our lives for God’s mission
no second thoughts, no fear, no doubt, no looking back
Five days
250 mission organisations
One global community
From 27-31 December 2012, over 16,000 students, graduates, missionaries and church leaders from around the world gathered together for Urbana. Urbana is a conference with a mission – ‘to compel this generation to give their whole lives for God’s global mission.’
The theme was ‘The Great Invitation’ and through the gospel of Luke, participants were led to reflect on God's invitation to every Christian with multicultural songs and dramas, speeches, seminars, in-depth Bible study and prayer.
Students were hungry to do something significant with their lives:
Jonatas from Brazil writes: ‘I have learned, and am still learning, about the missionary conscience of every Christian, the vision of the mission and the kingdom of God reaching all human beings, and other themes that formed (and still forming) my walk in the Christian life.’
Sami from Finland was also confirmed in his desire to be involved in missions. ‘God led me to so many incredible people that shared similar passions to me and were able to talk about how God is leading us to difficult places, but that the will of God will never lead us to where the grace of God will not cover us.’
Everyone taking part in Urbana would worship with songs in different languages, and listen as guest speakers would expand on the Scripture they had discussed in a bible study earlier that morning.
‘[At Urbana] the excellent biblical discussions and speeches renewed and motivated me, to follow, to live a complete and sanctified life every day,’ said Jonatas.
Timothée from Switzerland agrees: ‘What I experienced at Urbana was new evidence of the power of the word of God: studying the bible in the morning with a “small” group of nearly 500 people was amazing.’
On the evening of 29 December, there was a surprise event. Students were given the chance to pack caregiver kits for people in Swaziland as they look after patients suffering with HIV/AIDS. Videos demonstrated how desperately the carers need the most basic of medical supplies, which cost very little in the US.
Mili from Fiji shares how the conference ended. ‘Finally, on Monday evening, we shared Holy Communion and entered into worship as we waited to ring in the New Year! It was a magnificent sight to see 16,000 young people from across the world singing joyfully in different languages to God….
‘No second thoughts, no fear, no doubt, no looking back, just completely willing to lay everything down and let everything go, to do the will of God!‘
