Christian Union's National Fast Concludes
By chuck Hetlzer
Christian Union America’s most recent national fast came to an end Monday, August 14, 2023. 5,175 Christians across the nation signed up to seek God in prayer, fasting, and repentance, along with a special emphasis on taking in massive amounts of Scripture.
An Update
By erin conner
Fasting and prayer are two spiritual disciplines recorded in Scripture that help to align people’s hearts with the Lord’s. Which is why, in part, Christian Union America leads two nationwide fasts each year toward its mission to develop and connect transformative Christian leaders for national revival and reformation. As Chuck Hetzler, Vice President of Biblical theology for Christian Union, states, “the Scriptures are clear: God is moved by the humility that fasting demonstrates when it is combined with proper attitudes and actions surrendered to God’s ways.”
Currently, one of CU America’s bi-annual fasts is underway. It began on Tuesday, August 1 with 5,175 participants from across the country and will continue through Monday, August 14, 2023. Approximately a quarter of the participants involved in this fast are alumni from our nation’s top 30 colleges and universities.
I hope that these summer months are treating you well! Things are currently quiet around the campus at Cornell, but in a few short weeks, thousands of students will pour into Ithaca and the surrounding communities as a new school year begins. That means there will be thousands of individuals who need to hear about and experience the Good News of Christ. We at Christian Union Vita are excited about the opportunities God has in store for the coming year. Our student-led outreach team has already contacted over 100 incoming students, and the work has barely begun.
Praise God that the gospel is going forth at Dartmouth! Throughout this summer, students continue regularly using our amazing Ministry Center, despite the beautiful weather outside. The 24-hour prayer room, well-stocked fridge, and cupboards are particular highlights. Especially as we’ve hit midterm exam season, the students have been staying later and later to finish their studies.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9
Summer has been incredible as we work through the book of Joshua. The summer Bible study drew students together via Zoom and in person at the ministry office to eat dinner and study God’s word together. You can watch the Bible study on Joshua 14 here.
We are excited to share what’s been happening among our students at Stanford and ask that you join us in prayer for more of God’s power among us to accomplish his purposes!
Near the end of the spring quarter, eight of our students traveled to Camp of the Woods in New York to attend Spiritus, a two-week conference for current and upcoming student leaders in Christian Union’s ministries to take their faith and lifestyle of seeking God to the next level.
Greetings from Penn! I pray this finds you well.
CU Martus has two exciting updates to share as we look ahead: preparation for Freshman Welcoming Campaign growing our team!
As we prepare for the start of another academic year, we are already reaching out to incoming freshmen and preparing for their arrival on campus. One significant effort of our outreach to incoming freshmen is connecting with them on Instagram and building that relationship with them before they step foot on campus. This allows us to engage with freshmen wondering what type of Christian community there is on campus and to welcome them with open arms.
Greetings from CU Lux at Yale! I pray this finds you well.
We are excited to share some great news this summer as we look ahead: preparation for Freshman Welcoming Campaign, and we are growing our team.
As we prepare for the start of another academic year, we are already reaching out to incoming freshmen and preparing for their arrival on campus. One significant effort of our outreach to incoming freshmen is connecting with them on Instagram and building that relationship with them before they step foot on campus. We currently have more in our community this year, at this time, than we did last year heading into the freshman campaign. This effort allows us to engage with freshmen wondering what type of Christian community is on campus and welcome them with open arms.
James encourages and reminds us of the power of prayer: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” - James 5:16. Your prayers for Christian Union New York are needed, and they are working! Fruits of the ministry in NY are abundant, but the need for intercession is even greater. Please continue to pray! Join Christian Union New York in prayer over these three exciting ministry opportunities and events happening this August.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have towards the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. - Philemon 1:3-6
Greetings from Providence!
Soon our students will complete summer classes or internships and head home for a week or two before returning for the fall semester. On behalf of the students who are a part of the CU Lumine community, thank you for your continuous support and prayers for the ministry. Without you, we could not have done this past year.
Princeton students are wrapping up summer classes or internships and heading home for a week or two before returning for the fall semester. Others have stayed on campus all Summer in various research positions. Thank you for your continuous support and prayers for CU Nova. You are making a difference in the lives of Princeton students for the Kingdom of God!
Students from Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale gathered at a two-week CU Spiritus student retreat at Camp of the Woods this past May. This retreat aims to strengthen some of our top student leaders to maximize their impact for Christ back on campus.
A Devotional
By Dr. Chuck Hetzler
For the shepherds are stupid
and do not inquire of the LORD;
therefore they have not prospered,
and all their flock is scattered. – Jeremiah 10:21
Jeremiah 10:21 is a jarring verse that you might not expect to find in the Bible, “the shepherds [i.e. leaders] are stupid!” For this reason it gets our attention and lets us know how important it is to God that His leaders inquire of Him.
Prayerful Penn Students Are Making a Difference
By Anne Kerhoulas
The following article was actually written in 2021, when the universities where Christian Union works were beginning to come out of the COVID lockdown.
While most college students spend their Saturday mornings sleeping in, recovering from a week of late nights and coursework, a group of students from Christian Union Martus at the University of Pennsylvania participate in sidewalk abortion ministry with Quakers For Life, a pro-life organization founded by Martus alumnus, Eric Hoover ’19.
Tim Keller's Final Articles
By Chuck Hetzler
Two of Tim Keller’s final written pieces, published just weeks before his passing on May 19, 2023, were on the subject of revival. One such article was directed to the church at The Gospel Coalition (March 17, 2023) and the other offered to all Americans in The Atlantic (February 5, 2023).
A Devotional
By rev. Jeffrey walsh, ministry director, christian Union lux
So, I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:1-4
Robert P. George Remarks on Pro-Life Heroes
On April 29, 2023, Robert P. George, the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, delivered an address upon receiving the 2023 Evangelium Vitae Medal from the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame. He spoke on the pro-life movement and twelve of its heroes.
Matthew 9:35-38
"And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” – Matthew 9:35-38
The Dual Identity of Jesus
By Sheri Casali, Ministry Fellow, CU Gloria
The passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple He found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money changers sitting there. And making a whip out of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen. And He poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And He told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade”. His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” – John 2:13-17
Admonishing One Another In Christ
By Don Weiss, Ministry Director, CU Gloria
I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. - 1 Corinthians 4:14-15
