The National Christian Multicultural Student Leaders Conference, Inc. met on Calvin's campus from November 8-11, with about 280 students and 45 advisors representing 26 institutions from across the nation. Rhae-Ann Booker, director of Calvin's pre-college programs, has served on the NCMSLC Board of Directors since Calvin last hosted the conference in 1995.

According to Venessa Brown, president of the conference's Board of Directors, the event again served its purpose of empowering student leaders to embrace cultural diversity and sensitivity, while motivating participants to model inclusive leadership that brings together people who travel life's many roads. "Students talk about how they're feeling, and they identify racial problems, solutions and what could hinder those solutions," Brown said.

The annual conference also provides the opportunity for administrators and advisors to brainstorm and exchange ideas while receiving practical feedback from students. Kyung Lee, a sophomore from Gordon College, talked over lunch with adults from two other colleges. "I am learning from other students and adults. I've met so many people at this conference who are very interested in learning more about other cultures. Calvin has a lot of cultural sensitivity and many opportunities for people of color. They have the Mosaic floor and more students from other countries."

The conference offered many opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual enrichment. It began and ended with worship around the theme "Thy Kingdom Come…Now." The song "Venga Tu Reino Senor" was sung often to remind participants that the "seeds of God's Kingdom we bear….the earth with Your help we prepare until you in fullness appear."

The keynote speaker, Dr. Herma Williams, associate provost at Gordon College and activist in race relations and community building in North America and South Africa, challenged listeners to take risks in building relationships that would model the Kingdom of God on earth. Rev. Dr. John Perkins, of the John M. Perkins Foundation, Jackson, Miss., told the story of how God has been using him to build bridges across the racial divide and create communities that demonstrate that God's Kingdom has come on earth through the work of the Holy Spirit in the followers of Jesus who are willing to plant seeds of love and hope.

Chris Overvoorde, planning committee chairman and Calvin professor of art emeritus, said that he was honored to be a part of such a significant event on Calvin's campus. "The cooperation of the committee was essential to the success of this project," he said. "So many members of the Calvin community were involved - from students who hosted guests in their dorm rooms and participated in worship services to faculty and staff who led workshops and a teach-in, to offices that sponsored refreshment breaks. I'm indebted to all of them for helping to make this 15th annual NCMSLC a great success."

News
Find out the latest news on campus.

Sports
Get the latest on Calvin athletics!

Alumni
Chapter information, reunions

Events
Campus calendar

Contact Webmanager