Movement Must Be Concerted, United, and Sustained
by christian union; first published in 2021; republished 2025
The following article, by the late scholar and preacher of revival Dr. J. Edwin Orr (1912-1987), was reprinted with permission from www.jedwinorr.com.Dr. A. T. Pierson once said, “There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer.” Let me recount what God has done through concerted, united, sustained prayer.
Christian Union Asks Student Body, "What is the Purpose of Your Life?"
By Erin conner, Writer and communications associate
"God is moving mightily at Yale, and we are seeing students boldly proclaim the gospel like never before," said Jeffrey Walsh, the ministry director of Christian Union Lux.
Night after night this semester, 20-25 students are walking across campus, sharing the good news of Jesus and praying with their peers. Just before Christian Union Lux's evangelism prayer and worship event at Battell Chapel on February 21-22, an email titled “What is the Purpose of Your Life?” was sent out to every student on campus. This email ignited a firestorm of discussion, going viral on Yale’s internal social media platform, Fizz, with 2,100 comments in a single day. "The curiosity and spiritual hunger this initiative sparked is overwhelming," Walsh said.
Evangelism Campaigns at Some of Our Nation's Most Secular Schools
By erin conner, writer and communications associate
On March 3, Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle from the Give Me An Answer Ministry visited Stanford, boldly proclaiming Christ and engaging students in deep conversations about difficult questions of faith. The crowd grew to nearly 250 students toward the end, with still more stopping by throughout the four-hour event in White Plaza.
"In the days since, I’ve heard several testimonies of how students have had many conversations with their non-believing friends about Christ, the gospel, and faith. Cliffe and Stuart’s example emboldened students in their faith, and we see clear evidence that God is at work in hearts on our campus," shared Justin Woyak, the ministry director at Christian Union Caritas, one of the ministries that helped to host this outreach event. Christian Union Caritas was honored to partner with other Christian ministries at Stanford to help proclaim the gospel in such a bold way.
"Give Me An Answer" ministry at Stanford University
Mike Vincent, the ministry director of Christian Union Nova at Princeton, shared some evangelism events that CU Nova is planning for the spring of 2025. "We have several exciting outreach opportunities coming up this semester. First, our CU Proclaim Retreat next week is being held right here at Princeton. Students from several of our other ministries will be coming to Princeton during their spring break for evangelism training in the mornings, evangelism on campus in the afternoons, and guest speakers and motivation in the evenings. This week-long event will be capped off on Friday night by the Summit Worship Team and Pastor Carter Conlon from Times Square Church in NYC. They will lead a worship night on the South Lawn of Campus Center where students will be encouraged to bring as many friends as possible."
Vincent continued, "Christian Union Nova will also be helping to host Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle from the Give Me An Answer ministry for some outdoor evangelism. As this ministry has amassed a huge following on YouTube in recent years, this event is generating lots of excitement! They will be posted up outside on campus for three days, giving talks and answering questions about the Bible and Christianity."
Christian Union Vita is hosting the Knechtle's ministry at Cornell University from March 19-20 with the support of other Christian organizations on campus. Christian Union Lumine is also planning to help host this ministry at Columbia University at the end of the month in an aim to make Jesus the most talked-about name on campus.
"Give Me An Answer" ministry at Cornell University
Christian Union has ten strategic student leadership development ministries at some of our nation's most secular and influential universities. Christian Union's heart is to see college students build their lives on the truth and power of Christ. This spring from the west coast to the east, they are working to help equip student leaders to reach as many open hearts and minds as possible with the gospel. To Him be all the glory.
Learn more about Christian Union Universities here.
Devotional from January 2025 Christian Union National Fast
By matt bennett, founder and president of christian Union
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.”-Psalm 33:12-15
Reflection:
The opening verse of this passage, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,” is a profound declaration of divine favor. It reminds us that the true blessing of a nation, and indeed any people, comes not from wealth, power, or worldly success, but from recognizing and submitting to the sovereignty of the LORD. This recognition is not merely a matter of formal acknowledgment but requires a deep, heartfelt commitment to God as the ultimate authority and guide.
In the context of today’s world, where nations often seek prosperity through economic and military might, this psalm offers a counter-cultural truth: the real blessing lies in being chosen by God and walking in His ways. It’s not about the external markers of success but about aligning our hearts and lives with His will.
Verses 13-15 expand on this by portraying God as the sovereign ruler who observes all humanity. From His heavenly throne, God sees every individual, every action, and every heart. This divine oversight is not detached or indifferent; rather, it is the attentive observation of the One who “fashions the hearts of them all.” God’s omniscience encompasses not just our deeds but the very motivations and intentions of our hearts.
This should lead us to a place of humility and reverence. If God sees and knows all, then our lives are lived in constant awareness before Him. Our private thoughts, our hidden motives, and our secret deeds are all laid bare before the Creator. This awareness should drive us to seek integrity in our walk with God, aligning our outward actions with a heart that is true and devoted to Him.
Moreover, the passage emphasizes that God is the one who “fashions the hearts of them all.” This means that our very desires, inclinations, and purposes are shaped by the divine hand. We are not self-made; our hearts are crafted by the God who knows us better than we know ourselves. This should be a source of great comfort and security. Knowing that God is actively involved in shaping our hearts, we can trust Him to guide us in righteousness and truth.
As we reflect on this, we might consider the state of our own nation, community, or even our personal lives. Are we a people whose God is the LORD? Do we live under His authority, acknowledging His sovereignty in our decisions and actions? Do we allow God to fashion our hearts, or do we resist His shaping, preferring to follow our own desires?
Application:
National Reflection: Take time to pray for your nation, asking God to turn the hearts of the people back to Him. Pray for leaders to recognize the need for divine wisdom and guidance. America needs to return to God!
Community Engagement: Encourage others in your community or church to seek God wholeheartedly. As you do so, remember that God sees and blesses those who align their lives with His purposes.
Prayer:
“Dear Father, You are the one who sees all and knows all. We humble ourselves before You, recognizing that true blessing comes from being Your chosen people, walking in Your ways. Shape our hearts according to Your will. Help us to live lives of integrity, aware that we are always in Your sight. Bless our nation, our community, and each of us individually, as we seek to make You the center of all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Testimonies Reveal God is at Work in America's Most Influential Universities
By erin conner, writer and communications associate
Universities such as Brown, Cornell, Princeton, and Yale produce a disproportionate number of influential leaders across the nation, as these schools fall into the top ranking universities in America. In fact, almost seventy percent of America's most influential leaders graduate from just 20 of America's 3000+ undergraduate educational institutions.
Across America, many believe that these schools are too secular to see a move of God, but others believe that these schools sit at the heart of a future national revival. Despite the increase in destructive ideologies that are pervasive in these types of institutions, God is on the move to demonstrate truth, love, and the way out of a secular culture and mindset of depavity, deception, and despair.
Christian Union ministry leaders who serve students at each of the schools were asked last spring to share how they have seen God working on their respective campuses.
Providence, Rhode Island
Sheri Casali, ministry fellow for Christian Union Libertas at Brown, shared, "As this year comes to a close, I am reflecting on the steadfast faithfulness of our God. He has exceeded our expectations and answered many prayers. I remember in September, asking for prayer for full, vibrant Bible courses. This year, we have had an abundant overflow of Brown students participating in weekly Bible courses. In addition to full Bible courses, we prayed for gospel exposures and the name of Jesus to saturate the entire campus of this University. Starting with freshman campaign, where we had a string of events all throughout September to welcome students, as well as worship events on campus, tabling and handing out books and scripture tracts, and our latest campaign, CU Rise, we have had an incredible amount of gospel exposures!" Casali continued, "This year, we have had more students dive into questions about Christianity than I have ever seen in years past. It is evidence that the Lord of the harvest is on the move on our campus!"
Ithaca, New York
"We have had an incredible semester in our Christian Union Bible courses at Cornell, with new students continuing to join the community on an almost weekly basis. We celebrate the Lord’s continuing faithfulness to grow the ministry as we coach and train close to 100 future Christian leaders to seek the Lord wholeheartedly. The sense of community has also continued to grow stronger as our students have studied, worshiped, and shared the good news of Jesus throughout the spring," shared Marcus Buckley, ministry director of Christian Union Vita at Cornell University.
"Our monthly worship events have continued to grow and attract new students, and have provided a critical time of spiritual refreshing and time in the Word. The Mott Center is being filled to the point that we are in the process of securing an auditorium on campus large enough to better accommodate all for worship nights in the future!"
Princeton, New Jersey
"Our freshman men gathered together for a BBQ and firepit and reflected on their experiences this year at Princeton. Invariably, they answered that the best part about Princeton is the Christian community and the friends they’ve made in Christian Union," shared ministry director of Christian Union Nova at Princeton, Mike Vincent.
"The CU outreach team at Princeton led a campus-wide initiative called 'Doubts for Donuts' during which students were able to write in to us their doubts and questions about Christianity and receive a visit from one of our students with a donut and an answer to their question. We had many responses and wonderful conversations with many students including some lengthy conversations about faith with unbelievers, one of whom expressed interest in coming to some of our events! We also found some Christians who have been floundering in their faith and wanted to get more involved."
New Haven, Connecticut
Jeff Walsh, ministry director for Christian Union Lux at Yale, said, "I'd like to share some testimonies from our students about how the semester is wrapping up here at Yale following their massive prayer and worship night. At Christian Union Lux's final Leadership Lecture Series to close out this semester, over 50 students were in attendance. CU Lux closes out each semester with a traditional ‘Stones of Remembrance Night’ where students share their testimonies. Both segments of worship and student sharing were powerful this past week."
Walsh continued, "God is at work in these students' lives! Students shared testimonies of having wonderful breakthroughs and healing from physical ailments, fear, sexual addictions, anxiety, suicide ideation, and unbelief. The testimonies shared this night included how Christian Union has helped to empower students to hear God speak, to be built up and strengthened in community, to be enabled to walk in peace, and to learn to trust God in the midst of the demands of school and work. Students are leaving the school year filled with the living presence of the Lord. To God be all the glory."
From testimonies such as these, it is evident that God is moving in meaningful ways at some of the most secular places in America. Christian Union ministry directors, fellows, and students are living proof that there is hope in a culture of despair: His name is Jesus.
Learn more about how to join this movement to make Christ known by visiting ChristianUnion.org.
Student Leadership Ministry Equips Students to Share Christ
By erin conner, writer and communications associate
As Christians around the world prepare their hearts this Lenten season to acknowledge Christ's death and resurrection, Christian Union is preparing student leaders to boldly proclaim the gospel.
Every spring, Christian Union holds an eight-week evangelism campaign across their ten ministries at some of our nation's most secular and influential schools, equipping students to share the gospel in multiple, meaningful ways. From social media ads to initiating conversations with strangers in the street to hosting highly visible, large group events on campus, student leaders are devoted to sharing the life-giving message of Jesus Christ to all who have ears to hear.
Different types of evangelism can be found in the pages of Scripture. Sometimes, new converts gathered friends and family members to hear the good news. On other occasions, Jesus or the disciples preach openly to crowds of people, some of whom are friendly and some hostile. On other occasions, evangelism is accompanied with miraculous signs to give glory to God. Christian Union recognizes that it can be tempting to identify one particular methodology of gospel proclamation as the most important but maintains that the Biblical model of evangelism is a comprehensive approach.
This month, Christian Union Nova at Princeton University is kicking off this comprehensive outreach campaign by hosting a one-week student conference entitled CU Proclaim for students at Princeton, Columbia, Yale, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Harvard Law.This conference is a powerful gathering designed to ignite students' faith, deepen their spiritual walk, and equip them to boldly and comprehensively proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ on their campuses and beyond.
At these conferences, students step into an atmosphere of unity, passion, and purpose, where they connect with other faith-driven students from influential universities across the nation to pray together, grow together, and sharpen one another in preparation to make Jesus known to their generation.
This year, Christian Union is honored to host Pastor Carter Conlon, General Overseer of Times Square Church and author of Fear Not and It’s Time to Pray. His dynamic, Spirit-led teaching is set to equip and empower students to walk in boldness, deepen their faith, and step into their calling.
At last year's conference, held at Cornell University, one student shared with Marcus Buckley, the Ministry Director of Christian Union Vita, that he wondered how he was ever going to be bold enough to share Jesus with complete strangers by just walking up to them. By the end of the week, this same student could not be stopped, asking for more opportunities to go out and share with strangers. Students, by the grace and power of God, are taking the demonstrative love of Christ into their spheres of influence and Christian Union is helping to equip them for this.
In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Matt Bennett, Founder and President of Christian Union, shared that students at some of America's most influential educational institutions constitute an "unreached people group" with such a low percentage of the student body and faculty identifying as Christians. CBN's article about the interview stated, "Bennett made a sobering statement that underscores the dire state of spiritual affairs and intense lostness at many of these colleges, when he said, 'What's shocking is that, in this audience, you have fewer practicing Christians than you do, say...in mainland China or a lot of other places that we consider unreached.'"
Bennett also shared in this interview that, in his experience over the last twenty-plus years of providing ministry in some of the most spiritually dark places in our country, personal connection, not a campaign, is ultimately what inspires an individual to accept the gospel. However, it seems people need to encounter several touchpoints with the gospel before going to a trustworthy Christian in their life with their questions. Consequently, each and every Christian's role is to have the courage to be known as a Christian in their sphere of influence, so that when someone is seeking Truth, they know to whom to turn for direction to find and follow Him.
Christian Union's boldness reminds all Christians that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the hope of all the world and that followers of God are privileged and duty-bound to proclaim it far and wide in the power of the Holy Spirit. No other message on earth is more important to communicate than the opportunity of reconciliation with God by grace through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Christianity’s mission to the world is one of love. Nothing is more loving than letting people know how eager God is to wipe away all their sins and to replace death with life, ashes with beauty, and captivity with freedom through faith in Christ.
Watch a related 12-minute CBNNews interview here.
Devotional from January 2025 Christian Union National Fast
By Justin Yim, Ministry Director of Christian Union Gloria Law at Harvard Law School
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:13-14 ESV
I’ve participated in the Boston Marathon for a few years now—not as a runner, but as a volunteer, to be clear! Every year that I watch the elite runners run past the last water station towards the finish line—sweat pouring down their face, muscles burning, and exhaustion weighing heavily—I ask how they can run over 26 miles in less than 3 hours. I imagine their eyes are fixed on the tape ahead, not on the pain or the miles they’ve already covered. With every ounce of strength, that final push brings them to victory. This image echoes the message of Philippians 3:13-14: the Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. It’s a journey of perseverance, focus, and pressing forward toward the prize.
Seeking a Spiritual Awakening in America
By christian union, first published in 2021; revised 2025
The following article by David Bryant is adapted from his essay in the 2004 updated edition of Jonathan Edwards’ influential book on prayer marked by a thirty-six word title that began with three famous words: An Humble Attempt. The modern version’s title is “A Call to United, Extraordinary Prayer…An Humble Attempt.”
Brown and Columbia Student Leaders Reflect on Worship
By Erin conner, writer and communication associate
Christian Union Universities, a Christian leadership development ministry at ten highly secular and influential educational institutions in America, aims to provide training and growth opportunities for students to lead others in devotion to God in their spheres of influence.
One area of leadership that students develop during their time with Christian Union is worship. The following thoughts from Christian Union ministry team leaders at Brown and Columbia University reveal the power of worship on their campuses and in believers' lives.
When God Woke Up Wales
By erin conner, writer and communications associate
In an article published by Desiring God, Pastor Jeremy Walker writes a brief summary and analysis of the revival that took place in Wales, England in the 1700's. Walker notably writes that “the Lord was pleased to stir the listless and lethargic to liveliness and labor during the 18th Century in various parts of the world by various human instruments. In England, God raised up George Whitefield. In America… Jonathan Edwards, and in Wales… Daniel Rowland.”
Devotional from January 2025 Christian Union National Fast
By Tim Pillsbury, Ministry Director of Christian Union Vox at Dartmouth
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."–James 1:2-4 ESV
God and the devil both recognize the incredible value and opportunity of suffering. In fact, we humans might be the only ones who do not! So many times, in the midst of suffering, our goal is simple: stop suffering. And we turn all our energy and attention to that task, desperate to be done with our trial.
But James 1:2-4 paints a different picture. “Count it all joy,” he writes, “when you meet trials of various kinds.” James does not call us to enjoy suffering—that would be masochism—but instead to count our suffering as joy. We are to view it not as something senseless, but as a trial of faith, a necessary testing ground which produces good fruit.
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” -Psalm 119:9-16 (NIV)
Greetings from CU Libertas!
Dear CU Lumine Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Greetings from New York City!
The students are back on campus after a much-needed vacation to decompress from all the stress from the fall semester. We are back to ministering to their needs as they finish shopping for classes and settle in for the spring semester.
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Greetings from Ithaca!
Classes are back in full swing at Cornell University, and that means that Christian Union Vita is back to work for the Lord here on campus!
Club Fest, the massive gathering of all the clubs at Cornell, took place on Sunday, February 2, and was another great opportunity to expose students to the vibrant ministry of Christian Union. We handed out 50 copies of The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, as well as dozens of flyers attached to Kit Kat candy bars to students. Several of those who stopped by our table have already engaged with us on our CU Vita Group Me, so pray that we continue to expand our reach into the Cornell student community. Our student leaders also engaged with the other groups around us, demonstrating their own personal leadership skills by interacting with others in warm, meaningful (and fun) ways.
"The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,
who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?"
-Psalm 113:4-6
True Faith: Trusting and Aligning Our Desires with God's
By erin conner, writer & communications associate
Ijeamaka Achebe, a senior at Yale University, recalls parts of her journey through her academic career, wondering, "What is my purpose?" While she has a clear goal of becoming a doctor, she realized that goals and existential purpose are not necessarily one and the same.
Through Christian Union Lux's ministry at Yale, in part, Achebe began to realize that, above all, she wanted her career aspirations to be in alignment with God's will. After two years of participating in Christian Union Bible courses, she shared that her outlook on career is different than it once was. "Our secondary calling is career," she shared, recognizing that while a career is important, it is subordinate to her primary calling as a Christian.
We are so grateful for your continued prayers and support for CU Gloria Law. As we step into this new semester, we wanted to share a special update from a milestone moment for our ministry—our very first Winter Retreat at the end of January!
This retreat was a much-needed time for our community to step away from the intensity of law school and refocus our hearts on Christ and His calling for us. Our theme, “Refocus,” guided us through a weekend of renewing our commitment to Jesus, recalling the purpose He has given us, and refreshing our passion to share the Gospel with those around us. From the moment we arrived, there was an undeniable sense that God had something special in store. We were blessed by sweet times of worship, honest and moving student testimonies, deep times of prayer, and messages from the Word of God that challenged and encouraged us.
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” -2 Timothy 1:6-7
The spring semester at Harvard has officially begun! We are solidly into the second week of the semester and the energy has returned as students flooded our Ministry Center in the heart of Harvard Square. It is such a privilege to minister to these students and walk with them as they walk with Jesus.
Devotional from January 2025 Christian Union National Fast
By Sadie Sasser, Ministry Fellow at Christian Union Gloria at Harvard
“But the one who endures to the end will be saved." -Matthew 24:13 ESV
The context of these words from Jesus is somewhat stark. He has just told his disciples about the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, simultaneously an event that was literally fulfilled in Jerusalem in 70 AD but also a figurative event in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As he continues explaining what accompanies these events, the tone becomes alarming: Christians will be led astray, wars will occur, and famines and earthquakes will ail the earth. False prophets will come and lead many astray, with results that would make any one of us worried: “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (v. 12).
Christian Union Hosts Ken Fish at Recent Biannual Conference in NYC
By christian union
God is not simply a concept or theory. So often in the Western Church, Christians read the stories of the Bible and assume that signs and wonders were events that occurred in biblical times and simply don’t happen today. Ken Fish is one Christian leader in America who is here to explain otherwise. His 2023 book, On the Road with The Holy Spirit: A Modern Day Diary of Signs and Wonders, is based on a diary he kept over the course of five years while he was traveling extensively around the world. Fish spent time almost daily writing down the healings and miracles that the Lord was doing through hundreds of journal entries.
