Refreshed, Renewed and Revived

The meeting hall was simple, no coffee, no donuts, no flashy podium. Graduate students had come from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois to find spiritual refreshment, to share with others who have a call to the academy, and to learn more of how to integrate their Christian faith with their studies.

The students trickled into the Wisconsin Room in the Red Gym at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the strain of work and travel shown on many of their faces. They were greeted by a gifted worship band and as they worshiped God, the pressures of studies and exams faded away. The seminars offered in-depth Bible study that further refreshed the students. In small groups, the students shared their concerns and frustrations about living out their Christian faith in the context of their particular areas of study. Encouragement and prayer was offered.

Andy Crouch, editor of the Christian Vision Project, a series of essays to be published in Christianity Today, and former InterVarsity staff member, spoke on Culture-Making and the Kingdom of God. In a series of three presentations, he explored the definition of culture, the scriptural basis of culture and how to approach contemporary culture as a Christian. More on the conference can be found online at the UIUC grad page, and Andy’s Culture Makers page.

After a week-end of spiritual input coupled with enjoyable entertainment, such as lunch on State Street, the local student thoroughfare, and a Saturday night bonfire, the students returned to their campuses renewed and ready to fulfill their call to the academy.