I've selected some photos from Urbana to highlight some of my work as well as to give you a glimpse of what happened. Much thanks to our extremely talented team of professional photographers who volunteered their time to take these beautiful photos!
Feel free to leave comments, & enjoy!
Showing posts with label urbana 09. Show all posts
Showing posts with label urbana 09. Show all posts
Monday, February 1, 2010
Urbana Stories
While visiting Ann Arbor on my week off after Urbana, I attended AIV’s large group. It was a great time to see my old students and colleagues, as well as hear some of their stories from Urbana. Here are a couple of the stories that were shared that night:
Dear Donor,
Thank you so much for providing generously to allow me to attend Urbana 09. For someone oriented toward scientific research and development, mission work was something that I did not really see myself pursuing. Once arriving at Urbana I realized that God had many good things in store for me. Surprisingly the things I learned related more towards my relationship with Jesus and with the world than my call to missions. Coming out of Urbana, I have a few major takeaways that I would like to share with you.
1. A vision of justice in the world. At Urbana, I learned about poverty, human trafficking, and injustice around the world. My learned response is to feel bad and be pressured into sending money, but at Urbana I learned that there is value in identifying with the people who suffer these injustices, that there is value in providing a voice to the voiceless, and that there is great power in prayer. I learned about a God who has come into the middle of history to redeem the world and make all things new. I learned about a God who hates injustice and I learned about some of the practical ways that injustice is being combated. Specifically, I learned about advocacy campaigns and the role of politics in bringing about God's work. It made me realize that I may not be William Wilberforce, come to set the slaves free through politics, but I might be someone who nudges a new Wilberforce to set the slaves of the world free. Practically, I'm hoping to help out with bringing the Human Wrong campaign to the University of Michigan campus, as well as get the ball rolling on a city-wide, week-long campaign to raise awareness, voice, and funds to help end human trafficking.
2. A new take on prayer. At Urbana I realized that my prayers often sound like they are being read off of a prayer request sheet. I've learned about praying like the Bible shows us, and I have learned the importance of the voice that I am given. The ability to communicate with a holy and powerful God never seemed real to me, but I have grown a great deal in this understanding.
3. A worldwide vision. At Urbana I was struck by the phrase, "get to know the world God so loved." In our fellowship's Large Group gatherings I have sensed that we have become ingrown. In response to this, I'm putting together a new segment titled "Get to Know the World God So Loved." We'll have testimonies from missionaries, send letters of support and encouragement, and pray for countries that we learn about. It is my hope that I can bring the world-wide vision of Urbana back to campus and enable others to explore their call to overseas missions.
4. Local mission. I was struck at Urbana, by the sheer number of people making commitments to long term missions, but I then realized that almost all of us had made that commitment when we chose to follow Jesus. I've realized that my apartment, my family, and my friends are all unreached populations who need Jesus, and I am positioned quite well to be a tool to allow that to happen. I hope to invite my family to church, invite my friend to study John 1-4 with me and to reach out to my apartment mate and bring him to an AIV small group.
Again, thank you so much for enabling me to attend this conference. I hope that you can now share in some of the wonderful and hopefully life changing experiences that I was able to be a part of.
Blessings,
Ryan
Jesus said that we are to love our enemies. I always thought, “Sure...I love my enemies - I don't really hate anybody.” But two speakers at Urbana09 opened my eyes to what Jesus spoke of. Both men began with their stories of pain and oppression by another group of humans - one as a Tutsi, the other as a Korean. Although they began in very different places, both of them ended up in the same place - realizing that the reconciliation that Jesus spoke of was hard but necessary. Although it was difficult, each man spoke about how reconciling with someone you hated (with cause) brings the only way to point to God together. I realized that I do have enemies that I hate: people who oppressed me, people who hated me, people that I thought I could hate because they did me wrong. But God said I was once alienated from God and was an enemy because of my evil behavior.
- Lily
As a senior about to graduate with a piano performance degree from the University of Michigan, I entered Urbana09 hopeful and expectant for God to reveal more of his plan for my life. He did not disappoint, although He responded in ways I didn’t expect. (Praise be to our surprising God!)
Instead of calling me forward into global missions work, He led me inward and homeward – back to the places I had come from. “Come and see,” He said to me. “You cannot carry the burdens of far-flung territories yet, for these places need you first.” At Urbana, God showed me that at least for the next few years, I must consider it my calling to be a cross-cultural missionary to the very culture I come from. Now equipped and immersed in the culture of our Lord Jesus Christ, I must learn and understand the deep-rooted brokenness that handicaps my family. Furthermore, I must discover creative and loving ways to demonstrate the holiness, truth, and love that Jesus proclaims.
His word never fails to be a light unto my path. Thank you for your contributions to the workings of God’s eternal kingdom. Peace be with you.
- Margaret
Dear Donor,
Thank you so much for providing generously to allow me to attend Urbana 09. For someone oriented toward scientific research and development, mission work was something that I did not really see myself pursuing. Once arriving at Urbana I realized that God had many good things in store for me. Surprisingly the things I learned related more towards my relationship with Jesus and with the world than my call to missions. Coming out of Urbana, I have a few major takeaways that I would like to share with you.
1. A vision of justice in the world. At Urbana, I learned about poverty, human trafficking, and injustice around the world. My learned response is to feel bad and be pressured into sending money, but at Urbana I learned that there is value in identifying with the people who suffer these injustices, that there is value in providing a voice to the voiceless, and that there is great power in prayer. I learned about a God who has come into the middle of history to redeem the world and make all things new. I learned about a God who hates injustice and I learned about some of the practical ways that injustice is being combated. Specifically, I learned about advocacy campaigns and the role of politics in bringing about God's work. It made me realize that I may not be William Wilberforce, come to set the slaves free through politics, but I might be someone who nudges a new Wilberforce to set the slaves of the world free. Practically, I'm hoping to help out with bringing the Human Wrong campaign to the University of Michigan campus, as well as get the ball rolling on a city-wide, week-long campaign to raise awareness, voice, and funds to help end human trafficking.
2. A new take on prayer. At Urbana I realized that my prayers often sound like they are being read off of a prayer request sheet. I've learned about praying like the Bible shows us, and I have learned the importance of the voice that I am given. The ability to communicate with a holy and powerful God never seemed real to me, but I have grown a great deal in this understanding.
3. A worldwide vision. At Urbana I was struck by the phrase, "get to know the world God so loved." In our fellowship's Large Group gatherings I have sensed that we have become ingrown. In response to this, I'm putting together a new segment titled "Get to Know the World God So Loved." We'll have testimonies from missionaries, send letters of support and encouragement, and pray for countries that we learn about. It is my hope that I can bring the world-wide vision of Urbana back to campus and enable others to explore their call to overseas missions.
4. Local mission. I was struck at Urbana, by the sheer number of people making commitments to long term missions, but I then realized that almost all of us had made that commitment when we chose to follow Jesus. I've realized that my apartment, my family, and my friends are all unreached populations who need Jesus, and I am positioned quite well to be a tool to allow that to happen. I hope to invite my family to church, invite my friend to study John 1-4 with me and to reach out to my apartment mate and bring him to an AIV small group.
Again, thank you so much for enabling me to attend this conference. I hope that you can now share in some of the wonderful and hopefully life changing experiences that I was able to be a part of.
Blessings,
Ryan
Jesus said that we are to love our enemies. I always thought, “Sure...I love my enemies - I don't really hate anybody.” But two speakers at Urbana09 opened my eyes to what Jesus spoke of. Both men began with their stories of pain and oppression by another group of humans - one as a Tutsi, the other as a Korean. Although they began in very different places, both of them ended up in the same place - realizing that the reconciliation that Jesus spoke of was hard but necessary. Although it was difficult, each man spoke about how reconciling with someone you hated (with cause) brings the only way to point to God together. I realized that I do have enemies that I hate: people who oppressed me, people who hated me, people that I thought I could hate because they did me wrong. But God said I was once alienated from God and was an enemy because of my evil behavior.
- Lily
As a senior about to graduate with a piano performance degree from the University of Michigan, I entered Urbana09 hopeful and expectant for God to reveal more of his plan for my life. He did not disappoint, although He responded in ways I didn’t expect. (Praise be to our surprising God!)
Instead of calling me forward into global missions work, He led me inward and homeward – back to the places I had come from. “Come and see,” He said to me. “You cannot carry the burdens of far-flung territories yet, for these places need you first.” At Urbana, God showed me that at least for the next few years, I must consider it my calling to be a cross-cultural missionary to the very culture I come from. Now equipped and immersed in the culture of our Lord Jesus Christ, I must learn and understand the deep-rooted brokenness that handicaps my family. Furthermore, I must discover creative and loving ways to demonstrate the holiness, truth, and love that Jesus proclaims.
His word never fails to be a light unto my path. Thank you for your contributions to the workings of God’s eternal kingdom. Peace be with you.
- Margaret
Monday, January 4, 2010
Life after Urbana ... what?
I'm so grateful for all of your prayers and messages of encouragement in these past days. Urbana 09 ended in the early hours of Jan. 1, 2010 and I am now taking a much-needed week off. I thought I'd post a quick update between now and February when a full report will come via my regular prayer letter.
Though this was my third Urbana conference, second as a staff, it never ceases to encourage and move me at seeing thousands of young people who are ready to be sent out to be a part of God's mission. The energy, passion and faith of the Urbana community is overwhelming. I thank God that I get to be a part of this event and have a part in helping students experience God in such a powerful way.
Working backstage was quite different from my past 2 Urbanas. I spent much less time with students and in sessions. But I also got to see the hard work that was happening behind the scenes, which gives me a greater appreciation for the people I work with and those who spent months and years preparing for this in advance. Many of them have thankless jobs, but I am very thankful for them. Patrick Fung, one of the Urbana speakers, mentioned in his interview that God's mission is often carried by the nameless workers who give their lives to serve God. I believe I work with many of these nameless workers and I'm blessed to benefit from their quiet faithfulness. It is a challenge to me, as I serve in a role that is often uncredited, to strive to make Christ known and not myself (another quote from Patrick Fung's interview. You can watch his interview from Day 2 of Urbana here.)
I survived many moments of being frustrated and stressed out during Urbana. One thing I know about myself is that I get easily irritated when something is not done efficiently when there could have been an easy solution. Working on the Urbana Today newspaper was not as organized as I would have wanted. I'm compiling a mental list of 'things to improve for next time' - God-willing I will still be around by then! I guess I'm sharing this to let you know that even though I am serving in ministry, I still deal with my own sinfulness in the process! It's definitely a learning curve and I pray that God will help me learn to be more gracious and patient.
Urbana was also a time of reunions. I got to see coworkers from Ann Arbor and the Great Lakes East region, as well as former students and fellow alumni from AIV and twelve students from my home church, CBC (pictured above)! I had a lot of fun catching up with them. It would have been nice to have more time for fellowship but Urbana is such a full, busy week, especially for staff, that this was pretty difficult. Still, I love that Urbana is a place that brings together people who are from all over the place!
Here are some things you can be praying for in the days and weeks ahead:
Though this was my third Urbana conference, second as a staff, it never ceases to encourage and move me at seeing thousands of young people who are ready to be sent out to be a part of God's mission. The energy, passion and faith of the Urbana community is overwhelming. I thank God that I get to be a part of this event and have a part in helping students experience God in such a powerful way.
Working backstage was quite different from my past 2 Urbanas. I spent much less time with students and in sessions. But I also got to see the hard work that was happening behind the scenes, which gives me a greater appreciation for the people I work with and those who spent months and years preparing for this in advance. Many of them have thankless jobs, but I am very thankful for them. Patrick Fung, one of the Urbana speakers, mentioned in his interview that God's mission is often carried by the nameless workers who give their lives to serve God. I believe I work with many of these nameless workers and I'm blessed to benefit from their quiet faithfulness. It is a challenge to me, as I serve in a role that is often uncredited, to strive to make Christ known and not myself (another quote from Patrick Fung's interview. You can watch his interview from Day 2 of Urbana here.)
I survived many moments of being frustrated and stressed out during Urbana. One thing I know about myself is that I get easily irritated when something is not done efficiently when there could have been an easy solution. Working on the Urbana Today newspaper was not as organized as I would have wanted. I'm compiling a mental list of 'things to improve for next time' - God-willing I will still be around by then! I guess I'm sharing this to let you know that even though I am serving in ministry, I still deal with my own sinfulness in the process! It's definitely a learning curve and I pray that God will help me learn to be more gracious and patient.
Urbana was also a time of reunions. I got to see coworkers from Ann Arbor and the Great Lakes East region, as well as former students and fellow alumni from AIV and twelve students from my home church, CBC (pictured above)! I had a lot of fun catching up with them. It would have been nice to have more time for fellowship but Urbana is such a full, busy week, especially for staff, that this was pretty difficult. Still, I love that Urbana is a place that brings together people who are from all over the place!
Here are some things you can be praying for in the days and weeks ahead:
- rest! I am exhausted, as are many of the other staff. Please pray that we will be refreshed and renewed.
- protection. after a 'mountain top' experience such as Urbana, students will be especially vulnerable in these days ahead. pray that God will protect them from spiritual attack, as the enemy wishes to snatch away whatever good things happened at Urbana.
- confirmation. thousands of students answered God's call to be sent into missions at Urbana! pray for the Spirit to confirm this decision in tangible ways for them.
- re-entry. after experiencing a glimpse of heaven (a huge multitude of people who love God in community for five days), it can be difficult to go back to the mundane, the difficult, the worldly places we live in day to day. please pray God will help us re-enter our lives in a way that doesn't lose what was gained at Urbana, but enables us to engage with the world around us.
- action. many students made decisions at Urbana. please pray that they would carry out these decisions, and as a result that God's kingdom would advance in all corners of the earth!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Hi from Urbana!
Urbana is underway! Things behind the scenes have been their usual craziness... It's a lot of waiting and hurrying. Last night there was a water main break close to the America's Center which threatened to shut us down. Praise God they have it under control and Urbana can go on!
Last night I worked until midnight finishing the first issue of Urbana Today, our daily newspaper. It was pretty stressful and tiring getting it all done. Please pray as we continue to work on the newspaper - that details will come together, and for grace as we all work together.
(You can view the newspaper here - don't mind the typos/mistakes... we don't have a proofreader!)
Please continue to pray as Urbana continues! I'll try to send another update as time permits.
Last night I worked until midnight finishing the first issue of Urbana Today, our daily newspaper. It was pretty stressful and tiring getting it all done. Please pray as we continue to work on the newspaper - that details will come together, and for grace as we all work together.
(You can view the newspaper here - don't mind the typos/mistakes... we don't have a proofreader!)
Please continue to pray as Urbana continues! I'll try to send another update as time permits.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Counting Down to Urbana 09
Urbana 09 is less than a month away! The 2100 department is extremely busy these days! I have completed the Urbana Handbook (praise God!) but am now working on a few more print pieces: the exhibits and seminars guide, which will have listings of which exhibitors (missions organizations and seminaries) will be at
Urbana, and also the schedule of seminars. I’m also working on the worship CD art, which is fun since I get to be a little more creative.
I wish that I could fully convey the scope of Urbana to those of you who haven’t experienced it. This conference is unlike anything else. The energy of 20,000 people who love Jesus gathered in one place is indescribable! It sounds cliché but it really does give you a glimpse of heaven: diverse, worshipful, passionate,
and a real sense that God is present. As you support me through your prayers and gifts, you are supporting a movement that reaches far beyond anything I alone could do. You have a part in something important, global, and eternal! Please continue to pray with me that Urbana 09 will be a catalyst in sending out God’s people to do God’s mission. And pray for me and those with whom I work, as we continue to plan and prepare for this major event. What a privilege and responsibility to work alongside the Lord himself in accomplishing something so significant for His mission!
P.S. I overheard that approximately 50% of all missionaries in the world were sent out from past Urbana conferences!
Urbana, and also the schedule of seminars. I’m also working on the worship CD art, which is fun since I get to be a little more creative.
I wish that I could fully convey the scope of Urbana to those of you who haven’t experienced it. This conference is unlike anything else. The energy of 20,000 people who love Jesus gathered in one place is indescribable! It sounds cliché but it really does give you a glimpse of heaven: diverse, worshipful, passionate,
and a real sense that God is present. As you support me through your prayers and gifts, you are supporting a movement that reaches far beyond anything I alone could do. You have a part in something important, global, and eternal! Please continue to pray with me that Urbana 09 will be a catalyst in sending out God’s people to do God’s mission. And pray for me and those with whom I work, as we continue to plan and prepare for this major event. What a privilege and responsibility to work alongside the Lord himself in accomplishing something so significant for His mission!
P.S. I overheard that approximately 50% of all missionaries in the world were sent out from past Urbana conferences!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
10,000!
Praise God! Today the 10,000th person registered for Urbana09. Please pray that thousands more will register by the deadline this weekend, October 17th. If you've been thinking about registering, you should do it soon to save some money, as the price goes up after the 17th! Click on the link on the side bar that says "Register for Urbana 09"
Friday, October 2, 2009
Urbana 09 Buzz
Something unique about the NSC is that every three years life seems to revolve around one thing: Urbana! Our triennial missions conference is an extremely significant time for thousands of young people. It was at Urbana 03 where I made the decision to go into full-time ministry.
In the graphics room, we have a lot of responsibilities in creating the look of Urbana, not only the publicity like the posters and website, but also the onsite materials, such as the stage design, nametags, and signs. One thing I’m working on is the handbook, which will be distributed to each participant. It’s an extremely important aspect of making the conference run smoothly and providing details of what to do, where to go and at what time, among other information. Please pray for all of us at the NSC who are involved in most of the behind the scenes work of Urbana 09. Please also pray for our speakers, worship leaders, performers, seminar leaders, and Bible teachers. Most of all pray for the 20,000+ participants who will travel to St. Louis from all over the world to attend. Pray that God would use Urbana 09 to grow our heart for missions and to send people out to change the world!
See you in St. Louis?
Although most who attend Urbana are ages 18-30, all are welcome and encouraged to come! If you’d like to find out more about Urbana 09, please visit urbana09.org or contact me. The next registration deadline is Oct. 17!
In the graphics room, we have a lot of responsibilities in creating the look of Urbana, not only the publicity like the posters and website, but also the onsite materials, such as the stage design, nametags, and signs. One thing I’m working on is the handbook, which will be distributed to each participant. It’s an extremely important aspect of making the conference run smoothly and providing details of what to do, where to go and at what time, among other information. Please pray for all of us at the NSC who are involved in most of the behind the scenes work of Urbana 09. Please also pray for our speakers, worship leaders, performers, seminar leaders, and Bible teachers. Most of all pray for the 20,000+ participants who will travel to St. Louis from all over the world to attend. Pray that God would use Urbana 09 to grow our heart for missions and to send people out to change the world!
See you in St. Louis?
Although most who attend Urbana are ages 18-30, all are welcome and encouraged to come! If you’d like to find out more about Urbana 09, please visit urbana09.org or contact me. The next registration deadline is Oct. 17!
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