Alethea

My name is Alethea Dumas and I am a senior at Washington State University. I have three majors which are in Critical Culture, Gender, and Race Studies, Women’s Studies, and Social Science. Also I have two minors in Human Development, and Popular culture. I am a student mentor through the multicultural student services at Washington State University, where I mentor 1^st generation, minority freshman and transfer students throughout their college academic career. Currently I am leading a Black campus ministry Bible study every Monday at Washington State University. I am passionate about helping and serving others, especially other college students and youth in general.

Urbana is something I would be overjoyed to attend simply because I love Jesus and I desire more and more of him every single day! Even though I grew up in the church, my relationship with God didn’t really start until I got to college. For so many years growing up, Christianity felt like a chore to me, just a list of rules I have to follow in order to not go to hell. Thankfully God gave me clarity on my identity in Christ and how in him I am free. I truly understand that Jesus is strong in my weaknesses, and that I am not defined by my sins but by what Jesus did on the cross for me. Through Intervarsity God has called me to be uncomfortable and tie myself with people from all cultures, ethnicities, and walks of life to further the kingdom of God and grow as a disciple of Christ. I want to continue to grow in Christ and freely worship with thousands of believers at Urbana.

Terlona

                My name is Terlona Knife and I am a freshman at Washington State University. I am majoring in Psychology and getting a minor in music. I would like to be a holistic music therapist that is very culturally aware. I really love the community that I have been surrounded by at Washington State University. I am involved in God’s Harmony, a gospel choir on campus,  and setting up and tearing down Resonate church services. Additionally, I helped start the first Black Campus Ministry with my co-leader Alethea Dumas this year.

I gave my life to Jesus the summer before eight grade at a Christian summer camp. Since then God has carried me through foster care, depression, being separated from my younger brother, and my mother’s diagnosis of Huntington’s disease. Through all of that I have learned that God’s purpose for my life is greater than my pain. In those circumstances I learned to trust in God and understand his love for me better. I have been on 2 mission trips in the past and loved living my life on mission while volunteering my time to further God’s kingdom. I hope that Urbana will help me understand other cultures and learn what God’s plan is for my life regarding mission work. I want to go to Urbana, because I know that God has a work that he wants to speak to me and push me outside of my faith and become a better lover of people, and leader of my sphere of influence.

Uriel

Hello fellow brothers and sisters,

My name is Uriel, I am a first generation college student seeking to achieve many things while in college. I am a transfer student from Spokane Falls Community College and currently attending Washington State University. I plan on pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Psychology. Throughout stressful moments in college I turn to God and take some time to pray. I realize there is something wrong with the last sentence. I have been turning to God when I need him and not every morning and night. I would like to change this and believe Urbana 2015 can help me do this. I would like to have a closer connection with God and experience more than just prayer. Urbana as I have heard is a life changing conference. I hope to go and find God in so many ways. Urbana is a conference where I will not only connect with people with the same spiritual goals as me but also help myself understand who I am and how it is that God wants me to be a good Christian. I am planning to go to El Salvador this Spring Break with twelve other people as part of the Presbyterian Church. We are going to build a well for people who don’t have clean drinking water. The purpose for this trip will not only be to help build a well but also have bible studies where we have the opportunity to spread the word of God. This trip will be perfect after a trip to Urbana where I know I will gain a closer connection with God.

Thank you for your time and help along with prayers for this trip.

God Bless,

Uriel