CU Caritas Offers Discipleship, Spiritual Refreshment to Students
By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor
Justin Woyak, Christian Union’s ministry director at Stanford University, understands that even the most intellectually-gifted young people need something more than academic achievement, social activities, and camaraderie during their college careers.
A Yale Student's Reflection on Seeking God Consistently
By Shi Wen Yeo, Yale ’23
Editor’s note: The following article was reprinted with permission from The Yale Logos, a student-led Christian Journal.
One of my favorite parts about Sunday mornings is walking into church and smelling the musty pews gently speckled with the mid-morning sun, and seeing the rows upon rows of pews, pews that are usually littered with hymnals and psalters. I have been doing some reflection on this recently. What does it mean that hymnals or psalters are usually distributed as separate books as opposed to the rest of the Bible?
Student Leaders Welcome Freshmen; Resume In-Person Ministry
By Leah M. Smith, Princeton ’22
The first floor of the Melrose Center is reduced to a low hum; sounds of chatter from a senior women’s Bible course waft down the stairs to join the smell of Domino’s pizza. A few people sprinkle the chairs in front of the TV in the extended dining room, while others hover in the back, laptops out, pens pressed to paper. It’s a typical Monday night for Christian Union Nova at Princeton, where Monday Night Football and studying late into the night has become a Melrose norm.
Early Years of Christ's Life Marked By Suffering and Trauma
Christmas plays always end with Jesus in the manger, the heavenly host singing around Him, and the shepherds and wise men bowed at his feet. But that is hardly where the birth narrative ends in the gospel of Matthew.
Caitlin Vera Is a Former Marine
By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer
Caitlin Vera didn’t have ministry on her mind when she left home to join the Marines. The eighteen-year-old enrolled in the service as a way to leave a small, rural town and be part of something bigger than herself.
Christian Union New York is delighted to gift you the free PDF version of the life-changing five-week study entitled “The Seeking God Lifestyle.”
With Thanksgiving behind, the Christmas holidays ahead, and the semester coming to a close in a few weeks, we are grateful for the Lord’s hand that has guided CU Lumine this academic semester.
The month of November was a busy one for CU Lumine. Our weekly Thursday night Illumina’s created a space for students to grow in their faith and invite friends that were seeking God. We had speakers teach on a range of topics from “How to Hear the Voice of God” to “Is the Bible Historically and Scientifically Reliable?” Each lecture was followed by a post-event—a vibrant student question and conversation time that would go late into the evening. Along with our Illumina’s, we were also able to host multiple student fellowship gatherings from pumpkin painting to our annual Friendsgiving celebration before the students went home for the break.
All is quiet on campus with the students back home nestled in their beds with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads. The term ended prior to Thanksgiving and the students are currently enjoying their much-earned rest. While I miss the energy and fellowship, December is a great time to reflect on the term gone by and to prepare for the term to come. It was a delight to be back together with everyone and to enjoy a time of study, fellowship, prayer, and worship. I’m eager to see the fruit God will produce and excited for the evangelistic efforts planned for the Winter Term. Please pray for Christian Union Vox in these specific ways:
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
In the Apostle Paul’s closing exhortation in his letter to the church in Philippi, he shared a final imperative. He told them to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise” [Phil. 4:8 ESV]. This is no small challenge in a society convulsed with hard news. This plea follows his equally challenging instruction to give thanks in all circumstances as we wrestle with anxiety and frame and express heartfelt prayers to God. I can't think of a more practical chapter in the scriptures to bolster our mental health. It has been a joy to compare notes with students who have had their young(er) worlds turned upside down for nearly two years. As I share this update and reflect on the quote I shared from KMK, I must confess that I feel the need to engage with this prescription once again!
“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”As we begin the liturgical season of Advent, we give thanks to God for the tenderness of heart our students have towards Jesus Christ as they extend His grace and peace and honor Him in the practice of righteous living.
- Matthew 28:18-20
Stanford students have begun their final exams, which end on Friday (or sooner for some). It’s a sprint to the finish! Then they’re off to a welcome three-week break over the Christmas holidays.
In our last Bible course, leading into this most challenging part of the quarter, we meditated on Philippians 3:7-11:
As we enter the month of December, the students at CU Martus on the campus of Penn have been earnestly engaged in growing more in their gratitude of the gospel and focusing their intentions on flourishing Christ-centered friendships. Our weekly gatherings and outreach efforts have produced many good fruits in wisdom, devotion, kinship, and the transition of their hearts to mimic that of our Savior’s, Christ Jesus.
Why should a Yale student read the Bible? As someone who teaches the Bible in both university and church contexts, I am intrigued that people read the Bible for various reasons. Some are fascinated by its ethical imperatives, spiritual claims, literary achievement, or influence on Western culture. Whatever the reason, the Bible is being read, and that’s a good thing. But when is doing something good ever good enough?
Simoni '23 Has a Passion for Evangelism
By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer
Many Christians get nervous when they think about evangelism. Thoughts of difficult questions they cannot answer well or the possibility of offending another often lead believers to say less than they ought, and often to say nothing at all of the riches of Christ.
After having enjoyed Thanksgiving break, our students are in the final stretch of the semester. Year-end leadership meetings, Bible courses, and the CU Vita Christmas party are fast approaching and the students have loads of academic work to finish up during the coming weeks. As we look back on the semester, we are grateful for God’s gracious and powerful work in our midst. He has spoken through His Word, brought new believers to faith, and shined His light on the campus of Cornell through this amazing group of students. Thank you for praying for us for a strong finish to the semester!
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It’s hard to believe that the fall semester is already coming to a close! In just a few short weeks, and after many coffee-fueled late night study sessions (who among us doesn’t procrastinate?), our students will submit their final papers and take their last exams before heading home. We’re all looking forward to a little rest after a busy season, but it’s so bittersweet. We’ve been blessed beyond measure by a truly wonderful group of young women and men who so eagerly seek the Lord! They’ve poured their heart into one another and into spreading the love of Christ across campus. In a few days, we’ll be putting up a Christmas tree in the Judson Center and celebrating Christmas together before saying many sad goodbyes as they leave campus.
Slowing Down to Acknowledge "Endarkenment"
The Christmas season is upon us which means shoppers are shopping, homes are being decorated, city streets are filled with Christmas trees and garland, and a festive air seems to sparkle around us. But this kind of Christmas season stands in stark opposition to the Church’s season of advent. Advent is decidedly not about shopping and decorating. It is about waiting, watching, and hoping in the darkness of our world. And perhaps, that is the timbre of the season that we need most.
The True Path to Freedom
The great promise of modern life is that you can be whatever you want to be. The world is your oyster. Your options are limitless. You can go out and make whatever you want of yourself and your life. The freedom to create your identity pulses through our culture shaping our politics, discipling our young people, and redefining the boundaries of humanity.
