Lausanne World Pulse – World Pulse Archives – World Pulse Archives

Judging from the enthusiastic comments I have heard from students, speakers, and missionaries, Urbana 2000 was a resounding success. Enthusiasm is the best word to describe the spirit of the convention. Our next big job is to see that this enthusiasm for God and his world mission is translated into action.

We know that life-changing decisions have always been made at Urbana. These decisions have also changed the course of world missions, because those who were students went on to become world shapers of our missions enterprise. We work and pray so that this stream of influence will keep flowing. If it is to continue, certain things must happen. First, we know how easily ardor cools in the hot glare of reality. Students cannot carry the flame of a 20,000-person communion service forever. Memories, impressions fade, and decisions fade under pressure. In isolation the enemy of their souls will try to pick them off one at a time, suggesting that decisions were made under emotional-not rational-impulses. Back on campus, the real world of studies, hard work, interference, and even opposition set in. The temptations of worldly success and satisfaction resume their drumbeat. Urbana’s influence can gradually diminish.

If the decisions made at Urbana really are to become life changers, each student will need to develop daily spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and witness. In many cases local campus groups, such as InterVarsity, Campus Crusade, and The Navigators, will encourage this, but in other places it will be up to individual students to build supportive spiritual environments and networks. The Web and e-mail will help.

What does world missions look like on campus? In a Christian context, it looks like small missionary prayer groups and larger group missionary meetings, together with some outreach off campus. In the state universities, the mission field is the student in the next chair, in the library, and in the dormitory. This includes not only Americans but also students from around the world. What better place to prepare for missionary service?

Churches and families also play a crucial role in making student decisions stick. Some parents will be chagrined to learn that their sons and daughters believe God is calling them to prepare for missionary service. Others will respond with prayer and encouragement.

The students’ pastors and home church missions committees will plan to continue vital assistance and follow through. It’s a long journey from Urbana to the mission field. The churches will have to travel hand-in-hand with their students on this journey, giving counsel and assistance.

This is not to say that every Urbana decision-maker will become a full-time professional missionary. Many of them will. In the larger context, we would hope that the influence of Urbana students will rekindle missionary passion in youth groups, families, and churches. Their enthusiasm will be contagious, if we help them to keep the Urbana flame alive.

Of course, the mission agencies represented at Urbana face the enormous task of building relationships with students. One of the great Urbana opportunities is a face-to-face meeting with missionaries. These meetings must be developed. Students’ questions must be answered. They need more than promotional handouts; they need the wise counsel and friendship of missionaries.

When all the Urbana partners work together in the days to come, we will see remarkable changes. The potential is enormous. The Lord of the harvest has sent us a new batch of workers. Let us train and encourage them with patience, love, and care.