InterVarsity Christian Fellowship has announced on the organization’s Website the launching of the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN), which is “called to identify, encourage, and support the next generation of Christian scholars, at all stages of their academic careers, who will be a redeeming influence within higher education.”

Director of InterVarsity’s Faculty Ministry, Stan Wallace, will also direct the ESN, which is scheduled to make a panel presentation at the upcoming "Christianity and the Soul of the University" conference to take place March 25-27 at Baylor University.

Wallace says he hopes the Network will be a rich opportunity for collaboration among campus ministers as well, within all of InterVarsity and beyond.

A complete look at the ESN mission statement includes:

· Love God with heart, mind, soul, and strength as they follow God's call in discipleship and spiritual formation;

· Exhibit excellence in research, teaching, and service;

· Influence the university, the church, and the world by practicing their disciplines from a profoundly Christian viewpoint;

· Embody the gender, ethnic, and social diversity of the church within the academy.

The official launch of the Network was on March 1, 2004 but more information can be viewed at EmergingScholars.org.