We are less than two weeks from Venture 2010 in Portland, Oregon! As I anticipate winter conference, I find myself reflecting on a talk I gave on "eternal perspective" a few weeks ago at our weekly meeting. During that talk I focused on the fact that there are really only three things in this life that will truly last forever: our relationship with God, God's word, and God's people. What excites me is that these three things will be present in nearly every aspect of the upcoming conference, and so I am confident that taking part in Venture 2010 is a valuable, eternal investment for the staff and students of WSU. Cultivating a relationship with God is the most important investment of time one can make. At Venture, staff and students are invited to do this in many diverse ways. There is a prayer journey where we can journal, pray, listen to music, appreciate God through art, and take communion. Every year, countless students express feeling like they took a big step forward in their walk with God simply by going through the prayer journey. Another way to deepen our walk with the Lord at conference is by listening to the different guest speakers. I have found this to be a great way to gain new perspectives on God and his character.
God’s word often comes alive and teaches us in new ways during conference. Sometimes it’s gaining a new perspective on a passage we have heard countless times, and other times it is learning about a part of scripture that we have never heard before. Through worshiping in the main sessions, listening to guest speakers and attending seminars led by staff and students, the word of God begins to reveal to us the plans the Lord has for our lives. We know that God’s plans are better than ours. By stepping into the plans he has for our lives, we can trust Him to use us to make a lasting impact on eternity. When the word comes alive to us, especially in a group setting, God moves in our hearts and his people are changed forever.
God designed us to experience him and his word together, as the body of Christ. At Venture 2010, over five hundred students from all over the Northwest will be collectively encountering the living God and his powerful word. Have you ever worshiped with over five hundred people? It is breathtaking. Have you ever considered taking faith steps and risks for the sake of God's Kingdom? At conference, students catch the big picture of God's heart for people, and they begin to challenge each other to go back to campus and reach others for Christ. God has spoken to his people at past winter conferences, and I trust Him to do it again at Venture 2010.
I can’t wait to see many of you at Venture! Together we can make a lasting impression on eternity, not only at the conference but especially back at WSU on the way to the World. I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and a relaxing break. See you in Portland!
