To deepen the cross-cultural mission vision of the global church, the "Intercultural Workshop," hosted by the Institute of World Mission (IWM), was held in Bangkok, Thailand, from August 7th to 16th, 2026. This ten-day conference brought together 150 leaders and participants from the global headquarters and various chapters. Miki Lai, head of the Adventist Volunteer Service (AVS) department of the Chinese Anglican Church (CHUM), also attended on behalf of the church. This was not only an equipping of knowledge but also a profound calibration of global missionary ministry and life vision.

During the conference, through the expansion of frontline mission perspectives and the collision of diverse cultures, participating leaders engaged in in-depth discussions about the realities faced by missionaries on the front lines. The conference repeatedly conveyed a core belief— "United in Sending, Faithful in Supporting ." This is not merely an inspiring slogan, but a solemn promise made by the global church to every missionary sent out.

Pastor Koller encouraged participants to clarify the "threefold meaning" of gatherings.

At the start of the workshop, Pastor Köhler, President of the Global Headquarters, delivered a keynote address, clearly defining the "triple significance" of the gathering of 150 leaders in Bangkok:

• Bearing the responsibility of guidance: As part of a global community of church leaders, this gathering is by no means accidental, but rather a shared responsibility to lead the church as a whole toward deeper levels of cross-cultural missions. 

• Responding to a real burden: Participants did not come to satisfy formalities or procedures; their motivation stemmed from a deep-seated concern and burden for the “unreached people” and the plight of frontline missionaries. 

• Practicing Two-Way Missionary Flow: The church bears a dual responsibility—not only to boldly send out workers, but also to establish sound mechanisms to welcome their return or conversion. Missionary work should not be a one-way output or a one-time task, but rather a "continuous commitment and two-way flow."

Unity in Christ: Sabbath Exchange and Testimony at Asia Pacific International University

In addition to in-depth thematic discussions, the conference also included a wealth of on-site exchanges. On Sabbath, the entire delegation visited Asia -Pacific International University (AIU) . On campus, students, dressed in their respective ethnic traditional costumes, greeted visitors with warm smiles and wishes of "Happy Sabbath." At that moment, the barriers of language and culture instantly disappeared, fully demonstrating the warmth and beauty of unity in Christ.

At a Sabbath-day school meeting led by students, several evangelists shared their experiences of grace in cross-cultural workshops. Among them, the testimony of missionary Helen Hall was particularly moving. Initially planning only a short-term mission trip of one year, she devoted herself to ministry for 43 years on the turbulent Thai-Myanmar border, driven by obedience to God and immense courage. She dedicated the best years of her life to Karen refugee children forgotten by the world due to political and military persecution. Through her hands, these children, who had previously lost the opportunity for education, embarked on a new path to knowledge, dignity, and a future. This enduring love became the most moving missionary imprint of the conference.

Another preaching family from the South Pacific chapter deeply moved everyone present. The entire family of four was dedicated to mission work, diligently nurturing young people and cultivating students. However, in early July of this year, the mother suddenly passed away at the mission site due to an acute myocardial infarction ( AMI ), without warning. For her husband, AMI had another meaning— Active Missionary In Christ . In his testimony, he mentioned his wife's last words to him before she passed away: "Papa, continue the mission work that we enjoy together, because Christ is coming soon. Now I am going to sleep."

This true testimony allowed everyone to deeply appreciate the spirit of a missionary who remained faithful to the end—not waiting for favorable circumstances to serve, but choosing to give everything in every unknown day, until the last moment of his life.

Looking to the future: Witnessing the influence of media and education.

At the end of the trip, participants visited the AIU campus, the Southeastern Asia Union Mission office, and the Hope Channel filming location, witnessing firsthand the practical operation and far-reaching impact of education and media outreach in the local area.

This trip to Bangkok not only solidified the unity of churches worldwide in cross-cultural missions, but also injected strong momentum into future missionary work through authentic testimonies and a commitment of mutual dedication. May this burden for the unreached continue to blossom and bear fruit in mission fields around the world.