Torrey Conference 2009 (Re-Cap)

---

Suffering was not a theme that was anticipated to be popular. Especially as every speaker noted, “I am so glad you chose this as your topic… This is not something the church (in majority) wants to discuss.” But students responded with compassion – a word (as we learned) that means “to suffer with” – choosing even here and now to make other’s pain their own pain. That is, after all, what Christ did and does for us.

While some where convicted to start caring for others in deed and not just word, others where moved to have a heart for the nations. Where one was experiencing the healing of the Holy Spirit through the body of Christ and through revelation, another was finding that there was more suffering in their own life than they knew themselves. God was more than faithful on our campus these last weeks. He not only uncovered hurt, He not only exposed the suffering in students lives, but many met Him in an entirely knew light: “The God Who Cares” – This is good theology (said Adrian De Visser).

If you were here for Torrey Conference 09’ then you probably witnessed the Spirit moving on Biola’s campus.

In every nook and cranny we found students:
    - praying over one another,
    - breaking over global suffering,
    - accepting love and compassion,
    - allowing others to suffer with them,
    - reflecting deeply about topics,
    - and allowing their definitions of love to be transformed.

Look for all of the Torrey Sessions on YouTube - soon! 
         or, buy the audio tracks in Media Services (located on campus in the Library).

We found that students came to this place by several conducive means:

    - This year's speakers (Tremper Longman III, Kay Warren, Adrian De Visser, and Francis Chan),
    - Prayer Rooms,
    - Reflection opportunities,
    - and various ministries which partnered with AS Chapel Board (i.e. Soul Care, Biola Bookstore, etc...)

Thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who made Torrey Conference Possible. From staying up until 5:30 in the morning, to running up and down aisles to find seats for students and visitors on Friday morning, this year’s volunteers worked as unto the Lord!

If you would like to comment on this year’s comment, e-mail me on BUBBS at AS Assistant Chapel Chair!
Suggestions and any comments are welcomed, appreciated, and encouraged!

Also, soon available to students are FocuGroups. These will be groups of Biola students that will meet quarterly to give their assessment, thoughts, and suggestions about chapel. If you’re interested in joining a group where your voice on Chapel will be heard, then keep your eyes out for announcements on FocusGroups!

Have a blessed day!

Grace and Peace,
Your AS Chapel Board