March 27, 2026
David Empson invites readers to ICOM 2026 in St. Louis with one word: celebrate. He highlights key missions and Restoration milestones and calls the church to gather for encouragement, unity, and renewed commitment to the Great Commission.
January 20, 2026
ICOM has announced Rob Maupin as its next Executive Director, succeeding David Empson after 25 years of leadership. Maupin will begin as transitional director April 1 and assume the role September 1.
In a significant move toward greater unity and impact within the Restoration Movement, Renew.org and the International Conference on Missions (ICOM) are launching a formal partnership aimed at strengthening disciple-making efforts both locally and globally.
September 30, 2025
Mulberry Int., ICOM, IDES, Lifeline, and FAME collaborate to fill at least one 40-foot container and have it over to the people of Ukraine by 2026.
September 23, 2025
The board of the ICOM recently announced the upcoming retirement of executive director David Empson and the search for a new leader of this ministry.
December 20, 2023
Briefs from ICOM, Orchard Group, Kentucky Christian University, Great Lakes Christian College, Johnson University, and more . . .
November 21, 2023
While traveling home from the 2023 International Conference on Missions—which finished up Saturday in Oklahoma City—ICOM Executive Director David Empson said he kept track of his messages. He said he was pleased with what he was hearing. . . .
December 22, 2022
Christmas means many things to David Empson, with most of his thoughts centering on family gatherings and music.
December 20, 2022
ICOM is selling five "portable church" boxes.
November 7, 2022
Judging from the reaction of kids and adults last week in Columbus, Ohio, the annual International Conference on Missions is connecting with a new generation to take the gospel to all nations!
August 29, 2022
Kairos Benevolence Fund and the International Conference on Missions are partnering to provide encouragement and support to those who have given their lives in service to Christ.
February 8, 2022
ICOM has announced the 2022 gathering in Columbus, Ohio, will be one day shorter than in recent years. The conference will officially open on Thursday, Nov. 3, and close at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 (instead of on Sunday morning, as has been the recent practice).
September 29, 2021
Leaders of some of the largest independent Christian church mission organizations say they monitor COVID-19 closely, but none requires their missionaries be fully vaccinated against the disease, a step recently taken by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
October 28, 2020
By Jim Nieman The International Conference On Missions’ executive director, staff, and this year’s president have had to overcome monumental challenges in planning this year’s event in the age of COVID-19. Work for the November conference essentially had to begin anew over the summer when ICOM announced it was switching to a hybrid format—both online and in-person. ICOM officials have promised the in-person portion will be safe and comfortable, but limited mainly to the popular exhibit area where so many friends and mission agencies connect. The virtual aspect, meanwhile, will be robust and comprehensive, so that as many as possible
November 12, 2018
By Emily Drayne The strategic focus of the International Conference On Missions is no secret—it’s apparent in the name—but there’s much more that goes on beneath the surface. Do you know these seven insider facts about ICOM? See if you’re an ICOM expert! 1. The idea for a missions conference came from an unexpected place. The idea for the missions conference was born in Los Angeles. J. Russell Morse and John T. Chase had the idea for a “missions emphasis day” before the North American Christian Convention, and the first such meeting occurred in 1948 in Springfield, Illinois. Attendance grew
November 21, 2015
By Rick Jett I used to feel sorry for the away team. When I ministered in Marion, Indiana, in the mid-1980s, the Marion Giants were the dominant high school basketball team in the state. They were state champions three years in a row. On game day, everyone in town wore purple and gold to support the home team. Nearly 7,000 fans would fill the high school athletic arena. The ceremony before each home game was designed to intimidate the away team. After everyone stood for the national anthem, the announcer would introduce the starting lineup for the visitors. The cheerleaders
November 20, 2014
Editor Mark Taylor talked with Dave Empson, executive director of International Conference on Missions, and Gary Holloway, executive director of World Convention, about their joint venture in India in 2017. See the video interview, from on the exhibit floor of the 2014 ICOM, here.
December 9, 2013
By Doug Lucas It was a global gathering with a distinctly Latino flavor. From the free chips and salsa in the exhibit hall to the mariachi band on the main platform, the International Conference on Missions (ICOM) reminded us of opportunities among Spanish-speaking friends in our country and all over the world. Much of this was due to the influence of 2013 President Jair Castillo who extended his life of influence in Mexico to ICOM. But the convention”s impact extended far beyond the Americas. Meeting November 14-17, 2013, at the Kansas City Convention Center, ICOM hosted church leaders, missions advocates,
November 23, 2012
By David Empson In November 2010, Restoration Revolution was started at the former National Missionary Convention””now the International Conference On Missions (ICOM)””in Lexington, Kentucky. For almost 18 months prior to its launch, more than 100 leaders representing all kinds of ministries among Christian churches and churches of Christ had been meeting to consider what could be done for the kingdom of God over the next 10 years. Here is a report on progress with these goals so far. Restoration Revolution”s vision statement calls it “a 10-year collaboration that desires to share Jesus with all people.” The four points of Restoration
June 26, 2012
By Mark A. Taylor The discussion was about missions, but the topic was change. And I couldn”t stop thinking about the church”s task in a world changing faster than we may realize. Steve Moore, president of Missio Nexus (missionexus.org), was leading about 30 of us at the Cincinnati installment of Reset Tour, a 10-city event sponsored by the International Conference on Missions (ICOM). The Tour, which concluded with a West Coast swing in May, was expected to reach 250 missions-minded members and leaders of Christian churches and churches of Christ, according to David Empson, executive director of ICOM. From this
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