WHEN VIRTUAL BECOMES ACTUAL

By Bill Horlacher

If ever a Vision conference needed to offer close-knit fellowship to lonely students, it was this year. But this was also the year when such warm fellowship at Vision seemed least likely.

The same nasty coronavirus that forced students to restrict socializing on campus would also prohibit Bridges’ huge annual gathering of internationals from across America.

The solution? In July, the ministry’s leaders announced that Vision would go virtual. Yes, they knew this wouldn’t be attractive to screen-weary students—unless God provided breakthroughs. So everyone began to pray and to promote innovation.

"Going virtual,” said Bridges’ chief-of-staff, Dan TIetz, “forced us to tap into the Spirit-led creativity of our staff and students."

PRAYER EMPHASIS

Starting in September, prayer was enfolded into every aspect of Vision Together preparation, beginning with a 40-day prayer emphasis, continuing with national Zoom prayer gatherings, and concluding with an Advent prayer calendar. And in the midst of all this prayer, two virtual “Hackathons” were held to glean the creative notions of computer-savvy students.

No wonder Vision Together planners found ways to use digital platforms (Zoom and super-cool Socio) to spark fellowship rather than discourage it. When some 1,200 students, staff members and volunteers (representing 85 nations) gathered virtually on January 1, they relished the innovative presentations, open-ended chats and online games.

Said an Indian student from a school in Minnesota, “I liked how they tried a new software and changed the whole idea of virtual socializing. I socialized just as much as I would in person."

A typical plenary session would begin with the banter of emcees with roots in China, India, Taiwan and the U.S. Next, Ayanda Khumalo, a Zimbabwe native who serves as music director for Chicago’s Moody Church, would lead worship. And then a critical topic such as “Mental Health” or “Science and Faith” would be explored by a credentialed Christian speaker with an international background. Family Groups would then discuss that topic so that each student could digest the key principles.

Family Groups were conceived as the backbone of Vision Together. Each group was comprised of 8-10 people meeting virtually or in-person (with health protections). Conference planners didn’t put all their eggs in the Family Group basket—but most of them. By structuring the conference around these groups, they insured that “together” became a reality and not just part of the conference name.

In addition to discussing major messages, Family Groups also engaged in ice-breaking conversations, games (online or in-person) and outdoor activities (for in-person groups). Said one female student from China, “I experienced deep community that took place through spiritual conversations, meaningful communications and lots of fun.”

NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

Vision Together delivered on its name—helping individuals to connect with students from other cultures and with the God of the Bible.

“Before Vision, I was so tired, but I still was still happy to come. I love my friends who come from all over the world – China, Vietnam, Congo – and we are so eager to share our problems and to pray for one another. In my country, I never thought I would be able to mix with so many other cultures. It is so enriching.”

--Female from Indonesia, pursuing bachelor’s degree at a West Coast college

“Kristel Pendergrass is a Bridges staff member in Greenville, South Carolina, and she took turns with Cru Ambassador staff member, Andrew Tran, and his wife, Kennedy, in hosting a Family Group. Meeting the first night in the Trans’ household (see photo below), the group discussed the meaning of the word “home.” “The most memorable comment,” says Kristel, “came from one of the Indian guys who became a believer this fall. He said, ‘Home is where you feel comfortable, where you can sit relaxed, fully be yourself, and not have to worry about being judged. I am home here.’

CONFEREES LEND SUPPORT TO SHOOTING VICTIM

Almost every international student can tell a story of being wounded in the United States. For most, the wounds are relatively subtle, the results of struggling to fit into a new culture.

But there was nothing subtle about Eugene Ablordeppey’s wounds. As a new PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University, Eugene was shot on July 9, 2020 by a young man in Richmond who mistook him for someone else.

The bullet broke both bones in the Ghanaian student’s right forearm, forcing him into surgery and leaving him with physical pain, periodic bouts of fear and medical bills of $80,000.

No wonder Eugene submitted a prayer request at the start of Vision Together. “I am going through some hard times and I don’t know what to do,” he wrote. “This is affecting my studies, finances and well-being.”

Although Eugene had enjoyed Vision 2019, it didn’t take him long to see that Vision Together would be even more helpful. First, he was randomly paired with Trae Vacek, Bridges’ national director, in the virtual prayer room. Trae, of course, was burdened by Eugene’s story and is still working for his financial betterment. “He comes to the U.S. to pursue a PhD in biomedical engineering, which is quite admirable,” says the Bridges leader, “but he ends up getting shot!”

After that prayer boost, the West African appreciated the conference’s major messages on cross-cultural understanding and mental health. And of course, he valued the support of others in his “wonderful” Family Group, including Josh Earman, a Cru staff member who leads Bridges at VCU.

Despite his ongoing struggles, Eugene seeks to remain positive about the future. He hopes one day to begin a company in Africa that will manufacture prosthetic limbs—an irony that helps him appreciate the fact that he still has his arm and his life.

“It’s a miracle I’m still alive,” says Eugene. “Though he fired more than three shots, only one hit me. God saw me through this, and I have a testimony to tell.”

A SPECIAL CALLING FOR A SPECIAL LEADER

Whether you’re involved with a theatrical troupe, a sports team or a Christian organization, there’s something special about finding the right leader for a key role.

For Vision Together, Bridges’ first-ever virtual conference, that leader was Lauren Davis. “Lauren is an innovator,” says Trae Vacek, Bridges’ national director. “She was the right choice to lead us in the right direction despite the unknowns.”

Lauren certainly wasn’t singing a solo as she led Vision. Rather, she was one member of an effective three-person team that also included Andy May, the conference’s operations director, and Brianne Schaeffer, the marketing director.

But as the program director, it was Lauren who bore the biggest challenges in going virtual with Vision. “The way God has created her mind is beautiful,” says Amanda Mutio, one of her teammates in New York City. “He’s given her so much creativity, and she uses it for his Kingdom.”

Lauren also demonstrates a heart for the nations, something that began in her youth. “I grew up mostly in Virginia,” she says, “but my father is a professor and he did two sabbaticals. So I spent two years of my childhood in England. When I came back to the U.S. the second time, I had just become a Christian at age 12 and was starting to learn foreign languages.”

In the providence of God, international refugees were just then being resettled from the D.C. area to Lauren’s home city of Richmond. Gifted in foreign language, she was learning Spanish, French and German in school and began assisting Spanish-speakers. “I saw the way that God could use people with language skills,” she says.

Now, having completed her role with Vision Together, Lauren appreciates the way God has shaped her for such opportunities. “For many years,” she says, “I was asking God what he was preparing me for. This has been a fun project to work on, and God made it possible. I’m grateful.”

FAMILY GROUP DELIVERS WARMTH IN SEATTLE

By Jim Morud

It was the wettest New Year’s week on record in Seattle—and that’s saying something. No wonder Israel Simplicio felt like staying in his apartment to sip hot chocolate.

But then the Brazilian aerospace grad student at the University of Washington changed his mind. “After all of my online classes and social isolation during the pandemic,” he said, “my heart needed a warm-up with other Christians.”

So, Israel walked through blustery streets to the church where 19 other international students formed two of Vision Together’s Family Groups. After watching an online message on mental health, the group discussed that topic.

“In my country, we do not discuss mental health,” Israel noted. “As I listened, I realized that the high expectations I set for myself had added a lot of stress to my life. I hadn’t realized how much stress I was under until then.”

Rachel, a pre-nursing student from Hong Kong, also mentioned the value of the Family Groups. She had registered for the conference despite wondering if she would be welcomed, so she was pleased to see the openness of other students as they discussed science and faith.

“I am normally shy,” said Rachel, “but I asked a lot of questions and I got some insightful answers. I liked the idea that science is an interpretation of God’s creation, not a final explanation. It was fun to be in an atmosphere where we were all free to speak our minds.”

During a break, students, staff members and volunteers braved the elements for a zoo walk-through. Rachel joined Stefani, an Indonesian business student, and Miriam, a nursing student from Congo, and she detected a new sense of freedom. “Before this weekend, my friends were my inner circle,” Rachel said. “But God is now the real center of my life, and He is helping me from hiding my insecurities; to be real with my friends.”