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Princeton University

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea
(Psalm 46:1-2)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The semester has just concluded for our students—and what a semester it has been! As others have said, we are very excited to get back to more normal times rather than “unprecedented” ones. Though it has been an unusual semester for us, God has remained the same and has continued to be “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” as the Psalmist declares. What a joy it is to know God is constant, even when everything else appears to be in disarray.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In this midst of this difficult time, thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. We are thankful that we stand together as brothers and sisters in Christ, even as we face many challenges as a country and as a ministry. Our ministry in Princeton continues to be greatly affected by the novel coronavirus. The coronavirus has hit home most profoundly for us with two students having already lost family members to the virus. We are grieving with these students. Beyond these tragic loses, all our students are still adjusting to the new realities and seeking to show resilient faith during this time. For some, the transition home has been especially difficult as they have been put back into difficult home and living situations.

Dear Brothers and Sister in Christ,

As you are well aware, I am writing you during an unprecedented time in our country and the world where many unknowns lie ahead of us. The COVID-19 virus has impacted each and every one of us in some way. Our students are no exception to this. As you likely know, Princeton students received word to return home and to complete their classes online through the remainder of the semester. These changes have affected students’ lives profoundly—it has upended their lives, causing confusion and anxiety for many. International students, as well as seniors—who have had their final semester come to a rapid halt—have likely seen the greatest effect.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes… for in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith” (Rom. 1:16-17)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Having returned from Ski Safari, the Spring Semester is now well under way—we are now in our fourth week of classes. Our students, true to form, have begun the Spring Semester with both intensity and excitement. This same intensity and excitement has been on display in our students’ spiritual lives—the Melrose Center has been bustling with students studying Scripture and praying with one another. This Spring our students are studying different material in Bible Course, based on their class year. Our seniors will be doing vocational preparation, as they look to enter the workforce; our juniors and sophomores are studying one of the most influential books in the Scripture—Paul’s letter to the Romans; and our frosh, in turn, are completing two studies—one on the Seeking-God Lifestyle, which lies at the heart of Christian Union, and another on Christian sexual ethics. The Spring semester is always an exciting time for students of seeing how God’s word applies to many aspects of their lives.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It has been a spiritually rich month here in Princeton as our students have returned from break with a desire to seek the Lord. As you may know, Princeton’s usual academic calendar means that January is the month of final papers and assignments for the students. During this time, we have developed a tradition of hosting our daily prayer meetings at the Melrose Center. In the midst of exams and assignments, our students have been faithful to pray. Over this month, we regularly had groups of well over a dozen students praying together. Overall, we sense our students are showing an increased desire to seek the Lord and we praise God for this.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)

Blessings to you during this season of Advent! At this time, we and our students are reflecting on Christ’s incarnation that we might become like him and have eternal life. We trust that during this season you will also be able to reflect on this profound truth that God dwelled among us in the person of Christ.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col. 2:6-7)

In studying the book of Colossians with our students, we have seen that these two verses form the fundamental charge that Paul gives to the Colossians believers—to continue on in Christ. This charge from Paul is exactly what we desire for our students—that they, too, would continue on in Christ. It is for this end that we do everything that we are doing—our Bible Courses, one-on-one discipleship meetings, daily prayer meetings, and gathering together at both Encounter and TruThursday.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As I am writing you, our students are just finishing their midterms and leaving for Fall Break. Though only halfway through the semester, we as a ministry, are celebrating God’s work in the lives of the students we minister to.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are now entering our second full week of classes here in Princeton. Ministry has begun with a breakneck pace as our staff and students earnestly seek to draw freshmen into our ministry and Bible Courses through the Freshmen Welcoming Campaign.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

After a summer of being far-flung around the world, Princeton students will be returning to campus in just over two weeks. In addition to welcoming returning students, we as a ministry are excited to be welcoming new freshmen on campus. This coming year is sure to be full of new things, and we strongly believe that God wants to do something new in our midst. In light of this, it is only fitting that our campus ministry is transitioning to the name of “Nova,” the Latin word for new.

 
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