author\/lyfaller\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phsvEw-7Fx","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22896,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/icoc-2-1-transition-guide\/","url_meta":{"origin":29483,"position":0},"title":"ICOC 2.1 Transition Guide","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"October 18, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"ICOC 2.1 is an upgrade of \u201cICOC 2.0 (the delegate system).\u201d In any area lacking clarity the policy would default to what is defined in 2.0.","rel":"","context":"In "Leadership"","block_context":{"text":"Leadership","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/leadership\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/FORWARD-BY-FAITH-2017-450x245-1.png?fit=450%2C245&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3253,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/built-together-for-the-praise-of-god-2019-icoc-delegates-meetings-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":29483,"position":1},"title":"\u201cBuilt Together\u201d for the Praise of God \u2013\u00a02019 ICOC Delegates Meetings Report","author":"dtadmin","date":"October 24, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"During the week of October 7-11, representatives of our fellowship of 700 churches from around the world gathered for the annual ICOC Delegates\u2019 Meeting. Expertly and graciously hosted by the San Diego church, over 250 men, women, and \u201cnext-generation\u201d delegates, Service Team members, and observers from ICOC churches came together\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/icocleadershipmeetings2019.png?fit=961%2C442&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/icocleadershipmeetings2019.png?fit=961%2C442&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/icocleadershipmeetings2019.png?fit=961%2C442&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/icocleadershipmeetings2019.png?fit=961%2C442&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3263,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/2019-icoc-leadership-meetings-grow-faith\/","url_meta":{"origin":29483,"position":2},"title":"2019 ICOC Leadership Meetings Grow Faith","author":"dtadmin","date":"October 15, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Last week leaders from around the world gathered in San Diego, California to pray, plan and progress in knowing God and making him known around the world. Here are some brief notes I jotted down to share. It was awesome! The fellowship and unity was wonderful. Tremendous plans and proposals\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/icocregionalfamilychairs2019.png?fit=974%2C487&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/icocregionalfamilychairs2019.png?fit=974%2C487&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/icocregionalfamilychairs2019.png?fit=974%2C487&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/icocregionalfamilychairs2019.png?fit=974%2C487&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22894,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/icoc-3-0-next-steps-october-5-2018-panama\/","url_meta":{"origin":29483,"position":3},"title":"ICOC 3.0 Next Steps \u2013 October 5, 2018, Panama","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"October 18, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"3.0 COMMUNICATIONS January 1 to April 1 2019 Integrate the new ICOC Icon into all the Global News, Leadership, Service Team, Regional Family, Mission Society websites, Social Media and Video Channels Work with the 32 Regional Communications Directors on appropriate implementations for local church websites Roll out the ICOC App\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Leadership"","block_context":{"text":"Leadership","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/leadership\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/FORWARD-BY-FAITH-2017-450x245-1.png?fit=450%2C245&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3295,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/icoc-catalyst-team-update-march-31-2019\/","url_meta":{"origin":29483,"position":4},"title":"ICOC Catalyst Team Update \u2013 March 31, 2019","author":"dtadmin","date":"April 23, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"How good and pleasant it is when God\u2019s people live together in unity! \u2013 An important update from the ICOC Catalyst Team.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/icoccatalystteam.png?fit=793%2C532&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/icoccatalystteam.png?fit=793%2C532&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/icoccatalystteam.png?fit=793%2C532&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/icoccatalystteam.png?fit=793%2C532&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3378,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/icoc-3-0-forward-by-faith-update-8\/","url_meta":{"origin":29483,"position":5},"title":"ICOC 3.0 \u201cForward by Faith\u201d Update #8","author":"dtadmin","date":"July 9, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"We encourage all church leaderships to fully engage, discuss, deliberate, even fast and pray about these proposals and communicate your thoughts to your respective delegates before the October leadership meetings.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/FORWARD-BY-FAITH-2017-450x245-450x245-1.png?fit=450%2C245&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_2325.jpeg?fit=1270%2C867&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29483"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29483\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29530,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29483\/revisions\/29530"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29483"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=29483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}