As a new academic year begins, we give thanks to the Lord for a season of rich blessing. We do so in a spirit of deep humility and utter dependence.
Urbana 2012
More than 8,000 students, staff, and exhibitors have already registered for the conference — ahead of the pace set three years ago. Urbana's leaders have assembled an extraordinary team of plenary speakers, worship band members, seminar speakers, track leaders, and actors. In less than four months, we will all be together in St. Louis. I can hardly wait!
Students and Faculty
In our 71-year history, we have never served so many core students and faculty — nearly 39,000. ("Core" is defined as 50% or more participation in chapter activities.) The consultant who compiles our Annual Field Report estimates that easily three times that figure are significantly impacted by the ministry every year. The Lord is good.
In total, there are now 893 InterVarsity chapters on 576 campuses. Our seventh National Chapter Planting cohort launches this fall, as does a Chapter Building Beta test. Please pray for both.
New Believers
Did you know that nearly 50,000 non-Christians were involved in chapter evangelistic events last year? Isn't that amazing? Over the past five years, events with a Gospel presentation have increased by 60%; undergraduate chapters without a new believer have dropped by more than a third; and new believers have more than doubled. Praise the Lord of the harvest!
Multiethnicity
We are also in the midst of a fruitful segment of our multiethnic journey. Never before have so many Asian American students and faculty been involved in chapters. Or Blacks. Or Latinos.
Fully 35% of our students and faculty are now people of color (45% when international students are included). These figures are also reflected in our new staff – 38% of the class of 2012 are ethnic minorities.
But the news is not all good. Over the past decade, the number of Caucasian students and faculty has flat-lined. Conversations are under way to address this concern.
Volunteers
Quietly over the last ten years, the number of volunteers has increased by nearly 50%. And, our new Strategic Plan seeks to extend this growth, calling for an increased utilization of volunteers on campus. Thousands of former exec leaders are already fully trained and could be mobilized to minister ten or more hours per week.
Staff Levels
For the first time ever, the total number of staff now exceeds 1,500. In the past three years alone, 380 have been added. Very exciting!
New Strategic Plan
As we look ahead over the next five years (2012-17), we believe the Lord is guiding us in several areas. Strategic Initiatives include growth, evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development. Infrastructure includes advancement, information systems, multiethnicity, and campus access. Extension ministries include InterVarsity Press, Missions, and camps.
We also intend to weave four integrated themes throughout the Strategic Plan: multiethnicity, campus engagement, research and development, and virtual ministry.
Areas for Prayer
Finally, please be in prayer for two concerns. First, the publishing industry continues its long-term state of turbulence. While InterVarsity Press is faring better than most, the struggle is very real.
Second, please continue to pray for campus access concerns. While we have received good news at the University at Buffalo, Vanderbilt's administration continues its intransigence and new situations arise monthly. See: http://www.intervarsity.org/about/our/campus-access
Dependent Hope
In this season of flourishing, it would be all too easy for us to either take credit or to grow complacent. But, as the Lord reminds us in Deuteronomy 8, we must give all glory to Him:
"You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.”
