urbanaspeakers

I really enjoyed the daily morning Bible teachings by Rev. Ken Fong. What I remember most vividly out of everything he said was that we need to be "drunk with the Holy Spirit". I especially appreciated Ken's openness in telling us the long journey of his daughter's adoption. I liked his insight on Asian American Christians and churches... and it doesn't hurt that he is a Berkeley alum (note the sweatshirt)!

to hear Ken speak at Urbana 2000...

Susan Cho VanRiesen was my favorite Urbana speaker by far. Despite her Stanford connections, I was challenged by her words about taking advantage of the present to equip us for the future. I agree with her that it is easy to see what is immediately ahead of us in light of the "big picture". She motivated me not look past the homeless in Berkeley and people I deal with on a daily basis. After all, she reminded us of our responsibility to tell the gospel to people around us as well as the unreached far away.

to hear Susan speak at Urbana 2000...

Although I had heard Gary Haugen speak about international justice before, his testimony on the relevance of Christianity to the oppressed and suffering still spoke to me. I especially liked his analogy of Christians as lamps of God, that "we shine best in dark places". He challenged us to seek out the dark places of the world and place ourselves there so we can shine for God. It was great to see so many people supporting his ministry, Internation Justice Mission.

to hear Gary speak at Urbana 2000...

I enjoyed Nikki Chow's testimony on summer mission trip to China because I could picture myself in her shoes as I prepare to go on a similar trip. Her story about the conversation of her Chinese roommate reminded me to not get frustrated by what I will do, but instead allow God to work in people in His time. I am thankful for the opportunity to hear her speak before embarking on my trip. It was as if God had catered her message for me.

to hear Nikki speak at Urbana 2000...

Jimmy McGee was all about the BBC (Becoming a Beloved Community)! It was refreshing to be reminded of the need to show grace at the conference, even when we are eating or borading buses. His wit and humor made dull (but important) announcements fun to listen to. I enjoyed his Walt Whitman poems at the close of each session.