"Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-5
― Carl F.H. Henry
If there is a unique challenge in welcoming Harvard freshmen to pursue faith in Christ and immerse themselves into community, it is the issue of time. More specifically, it is a matter of timing. The clock begins ticking (next week) and all but expires within days. Countless decisions will rather quickly be made by members of 2023 regarding friend groups, classes and extracurricular activities. For a few weeks in September they will live in the happy illusion that they can do it all. This dream-like state, more often than not, evaporates in the chilly air of October.
-Tim Keller, The Prodigal Prophet
Greetings from Cambridge,
Greetings from Cambridge,
There are few asks that better capture our challenge to become more like Jesus than the prayer that we would begin to mirror his faithfulness. The word faithful (πιστός) is rich in meaning and embodies obedience, reliability —and for our spiritual purposes— covenant relationship. Most helpfully, this exhortation reminds us that we are mere servants who possess the agency to complete assignments, but often have little control over outcomes. Yelp. "...and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation (e.g. unbelief) will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." [1 Cor. 10:13]
Greetings from Cambridge,
For nearly eleven-years students have led HCFA with a prevailing desire to glorify God. For this we are profoundly thankful. Their measured determination to humble themselves (a truly foreign concept amongst us humans!) has resulted in effectual leadership that has steadied the ship whatever the conditions.
"…this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ - Acts 2:16-21
It feels like the new year has sprung upon us all too quickly, with students already returning to campus over the past few days and continuing into this weekend. While it has been mostly quiet, God has certainly been at work. Over Winter break many of our students were reading ‘Making Sense of God’ by Tim Keller, which we gave out at the end of last semester at our book giveaway outreach event. A group of our students even met over video chat during the break to discuss the book. In addition, our Seeking God ministry team lead “SkyPrayer Calls” during the break, where students were gathered virtually for times of devotion and prayer. We praise God for the stirring of his Spirit in our midst and for the initiative in prayer seen in our students and our student leaders.
As we remember the birth of Jesus and celebrate the breathtaking global impact of the incarnation, I’ve been thinking of the extraordinary lengths that God went to so that we may know. John includes a remarkable number of things that we know in the end of his first letter; none more important than verse 20 (italics mine):
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.
Dear Friends and Family of HCFA,
This will be brief, but only because we stand on the threshold of what is arguably the most important week or two in the academic year. It’s an exciting time. Freshmen are moving in as we speak for orientation activities and forty students are returning to campus early to load a bus for Ottauquechee Farm in Bridgewater, VT. Our primary purpose? To prepare to welcome the class of 2022 with open arms.
Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five/two talents came forward, bringing five/two talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five/two talents; here, I have made five/two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ – Matthew 25:19-23
Dear Friends and Family of HCFA,
Imbedded in the parables surrounding Jesus’ teaching concerning His return and the final judgment (Matthew 24 & 25) lies a verdict that far surpasses any report card, performance review or earthly accomplishment we could obtain or imagine: Well done, good and faithful servant.
Beloved prayer partners,
Thank you so much for your prayers and your various offerings of love this year. The summer is upon us and everyone is more buoyant, even if pollen and other allergens sometimes trigger more sneezing than usual. Please pray for us as we seek to find rest at various points throughout the summer.
HCFA is an organization staffed and resourced by Christian Union
Click here to read the Harvard Recognition Blog. The blog includes links to articles regarding the exact status of HCFA and articles related to the situation.10:30am – 1:00pm
Christian Union Ministry Office
1166 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
Christian Union and Harvard College Faith and Action invited all Reunions participants from all classes, all denominations, and all Christian ministries to this annual event. Connect with Christian alumni, visit with current students, and meet the Christian Union ministry faculty and staff.
Learn More
For questions about the Harvard Reunion Gathering 2018 hosted by Christian Union and Princeton Faith and Action, contact Christian Union’s Director of Alumni Engagement Meghan Foley at Christine.Foster@christianunion.org.
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Dear Friends and Family of HCFA,
Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers and partnership in the gospel. With eyes of faith we continue to look to the Lord Jesus for grace, strength and wisdom as we navigate through troubled waters.
Dear friends and family of HCFA,
First, my name is Tyler Parker and I'm the Harvard College Faith & Action (HCFA) intern for this year! Some of you may know that Anne Kerhoulas usually writes these messages, but this month, we're trying out a little bit of a fresh perspective on things. As an HCFA alum, I'm truly honored and excited to be serving the organization that transformed my college experience and gave me my first true experience of spiritual family. With that said, here is the update for the month of October:
Dear friends and family of HCFA,
I hope your summer has been warm and restful. At Harvard we are already a few weeks into the semester and the Lord is at work!
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