November 21, 2018
Greetings,
This past month has been a fruitful time of ministry at Columbia. We praise God for two students who gave indications that they wanted to begin to follow Christ. May God increase this number as we continue to minister. We also have had a strong semester of engaging Illumina meetings. I preached a sermon on prayer and several students have remarked how impactful it was for their spiritual growth. One student told me that he has consistently gotten up in the morning to attend student prayer since this time. We also had pastor Rasool Berry return to speak on our search for identity from Ephesians. Students remarked how his talk caused them to rethink where they searched for purpose and meaning.
This past month has been a fruitful time of ministry at Columbia. We praise God for two students who gave indications that they wanted to begin to follow Christ. May God increase this number as we continue to minister. We also have had a strong semester of engaging Illumina meetings. I preached a sermon on prayer and several students have remarked how impactful it was for their spiritual growth. One student told me that he has consistently gotten up in the morning to attend student prayer since this time. We also had pastor Rasool Berry return to speak on our search for identity from Ephesians. Students remarked how his talk caused them to rethink where they searched for purpose and meaning.
November 21, 2018
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
Though it seems like it just began, the semester is coming to an end as we approach Thanksgiving break which is followed soon by winter break. In this last month, God has continued to move in amazing ways on Cornell’s campus, and I am sure that He will continue to do so as we approach the end of the year. We hosted a second day of our book giveaway and received great responses from students. We have had two students come to regular CU events on campus due to that outreach. We have also seen a couple of new believers become more involved in the community and seek discipleship. Along with these wonderful events, we had a week of fasting which has been a great time of spiritual growth for the students.
Though it seems like it just began, the semester is coming to an end as we approach Thanksgiving break which is followed soon by winter break. In this last month, God has continued to move in amazing ways on Cornell’s campus, and I am sure that He will continue to do so as we approach the end of the year. We hosted a second day of our book giveaway and received great responses from students. We have had two students come to regular CU events on campus due to that outreach. We have also seen a couple of new believers become more involved in the community and seek discipleship. Along with these wonderful events, we had a week of fasting which has been a great time of spiritual growth for the students.
November 21, 2018
Hello from Dartmouth,
It’s hard to believe that we are already wrapping up our fall term. Students are in finals mode right now and looking forward to six weeks off to rest and spend time with family and friends. Thank you for all your prayers for them over these last 10 weeks. We have so much to be thankful for!
It’s hard to believe that we are already wrapping up our fall term. Students are in finals mode right now and looking forward to six weeks off to rest and spend time with family and friends. Thank you for all your prayers for them over these last 10 weeks. We have so much to be thankful for!
November 21, 2018
Greetings from Cambridge!
Blink and eleven weeks have come on gone. Seventy-seven days—give or take—of non-stop classes, sports, extracurricular activities, “psets”, exams, papers and interpersonal highs and lows. It’s no wonder that many students almost jog to the T or Uber to the airport as soon as they possibly can post Harvard-Yale festivities.
Blink and eleven weeks have come on gone. Seventy-seven days—give or take—of non-stop classes, sports, extracurricular activities, “psets”, exams, papers and interpersonal highs and lows. It’s no wonder that many students almost jog to the T or Uber to the airport as soon as they possibly can post Harvard-Yale festivities.
November 21, 2018
Earlier this week I was watching an interview with a Federal Reserve official on managing the US economy. In the course of the interview he made two interesting statements:
“We have to be data-dependent”, and
”I don’t see any clear signal from the market…”
Apart from the second statement seeming to mock the first, both statements reinforce the idea that a world consisting of humans filled with longings, hopes, fears, giddiness (at times), and relational dysfunctions is naturally best understood and motivated by data – that somehow data is unbiased and wise. In light of history I think it’s a weak argument, but one that nonetheless shapes the vocational worlds we all live in.
November 21, 2018
Dear Friends and Partners of Christian Union at Penn,
This semester has been brilliant! Our freshman class is committed and enthusiastic about community and growing in the Lord together. I am continually amazed at the diligent efforts of our ABCL’s (Assistant Bible Course Leaders), who are serving and leading the Class of 2022 in gentleness and humility. We as a leadership team, have been meeting every Friday with our students who are currently teaching freshman Bible courses. Every week we are amazed, as they ALL gather to learn and acquire the tools needed to be better equipped to administer God’s word to their students. It has also been encouraging to see ABCL’s show up consistently who are not teaching and just want to be a support and be encouraged themselves. We are watching our leadership grow and mature and as a result, we are experiencing the same with our underclassmen; God is at work!
This semester has been brilliant! Our freshman class is committed and enthusiastic about community and growing in the Lord together. I am continually amazed at the diligent efforts of our ABCL’s (Assistant Bible Course Leaders), who are serving and leading the Class of 2022 in gentleness and humility. We as a leadership team, have been meeting every Friday with our students who are currently teaching freshman Bible courses. Every week we are amazed, as they ALL gather to learn and acquire the tools needed to be better equipped to administer God’s word to their students. It has also been encouraging to see ABCL’s show up consistently who are not teaching and just want to be a support and be encouraged themselves. We are watching our leadership grow and mature and as a result, we are experiencing the same with our underclassmen; God is at work!
November 21, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am writing to you after just meeting with one of our student leaders named Tyler. In our times of discipleship together we are currently looking at the book of Matthew. I have been meeting with Tyler regularly for over a year now and through our ministry he is becoming a strong Christian leader. Of course, these meetings are just a small part of the ministry—all of which is enabled by your generous support.
I am writing to you after just meeting with one of our student leaders named Tyler. In our times of discipleship together we are currently looking at the book of Matthew. I have been meeting with Tyler regularly for over a year now and through our ministry he is becoming a strong Christian leader. Of course, these meetings are just a small part of the ministry—all of which is enabled by your generous support.
November 21, 2018
Thank you all for your continuing prayers in support of God’s work through Christian Union at Yale. The Lord is indeed moving here in beautiful ways. We celebrated as one of our freshmen, who made a faith commitment in high school, passed through the waters of baptism this past Sunday. Another student came to faith after a spiritual encounter two weeks ago. Still others are actively exploring, drawing near, and on the verge of giving their lives to Jesus. We’ve even had non-Christians bringing their friends to our Friday dinner and Leadership Lecture Series.
October 25, 2018
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We’re well on our way into the fall semester here at Brown University. Lots of life and ministry have happened so far this semester – Bible courses, community gatherings, service opportunities with local non-profits, and so much more. One highlight from the past month was our annual Fall Retreat to Lakeside Christian Camp and Retreat Center in the beautiful Berkshires of Massachusetts, the weekend of October 5-7. This year’s theme was “Until We Find Our Rest in You,” a theme taken from St. Augustine that focused on exploring what it means to find rest in Jesus in the midst of the busyness of life. The retreat center was the perfect setting to slow down and consider the rest of Jesus in community. There was plenty of time for small-group discussion, apple picking, and even the occasional nap. In all, the short time away proved to be exceptionally restful, encouraging and helpful in solidifying our community as the year begins.
We’re well on our way into the fall semester here at Brown University. Lots of life and ministry have happened so far this semester – Bible courses, community gatherings, service opportunities with local non-profits, and so much more. One highlight from the past month was our annual Fall Retreat to Lakeside Christian Camp and Retreat Center in the beautiful Berkshires of Massachusetts, the weekend of October 5-7. This year’s theme was “Until We Find Our Rest in You,” a theme taken from St. Augustine that focused on exploring what it means to find rest in Jesus in the midst of the busyness of life. The retreat center was the perfect setting to slow down and consider the rest of Jesus in community. There was plenty of time for small-group discussion, apple picking, and even the occasional nap. In all, the short time away proved to be exceptionally restful, encouraging and helpful in solidifying our community as the year begins.
October 25, 2018
Greetings,
Christian Union at Columbia recently celebrated the grand opening of its ministry center. The opening of this center is the culmination of years of prayer, fasting, and giving. We have begun to use the center for ministry and the difference has been immediately felt. We are one block from campus, right between two fraternities. Our location puts us right where all the action is, and we have already begun to have conversations with curious students wondering who their new neighbors are.
Christian Union at Columbia recently celebrated the grand opening of its ministry center. The opening of this center is the culmination of years of prayer, fasting, and giving. We have begun to use the center for ministry and the difference has been immediately felt. We are one block from campus, right between two fraternities. Our location puts us right where all the action is, and we have already begun to have conversations with curious students wondering who their new neighbors are.
October 25, 2018
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
October thus far has been a time of great growth and outreach for the students here at Cornell. Freshman campaign has ended, and the regular school year is in full swing. As things have begun to take on a normal schedule, students are regularly involved in Bible courses, daily prayer, and other events. Along with this, new relationships continue to be formed and grow within our community.
October thus far has been a time of great growth and outreach for the students here at Cornell. Freshman campaign has ended, and the regular school year is in full swing. As things have begun to take on a normal schedule, students are regularly involved in Bible courses, daily prayer, and other events. Along with this, new relationships continue to be formed and grow within our community.
October 25, 2018
Dear Prayer Partners,
Happy fall from Dartmouth! Last night our student executive team put on a dinner for all our ministry and Bible course leaders to care for them, as well as to give them opportunity to voice how they would like to see CU grow at Dartmouth and to pray for their specific areas of leadership. Will you join us in praying for their following requests?
Happy fall from Dartmouth! Last night our student executive team put on a dinner for all our ministry and Bible course leaders to care for them, as well as to give them opportunity to voice how they would like to see CU grow at Dartmouth and to pray for their specific areas of leadership. Will you join us in praying for their following requests?
October 25, 2018
The annual CU New York Yacht Cruise late last month was spectacular – a cool vintage yacht, gorgeous weather, and a collection of sixty of the most fun people to hang out with. From recent grads to grizzled veterans of the Big Apple it was an afternoon of fun and fellowship, followed by an after-party at The Park.
October 25, 2018
Dear Friends and Partners of Christian Union at Penn,
I was looking back at an old prayer letter from June 2018. In that letter I asked that you would “…pray for fresh vision for this coming fall. Even now as we plan, we are trusting in God’s power to bring divine appointments, to scatter the seed of the Gospel and to see much fruit born.”
I was looking back at an old prayer letter from June 2018. In that letter I asked that you would “…pray for fresh vision for this coming fall. Even now as we plan, we are trusting in God’s power to bring divine appointments, to scatter the seed of the Gospel and to see much fruit born.”
October 25, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As I write to you today, there is a clear cool breeze in the air—a clear indication that Fall has finally arrived. Here in Princeton we are now well into the semester, with midterms right around the corner for our students. In the midst of the busyness here, God has been very faithful—he has helped get us off to a good start with a successful freshman campaign. In this letter, as usual, I wanted to update you on the freshman campaign as well as give you an update of some individual prayer requests that we have.
As I write to you today, there is a clear cool breeze in the air—a clear indication that Fall has finally arrived. Here in Princeton we are now well into the semester, with midterms right around the corner for our students. In the midst of the busyness here, God has been very faithful—he has helped get us off to a good start with a successful freshman campaign. In this letter, as usual, I wanted to update you on the freshman campaign as well as give you an update of some individual prayer requests that we have.
October 25, 2018
Dear Friends,
Thank you for continuing to remember us in prayer before the Lord Jesus Christ! I’m pleased to share that Fall Retreat (Oct 12-14) was the encouraging, faith-building experience that we had hoped it would be! We brought 28 students to the Incarnation Center to reconnect with God and with one another, and evangelist Chris White (Yale ’87) taught richly from God’s Word and his own life. Saturday night was particularly powerful as the Holy Spirit flooded the room during our time of worship, and God’s Spirit helped staff and students pray over and minister to one another. I had a strong impression right before the retreat that the young men and women in our ministry would begin to live more like “brothers and sisters” in Christ as a result of the weekend. Progress towards that end was evident in group times, play times, meal times, and we all agreed that God had graced us with much deeper sense of “openness” as guards had come down in response to His work in hearts.
Thank you for continuing to remember us in prayer before the Lord Jesus Christ! I’m pleased to share that Fall Retreat (Oct 12-14) was the encouraging, faith-building experience that we had hoped it would be! We brought 28 students to the Incarnation Center to reconnect with God and with one another, and evangelist Chris White (Yale ’87) taught richly from God’s Word and his own life. Saturday night was particularly powerful as the Holy Spirit flooded the room during our time of worship, and God’s Spirit helped staff and students pray over and minister to one another. I had a strong impression right before the retreat that the young men and women in our ministry would begin to live more like “brothers and sisters” in Christ as a result of the weekend. Progress towards that end was evident in group times, play times, meal times, and we all agreed that God had graced us with much deeper sense of “openness” as guards had come down in response to His work in hearts.
September 27, 2018
Friends,
The fall semester has begun here at Brown University and we’re well into our Freshman Welcoming Campaign (our effort to love, serve and welcome freshmen into our community during the first four weeks of the semester). It’s been a flurry of events, conversations and the beginning of our normal rhythms of ministry. There’s so much I could share, but I wanted to briefly share one story.
The fall semester has begun here at Brown University and we’re well into our Freshman Welcoming Campaign (our effort to love, serve and welcome freshmen into our community during the first four weeks of the semester). It’s been a flurry of events, conversations and the beginning of our normal rhythms of ministry. There’s so much I could share, but I wanted to briefly share one story.
September 27, 2018
Greetings!
Christian Union at Columbia has continued to experience God’s goodness this semester. We just finished a successful freshmen welcoming campaign, having reached all our goals for freshmen signups. Our desire is to integrate this freshmen class with the rest of the ministry, forming a loving community of believers on Columbia’s campus. One of the ways we intend on building community is through our upcoming fall conference at Spruce Lake. Fall conference is a great opportunity for students to build relationships with each other through various activities and spiritually refresh themselves before the semester gets crazy. Our staff has decided to teach through the book of Ruth during our time there.
Christian Union at Columbia has continued to experience God’s goodness this semester. We just finished a successful freshmen welcoming campaign, having reached all our goals for freshmen signups. Our desire is to integrate this freshmen class with the rest of the ministry, forming a loving community of believers on Columbia’s campus. One of the ways we intend on building community is through our upcoming fall conference at Spruce Lake. Fall conference is a great opportunity for students to build relationships with each other through various activities and spiritually refresh themselves before the semester gets crazy. Our staff has decided to teach through the book of Ruth during our time there.
September 27, 2018
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
Before giving a few updates about what God has been doing here at Cornell, I wanted to just give a brief introduction to myself. My name is Jordan Cooper. I served in pastoral ministry for about six years in the Midwest before receiving God’s call to serve the students here in Ithaca, NY. These past few weeks since I moved in, have been a whirlwind, but I am very excited to be part of God’s work through Christian Union, and specifically here at Cornell.
Before giving a few updates about what God has been doing here at Cornell, I wanted to just give a brief introduction to myself. My name is Jordan Cooper. I served in pastoral ministry for about six years in the Midwest before receiving God’s call to serve the students here in Ithaca, NY. These past few weeks since I moved in, have been a whirlwind, but I am very excited to be part of God’s work through Christian Union, and specifically here at Cornell.
September 27, 2018
Hello from Dartmouth,
Thank you for your prayers for our Freshmen Welcoming Campaign. The Lord has answered them in so many ways! It’s been a wonderfully full few weeks.
