“I’m so grateful for the insight, experience, and wisdom of all the staff that I’ll get to interact with at National Staff Conference 2011,” said Dora Yiu, an InterVarsity Team Leader in Southern California.
From January 5 through 9 in St. Louis, Missouri, Dora and over 1,200 other InterVarsity employees from across the nation gather to refresh their skills for campus ministry and to consider the meaning of our vision to renew the campus. Participants will discuss this vision during daily seminars. Historical exhibits, inspirational videos, and artistically designed worship will remind us of our heritage, our calling, and our utter dependence on God to fulfill our mission. Then, too, we’ll celebrate God’s blessings upon our ministry. Since, after all, our fellowship will be 70 years old in 2011.
Yes, 70 years old, and our love for Christ and the campus is as deep as ever. Bobby Gross, National Field Director for Graduate & Faculty Ministries, is delighted that Staff Conference 2011 is offering programs that will refresh our staff’s vision for serving the campus. “The university is our primary mission field,” he said. “SC11 will inspire us to serve as a redeeming influence within academia.”
Redeeming the campus is integral to InterVarsity’s mission. That’s why many university administrators are grateful for our presence on their campus. "We ran into one of UC San Diego's Vice Chancellors recently,” said Dora Yiu. “And when he found out we were from InterVarsity, he said to us, 'We love InterVarsity! It’s organizations like InterVarsity that this campus needs.' What an incredible opportunity to bring renewal to our campus! Staff Conference 2011 couldn't have come at a better time. The resources, vision, and leadership in our national movement inspires and equips me to have the courage to walk into what God has for the ministry at UCSD.”
Colleen Walsh expects to find new ideas for ministry and reconnections with friends at SC11. “I am looking forward to SC11 because I’ll get new ideas about how to renew my chapter of athletes at the University of Delaware by connecting with other staff who are working with athletes around the country. And I’m also excited to see all my new friends from Orientation for New Staff this past summer!”
Ashley Boelter, a campus staff member in Arizona, also thinks that InterVarsity’s Staff Conferences are helpful for training and renewal. “Realistically, I would not be in my fourth year of InterVarsity staff if I hadn't attended Staff Conference 2008. Staff Conferences act as a resource, training, and a deep renewal. In order for our campuses to be renewed, the leaders of that movement need it as well.”
InterVarsity’s National Staff Conference 2011 will offer our staff the resources, training, and fellowship they need to flourish in ministry. Renewing our staff spiritually and intellectually for the rigors of campus ministry ensures they are well-equipped to help student leaders and faculty renew their campuses.
