Urbana 2015

Urbana is a tri-annual missions conference hosted by InterVarsity USA and Canada. Every time one happens. there is often lots of vision cast and lots of invitations to consider, and this Urbana was no different. This post is late in coming, just because there is still so much to take in and process about the experience. If you weren’t able to go, video and audio files are available here.

There were 8 OCAD students who attended, 5 did the general seminar track, 2 did the poverty track, and 1 did the Canadian Student Leadership track. It was hard to find each other throughout the conference. but there were some key points where we were able to connect and hear from one another and pray together. And of course, to hang out and take fun photos like these:

Many of the students were moved to be more intentional with how they steward their talents and resources. Some were moved to consider what life in mission post University could look like. Some received visions in listening prayer about invitations God was extending to them. As the months have passed, I’ve been able to hear how and what these students are hearing from God as they continue journeying with Him and offering their lives, talents and resources for his purposes. For some, they realized they cared a lot more about the things of God than spending time with God, and others realized they were too focused on their relationship with God and were not caring about things He cared about like justice. It’s not been surprising how often I’ve referred students back to these talks and these teachings, as many still hold the same relevance now as it did then.

This Urbana, also gave me the opportunity to partner with InterVarsity USA in the Pan-Asian North American Lounge. I’d wanted to serve in this capacity for the past few Urbanas, and this time the circumstances all came together to allow it. I’d never served in a lounge before, so it was a new experience. I enjoyed getting some time to meet and reconnect with students. Some highlights were creating “Tree Auntie” with some of my South Asian staff friends, and getting to reunite with more South Asian staff friends and SALI participants during the South Asian gathering. I also got to reunite with Peter, Parmina, Pintu and Joana from Bangladesh!