Urbana 03 is Coming!

Your kingdom come, your will be done

Paul Grant

The kingdom of God was a primary subject of Jesus’ teachings. One author, Donald Kraybill, refers to an “upside-down kingdom” because Jesus’ approach is contrary to all our understanding of power. Indeed, the more one takes our Lord’s teachings about the kingdom to their logical conclusion, the more paradoxical but beautiful they appear. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25). “Sell all that you own,” he said to the astonishment of his disciples, but at the same time he taught them, “do not worry about tomorrow” (Luke 18:22 and Matthew 6:34). Jesus called himself God, but he surrendered to execution as a common and contemptible criminal.

The kingdom of God is paradoxically both already here in the world, and not-yet-here. In a very real sense, we are simultaneously members of our communities and campuses, as well as a diaspora people waiting for Jesus to come and heal the world.

Urbana 03 reflects this here-but-not-yet-here tension: the convention is about both your future and your life today in college. We learn about God’s heart for people in the remotest hills, and about God’s heart for the students on our dorm floors, because all those people are equally valuable to a king who died for his people.

While Urbana conventions always have some of the world’s finest Christian speakers, delegates invariably remember for the rest of their lives the ten-minute testimony of that African missionary who got stoned by villagers, or that saintly old woman who was held prisoner in Vietnam. Urbana conventions thrive on contrasts, and this year’s will be exceptional in that regard.

There is nothing quite like an Urbana convention. Taking place at the University of Illinois, there are hundreds of seminars and workshops, more than 350 exhibitors, and more than 1,500 small groups. The atmosphere is at once both like a family and like a city. Over five days in December, we’ll get a taste of how big, how exciting, how incredible is the life of service to God, the life-given-away. We’ll see that God is doing something so much bigger than our GPAs. He’s building his kingdom, and we get to be a part of it!

God’s kingdom, our choices

Don Follis

Millions of times each day, Christians around the world pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” Jesus Christ taught us to pray those words. But have you wondered what exactly Jesus meant by kingdom? In short, God’s kingdom, which is infinitely dear to him, is the place he wants to rule.

When Jesus lived on this earth and talked with people, he often started his encounters with this phrase: “The kingdom of God is like . . .” Jesus said that God’s kingdom is like a mustard seed. It starts very small, but it grows exceedingly large. Another time Jesus said his kingdom is like a person who found a treasure in a field. Knowing its tremendous value, the person immediately hid the treasure, sold all his possessions and bought the entire field.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said we should strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

What is clear throughout the Bible, however, is that there are two kingdoms—the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. God, by the power of his Holy Spirit, wants to invade this present evil age and rule in the lives of men and women. Indeed, the apostle Paul says Christians have been rescued from the power of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

The Urbana 03 student mission conference will explore the theme “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” As you consider being part of this grand event, ask yourself two questions: “Will I let God reign in my life—my mind, my imagination, my entire being?” and “Will I then submit to his will, whatever that may be?”

God’s kingdom—his rule and reign—is coming to you. Will you choose God’s way? Will you ask him to give you a love for the places where he wants to rule? Will you let God have his way in your life?

Telling your parents about Urbana 03

Jill Feldkamp

You’ve made the decision that you want to attend Urbana 03, but there are a couple more people you need on your side before you go—Mom and Dad. How are they likely to respond? Perhaps you can hear them say, “You want to go where? When? For what?” They can’t imagine why you would want to give up holiday time with them and the rest of the family to spend hard-earned money on traveling to the flat, cold, likely snowy Midwest for some conference. What should you tell them? Why should they care?

If your parents are Christ-followers, they may already be receptive to your going to Urbana. Tell them about the best worship times this side of heaven. Inform them about the biblical teaching on missions that you’ll receive in large and small groups and the testimonies and messages you’ll hear from authors and pastors and teachers from around the world. Mention that you can visit with representatives from a lot of missions agencies in just a few short days. Let them know that you will be with lots of other Christian students like you from around the North America and the world, so that you can build up and encourage each other. Last, but not least, tell them that you will get a bigger heart for God’s world and a vision for your place in it. Then, show them the Urbana web site (www.urbana.org) so they can see for themselves just what the convention is all about.

However, if your parents are not Christ-followers, they may not be very receptive to your going to Urbana. They may not understand what it is. What can you tell them that they would understand? You might stress that Urbana is educational, international and unifying. They might be surprised, but could hardly object to your spending part of your vacation “in class.” Tell them you will have dozens of small seminars to chose from on topics ranging from befriending international students at your campus to using your major overseas. Explain to them that large-group meetings will have multicultural music and drama. Inform them about Urbana’s intention to demonstrate and foster friendships between the races. Let them know that Urbana will encourage you to be a loving person. Finally, tell your parents that you are willing to stay home if that is what they want. In doing so, you are honoring them.

Regardless of where your parents are coming from, they will appreciate your communicating with them about your plans and your life. Share with them from your heart about why going to Urbana 03 is important to you. As appropriate, let them know about your spiritual life. Perhaps as you share your life with them, they in turn will share more of their thoughts and ideas with you, opening new avenues of communication. Finally, before you talk with your parents about your going to Urbana 03, talk to God. Pray that he will give you favor as you communicate with them. Pray, and then go have a talk with Mom and Dad.