by Tom LeCompte

“I feel like I’ve stacked all the logs in my life and this week, God has used the Urbana conference to ignite them. Now, I am on fire!”

Martin, a Korean student, was beside himself with enthusiasm; he couldn’t wait to tell someone his story.

A Christian since age seven, Martin always knew that he wanted to be in some sort of Christian ministry. “I am very ambitious,” he said. “I have a tendency to watch someone do something and then dream of ways that I can make that thing better. When I first saw a pastor preaching a sermon, I knew that is what I wanted to do. I wanted to be the best preacher in all of Korea.”

Martin came to the United States from Seoul, South Korea in August 2007. He is currently a Philosophy student and a Student Government International Senator, serving as a bridge between American students and other international students.

For the past several months, Martin had been praying about his future and setting goals for himself. But being the ambitious person he is, Martin is dreaming big dreams. He envisioned such goals as starting his own Christian university and establishing a Christian resort city with 24/7 activities – “like Las Vegas, only Christian!”

Around this time, Martin met Lisa Espineli Chinn, who was visiting his university. Lisa and other Christians told him about the upcoming Urbana 09 conference and persuaded him to register.

Martin admitted that he didn’t have many expectations when he came to the conference. But halfway through the event, he decided Urbana 09 exceeded all his expectations and then some. “I can’t think of any way to improve this conference. Everything is well organized and done professionally.” He really enjoyed worshipping with 16,000 other students in one place. “It reminds me of the large church I attended in Seoul.”

When asked what his favorite part of the Urbana experience was, Martin said, “I really like the emphasis on studying the Bible and on prayer. These two things are the most important to me.”

Martin wants his Urbana experience to help him be an influence to other international students. He plans to return to the conference in 2012, bringing as many friends as he can.

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