Over 1,800 Canadians have arrived in St. Louis for Urbana 09
Gathering from all over North America from December 27-31, 2009, more than 16,000 students have come to St. Louis, Missouri to search for God's calling. Co-hosted by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship of Canada, InterVarsity/US and the Groupes Bibliques Universitaires et Collégiaux, Urbana is five days that will change lives for the Kingdom.For Canadians, Urbana is always a significant event and more than 1,800 will be in attendance from Memorial University to the University of Victoria and Pioneer Camp staff from Pacific to Atlantic. In each case, we know that God is planning a unique experience for each of the Canadians who attend - continuing His work in the lives of Canadian young people. Since the first Urbana in Toronto in 1946, it has been the place where Canadian students' passion to serve God's purposes is focused.
"God has planted in all of us a desire to do His will," shares Inter-Varsity Canada Director of Campus Ministries, Al Anderson, "Urbana is the incubator where the seed He has planted begins to sprout, coming to the surface and beginning to make its presence felt."
Urbana 09, the 22nd installment, will focus in detail on the gospel of John, chapters 1 to 4, with the theme "The Word Became Flesh". This message will be particularly exciting to Canadians as the Manuscript Study portion of the plenary program is led by former Inter-Varsity Quebec Director, Ramez Atallah. Ramez, now the General Director for the Bible Society of Egypt, began his ministry as a member of the Inter-Varsity staff team in the 1960s and 1970s - part of a team that laid much of the groundwork for the exciting ministry of Inter-Varsity today.
Over 250 mission agencies will engage students with opportunities, tracks and seminars will specifically target relevant issues to equip this generation and hearing a challenge from some of the world's most influential speakers will help students accept God's call. The legacy of Urbana is generation upon generation of influential Christians who acknowledge receiving or confirming their call at Urbana and who, right now, are making a difference all over the world.
"Urbana is where young people gain focus for the lifelong mission God calls us all to," says Inter-Varsity President, Geri Rodman, "whether through a global ministry or in their chosen vocations, they are being challenged to live a lifetime of purpose for the Kingdom. In this place, this community of young people get the tangible experience of God's leading and the results are astounding."
Urbana commences on the evening of December 27 and closes following New Year's celebration and worship after midnight on December 31. Urbana is more than a conference, it is a community of believers, driven to seek God's will. Urbana 09 is five days that will change lives and, with them, change the world.
More about Urbana 09
Featured speakers from around the globe, include:
Ramez Atallah, General Secretary, Bible Society of Egypt and former Inter-Varsity Quebec Director
Oscar Muiru, Senior Pastor, Nairobi Chapel
Brenda Salter McNeil, President, Salter McNeil & Associates
Ruth Padilla DeBorst, General Secretary, Latin America Theological Fellowship
Shane Claiborne, Founding Partner, The Simple Way
Denise-Margaret Thompson, Professor, University of Trinidad & Tobago
Sunder Krishnan, Pastor, Rexdale Alliance Church in Toronto
Antoine Rutayisire, Dean of the Anglican Cathedral of Kigali and former commissioner of the Rwandan National Unity and Reconciliation Commission
Patrick Fung, General Director, OMF International
Posted: December 29, 2009
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