Tom Lin

After launching the Regional Vision last fall, we’ve seen unprecedented momentum during 2008-09, more than I ever expected!  We launched a new Area (Kansas).  We planted new chapters at U of Missouri-KC, U of Missouri-Columbia, Johnson County CC, Lindenwood University, Kansas State (African-Am Chapter), and Drake U (ISM Chapter).  For the stories, praises and prayer requests, click on my June prayer letter online.

I recently returned from a trip to Nebraska, visiting Omaha and Lincoln, to meet with key pastors and university leaders in preparation for planting IVCF chapters in the coming years. Continue Reading »

I spent a quick 3 days in Marburg (just outside of Frankfurt) with other IFES leaders around the globe (about one rep from each continent) to begin planning for our “World Assembly” which takes place every 4-5 years.  It reminded me of how rich the global body of Christ is and how important students are in shaping the future of our world!

March was an amazing month for our region.  One of the personal highlights for me was speaking at Lindenwood University InterVarsity’s first “preview” meeting called IMPACT.  (Lindenwood is one of our 5 “chapter plants” in the region this  year.)  Not only did students gain a vision for impacting the campus, but many were deeply impacted personally.  Later that night and the following week, 2 students made significant decisions for Christ!

Perhaps more amazing was God bringing another 20 new campus missionaries to IV in my region, all of whom will begin serving this summer!  Continue Reading »

During spring break in mid-March, 40 staff and students from St. Louis U., Washington U., Coe College, and UNC-Chapel Hill came to the U of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of our new chapter plants this year.  They organized a week-long campus mission called “realHOPE” in the hopes to jump-starting this plant and growing in evangelism.  Most students had little evangelism experience prior to realHOPE.  By the end of the week, the team was partying and celebrating the fruit of their week: Continue Reading »

It became official. After 3 nights of celebrations last week, the Fellowship of Christian Students (IFES-Mongolia) appointed its first Mongolian national to become the General Secretary (head) of the student movement.  I just returned from my 4 days there, and here are brief reflections from my trip… Continue Reading »

Our vision is local and GLOBAL. In January, I was reminded of our call to the nations. I took steps to prepare for Urbana 2009, made decisions about this summer’s Global Projects, and spoke at a Wycliffe national convention, where they were eager to recruit thousands of young college graduates into reaching every last people group on earth. Perhaps my biggest highlight was speaking at InterVarsity’s International Student Ministry (ISM) National Staff Conference, where I was inspired by the work my colleagues are doing with students from all nations who are studying in the U.S. Continue Reading »

In case you didn’t get the hard copy, I’ve put our family Christmas letter online.  Thanks for your prayers for my Regional Staff Conference!  It was a phenomenal time, more inspiring and encouraging than I could have imagined, with our new and experienced staff coming together to launch our Regional Vision.  So for many reasons, there is much rejoicing in my household right now!