Parent Weekly Newsletter 4/11Spring 2008, Issue #10 |
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Biola
University, Office of Parent Relations, 13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA
90639 / (800) 99-BIOLA / (562) 906-4535
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Greeting |
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I recently had an opportunity to be part of a missions trip to Mali, Africa. It was the first time my feet have touched African soil in 37 years. You see my parents were missionaries to Nigeria. I was born there and returned to the United States at the age of 13. For me this trip was a huge blessing. On about the 3rd day of the trip it finally hit me. I was witnessing the “mission” of missions being accomplished right in front of me. My parents had gone to Nigeria in the 1950’s to be part of the work God was doing in the hearts of the people. People were being saved. Churches were being planted. People were being provided Bibles and materials to help them grow and mature in their faith. Pastors and Christian workers were being educated and trained. Fast-forward 50 some years, about the 3rd day of our trip, I was soaking in the experience of the work we were doing in Mali. We were ministering to 450 kids in a Christian school, most of whom are from Muslim homes. I had just had the privilege of presenting the gospel to hundreds of villagers who had gathered to see the “Jesus” film. I had introduced myself as an African, having been born in Nigeria. Then it hit me! I realized that the pastors of the local church, whose work we were there to support, were all missionaries from Nigeria. Literally, there were 4 pastors and their wives, all Nigerian, who had left everything in their own country to follow God and to bring the gospel to Mali. Wow! The very thing my parents had been a part of 50 years ago in Nigeria had come full circle. Mature Nigerian believers going out as missionaries to Mali. For me, as an alumni and parent of a Biola student, I see that the very necessary process of educating and maturing the Christian, for the purpose of Christian service, is taking place right here at Biola. My daughter will graduate in May with an Intercultural Studies degree and a heart for missions. Reflecting on the investment of my parents in the Nigerian believer, I am anxious to see what God has in store for my own daughter, Lindsey. Steve Hurlbert Biola University Parent Council  Steve and Cindy Hurlbert Parents of: Janae ('05) majored in Communications. Lindsey ('08) is majoring in Intercultural Studies. Have questions or comments for Steve and Cindy? Contact them by clicking here. |
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Did You Know? |
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Dream Big for Kingdom Impact Dr. Barry H. Corey became the eighth president of Biola University on July 1, 2007. Since that time he has begun to set in motion a process that will refresh Biola's Strategic Plan for the coming years. The drive behind the plan is to "Dream Big for Kingdom Impact", and thus has been titled the DBKI Strategic Plan. To read more about these plans, and also to learn more information from the President's Office, please visit the Office of the President's website. |
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Missions Conference 2008 |
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Beginning next Wednesday, April 16th, this campus will be transformed. What once was a student lounge will be a place to experience food and drinks from around the world, the café will move outside, and classrooms will become far away places like Kenya and Afghanistan. Why? Because Wednesday begins Biola’s annual Missions Conference. For three days classes and the normal flow of Biola come to a halt, as the community focuses on world mission and evangelism. The conference is hosted by Biola’s Student Missionary Union, a group that is the largest of its kind in the United States. SMU is, “A student led organization that motivates and mobilizes students to align their lives toward the completion of the Great Commission.” Missions Conference is three days that are specifically devoted to this purpose. This year's conference will feature Libby Little, a long-term missionary from Afghanistan, Todd Johnson, Director of of the Center of the Study of Global Christianity, as well as representatives from over 50 different Missions Organizations. It will be an incredible week, that your student will not want to miss. Schedule: WEDNESDAY April 16, 2008 9:00 AM: Session 1- Libby Little 2:00 PM: Session 2 – Todd Johnson 4:00 PM - 4:50PM: Seminar 1 7:00 PM: Thomas Torrey Concert 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM: International House of Drinks (IHOD) Thursday April 17, 2008 9:00 AM: Session 3 – Todd Johnson 10:45 AM- 11:35 AM Seminar 2 11:00 AM- 1:45 PM: Ethnic Lunch – Metzger Lawn 2:00 PM: Session 4 – Libby Little 4:00 PM - 4:50 PM Seminar 3 7:00 PM: ‘Urban Culture Experience’ in the Gym Friday April 18, 2008 9:00 AM: Session 5 – Libby Little 11:00 AM: Session 6 – Todd Johnson 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM Seminar 4 [ return to top ] |
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Chapel |
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Chapel Schedule  Monday, April 14th- Centennial Chapel featuring Luis Palau Worldwide evangelist; founder of the Luis Palau Association and the author of several books, including God Is Relevant and Where Is God When Bad Things Happen? The Luis Palau City Fests are inspirational festivals held around the world. Though Palau spent years working with Billy Graham, the festival is different than a typical crusade, as along with music and messages, there will be X-Game type demonstrations with motorcycles, bikes and skateboards. Though these elements help attract huge crowds of young people and families of all races and beliefs, Palau never loses sight of his ministry’s ultimate goal: to share the truth of Jesus Christ with a troubled world in troubled times. Luis Palau was born in Argentina and became a U.S. citizen after coming to study at Multnomah School of the Bible, and now lives in Portland, Oregon. Wednesday, April 16- Friday, April 18- Missions Conference See Schedule above |
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Parent's Corner |
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Finals Survival Sacks: Encourage your student and support student ministries The pressure is on for your student as finals week approaches! You have a tremendous opportunity to encourage your son or daughter during this exhaustive time and participate with our student ministries. Through the Department of Spiritual Life you have the opportunity to send “Survival Sacks” to your student's dorm room the weekend before final exams begin. This Survival Sack will contain a plentiful assortment of fresh fruit, popcorn, sugarless gum, granola bars and various snacks and candy. A personal note of encouragement will also be attached. Your generous, tax-deductible gift to Spiritual Life is the primary way we raise support for our ministry efforts. It helps us in developing your students as ministers through our discipleship, evangelism, and outreach ministries. It also helps support our mission teams, both locally and abroad. The packages and encouragement notes will be delivered on Friday, May 16th. We would love to hear from you before Wednesday, May 14th. Please note, a small amount ($5) will be deducted from your donation receipt to offset costs. If you did not receive an order form in the mail please call (562) 903-4754 to place your order. Some of you, specifically those living outside of California may have recently received our Survival Sack fundraiser mailing with the correct address, but wrong name. There was a mix-up with the database for our particular fundraiser mailing, which has now been corrected. A new mailing will be sent out to all the parents of on-campus students with the correct name and address information. Thank you for those who let us know about the problem. Our apologies for any confusion or inconvenience that this error may have caused. We thank you for the continual prayer support and Survival Sack donations that help support our ministries as our students impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ! Serving Christ Together, Barbara Miller Director of Spiritual Life [ return to top ] |