“Big Picture” perspective regarding IA ministry at Urbana
This one page document provides the big-picture perspective regarding our goals for IA prayer ministry at Urbana. We are trying to provide an Immanuel Approach “free sample,” so that students will experience the truth that they can connect with the living, tangible, personal, interactive presence of Jesus. We want to give them an interactive-connection-with-Jesus appetizer, so that they will be inspired to pursue ongoing IA healing and growing work after the conference. We are not expecting that prayer ministers will somehow provide students with complete resolution of the problems/issues/questions they bring to the ministry session. Download pdf (1 page)
Urbana IA Ministry, Wide Variety of Needs/Requests
Students at Urbana will come with a variety of needs/requests besides healing for traumatic memories. This one page document briefly summarizes the wide variety of different needs, requests, issues, questions, or problems that students might present to the facilitator as they come for prayer ministry at Urbana. I also present, very briefly, what we will be trying to provide for each of these different needs, requests, issues, questions, or problems. Download pdf (1 page)
Urbana IA Ministry, Synchronization Regarding Process Details (long version, with explanations regarding each point)
It will be important for our IA community volunteers to be as synchronized as possible with respect to how we facilitate prayer sessions with the students. This document describes how I want all volunteers to be synchronized with respect to several specific components of the process. And as you can surmise from the title, this longer version includes my explanations regarding each point. Download pdf (4 pages)
Urbana IA Ministry, Synchronization Regarding Process Details (short version — just the bottom line)
It will be important for our IA community volunteers to be as synchronized as possible with respect to how we facilitate prayer sessions with the students. This document describes how I want all volunteers to be synchronized with respect to several specific components of the process. And as you can surmise from the title, this shorter version just presents the bottom line, “this is how we want you to do it.” Download pdf (1.5 pages)
Overview, Guidelines, & Cheat-Sheet for IA Ministry Urbana 2022 (Draft Urbana IA Ministry Handbook):
Peter and I have put together an overview, guidelines, and cheat-sheet package. It includes guidelines for when to call for mental-health backup, sample text for explaining IA to recipient, cheat-sheet memory prompts for the actual IA ministry, and resources for “next steps” after the prayer session. Download pdf (4 pgs)
Optional deep-breathing exercise for beginning of session (very simple, short):
The Immanuel Approach outline/ “cheat sheet” in the handbook (above) includes an optional “Quiet anxiety” first step for any students that are anxious/agitated at the beginning of the session. If you already have a relaxation technique that you are comfortable with, you can just use that. Otherwise, you can use a very simple deep-breathing exercise that Charlotte and I explain and demonstrate in this very brief (6 min) video training segment: https://youtu.be/rrypeJofVqM
Opening Prayer and Closing Prayer:
We are including very short, simple opening and closing prayers in the Ministry Overview that many of you will be using as a “cheat sheet” at Urbana. I recommend including more thorough opening and closing prayers, that address spiritual warfare issues, immediately before and after each session (respectively). This document provides a bit more explanation, and also links to a sample more thorough opening prayer and sample more thorough closing prayer. Download pdf (1 page)
IA Basic Troubleshooting Overview:
There are several common, simple difficulties which recipients sometimes have right at the beginning — with the very first step of recalling and connecting with a positive memory. This short (2.5 pages) essay describes four of these, and briefly describes how to address them. This essay also briefly reviews the two simple, basic troubleshooting interventions that are explained and demonstrated in the new basic training videos. Download PDF (2.5 pgs)
Immanuel Approach Learning Resource Summary (for students who want to learn more about IA)
After experiencing the tangible, living, interactive, loving, life-giving, personal, friendship presence of Jesus during the ministry time, I’m guessing that some recipients will want to learn more about the Immanuel Approach. You can refer to this resource summary to remind yourself regarding what’s available, as you discern what would be the best fit for the particular recipient sitting in front of you. Or you can just share this resource summary with them – they can look over the rich buffet of options, and choose those that best fit their interest, time, and personal learning style. Download PDF (3.5 pgs)
What about Students Who Can’t Perceive and Connect with Jesus, Even with Troubleshooting?:
There may be some students who are not able to perceive and connect with Jesus during the prayer ministry time at Urbana, even with troubleshooting. This very short (1.5 pages) document lays out the plan for caring for these students. Download PDF (1.5 pgs)
Info Page for Students Who Can’t Perceive and Connect with Jesus, Even with Troubleshooting:
There may be some students who are not able to perceive and connect with Jesus during the prayer ministry time at Urbana, even with troubleshooting. This very short (1 page) provides immediate encouragement for the student, and also references additional resources about troubleshooting. Download PDF (1 pg)
Urbana 2022 IA Prayer Ministry, Frequently Asked Questions:
“When do we need to be there?” “What prior knowledge of IA will students have?” “Will we be working in small teams, or one-on-one with students?” and other frequently asked questions. Click here for copy of document
Invitation Letter from Peter Horton:
This letter from Peter provides a very brief description of the Urbana conference, and then on the second page provides various logistical details, such as when volunteers need to arrive for training, how to register, etc. Click here for copy of letter
Basic Immanuel Approach Troubleshooting (supporting doc for student info page–12 page essay):
This essay (actually the draft version of chapter 13 from the big lion book) is a supporting document for the info page for students who are not able to perceive and connect with Jesus during the prayer ministry time. Download pdf (12 pages)
Intermediate-Advanced Immanuel Approach Troubleshooting (supporting doc for Student info page–14 page essay):
This essay (actually the draft version of chapter 26 from the big lion book) is a supporting document for the info page for students who are not able to perceive and connect with Jesus during the prayer ministry time. Download pdf (14 pages)