Next week’s Torrey conference will equip students to handle conflict and broken relationships.

Entitled, “Blessed are the Peacemakers: Redeeming Relationships in the Conflicts of our Lives,” the conference features three speakers who are leaders of Peacemaker Ministries, an organization that helps Christians know how to handle conflict in a Biblical manner. The conference will also feature Ed Gilbreath, editor of Christianity Today.

Lisa Ishihara, director of chapel programs, was excited to disclose this year’s Torrey Conference topic.

“We want to give students a place to consider how to do life with God and each other, specifically looking at conflicts, tensions, messy relationships and how we respond to each other,” Ishihara said.

According to Ishihara, Spiritual Development chose the speakers for the conference based off of the mission statement of Peacemaker Ministries.

Torrey Conference 2010 speakers and sessions

Tim Pollard, vice president of distribution and strategy for Peacemaker Ministries, will speak at the first two sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 20, with messages entitled “The Nature of Conflict” and “The Hope and Impact of the Gospel.” Gary Friesen, executive vice president of Peacemaker Ministries will be speaking on “God’s Glory and Coming Clean” Wednesday evening.

Thursday morning, Friesen will give a message entitled “Go… and be Reconciled.” Ed Gilbreath, an author and the director of Urban Ministries, Inc., will be giving a message entitled “A Different Point of View Part I” during Thursday’s afternoon session, and will give the second part of his message that evening. Annette Friesen, intake administrator for Peacemaker Ministries, will conclude the conference Friday morning, speaking on “Now what? Serving God with Intentional Relationship.”

Each session will count for one conference credit, with the exception of Friday morning, which will count for two. Students will also be able to participate in reflection times once a day to attain one credit.

Administration confident in speakers who are unknown to students

Like many students, junior Cami Martin said she has never heard of the speakers.

“I’m a little nervous to have them speak, but at the same time I don’t think that Biola would choose speakers that wouldn’t be capable of communicating the message that they want the students to receive,” Martin said. “I think Biola would have done their research on the speakers.”

Ishihara said she is thrilled with the topics that the speakers will be covering.

“I’m excited about the content of their messages,” Ishihara said. “They will focus on living the gospel out in the conflicts of our everyday lives with our friends, roommates, family members, those entrusted with authority over us, people in our churches and those that might just ‘rub us’ the wrong way.”

Biola campus looking forward to renewal and refreshment at the conference

Several students, including sophomore Natalie Richardson, said they are eager for Torrey conference this year, not only to see how it will impact their lives, but also for the time of restoration they believe it brings.

“I’m hoping that it will be a time to be renewed,” Richardson said.

Others said they still find themselves being impacted by last year’s conference on suffering, and are excited to watch God work in their life again this year.

“Torrey really helped me realize some of where I needed to be more dependent on God,” sophomore Amy Weaver said.

Weaver recollected what speaker Adrian Randolf DeVisser said during one session from last year’s conference.

“DeVisser said we need to be visible images of our invisible God,” Weaver said. “I’m hoping to be shown more ways of doing that.”

Junior Travis Cory said he is looking forward to Torrey conference.

“I’m excited to have the chance to take time off from class and really spend time in the atmosphere of chapel,” Cory said.

Cory said he was also excited to focus on what Jesus said about reconciliation.

Junior Rachel Jallins said she is interested in the topic of peacemaking.

“I’m somewhat of a hippie child, so I love talking about peace,” Jallins said. “It’ll be really awesome to see what Jesus says about peace and the thoughts the speakers have on making peace in conflict.”