St. Louis Becomes Gateway to World Missions

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

(MADISON, WI) – More than 20,000 college students, young adults, high school seniors, pastors and church leaders will gather this December 27-31, 2006 in St. Louis, Missouri, for Urbana 06, InterVarsity’s 21st Student Missions Convention and North America’s largest gathering of missions-minded people.

“I continue to travel the world in ministry, but nearly everywhere I go on six continents the leaders of mission agencies come up and say, ‘I heard you at Urbana,’ says Ray Bakke, Founder of International Urban Associates and an Urbana 06 speaker. “It is impossible to overestimate the gift of Urbana to the kingdom of God.”

Since 1946 Urbana missions conventions have been held every three years. Over 220,000 attendees have heard speakers, including Billy Graham, John Stott and Ray Bakke, challenge them to step up as Christians and serve others throughout the world. Over the years, thousands of people have answered the call to unselfishly serve in locations around the world.

The American evangelical church is becoming increasingly aware of issues such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic, urban poverty and social justice. Many Christians are looking for hands-on missions opportunities that allow them to help people affected by these realities. At Urbana 06 people can learn more about these issues and take practical steps toward becoming more involved in global missions.

“Absolutely nothing matters more than the kingdom of God, so you can’t afford to miss Urbana,” says Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, author of the bestselling The Purpose Driven Life, and another Urbana 06 speaker. “If you are serious about not wasting your life, do whatever it takes–even if it means selling everything–to get there! You’ll meet God at Urbana.”

Additional information about Urbana 06 is online at www.urbana.org.

For more information, contact:
Gordon Govier
Urbana 06 Media Coordinator
608-443-3688
ggovier@intervarsity.org