The Student Missionary Union hosts Biola’s annual Missions Conference, a three-day event each spring semester with an overarching theme, multiple speakers, a live band, a focus on specific social justice topics, a chance to connect with missionaries, and so much more.
Led by our two Missions Conference directors, our 12 coordinators are in charge of six different departments that help transform campus for students to engage with the conference: Marketing & Hospitality, Sessions, Global Awareness, Prayer & Worship, Interactions, and Logistics.
Get to know each department below!
SESSIONS - Kristin Spence, Rachel Pestana
What sparked your interest in becoming a coordinator for Missions Conference?
"Last year, I got to be a part of the sessions staff for Missions Conference and was so encouraged by the community and ministry that is found within SMU. I loved the opportunity to be a part of a conference that pours into Biola students and motivates them to spread the Gospel within their community and abroad. I felt that God encouraged me to take on this position so that I could continue to learn from this community and pour into my team."
- Rachel Pestana, Sessions Coordinator
LOGISTICS - Ashley Kroeker, Brooke Nagy
What do you hope to achieve through your department this year?
"Through all the craziness of logistics it is hard to forget about Christ being the center. I hope that this year brings fruitful friendships within the department and such a clear focus on our Savior and our call to the great commission, the reason we have the conference in the first place."
- Ashley Kroeker, Logistics Coordinator
How can we be praying for you and your staff?
"Please pray for relationships between staff and coords to continue to grow deeper and flourish. Also pray that we can keep God in the center of what we are doing and glorify Him through our work. Lastly, we are so expectant for what the Lord will do through this conference. We pray that He will move in this conference and impact the lives of all students/staff on campus."
- Brooke Nagy, Logistics Coordinator
PRAYER & WORSHIP - Ryan Colombe, Berenice Carrasco
What sparked your interest in becoming a coordinator for Missions Conference?
"Missions Conference has always been in my heart since my 1st year at Biola. Being on staff for now my 3rd year I am excited to see God move in the hearts & minds of Biola students as we are sent on mission into all the nations."
- Ryan Colombe, Prayer & Worship Coordinator
How can we be praying for you and your staff?
"Pray that we continue to be centered on Jesus and that we would continue to grow in unity within our department and the rest of the MC staff."
- Berenice Carrasco, Prayer & Worship Coordinator
MARKETING & HOSPITALITY - Anna Freudenburg, Kallie Adent
What do you hope to achieve through your department this year?
"Kallie and I are hoping to have every country in the world represented by a missions organization!"
- Anna Freudenburg, Marketing & Hospitality Coordinator
What sparked your interest in becoming a coordinator for Missions Conference?
"After the Lord called me to missions this last summer and in preparation for going on the field I wanted to steward my last year at Biola well and what better way than to encourage Biola's campus to explore missions in hopes that it blesses them, others, the kingdom, and their relationship with the Lord like it has done for me."
- Kallie Adent, Marketing & Hospitality Coordinator
INTERACTIONS - Jesslyn Sudarta, Olivia Benda
What do you hope to achieve through your department this year?
"In the Interactions department this year, I hope that it will be a place of unity and community. I want every person on our team to leave Missions Conference feeling more known and loved. I also hope that our department will find a renewed sense of what it means to lean on others as we problem-solve and face new challenges! Through the Interactions department, I hope that we can transform this campus visually so it feels like students are truly at a conference.
- Olivia Benda, Interactions Coordinator
GLOBAL AWARENESS - Caeli Willard, Jonathan Kim
How can we be praying for you and your staff?
"Prayer request for GA is that we’ll be able to execute our ambitious vision for this year’s missions conference!"
- Jonathan Kim, Global Awareness Coordinator