A special gathering for global-minded leaders
Global Forum was created for global-minded leaders, just like you. Join us as we learn together, share ideas, and hear from experts in disciple-making across Europe. We know you'll take home great ideas to help your congregation grow a passion for seeing Europe transformed by Jesus.
Date:
February 6-7, 2025
Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – Friday, 1:30 p.m.
Venue:
Lanier Theological Library
14130 Hargrave Road
Houston, TX 77070
Meals and accommodations:
Your overnight accommodations and meals will be provided at no cost. Meals include lunch on Thursday through lunch on Friday. Overnight accommodations on Thursday night will be at the Hilton Garden Inn Houston NW/Willowbrook, 7979 Willow Chase Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77070.
Cost: $0 + Your travel to/from the event
There is no cost to attend Global Forum. As an honored guest of this event, you will receive four meals and accommodations for one night. However, you are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of your own travel to/from Houston for this event.
Jon Burns
Jon has served as the CEO of GEM since January 2015. Jon’s background is as a pastor and church planter. He was a senior pastor of a church in England for 10 years, and Director of Evangelism for Youth for Christ for six, also in England. In 2015, he was honored by her majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the prestigious British Empire Medal for his work around the world with children and communities. Jon and his wife of 25 years, Sandra, have two daughters and currently reside in the UK.
Sarah Robins
Mike Taylor
Mike serves as the VP of Mobilization for GEM and as the Executive Director of UK-USA Ministries. He and his wife, Kookie, were founding members of UK-USA and launched to Stockton-on-Tees in the United Kingdom in 2011. Mike comes to GEM with 30 years of pastoral experience and wide engagement in churches across America. His passion is to see God raise up a new generation of missionaries to Europe. Mike and Kookie have four children and one granddaughter.
Dr. Jarrett Stephens
Dr. Jarrett Stephens serves as Senior Pastor of Champion Forest Baptist Church in Northwest Houston. Jarrett is the author of two books, The Mountains Are Calling: Making the Climb for a Clearer View of God and Ourselves, and his most recent book, The Always God: He Hasn’t Changed, and You Are Not Forgotten. He also hosts the Forward with Jarrett Stephens podcast. Jarrett and his wife, Debbie, have four daughters: Riley, Kelsey, Cameron, and Landry.
Cody Finch
Adam Gascho
Adam Gascho serves as Director of New Nations, helping Greater Europe Mission expand into new countries across Europe. Having grown up as an MK with GEM, Adam served with his wife, Bethel, as a church planter and in mission leadership in Germany for 16 years and then as the Director of Mobilization. Prior to returning to Greater Europe Mission full-time in 2023, Adam served in the U.S. pastorate for 6 years. Passionate about multiplying disciples and churches, getting new things off the ground and developing culture and leaders is Adam’s sweet spot. 5 new nations have been launched in the past 11 months and a number of others are in process. The Gascho’s have 3 adult children—Jacob (Tori), Mariah and Jerimiah, 2 dogs (Ollie and Diego), well-used pickleball paddles and a Detroit Lions flag waving in front of their home.
Dr. Jared Musgrove
Dr. Jared Musgrove directs leadership, development, and communications for Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX) — the nation’s largest Christian fraternity equipping and empowering college men to live faithfully and lead courageously. He also serves as host of the Man to Men audio journal podcast.
An experienced church elder, pastor, and leader, he has served on several nonprofit boards. He is a commercially published author of trade books and Bible studies. Jared earned degrees in journalism, divinity, and a doctorate of executive leadership.
Byron Johnson
Byron Johnson is the Founder and Executive Director of VISION 9:38, which exists to empower and equip ethnic minority missionaries to labor effectively in the harvest for a lifetime of Kingdom impact. Before starting VISION 9:38, he served as a missionary with Campus Outreach in various capacities for 20 years. Byron has been participating in fundraising efforts for 32 years. He serves as a fundraising coach, mentor, networker, and counselor to and for minority missionaries and ministry workers. He is also a consultant to various mission agencies in leadership, diversity, and fundraising. He holds a Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary. He serves on a few boards of non-profit organizations. He is an elder in his church. Byron is married to Kim, and they have five adult children.
Curt Duncan
Curt Duncan is the Next Gen Pastor at Northstar Church, in Knoxville, TN. He has served in local church Next Gen Ministry for 14 years and is passionate about integrating a missions mindset and pathway for sending for students to maximize their impact for the Kingdom of God.
He also spent 16 years as a missionary kid in South Africa. Curt and his wife, Caroline, have been married 11 years and have four children: Arden, Hollis, Solomon, and Jane.