Donan has been collecting students' reflections on their Urbana experiences. She asked the simple question, "What did God do in you at Urbana?"
Andrew says...
At Urbana, God helped me to re-connect with His purposes and vision for the campus and the world. After a pretty brutal semester, I felt like God was wrapping his arms around me and giving me a hug at Urbana. As a just-graduated senior, that has allowed me to step off campus with purpose and hope in God.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
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!
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!
Monday, December 24, 2012
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.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
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.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
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.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
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.
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