Phoebe Wong
Urbana 2025 Sharing: What is God calling me to do at this time in my life? How can I surrender fully to Him, and what does that look like practically? Going into the conference, one of the first things we did was write down questions we hoped would be answered over the next few days. Looking back, in addition to gaining new perspectives, I was also reminded of many truths I had been neglecting. As we studied the book of Jonah, our discussions around it revealed many of the ways in which God never fails to work for His glory and our good. Even in the midst of my constant disobedience, He continues to provide, showing His unconditional love and grace. Rather than asking myself whether God is speaking to me, I learned to ask whether I am listening to Him, as I often drown out His voice with my own desires. My experience at Urbana 25 was one of conviction, listening, and ultimately, anticipation for what God has in store. It has urged me to continue striving towards living a life of sacrifice instead of convenience, letting God place me where He wills. I hope to continue knowing Him more, growing in my faith, and building up fellow believers in love while being a witness to all those around me.
Nathanael You
Heading into Urbana, I didn’t really know what to expect. I was coming off a month where I felt kind of spiritually lost, and walked into Urbana wanting to find a greater purpose, and where God was trying to lead me. Honestly, a lot of the questions I had weren’t answered, and there wasn’t really a clear path in front of me. But what I did learn is that it’s okay when we don’t have an exact sense of direction, God doesn’t waste a single life, and it’s important to realize that if we trust in Him, He will make our path straight, no matter the path we choose. We are placed where we are right now to do His will. Even if we don’t feel it, He’s constantly working through us. Even in our uncertainty, even in our disobedience, God is there, just as He used Jonah’s disobedience as a vessel to reveal Himself to the sailors. This doesn’t mean we are free to live in disobedience to God. This is a trap I have fallen into far too often. A self-centered Gospel, about MY discipleship, MY church, MY relationship with Christ. There’s nothing wrong with caring about this, but there is so much importance in sharing the Gospel with all. We are called to make disciples of all nations, and this is done by not just sharing the gospel but also living it out. It’s scary, and it’s not easy, but Jesus did not endure the cross for us to live in our comfort. God is calling us for something greater, the question is will we accept His invitation?
Anke Mok
At the very start of the conference, I remember the host saying Urbana was going to be like a buffet. And it was, it was a spiritual buffet. Through the sermons, seminars, and bible studies, I felt like I had been bombarded with the information I had been seeking, and the words that I needed to hear. (like God knew exactly what I needed, and he delivered that to me, through Urbana.) At the same time throughout our trip, we were constantly walking around everywhere, so we’d always get very hungry by the time we’d get a meal. And yet the portion sizes in America are like HUGE. (slides: pictures of food) The food was very filling. So we were always either just completely starving or extremely full. This would happen every single day. So throughout the trip, our physical hunger and spiritual hunger were both being constantly filled up- to the brim. And just like physical hunger, our spiritual hunger after the conference will start to get hungry again; we will continue to crave the things only God can bring us. As humans, we are created, by God to be with God. When we are apart from Him, when we are not actively seeking Him, we have a deep hunger nothing on this earth can satisfy, a craving that everybody has, some people in this world never even get a chance to know what it is- they never get to encounter God or hear about Him at all. Before going to Urbana, I didn’t realize how important it is to share the gospel. Sharing the gospel doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go somewhere and then evangelize. Where you are right now is where you can share the gospel. Your circle… the ppl you are connected to- do they know God? Do they know that you’re a Christian? At the first big room session of Urbana, we wrote down any questions we had going into the conference that we’d hoped God would answer. The first question I put down was “What is God’s purpose for me?” And through the conference, God answered that. Some of you may have thought about like why am I here? Why am I on this earth? Like, I know God put me here, but why? You are here because God is not finished with you. You are so purposely picked to be part of his plan, to be part of His mission. God’s purpose for us is to represent Him in the World. As a Christian. To be a living testimony. To be witness to Him. That in everything we do, we do it for the glory of God. So don’t just proclaim the gospel, LIVE IT OUT. If your friends, classmates, coworkers, whoever you are connected to- Christian, or not- if they know you’re Christian, or even if they don’t, when they see you living out the gospel, acting so kindly, so selfless, so forgiving, so patient, so full of joy. They’ll be curious and ask how..? And you’ll tell them… It’s cause of God. At the end of the day, it is not our job to change their hearts. It is scary to talk about God in a non-Christian setting. It is God’s job. You plant the seed. God makes it grow.