Urbana 09

Urbana 09 is a gathering of over 20,000 people worshiping God and hearing how He is using people to accomplish His purposes throughout the world. At Urbana 09, great speakers like Shane Claiborne, Brenda Salter-McNeil, and Oscar Muriu of Nairobi Chapel will inspire and challenge you to seek God’s call on your life. Since 1946, God has been using Urbana conventions to change the lives of students and to advance His kingdom in our world.

What is Urbana like?
Check out the Urbana 09 promo video to learn more!

When is Urbana 09?
December 27-31, 2009

Where is Urbana 09?
Urbana 09 is in St. Louis, Missouri

What do I do if I want to go to Urbana?

1. Pray and learn about Urbana. The best place right now for Urbana 09 information is www.urbana09.org.  Here you can get information on schedules, speakers, themes, workshops, exhibitors, etc. 
2. Register online at www.urbana.org.
3. E-mail Matt Runion at runmat@bethel.edu. The Office of Campus Ministries will be coordinating free transportation (coach bus sponsored by President Barnes) for those who need it and preparation materials for all Bethel students going to Urbana.

Why attend Urbana 09?
Attending Urbana has been a great step toward God's call in on Bethel students' lives over the years. Urbana will give you an experience of God's Kingdom, challenge your faith, and sharpen the depth of your understanding of what God's doing around the world.  In addition, you can not attend Urbana without facing the invitation to participate in what God is doing.

What if I want to ride the bus from Bethel to Urbana 09?
Once you’ve registered for Urbana, email the following info to Matt Runion:

• Name
• Email address (for communication prior to the conference)
• Cell # (for communication during the conference)
• Urbana ID number

Are you coordinating housing for Bethel students to stay in the same area?

The Office of Campus Ministries is not coordinating housing for Bethel students, but a student has volunteered to coordinate Bethel students through the Urbana housing website. Once you're registered for Urbana, email the above information to Matt Runion to be included in this effort. Otherwise, you can sign up for housing after you register for the conference and then meet some new friends as roommates. Urbana attendees are likely to be incredible people!

I'm not a Bethel student. Can I still ride the bus?

Right now, we are placing non-Bethel students on a "tentative" list--allowing Bethel students to have first dibs. At some point in late October, those students (in order of their inquiry) will be released into available seats. Pastor Matt Runion will contact students as they are released into those seats.

A small fee of $50 will be required of non-Bethel students. That $50 check can be made payable to Bethel University and mailed to Pastor Matt Runion, c/o Office of Campus Ministries, 3900 Bethel Drive #2380, St. Paul, MN 55112. The seat on the bus is not confirmed until the check is received.

When will the bus leave Bethel and when will it return to Bethel?
The bus will probably leave Bethel University on December 26 at 10:00 p.m. and depart Urbana immediately following the final session on New Year's Eve, returning to Bethel University on January 1 by 12:00 p.m.