Urbana 18
In January 2007, Mission Frontiers Magazine published an article titled Urbana and Perspectives Meant to Go Together by Yvonne Huneycutt. These two mobilization ministries have harmonized together for over 40 years.
Peanut butter and jelly, lattes and biscotti, Urbana and Perspectives: things that go great together. The Perspectives course has enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with the Urbana student mission convention since Perspectives began. In fact, the whole idea for Perspectives grew out of the unexpected and dramatic surge of mission interest among students at Urbana ’73.
Mission leader Ralph Winter pondered: Could this be the beginning of another Student Volunteer Movement? The Student Volunteer Movement of the early 20th century swept across college campuses, producing tens of thousands of mission recruits — the largest student mission movement in history. How, Winter wondered, can we encourage and inform this new movement, helping students know how to act on their early commitment? What will sustain their commitment once they return to busy campus life with all its distractions? Winter envisioned a course where students could be exposed to the current state of the world, God’s work to accomplish His purposes in the world, and avenues to discover their roles in the Father’s plan. A prototype of Perspectives thus emerged in the summer of 1974.
I encourage anyone interested to read the entirety of Yvonne Huneycutt’s article linked above.
Perspectives was birthed out of the Urbana Movement and a need to further educate and equip hoards of students that God was raising up to reach the nations for His glory! Though Perspectives has been refined throughout the years as it continues to learn and grow, our mission is still to mobilize by educating the Body of Christ to strategic engagement in God’s global purpose.
Perspectives continues to partner with Intervarsity and Urbana at every opportunity. I wanted to post this here to encourage all college aged, or young adults to consider attending this year and inviting God to transform your life for His good purposes. If Urbana is not an option for you this year, the conference typically happens every 3 years.
Also consider participating in a local Perspectives class near you! Most fall classes will be starting soon, but it’s not too late! You can search for a class here.
