Columbia

A Devotional

By dr. Marcus buckley

Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” – 1 Peter 1:23-25 

“The grass is always greener on the other side.” It has been said that cliches which linger in our vocabulary do so because they have a strong element of truth, and the endurance of this statement is good evidence. How many times have we been enticed to wander off to pastures a deeper shade of emerald, only to find that they are filled with problems not readily visible from a distance?

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. 

CU Lumine Sees Renewed Commitment To Prayer And Fasting

By Anne Kerhoulas

For many ministries, gathering people together for prayer can be difficult. There are scheduling conflicts, demands on time, and oftentimes, a genuine lack of interest. But for CU Lumine students, prayer and fasting have become an essential part of their week. 

CU Lumine Alumna Experiences Inner Healing and Transformation

By Feven Negussie, CU Lumine '22 

But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 15:57

I found Christian Union when I was in a desperate position as a sophomore in college. I spent (or rather wasted) my freshman year of college in the most ungodly lifestyle—I will not even venture to describe it here. That year, I also experienced the biggest onslaught on my mental health. I experienced frequent panic attacks and severe insomnia. I lost weight dramatically and I found myself not being able to eat or sleep properly. Even when faced with these attacks on my mind and body, I continued on in my wayward ways. 

Christian Union Embarks On Second Massive Evangelism Initiative 

By Anne Kerhoulas

Last spring, Christian Union launched CU Rise, an evangelism campaign designed to share the gospel with students at ten of the nation’s most influential universities more boldly, strategically, and frequently than ever before. This week, Christian Union is at it again as CU Rise takes form for its second iteration.

CU Mentoring Program Proves Edifying For Mentors and Mentees

By Terrance Moore and Paul Akere

Every spring, Christian Union offers every CUU graduate the opportunity to be paired with a mentor for a year-long mentorship program. The following is a Q and A with mentor Terrance Moore and mentee Paul Akere.

Terrance Moore, Harvard ’14, was a member of Harvard College Faith and Action, now called CU Gloria, and now works for Adobe on the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Team. Paul Akere, Columbia ’22, participated in CU Lumine and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in education at UVA.

Universities Experience Spiritual Awakening

By Anne Kerhoulas

Editors Note: In light of the recent moves of the Spirit at Asbury University, Lee University, and Samford University, this article from the spring of 2022 is more relevant than ever.

“They say Aslan is on the move—perhaps he has already landed.” 

And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different....At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in its inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer. - C.S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

A Jazz Musician Found His Way In CU Lumine

By Isabella Campolatarro

There’s a Christian aphorism, often attributed to St. Teresa of Avila, that “God draws straight with crooked lines.” Christian Union Lumine student Michael Manasseh ’23 has experienced this truth first-hand.

The Heart of Christian Union's Mission

A Nationwide Fast from August 1-14 Calls Believers to Concerted Prayer

By Dr. Chuck Hetzler

Christian Union’s next extended period of prayer and fasting begins Monday, August 1, and runs for two weeks through Sunday, August 14, 2022. The spiritual condition of our day demands a serious and wholehearted response from the Church; The nation and the people of God in America need a fresh work of the Spirit of God. Please sign up today for our fourteen-day fast and join thousands of other Christians as we draw near to God for ourselves, for the Body of Christ, and for the lost.  

Christian Union Hosts Impactful Student Conference

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

At the conclusion of the academic year, Christian Union hosted Spiritus, a two-week-long, invitation-only conference that introduced students to Daniel Spirituality and inspired them to be transformative Christian leaders. Spiritus, held at the D.L. Moody Center in Northfield, Massachusetts, featured doctrinal teaching with an emphasis on prayer, fasting, and repentance.

Christian Union Celebrates 20th Anniversary

By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer

“They say Aslan is on the move—perhaps he has already landed.” 

CU Lumine Prepares Students for Service

By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer

Stan Thomas assumed the ministry director position at Christian Union Lumine on Columbia’s campus in January of 2020. Little did he know, in the coming months the students he was just beginning to connect with would be soon scattered across the globe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two years later, however, Thomas is faithfully leading and equipping students at Columbia with the gospel and preparing them for a life of discipleship and service. 

Fondly Remembering An Evangelistic Blitz from 1985

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

Christian Union is currently in the midst of an ambitious evangelistic initiative called CU Rise, which includes social media campaigns and outreaches at the nine universities where it hosts leadership development ministries. CU Rise will run for eight weeks.

Campaign Features Answers to Tough Questions

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

This spring, Christian Union is mobilizing students on its ten campuses to share the gospel more boldly, strategically, and frequently than ever.

Christian Union Unveils Historic Evangelistic Outreach

By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer

You have one business on earth - to save souls. - John Wesley

Students Challenged to Be Salt and Light at 2019 Nexus Conference

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

Editor's note: This article, which features coverage of Christian Union's Nexus Conference, originally appeared in the Spring 2019 edition of  Christian Union: The Magazine and is reprinted in conjuction with the publication's "Throwback Thursday" series.  

CU Lumine Provides Treats, Answers Questions about Christianity

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

“Does belief in Christianity work with belief in evolution?”

“Will God ever forgive me?”

“How can you say there’s only one true faith?”

These are a sampling of the questions submitted by Columbia students when Christian Union Lumine hosted its Message Me for Macarons outreach in December. After publicizing the event, students with CU Lumine delivered the macarons and answered questions via text messaging, all while earnestly praying.

Alumna Recalls the Discipleship, Community, and Leadership Development she Experienced at Columbia 

By Taylor Willis, Columbia ’18

As soon as I set foot on campus as a first-year at Columbia, I felt out of place. I yearned for Christian community minutes after my parents left me to fly back to Texas. Thankfully, by God’s grace, Christian Union Lumine existed. 

From New Releases to Classics

Everyone needs a good book on hand. To help you decide where to start in the new year, Christian Union ministry faculty and staff have put together a recommended booklist for 2022. Ranging from new releases to old classics, there is sure to be something that will bless and challenge you this year. Take a look!