God’s Call to be a Nobody for Him: World Christian Week at CIU

God’s Call to be a Nobody for Him: World Christian Week at CIU

Michael Oh: "Nobodies for Him."

By Melissa McCutchan

CIU Student Writer

Columbia International University students were challenged to be nobodies for God during the 2013 World Christian Week at CIU Feb. 26-March 1.  

The keynote speaker for the week, which is devoted to CIU’s core value of World Evangelization, was Dr. Michael Oh, the founder and president of Christ Bible Institute and Seminaryin Nagoya, Japan, and executive director/chief executive officer of theLausanne Movement.

The week also offered an opportunity for students to meet with a variety of cross-cultural workers, representatives of missions agencies, and participation in cultural activities from around the world.

Oh, a Korean-American, focused the final Chapel message of the week on denying one’s self for the glory of God and for the sake of the nations.

“I believe God is calling us to be nobodies for Him,” Oh said. “Who is Michael Oh? I have prayed, ‘Lord, make me like the widow in Mark 12. Nameless and poor, but pouring out all I have for You.’”

Oh also hosted a Japan-themed night including a sampling of Oh’s sushi recipe, and a time of encouragement about the state of missions in the world.

“I love hearing that Christianity isn’t dead,” sophomore Josh Edwards said. “In America, we always hear that it is, but God’s not done yet.”

Other Chapel speakers included Dick and Doreen Corley who spoke of God’s faithfulness in their ministry in Iran and Turkey, and John and Bonnie Nystrom, Bible translators who have served the Arop people of Papua New Guinea since 1987. 

“We went so the Arop could have the same privilege we have – to know God in our heart language,” Bonnie Nystrom said.

In the evening, students and missionaries connected in the lobbies of the CIU residence halls for “Fireside Chats.” Missionaries shared testimonies of God’s faithfulness and poured wisdom into students.

Faith Hansen, a missionary to Japan told students, “You should pray, ‘Lord, show me a need, because I want to be there.’”

Classes were cancelled on Thursday as students participated in a Prayer Day that focused on reaching the nations with the gospel.   

“Our prayer was for God to be glorified,” freshman Hannah Lingenhoel said. “I enjoyed seeing students pray and being able to pray myself. I really felt God moving.”

Overall, World Christian Week served to mobilize the student body for the mission field and encourage students to consider their future plans.

“I was reminded He can do the impossible,” freshman Jacqueline Reimschisel said. “Even when it seems we can’t do something, with His resources impacting the nations has no end.”

To hear Chapel messages from World Christian Week check out: http://podcast.ciu.edu/.  To view photos from World Christian Week shot by student photographers Emily Howell, Timothy Wolff and Christine Benz, check out CIU's Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ciuimpact/sets/72157632912470949/