About the Theme

Theological anthropology is central to missiological reflection and practice, since acts of gospel witness, service, and cultural engagement all rest on assumptions about human identity, dignity, and destiny. In a rapidly changing world—marked by shifting views of spirituality, ethnicity, gender, technology, and ecology—the church must embrace a biblically faithful and missionally engaged understanding of the imago Dei. This year’s Evangelical Missiological Society Conference invites reflection on the meaning of being human and on how the doctrine of the imago Dei shapes evangelism, discipleship, community, and global mission. Together we will ask: How do theological anthropology and Christian responses to debates about personhood and identity inform the theory and practice of mission? 

Suggested Tracks and Paper Topics:

• Imago Dei in Mission: Human dignity, human rights, and gospel witness. 
• Theology and Culture: How do specific cultural patterns, traditions, and beliefs impact the missionary task? 
• Gender and Sexuality: Engaging the ways that questions of gender, sexuality, singleness, and family affect missionary work. 
• Technology, Transhumanism, and New Humanity: Artificial intelligence, bioethics, the value of embodiment, and the limits and telos of humanity in light of the Christian story. 
• Race, Ethnicity, and Reconciliation: Anthropological foundations for ethnic identity, justice, and unity in Christ within the context of mission.
• Ecology and Creation Care: Humanity’s vocation as stewards of creation and its missiological implications.
• Disability and the Image of God: Rethinking inclusion, personhood, and the missionary task among vulnerable populations.
• Political Theory and Practice: Human dignity, civil rights, migration and borders, and the realities of violence and war in relation to the missionary task.
• Psychology and Neuroscience: How research on consciousness, sin, suffering, and human flourishing informs missionary work.
• Theology of Work and the Arts: How human capacities and vocation shape our approach to work, commerce, and the arts.

If you are interested in proposing another track for the Annual Conference, you may submit your request here: https://tinyurl.com/yc7wvypd. The deadline for submitting your track proposal is January 31, 2026.  

Submitting a Presentation Proposal

• Title of presentation showing connection to annual theme
• 200-300 word abstract summarizing the presentation
• Name, email, and institution/mission/group you represent

Submitting a Paper

During the South Central Regional Conference, attendees will select the best presentations for consideration at the Annual Conference by popular vote. Those who are selected will be informed via email shortly after the conference. Selected presentations can be developed into papers of 4500-7000 words in length and use Chicago Turabian author-date citation format. These papers will be invited to be present at the annual EMS meeting to be held at Dallas Theological Seminary, leading to the possibility of being published as a chapter in the EMS Annual Compendium for 2026.

Students

In addition to participating in the conference, both master’s level and doctoral students are highly encouraged to submit presentation proposals. This is a great opportunity for students to discuss any innovative ideas, challenges, problem-solving or insights from their ministries or field experience.