Your Story, God’s Glory: Seeing the World Through God’s Global Story
Come hear the story Jesus told His followers on the road to Emmaus—a story unfolding for thousands of years throughout all of Scripture. It’s the true story of the risen Jesus bringing His life and love to every people, language, and land. When those first disciples heard it, their hearts blazed with hope.
In this seminar, Perspectives co-editor Steve Hawthorne will walk through that same story—from God’s promise to Abraham, to David's songs for the nations, to the sending of God's people. He'll show how God’s mission has always been about every people gladly giving Him glory in their own culture, creativity, and voice. You’ll see why small, self-focused hopes can’t compare to living to fulfill God’s great purpose. Expect your heart to be set on fire as you discover that God is giving you a place in the great story that will not fail to be fulfilled in every people and place.
How to Read the Bible Missionally
Is the Bible just a personal guide—or a call into something bigger? From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells one story: God redeeming the world. In this seminar, Dr. Scott Sunquist—missiologist, author, and president of Gordon-Conwell—will help you read the Bible with a mission lens. You’ll trace how each part of the story invites God’s people into his global purpose. Whether you’re new to Scripture or have studied it for years, you’ll leave with fresh eyes to see how the Bible shapes your identity, clarifies your calling, and connects you to what God is doing among the nations.
Living Sent in a Post-Christian World: Lessons from Exile, Scripture, and the Global Church
What does it mean to live on mission when the world around you no longer shares your faith—or never did? As Christians in increasingly post-Christian societies, we need fresh imagination for what it looks like to live as “sent ones.” This seminar draws from Scripture, historic experiences of exile, and the wisdom of the global church to help you embody the Gospel today. You’ll explore how to stay rooted in God’s kingdom while creatively engaging your context with humility, hope, and courage—and walk away with a personal or community plan for faithful witness wherever God has placed you.
Is Missions Still Good? Hearing from Global Leaders on Healthy Impact
Let’s be honest—missions has a complicated history. So is it still good today? In a generation asking hard questions about impact, power, and cultural humility, this seminar offers an honest and hopeful conversation with global Christian leaders who have seen missions done well. Through a live panel and Q&A, you’ll hear real stories of transformation and challenge from around the world—stories that show what happens when mission is done with love, wisdom, and partnership. Together, we’ll explore how to enter and leave a new culture in healthy, respectful ways, and what it means to share the gospel while honoring the people and place you’re called to. If you’re skeptical, curious, or committed to doing missions better, this conversation will offer clarity, courage, and next steps for faithful engagement.
Leaving Empire Behind: Mission with the Marginalized
What does mission look like when it doesn’t center power, money, or Western models—but mutuality, simplicity, and the way of Jesus?
In this seminar, you’ll hear stories of God’s upside-down Kingdom breaking through in overlooked places—urban neighborhoods, grassroots communities, and global organizations led from the margins. You’ll explore what it means to fight dependency, serve mutually, and follow Jesus into places of vulnerability and strength.
You’ll leave with hopeful possibilities, practical postures, and honest questions to consider. Whether you’re discerning a call or rethinking what mission really means, this is a space to imagine something more faithful—and more free.
AI, Faith, and the Mission of God: From Homework Hacks to Global Impact
Should I use ChatGPT for homework? Will AI take my job? Where does technology and creativity fit in God’s plan for the world? These are questions students everywhere are asking—and the global church is wrestling with them too. AI is reshaping classrooms, careers, and communities around the world. But our creator God has made us into mini-creators, capable of using technology to expand gospel access, Bible translation, justice, and mission. Join Dr. John Dyer—coder, author, and professor at Dallas Theological Seminary—for an honest, practical, and hopeful look at AI through the lens of faith and global mission. Together we’ll explore how Christians can use AI wisely in everyday life while also stepping into God’s purposes for the world.
How One Life of Obedience Sparked Thousands of Muslims to Follow Jesus
What can God do through the faithfulness of just one young adult? In this seminar, you’ll hear the story of how one step of obedience in Africa helped spark a movement where thousands of Muslims are now following Jesus. You’ll encounter the stories of five young adults who trusted God in risky and ordinary ways—and see how their obedience led to families and communities being transformed. Together, we’ll consider what it means to respond faithfully to God’s call in your own life. How might God be inviting you into a story like this?
Faith Under Persecution: Resilience and Witness from the Church in South Asia
What does it look like to follow Jesus when your faith puts you at risk?
In this seminar, you’ll hear powerful stories from Christians in South Asia—where believers often face discrimination, pressure, and persecution for their faith. Their witness offers a stirring example of resilience, hope, and deep trust in God amidst adversity.
You’ll explore how the gospel shines in hard places, reflect on the cost of discipleship, and consider your own calling in light of global faithfulness. Whether you’re navigating challenges on campus or preparing for cross-cultural mission, this seminar invites you to learn from the global Church and take your next step with courage.
Diaspora on Mission: African Voices Shaping the Global Church
What role does the African diaspora play in shaping the future of global Christianity? This dynamic forum brings together students, pastors, faculty, and professionals of African descent to share stories, build networks, and dream together. You’ll hear insights from leaders across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, MENA, Europe, and Asia—regions where the diaspora is growing in both presence and influence. Through dialogue and encouragement, come explore how God is mobilizing African voices for church planting, leadership, and cross-cultural impact around the world.
Healing Wounds: An Indigenous Perspective on Christian Mission
For many Indigenous communities, the story of Christian mission is one of harm and heartbreak. But what if it could also be a story of healing? In this powerful session, Indigenous Jesus-followers from Turtle Island (North America) share how they are reclaiming faith, restoring dignity, and reshaping what mission means. We’ll explore the painful legacy of colonization, the resilience of Indigenous believers, and how a new generation is leading with grace, truth, and hope. Come ready to listen, learn, and grow in your understanding of mission that restores instead of wounds.
Reaching a Post-Christian Culture: Lessons from Secular New Zealand
What do you do when faith is dismissed by students on your campus? That’s the everyday reality in New Zealand, one of the most secular nations in the world. In many ways, it’s a glimpse of where North America may be headed. In this seminar, you’ll hear how Christian students in NZ are finding creative, courageous ways to live and speak the gospel in a culture that’s largely written it off. We’ll unpack lessons you can apply right now in your own context—whether that’s a skeptical classroom, a disinterested friend group, or an online space. Come discover practical tools, fresh hope, and a vision for following Jesus in the cultural realities of today and tomorrow.
How Love Heals the Brain: Trauma-Informed Discipleship in Latin America
How does God heal young people carrying deep emotional wounds—and how can you join Him in that work? In Latin America, many youth bear the scars of poverty, violence, and abandonment. This seminar unpacks the surprising intersection of neuroscience and discipleship, showing how loving, consistent relationships can literally rewire the brain toward healing. Through real-life stories and accessible science, you’ll learn practical tools like self-regulation and de-escalation, and discover the power of presence in high-stress environments. Leave with a deeper vision for how God’s love transforms lives—and how He might use yours to bring hope and restoration.
Beyond the Great Wall: God’s Mission Among the Chinese Diaspora
From increased persecution to rising global tensions, traditional missions in China face growing challenges. Meanwhile, millions of Chinese are leaving and forming diaspora communities around the world. This seminar will explore the history and personal stories behind this new migration wave, equipping you with practical ways to engage and share the gospel in this evolving global Chinese story where education, family, and faith intersect.
Science, Engineering, and God’s Global Mission
What if your degree in biology or engineering could be part of God’s global mission? Dr. Nicole Vander Schaaf and Dr. Michael Wade, STEM professors at Olivet Nazarene University, share how God led them to serve at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea. From HPV testing to stormwater and air quality projects, their work meets real needs and opens doors for gospel witness. Whether you’re a student or early-career professional, this seminar will help you imagine how your technical skills could serve communities, advance justice, and become part of something much bigger than your career path alone.
Career or Mission? What If You Don’t Have to Choose?
Do you have to pick between a meaningful career and serving God’s mission? What if the gifts, training, and passions you already have are part of how God wants to use you in the world?
Many people assume that a call to missions means becoming a pastor or church-planter. But the Great Commission needs designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, healthcare workers, educators, and more. In this seminar, you’ll explore how your major and career path can be part of God’s global purposes—even if it doesn’t look like traditional ministry.
Through real-life stories and practical examples, you’ll learn the basics of Business as Mission (BAM), explore the biblical idea of tentmaking, and reflect on how your work might create opportunities to serve cross-culturally and build God’s kingdom. Whether you’re just starting to think about calling or wondering how to connect your career with global mission, this seminar will help you see new possibilities and take your next faithful step.
Serious Artists on Mission: In the Neighborhood, the Art World, and Global Missions
What does it look like to follow Jesus as an artist in mission? Many artists can feel isolated or unsure how their gifts fit into the bigger story of God’s work. In this seminar, a panel of multidisciplinary artists and musicians will share how they live out their calling in three key spaces: loving neighbors in their communities, engaging the art world with integrity, and joining God’s work across the globe. You’ll be encouraged to see your vocation in the arts not as optional, but as vital to God’s mission. This session will expand your imagination, affirm your place in the kingdom, and offer spiritual and practical practices to sustain both your craft and your witness for the long haul.
Building with Purpose: Technology for Kingdom Impact
Technology is no longer just for specialists—it’s for everyone. With today’s AI tools like ChatGPT, low-code platforms, and open-source projects, anyone can build apps, automate workflows, or design websites. What if every Urbana participant left knowing: “I can build something for the Kingdom”?
Led by NASA innovators Ali Llewellyn and Nicholas Skytland—pioneers in global hackathons and faith-based technology initiatives—this seminar will spark imagination for how technology can serve God’s mission, from prayer apps and translation tools to creative resources that share Scripture across cultures. You don’t need to be a “tech person” to join. Technology is a canvas, and God is inviting our generation to paint his purposes on it.
Teaching as Mission: How Education Opens Doors to the Gospel
What if your love for teaching—or your passion for learning—could change the world? Across the globe, education is opening doors to places and people often closed to traditional missionaries. In this seminar, you’ll hear real stories from educators serving in classrooms, refugee camps, and remote villages, showing how teaching can bring dignity, build deep relationships, and open hearts to Jesus. Whether you’re a teacher, tutor, professor, or student, you’ll leave with fresh vision and practical next steps for using your skills to serve where they’re needed most—at home or in the hardest-to-reach corners of the world.
Developing Globally Welcoming Communities
How do we form communities that reflect God’s heart for the nations? This seminar explores what it takes to build vibrant campus groups that are globally diverse and missionally engaged. You’ll learn key characteristics of multinational communities, assess your current context, and discover practical next steps to move toward a more inclusive, Christ-centered witness.
The University as Calling: Why Academia Matters to God
Is the university just a stepping stone—or a place to invest in one's life? Drawing from Charles Malik’s famous challenge to “change the university and change the world,” this seminar invites students and faculty to consider their academic life as a sacred calling. Hear from a diverse panel of scholars who believe their teaching, research, and mentorship matter to God and is part of God's redemptive mission in the world.
Loving Hindu International Students: Hospitality, Friendship, and Gospel Witness
With hundreds of thousands of Hindu international students studying in the U.S., the opportunity for gospel-centered friendship has never been greater. This seminar will equip you to extend hospitality and witness in culturally aware, spiritually sensitive ways. Learn about Hindu worldviews, common student experiences, and how to build trust through everyday life and genuine relationship. You’ll leave with practical tools for outreach and discipleship—and fresh vision for loving the nations God is bringing to your campus.
The Calling Lab: Build Your Personalized Calling Map
Tired of trying to “find your calling” and ending up more confused? You’re not alone. This interactive workshop will flip the script on how we talk about calling—moving from pressure and paralysis to clarity and purpose. You’ll explore a fresh, backward-looking framework that helps you notice how God has already been at work in your story. It’s not a lecture. It’s a step-by-step lab, and you’ll walk away with a personalized map to help you name where God might be leading you next.
Called Now, Not Later: Gen Z’s Role in Global Mission
Tired of being told you’re too sensitive, too online, or too “deconstructed” to lead in missions? What if those very traits make you essential to what’s next?
This seminar is a space to reimagine the future of global mission—where Gen Z leads with creativity, justice, and conviction, and older generations offer wisdom and support. You’ll explore a strengths-based vision for your generation, get tools to bridge generational divides, and dream together about how to lead, serve, and shape mission today.
You don’t have to wait your turn. You’re called now.
Stuck, Scattered, Searching: Finding God's Purpose (and Yourself) in Your In-Between
What if the “in-between” moments of life are precisely where God shapes your calling? For many young adults, life after school doesn’t follow a straight line. Transitions feel uncertain. Identity may feel complicated. And your calling can seem distant or undefined. Join a theologian, psychologist, and young adult researcher who understand–and appreciate–the unique journey you’re living right now. Gain fresh language for your experience and practical frameworks for your next faithful step. If you feel stuck, scattered, searching, and anywhere in between–you’re welcome here!
Not Too Broken: Mental Health, Healing, and Mission
Can God use you if you’re still struggling? Absolutely. Led by Samuel Girguis, PsyD—licensed clinical psychologist with global experience in trauma care—this seminar offers a holistic vision of mission that cares for body, mind, relationships, and spirit. Dr. Girguis has served survivors of abuse and exploitation in Los Angeles, Cambodia, and the Philippines, and now focuses on refugee mental health among Syrian families in Lebanon. Through Scripture, psychology, and real-world ministry, you’ll see how mental health challenges aren’t disqualifiers but part of the redemption God is writing—equipping you to serve with wholeness and resilience wherever he calls. Whether you’re carrying wounds, supporting others, or preparing for cross-cultural service, you’ll discover how healing and mission go hand in hand—and how the God who sends also restores.
Reviving Mission: Living Out God’s Movement in Real Life
God’s mission isn’t just for pastors, missionaries, or “super-Christians”—it’s for you, right where you are. In this interactive seminar, you’ll learn the 4Es—Encounter, Explore, Empower, Establish—a simple, biblical framework for joining what God is already doing in your dorm, workplace, neighborhood, or friend group. Through Scripture, real-life stories, and practical tools, you’ll discover how to live with joy, purpose, and Spirit-led courage in the everyday moments that matter. Leave with a clear next step and the confidence that your ordinary life is part of God’s reviving mission.
A Global Theology for Mission: Learning to Listen Across Traditions
God’s global mission brings together believers from every culture and tradition—but do we know how to truly listen, learn, and grow from one another? In this seminar, Jeff Ming Liou—InterVarsity’s National Director of Theological Formation and a professor of Christian ethics—will help you develop a theology rooted in Christ, shaped by Scripture, and enriched by the global church. You’ll map your own theological influences, recognize the traditions that have shaped others, and practice engaging across differences with humility and conviction. This isn’t about winning arguments—it’s about forming a faith big enough for God’s global mission. You’ll leave with a practical tool for theological reflection that can deepen your faith, widen your witness, and equip you to engage theology anywhere God sends you.
Testimony as a Gift: Discovering God’s Presence in Our Stories
We all carry parts of our story we might wish we could rewrite—seasons of pain, difficulty, or even shame. Yet Scripture reminds us that God is present in every chapter. In this seminar, you’ll explore how the Bible frames the value of testimony, reflect on where God has been at work in your life, and practice sharing your story with others. You’ll leave with renewed confidence that your story is not only meaningful for your own growth, but also a gift you carry into the world—bearing witness to God’s love both locally and globally.
Reaching the Rejected: God’s Heart for Neglected People Groups
Who are the people on your campus or in your city everyone avoids—but God loves deeply?
In this seminar, we’ll name the “Ninevehs” in our own lives and explore why they matter to God. Drawing on Jonah’s call, Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman, and modern movements in Malawi, you’ll hear how students have reached gang leaders, drug addicts, and others labeled as society’s rejects. Together, we’ll identify overlooked people groups in your context and share practical, tested approaches to engage them with humility, courage, and the hope of Christ. You’ll leave with fresh vision, practical ideas, and maybe a nudge from the Spirit toward the very people you’ve been avoiding.
Faith in Your Pocket: Sharing Jesus in a Digital World
You’re on your phone all the time; what if it could be more than scrolling? In this session, you will learn how digital tools and short videos can spark real conversations about faith. You’ll get to try out the Jesus Film app, which has content in over 2,200 languages, and see how it connects with people in their culture and heart language. Through stories and hands-on practice, you’ll learn simple ways to bring up Jesus with friends, classmates, and even strangers. If you’ve ever wanted to share your faith but weren’t sure how to start, this session will give you practical tools, fresh ideas, and the confidence to take the next step, both online and in person.
From Me to We: Sharing Jesus as a Community
You don’t have to share the gospel alone. In many cultures, faith is communal—and so is witness. This seminar will introduce a relational model of evangelism that works through community, not just individuals. Rooted in years of experience and testing on campus, the BEC model—Belong, Engage, Commit—offers a culturally-wise framework for sharing Jesus in everyday life. You’ll learn how this approach has helped students share their faith across a wide range of contexts: on campus, with family, and in cross-cultural settings. Through real stories and practical tools, you’ll see how teams of students have stepped into God’s mission together. Whether you serve locally or globally, Urbana 25 invites you to embrace evangelism as a shared calling: shaped by love, rooted in community, and sent into the world to make Christ known.
Still Unengaged: God’s Heart for Those with No Gospel Access
Some people groups are unreached—they have little access to the gospel. But some of these unreached are also unengaged—they have no access at all. No workers. No churches. No chance to hear unless someone goes first.
This seminar will help you understand who the unengaged are, where they live, and why the global Church must care. You’ll explore key biblical passages about God’s heart for the least reached and hear how North Americans can partner with Majority World believers who are already being sent to their neighbors.
Come ready to wrestle with what it means to follow Jesus to the very edges of where the gospel has yet to go.
Good News for Our Generation: Stories and Strategies from Gen Z Evangelists
What does it take to share the gospel authentically in your generation? In this session, you’ll hear from Gen Z evangelists who’ve wrestled with those same realities and are boldly sharing Jesus on their campuses and in their communities. Come learn from their stories, ask your real questions, and be encouraged by practical tools that meet people where they are. You’ll walk away with a fresh sense of what evangelism can look like in your world—and an effective Gen Z bridge to the gospel to help you carry the good news forward.
God’s Heart for the Great City: Urban Mission in a Broken World
“Should I not care about that great city?” (Jonah 4:11). God’s question to Jonah still echoes today—especially in a world where cities hold both deep brokenness and incredible potential. In this seminar, scholar-practitioners Alexia Salvatierra, Dwight Radcliff, and Mary Glenn draw on years of ministry in urban contexts to help you imagine what faithful witness looks like in the heart of the city. You’ll explore how the church can engage urban communities with humility, hope, and sustained presence—and how urban communities can shape your theology, leadership, and calling. Through real stories, biblical insight, and tools like urban mapping, you’ll gain practical steps for serving and learning from the neighborhoods too often overlooked, yet deeply loved by God.
Borderless Calling: Why Global Displacement Is a Gen Z Mission Field
What if one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time is also one of the greatest mission fields of our generation?
With over 120 million people displaced globally, mass migration isn’t just a political issue—it’s a gospel issue. In this seminar, leaders from World Relief (Myal Greene, Liliana Reza, and Daniel Yang) share how God is working through the Church in the midst of war, famine, and forced migration. You’ll hear stories of redemption, explore biblical foundations for global compassion, and discover how to step into this calling. Come ready to pray, learn, and find your place in God’s mission among refugees, migrants, and the globally displaced.
Made to Belong: Healing Communities for a Fractured World
In a world shaped by trauma, isolation, and burnout, what does it mean to follow Jesus with compassion—and build communities where people truly belong?
This seminar explores how wholistic discipleship includes emotional, spiritual, and relational healing. You’ll connect neuroscience with Scripture, explore trauma-informed principles, and reflect on how compassion can become a core part of mission and formation.
Led by Rev. Dr. Sanghoon Yoo, founder of The Faithful City and a national leader in trauma-informed community transformation, this session will challenge and equip you to create spaces of restoration and hope—starting in your own relationships, campus, and calling."
From Calling to Going: Overcoming What Holds You Back from the Mission Field
You sense a call to missions—but will you actually get there? Studies show that only a small fraction of people who feel called into cross-cultural ministry ever make it to the field. In this practical and encouraging seminar, veteran mission coach Matt Zowada unpacks the five most common roadblocks—from financial fears to relational pressures to lack of clear next steps— and how to overcome them. Through real-life stories, biblical wisdom, and concrete tools, you’ll gain clarity about what’s holding you back and the courage to keep moving forward. Whether you’re just exploring or already preparing to go, discover how to turn God’s call into faithful action.
What if I'm Not Called to "Missions"? Living a World Christian Lifestyle Anywhere
Do you have to move overseas to be part of God’s global mission? Not necessarily. This seminar will help you discover how every follower of Jesus can live with global purpose—wherever they are. You’ll explore what Scripture says, hear stories of ordinary people making a difference, and learn five everyday habits that align your life with God’s heart for the nations. Calling isn’t just about geography. It’s about joining God’s work in the world.
Fundraising Without Fear: A Biblical Vision for Support Raising
You may feel called to ministry or global mission—but the idea of fundraising makes you hesitate. What if support raising didn’t have to feel awkward, transactional, or like selling yourself? In this seminar, Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group and a leading voice in biblical fundraising, will share a gospel-centered approach that’s rooted in trust, invitation, and partnership. You’ll explore why asking for support is not just a means to an end, but a spiritual practice that builds God’s kingdom and deepens faith—for you and your supporters. Whether you're just starting out or feeling stuck, you’ll leave with practical tools, renewed confidence, and a bigger vision for inviting others into the work God has called you to do.
Can I Really Do This? Joining God’s Mission as Women and People of Color
Have you ever wondered, “Can someone like me really raise support or serve in God’s mission?” You’re not alone. For many women and people of color, stepping into ministry or cross-cultural mission can feel overwhelming—especially when fundraising, family pressures, or cultural dynamics make the path unclear.
In this honest and hopeful seminar, Tony Gatewood—missions leader with Servant Partners, InterVarsity, and Wycliffe—shares wisdom from 20+ years of experience mobilizing and mentoring leaders across cultures. You’ll explore biblical foundations for support-raising, hear real stories from people who fundraised in ways that reflect their identity and values, and gain practical tools to help you discern your next step.
Whether you’re preparing for missions or helping others do the same, this is a space to ask honest questions, receive encouragement, and imagine how God might use your story in his global work. You’ll leave with new courage, clear tools, and the reminder that God provides in ways that honor your culture and calling.
