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From one Urbana delegate to another: don't wait. Take the time now to reflect on what you learned, and then put your realizations into action. Easier said than done, true, but there are concrete ways to plant the seeds of your Urbana experience and bear fruit.

In many ways, returning from Urbana 96 is much like the return of the seventy (Luke 10). Jesus commissioned seventy believers to go out in pairs into the "mission field" (that is, the world), to preach the gospel. He gave them instructions which still apply to any missionary: "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few . . . Go on your way" and "See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves" (verses 2-3).

Jesus gave the believers a grand sense of vision (like Jorge Atiencia and Bruce Kuhn did for us at Urbana), but he also warned them to be wise and diligent (like the missionaries we heard from who have endured suffering in ministry).

When the believers returned with joy because of their success in healing and converting the masses (verses 17-20), Jesus reminded them to focus on heaven and God's power in them-not on their ability to perform wonders or experience great things. Similarly, we came back from Urbana overjoyed, feeling empowered that we can do things for God. Jesus reminds us, too, to keep our eyes on him and to let him work through us. To use a runner's analogy, we are in a marathon, not a sprint, and we need to train accordingly.

Jesus knew, even while celebrating with the seventy, that persecution and crucifixion would come soon. The new believers weren't in touch with that reality-they just didn't get it. We too, after a "mountaintop" experience, might not realize that we may be called to suffer, sacrifice or be persecuted on the heels of that great experience. There could be conflicts with family or ridicule from non-believers. God may choose to humble us for some reason. We may be called to face anything. Are we ready and willing for such challenges? If so, then we must be armed, and part of that is to reflect and act on our Urbana experience.

WAYS TO REFLECT:
A first step is to reflect on what we learned at Urbana.

Pray for wisdom, discipline, forgiveness and healing-anything which will lift barriers to your witness.

Journal about the feelings, hopes, dreams and concerns you have as you seek God's will.

Write a personal vision statement for the next few years-how you'd like to grow and serve God.

Study the book of Acts to follow the growth of the disciples' ministry in the newly formed church.

Read the books you purchased at Urbana and keep a journal of what you learn from those books. You could even have a small-group book discussion.

Avoid excessive criticism of fellowships and events that just don't seem to compare to Urbana 96-see how you can energize their ministry instead.

Acknowledge that spiritual warfare is real and that you may become discouraged or distracted. Pray against tactics of the enemy and welcome the Holy Spirit into your daily walk.

Accept the fact that seeds may not bear fruit right away. It may be awhile before your non-Christian friend comes to Jesus or you go on a mission trip. That doesn't mean God isn't working in you.

Keep on thinking big. God is a big God!

WAYS TO ACT:
After reflection, the next step is to take some action to follow up what we learned at Urbana 96.

Hold follow-up meetings to encourage your fellow delegates.

Find an accountability- or prayer-partner from your fellowship to share specific progress or concerns with. It could be a friend or staff worker.

E-mail your Urbana small group across the country, sending prayer requests to each other.

Review the missions materials from the convention and complete any follow up letters and calls to pertinent organizations.

Have conversations about Urbana with Christians and non-Christians alike.

Write an article about Urbana for your church newsletter or campus publication.

Make an Urbana presentation before your fellowship or church congregation to edify others.

Go on a missions trip during spring break, summer vacation, next winter break or even on a holiday weekend.

Take a missions or theology class to learn more about scripture, church history, or great missionaries.

Pioneer a creative outreach with partners and prayer, to witness in ways which fit your collective gifts.

Be gung-ho for missions, of course, but don't rush God or merely take things into your own hands. Submit to God joyfully, and remember the promise of Acts 1:7-8: "It is not for you to know the times or the periods that the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."