What’s New for 2012

One of Our Key Note Speakers: Mr. Wally Buono, Head Coach of the BC Lions

BC Student Forum: Friday, May 18th, 2012, 7:30am – 3pm
Registration Deadline: May 4th, 2012
Key Note Speakers: Mr. Wally Buono, Head Coach of the BC Lions and The Honorable Premier of British Columbia, Ms. Christy Clark

During 2011 a professor at the University of British Columbia made an address to his students. He concluded his address with a question, “Effective communication comprises 90% verbal or non-verbal communication?”  The students emphatically responded with “non-verbal.” Then, as if he was aware that there were Christians sitting in the midst of the audience, he drew closer to them and with a slight sarcastic tone asked, “Christians, sharing the gospel is 90% verbal or non-verbal?”  His point was simple: that Christians spend too much time crafting fool proof templates in sharing the gospel and testimonies but neglect to devote any time in evaluating how their day to day actions reflect their faith. Therefore if their actions do not reflect their faith, no matter how much ‘sharing’ Christians do, people will not find the gospel relevant or applicable in their lives.

Historically since 2002, the BC Student Forum provided a venue for Christian post secondary students to dialogue with Christian professionals from various industries. Their discussions focused on how to engage their faith in what they do. Up to and including last year, the structure was as follows:

  1. to begin with a presentation to the students by a well renowned professional in a particular industry
  2. have general Q & A with the key note speaker
  3. the students were then separated into small groups and have a discussion panel facilitated by a volunteer

This year, the BC Student Forum will embark on a different approach by providing the students with “practical” exposure. This will not only provide the students the opportunity to learn how to practically integrate their faith with their industry of interest, but it also provides the one who is facilitating the opportunity to mentor and disciple the next generation. The structure is as follows:

  1. Students will first participate in the BC Leaders’ Prayer Breakfast and interact with the 1,000 business leaders and working professionals
  2. There will be a general Q & A with the Key Note Speaker
  3. Followed by a 1 hour event as per student’s suggestions
  4. After the event, students will be divided into small groups that will coincide with their industry of interest (e.g. law group, dental group, physiotherapy group, medical group, accounting group, wealth management group, engineering, occupational therapy etc.)
  5. These groups will then proceed to their designated sites throughout the lower mainland and meet with their facilitator at her/his office (e.g. accounting group will meet at KPMG office, Wealth Management group will meet their facilitator at UBS, Public Policy will meet at VGH, Small Business Ventures at FLC etc.)
  6.  The facilitator will present a real life case study for the students to discuss how a Christian would engage and “be” Christian within the given constraints of the industry. The case can encompass anything that relates to the day to day activities of the facilitator’s profession e.g. interactions with a client in wealth management. During their discussions, lunch will be catered to their location by Crème de la Crumb.
  7. There will then be an optional “meet, greet and share” at the Waves Coffee House (900 Howe Street) where all the students get together to share their experiences

Date: Friday, May 18th, 2012. 7:30am – 3pm

Registration Fee: $60 – this includes all meals, refreshments at Waves and discussion materials

To Register, please CLICK HERE

To Download a Letter to Request Financial Support from either your church or mentors, please CLICK HERE