Reflections on Urbana

Donan has been collecting students' reflections on their Urbana experiences.  She asked the simple question, "What did God do in you at Urbana?"

Amanda says...
Going into Urbana, I didn’t know what to expect. I hoped God would speak to me and maybe give me ideas for my future. I was a little discouraged at the lack of fruit my hard work trying to plant a small group had produced last semester. I was also wrestling with a lot of different plans for my future. I have felt God calling me to intern with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship since the beginning of summer. However, this summer my heart was completely broken for the homeless youth I worked with while living in Seattle. I have so many places I want to go to and people I want to work with. I want to bring Jesus to the slums in India, leper colonies, impoverished urban communities, human trafficking victims, etc. It seemed selfish to stay in the US and live a pretty comfortable life reaching college students when I am so ready to get my hands dirty and serve the “least of these.”
During Urbana, God definitely affirmed His plans for me to go into campus ministry. As I was praying I got the word “catalyst.” I started asking Him what that looked like because my attempts so far had failed. I also felt God inviting me to campus ministry in order to raise up leaders to be world changers. This way I could send people to all the places that are on my heart to reach more effectively than I could over do by myself. I was blown away and humbled with this amazing invitation! I was also very frustrated because the members of my small group are not very committed to even attending Bible study, so how was I going to accomplish this? God answered these quandaries of feeling like a failure because of a lack of people by saying, “Well, you never really asked for any.” That was a much-needed smack in the face. I was convicted that I don’t expect God to use me to do great things and try to work out of my own strength instead of God’s. I felt like God’s invitation out of this was to spend an hour a day in prayer for my campus, to pour my heart out and intercede for a transformation at WSU, that the chains of addiction, apathy, and success would be broken, that the Holy Spirit would completely change the hearts of every single student on campus. I have done so since I returned and it has been one of the most exciting, challenging, rejuvenating, and humbling times of interaction with God as I seek to partner and conform my plans to His will. I can't wait for the day when all the crazy things I am praying for now will seem normal as God works amazing things on the WSU campus or wherever He sends me!

6 WSU students are headed to Urbana, December 27-January 1st.  They wrote these bios for a fundraising dinner in November.  Please keep each one in your prayers as they prepare for Urbana!

My name is Jocelyn. I'm a sophomore studying psychology. I'm looking forward to going to it Urbana 12. Since I began college, my biggest fear was losing my faith in the craziness that college brings, but overall, I've seen nothing but growth in my faith. Intervarsity has helped me explore my faith in ways that I never imagined. From Fall and Winter Conference to my time during the Summit project, I've seen God work in a variety of unexpected way. My hope is to continue living out God's word throughout my life.

Hello!  I'm Rebecca.  I’m a junior Elementary Education major from Silverdale, and I’ve been a part of Intervarsity for 3 years. I currently co-lead an off-campus bible study, and I’m learning a lot! My favorite Intervarsity experience so far has been Summit, a two week urban project in Tacoma where we served the homeless, and learned more about God’s love for all his children.  After I graduate I would love to find a way to combine my passion for God and my passion for education and children. I’m excited to go to Urbana to learn about opportunities for that.

6 WSU students are headed to Urbana, December 27-January 1st.  They wrote these bios for a fundraising dinner in November.  Please keep each one in your prayers as they prepare for Urbana!

Hi, my name is Luke and I am a broadcast production student at WSU. My dream job is working for either the Discovery Channel or the History Channel. I want to go to Urbana because I want to see what God has for me there. I also what to learn more about the mission field and what I can do to support the missionaries out in field.

WSU Students head to Urbana!

6 WSU students are headed to Urbana, December 27-January 1st.  They wrote these bios for a fundraising dinner and I wanted to share them with all of you.  If you're interested in giving to WSU students headed to Urbana, talk with Jeremiah or click here

Hi, my name is Andrew (above on left.) I am a senior electrical engineering student (I graduate in 4 weeks) from Everett, WA. I arrived at Washington State University (WSU) three and a half years ago with no intention of ever having anything to do with missions. But I ended up involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at WSU. I was convicted that fall of my freshman year that I needed to give over lordship of my life to Jesus, no matter what the cost. That decision changed my life. Since then, I have tried to live out those heart changes, both on campus and off. That summer after my freshman year, I went on a two-week mission trip and service project in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma. I’ve helped with the Dance for Justice, organized media fasts, co-led Bible studies and small groups in two different dormitories, and planned and executed a evangelism project centered around community service. This last summer, I went to China on a mission trip and cultural exchange program (pictured with Chinese roommate above.)  These experiences have been life-changing. But what happens after I graduate? What is God’s plan for me? Where will I go and what will I do? I hope that at Urbana, I will be able to gain a clearer sense of what God’s plan is, not only for me, but for the whole world.        

6 WSU students are headed to Urbana, December 27-January 1st.  They wrote these bios for a fundraising dinner and I wanted to share them with all of you.  If you're interested in giving to WSU students headed to Urbana, talk with Jeremiah or click here

I (Amanda) am a senior studying Fine Art at WSU. Home base is currently Long Beach, WA although I grew up in Palouse. I love being back in the area and I hope to stay here after I graduate. My current plans are to intern with InterVarsity next year. This is my third year involved with IV, and I co-lead a small group in Stephenson, a freshman dorm. God has put mission work on my heart and I am so excited to go to Urbana to learn more about opportunities that I can pursue as a career. My dream is to mesh my artistic abilities and passion for ministry to serve God and the people here in the states as well as other countries.

6 WSU students are headed to Urbana, December 27-January 1st.  They wrote these bios for a fundraising dinner and I wanted to share them with all of you.  If you're interested in giving to WSU students headed to Urbana, talk with Jeremiah or click here

Hi, my name is Abigail. I am a 5th year senior at Washington State University, and I am majoring in Microbiology, Genetics and Cell Biology, and Biochemistry and I am getting a minor in Math. I was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. I am applying to Baylor College of Medicine in Texas to get my doctorate after I graduate. I have been involved with InterVarsity since the beginning of my freshman year at WSU, and this is my third year leading a bible study in Stevens Hall, an all female dormitory. Last summer, I went to China as part of a mission trip and cultural exchange with InterVarsity. I am going to Urbana to meet with other people who are excited about being the hands of feet of Jesus during our lifetimes. I am also excited to worship with thousands of people and to discern God’s will for my life.

Student testimonies—Fall Conference 2012

A brief sample of what students said in response to the prompt, “What did you learn at Fall Conference?”

“This is my fourth Fall Conference.  The first one was ridiculous [in the ways that God showed up] so I’m used to fireworks.  [This year, I’m] asking God for next steps.  [And I hear] just wait.  Be still and know that I am God.  God is happy where I’m at.  He has stuff to do where I am now and I need to continue doing those things.”                                                                                                                                -WSU senior

“In high school I was friend with a girl named Christine.  We had friends since middle school.  Our senior year we drifted apart.  I had given up on our friendship because she deleted every way to get in touch with her.   This past week she texted me and said “I would love to see you over Thanksgiving Break.  I’ve been thinking about you and I hope you are doing great.”  When Kurt was talking about what our Ninevah is, Christine was the first and only person to come to mind.   I feel like God is giving me a second chance with her.”                                                                                             - Whitman junior

“I was hurt by a girl.  I’m still struggling to feel normal again.  This weekend helped answer some questions I had in my mind about why I had to go through certain things.  God’s answer to all my questions was, “You had lost focus on me.”  When I go back I plan to ‘hit up Whitman’ in a way that is more Christ-centered.  I live in Beta Theta Pi… tougher fraternity.  I’m going to tell them I am Christ-follower and if you ever want to talk about God, I’m here.”                                                              - Whitman senior

“[This weekend was about] learning what it means to experience God’s hesed love”                              - WSU senior

“God’s grace and love is way bigger than I can imagine.  He desires for me to live a full and joyfilled life.”  - Whitman senior

 “God really helped me grow in my prayer life and in transparency and dependency with Him”                                                                                                                                                                          - WSU sophomore

 “I went to ask Sarah Le if she would pray for my friend last night and I randomly asked her afterwards if she would pray for me sleep and I felt a lot of healing for the first time and I fell asleep.”                                                                                                                                                                     - Whitman student

“I was reminded that I need to be vulnerable with God and with people to build relationships.”                                                                                                                                                                                  -Whitman student

 “I am thinking about giving God a shot.  Instead of saying that I am going to give it a try, I am going to practice doing things that will bring me closer.”                                                                               -Whitman student