Every three years, thousands of college students converge in one place for one of the largest missions conferences for young adults in the world. And when Urbana 12 happens this year December 27th through the 31st in St. Louis, MAF will be there.

After the first conference in 1946 was held in Toronto, the site shifted to Urbana, Illinois in 1948 and remained there until 2006, hence the name. However, the Urbana name became so synonymous with the conference that it stuck even though the last three conferences have been held in St. Louis.

The conference is a primary connecting point between mission-minded college students and mission agencies that reach all over the world. With inspiring speakers, famous pastors and evangelists, passionate worship leaders, Bible studies and specialized workshops, students leave Urbana with a better idea about what is out there for them should they feel called by God to enter missions. If you haven’t registered yet, there is still time…go to www.urbana.org to be part of history where it all starts with Urbana 12.

MAF, which began flying the same year as the inaugural Urbana conference, will have staff there to share with students about the incredible opportunities and the unique role this ministry has in world missions through aviation and learning technologies.

Students will get to mingle and meet thousands of new friends. MAF staff will connect not only with young people interested in serving with MAF, but other mission organization leaders building God’s kingdom. There will even be some time for fun with the biggest Ugly Christmas Sweater Party and a huge New Year’s Eve celebration to top it all off.

Check back over the next two weeks to learn more about how MAF will be interacting and connecting with college students at Urbana and how this conference has been instrumental in giving mission-minded students a place to find and follow the direction God is leading them in.

Hear from some of our own MAF staff who attended Urbana in previous years in this short video and how Urbana helped them discern their path in building a future in missions.