September 23, 2025
ICOM Announces Leadership Transition
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.
Articles for tag: National Missionary Convention
November 30, 2022
Tom Blackeagle, Who Led NMC in 2002, Dies (Plus News Briefs)
Tom Blackeagle, who ministered with McKinley Church of Christ for a decade and with the Yakima Indian Reservation and surrounding area (in Washington state) for many decades, was killed in an auto accident in Toppenish, Wash., on Nov. 20. Mr. Blackeagle served as president of the National Missionary Convention—forerunner of ICOM—in 2002 in Wichita, Kan.
February 8, 2022
This Year’s ICOM Ending on Saturday, Not Sunday
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).
February 25, 2021
Sam E. Stone: Reflecting on 25 Years as Editor
Just a few years after retiring as editor, Sam E. Stone was asked to reflect on his 25 years in that role (1978–2003) for the 140th anniversary issue of Christian Standard in April 2006. Those thoughts and reflections will serve as our final Throwback Thursday for February, a month during which we have shared writings from Sam, who died Jan. 25 at the age of 84. _ _ _ Christian Standard at 140: 25 Years as Editor By Sam E. StoneApril 2, 2006; p. 8 I can’t remember just when I started reading Christian Standard. My dad subscribed to it
January 27, 2021
Sam E. Stone: ‘A Steel Hand Inside a Velvet Glove’
Mark A. Taylor shares memories of his colleague, teacher, and friend, Sam E. Stone. Sam, who was Christian Standard's longest-serving editor, died on Monday.
November 15, 2018
Early Reporting on the Missionary Convention
The International Conference On Missions met for its annual gathering Nov. 15 to 18 in Cincinnati. According to ICOM’s website: In March of 1948, J. Russell Morse was in the home of John T. Chase for dinner, and asked, ‘Why isn’t there a gathering for missionaries?’ He went on to express the need for a time where missionaries can talk shop, fellowship and encourage each other. So in 1948, the day prior to the NACC started, a few dozen missionaries got together. That practice continued for several years growing to a few hundred people. Then in 1954, the National Missionary
November 12, 2018
Seven Insider Facts About ICOM
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 8, 2018
1964: When the NMC Traveled to NYC
– October 31, 1964 – The International Conference on Missions is taking place in Cincinnati next week, November 15-18. It’s the sixth time the gathering has come to the Queen City, and the first time it’s been there under its “new” name, ICOM. Cincinnati last served as host in 2007; the conference was known as the National Missionary Convention until 2011. As is the case with the North American Christian Convention—now known as Spire—the best-attended gatherings among our fellowship of churches traditionally take place in the heartland. And so, that’s where most of the ICOM/NMC gatherings have taken place during its
October 22, 2018
Prayer, Power, Purpose
J. Russell & Gertrude Morse and Four Generations of Ministry to Southeast Asia and Beyond By Russell Johnson Starting from humble beginnings, the Morse family has made an eternal impact in lands few others had ever tried to reach. The Morses’ journey has taken them through some of the highest mountain passes in the world, where they discovered dozens of tribes who had never heard the name of Jesus. The early years were often devastating and discouraging. Several of the Morses’ friends were buried on unnamed mountainsides halfway around the world from their families. In time, some of these missionaries
January 21, 2016
Obituaries for 2015
The most recently received obituaries are listed first. An alphabetical listing of all 2015 obituaries begins further down. Imogene “Jean” Adams Morgan, 85, died peacefully Aug. 24, 2015, in Harlingen, TX. And then, not quite four months later, on Dec. 14, 2015, her husband, August “Gus” Morgan, 88, also died. The couple were members of Central Christian Church in Brownsville, TX, and served on many mission boards, including Korea Gospel Mission and Colegio Biblico. They regularly attended the National Missionary Convention. The Morgans are survived by their children, Nina Hughston of South Padre Island, TX, Nancy Hon of St. Charles,
July 24, 2014
Thanks, but No Thanks?
By Marsha Relyea Miles (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I”ve Ever Received.”) One of the best pieces of advice I ever received came from Walter Birney, longtime coordinator for the National Missionary Convention (now known as the International Conference on Missions). During the year I served as president of the NMC (2007), many people contacted me with creative suggestions about how they thought the convention should unfold. Of course, in designing such a convention, broad involvement and teamwork is a great thing. The ideas of some folks were extremely insightful, but some others, less so! Now and
July 18, 2014
The Desire of My Heart
By Sam E. Stone (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I”ve Ever Received.”) As a student at Ozark Bible College in the 1950s, I was facing the typical decisions of a college student: What will I do with my life? Where will I serve? Who is the right person to marry? That last question was really big! I was talking about it with Gerald Bowlin, a missionary friend from Mexico, when he was in Joplin for the National Missionary Convention. He said, “Sam, let me give you a verse of Scripture.” Then he turned to Psalm 37:4, “Take
December 9, 2013
ICOM Calls Christians Everywhere to Glorify God Globally
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,
December 1, 2012
ICOM 2012: Radical . . . Again
By Dave Butts “Radical . . . Again.” The theme for the 2012 International Conference on Missions (ICOM) November 15-18, was more than a clever title pulled from a popular Christian book. It was an apt description of a conference committed to challenging Christians to meet the needs of an increasingly desperate world in every way possible. Preaching, workshops, worship, exhibits, and service projects combined to call those thousands who attended to deeper levels of global impacting discipleship. It was appropriate the inaugural meeting of ICOM, formerly the National Missionary Convention, was in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Convention Center is always
November 23, 2012
Reporting on Restoration Revolution
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
November 22, 2012
A People to Be Thankful for
By Mark A. Taylor For several years now the National Missionary Convention, recently renamed International Conference on Missions (ICOM), has met the weekend before Thanksgiving. This morning I”m struck by how good it is for the convention and the holiday to be so close together. ICOM reminds us how thankful we can be for our fellowship of Christian churches. Our movement (variously called the Restoration Movement, Stone-Campbell Movement, and more recently the Christian Church Movement) is thriving and well. The throngs of teenagers and young adults crowding the Indianapolis Convention Center November 15-18 bear testimony to that. And so do
November 9, 2012
Websites Help Foster Global Evangelism
By Jennifer Johnson Net Work Many missionaries manage websites, send newsletters, and post videos on YouTube. But for these resources to be helpful, potential supporters must first hear about them””and, as Reggie Hundley says, “Who”s searching YouTube for missions videos?” Hundley, executive director of Mission Services, a nonprofit organization serving missionaries and mission agencies, recently developed a solution to connect churches, individuals, and missionaries online. The new website www.themissionsnetwork.com provides an easy way for people to learn about the missionaries they already support as well as come in contact with new ministries. A “Missions Knowledge Base” shares audio and
June 19, 2012
What”s Happening with Wayne?
Editor”s note: We asked Wayne Smith collaborator Rod Huron to give us an update on Wayne”s activities these days. During May, Wayne”s schedule included a banquet sponsored by the International Conference on Missions (formerly National Missionary Convention) and speaking at a banquet to raise money for Sayre Christian Village in Lexington, Kentucky: “They started in 1972 to build a home for the elderly, and now they have 25 acres and 250 apartments, plus a medical unit. It hasn”t been easy, but look at where they”re going””a $12 million expansion.” He also spoke at a banquet sponsored by Women for Life, a group
February 28, 2012
“˜Commissioned”: NMC Becomes ICOM
By Chris DeWelt The National Missionary Convention became the International Conference on Missions at its gathering last fall. The conference seems set to continue what it does best: challenging thousands with the opportunity and needs for world missions. From the moment I heard that Wing Wong of China was the 2011 National Missionary Convention president, I knew it would be a great gathering. My anticipation grew when Wing visited Ozark Christian College a few months before the convention and immediately endeared himself to hundreds of students. Wing”s unique combination of humor, passion for Christ, and humble spirit connected with more
January 30, 2012
A Preacher”s Kid”s Hopes for His Own PKs
By Shan Caldwell I was born a preacher”s son. As such, I felt it was my duty to help my dad out as much as I could. I thoughtfully provided sermon illustration fodder for the first 16 years of my life. I enlivened dull sermons by whispering or passing notes, obliging my father to interrupt his message by calling me out””by name””in front of the whole congregation. My dad may not have always appreciated my “help,” but I did (and do) appreciate growing up in a preacher”s family. My dad traveled in evangelistic work for the first six years of
