The Urbana team is hard at work on a number of fronts, and after months of prayer and careful planning, they are beginning to finalize many of the details. We thought you might like to know where we stand right now:
• Representatives from over 20 mission agencies who have exhibited at Urbana have volunteered to meet with us to help us understand how we can serve mission agencies better at Urbana 06. We want to make Urbana 06 a success for everyone who participates. One of the ways we are hoping to facilitate that is to let some of our key partners influence the way we do things in St. Louis. Operation Mobilization has generously offered to host this exhibitor consultation at their Atlanta offices November 2 and 3, 2005. Pray for good communication and a productive time of listening as we move ahead with the planning of this important part of the convention.
• Urbana 06 promotional brochures and DVDs will be available for distribution by the beginning of December 2005.
• The Urbana Scholarship Matching Fund is continuing to grow! Over $560,000 has been pledged or given as of the first week of October. We thank God for so many generous donors, some of whom attended an Urbana convention decades ago and have witnessed the fruit of Urbana in their own lives.
• We are excited about the great lineup of quality speakers who have agreed to speak at Urbana 06. Confirmed speakers include: Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church, California; Ajith Fernando, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka; Oscar Muriu, Pastor of Nairobi Chapel, Kenya; Brenda Salter-McNeil, former InterVarsity staff, currently of Salter McNeil & Associates; Ray Bakke, International Urban Associates; Saul Cruz, Armonia Ministries, Mexico; Donna Dong, Director of Multi-ethnic/Multi-cultural Ministry for Inter-Varsity Canada. Several other potential speakers are still pending. We will send out the entire schedule as soon as the program details are finalized. We covet your prayers throughout this time!
• If you are an InterVarsity alumnus, why not plan to meet up with friends at Urbana 06? Make Urbana 06 a part of your 2006 holiday plans by signing up for the Alumni Track at Urbana in St. Louis, Missouri, December 27 – 31, 2006. Special programming and networking receptions will be provided to help you find your place in God’s mission – with friends old and new.
