February 2019

Dear Friends and Partners of Christian Union at Penn,

The flurry of the Winter Retreat (on gospel and mental health) and restarting Bible course groups has settled down into the substance of Acts, Seeking God Lifestyle, and Vocational courses. God’s Word is the gospel-truth needed for disciples living in God’s presence, being missional with God’s gospel, and doing God’s work. With the medley of Bible courses, keeping track of the preparation has been a daily scramble.

I, Fuji, write this prayer letter into the 16th month of serving Christ at Penn. I still feel like a newbie on campus. Thankfully, I feel less anxious and greater peace. Such is the work of the Spirit, teaching that God’s love in Jesus and, in response, my love for God, makes me want to love others more—more than wanting their love, approval or acceptance of me. Simply loving others without the condition of positive response is liberating.

Continue to pray with us for the gospel to take hold of students in Bible courses. That, from Acts, students will be challenged by the major themes: the Word of God, Spirit of God, and being witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection that creates the church, empowers through opposition and, because of persecution, ripples out from Jerusalem. Pray that CU produces disciples changed by the resurrected Christ to be witnesses of that resurrection (1:22, 2:32) empowered by the Spirit to go from Penn, to the States, and world.

Pray for the sophomore class, that meets as one large group. Though there are positives of a larger group, gauging what individual students are processing from the study is tougher. Pray that they solidify as intentional disciples.

Pray for the senior group as they consider faith in Jesus’ work and their work, job, and career. Some are still scrambling (anxious) to figure out the starter job for the unmapped career. Pray for gospel wisdom to better prepare seniors to develop work-life-faith balance—committing to church community, finding spiritual rest, and not just seeking weekend leisure, and work as to the Lord.

Praise God for the evangelistic outreach, “free hot apple cider” on Locust Walk each week, to develop relationships for further personal conversation. Last semester, we had fewer conversations relative to the number of cups passed out. With input from students, the outreach was moved from Friday morning to Thursday afternoons, which also allowed for more CU students being present. The past two Thursdays have been more fruitful in gospel-related conversations and meeting non-church-goers than all of last semester. With one particular agnostic student, we interpret the way he approached us as the Spirit having done the work of pressing questions into his heart. The student texted follow-up questions. Pray that connections will lead to conversations and lead to faith in Jesus.

Pray for effectiveness of personal, one-on-one discipleships. That the gospel a student hears in church and learns in Bible courses will be applied on the heart to develop habits of deeper repentance and faith in Jesus.

Thankful for your partnership in prayer, to the God who hears and directs this ministry, and for your continued support. As the Spirit engages us together to enjoy Christ and make Him known at Penn, our triune God is glorified.

Fuji Kim
Ministry Director 
Christian Union at Penn