Columbia
The Social Network: Bold Testimonies Highlight CU Rise
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.
CU Rise Campaign Is Good News for Influential Universities!
Christian Union Unveils Historic Evangelistic Outreach
By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer
You have one business on earth - to save souls. - John Wesley
Calling, Courage, and Christ
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.
Message Me for Macarons
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.
"I Am Incredibly Grateful for Christian Union"
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.
Christian Union Book Recommendations for 2022
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!
How to Not Be Afraid of Cancel Culture
Author of Irreversible DamageDelivers Poignant Message at Princeton
In our increasingly polarized society, university campuses have become a hotbed of cancel culture and diminished free speech. Though organizations like Academic Freedom Alliance have emerged from leading institutions with the sole purpose of defending professors' and students' constitutional right to freedom of speech, majority views tend to dominate public thinking and discourage dissent, even when dissent is grounded in research.
“Where Is God in the Movies?”
Columbia and Penn Alumni Discuss Films
By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer
Alumni from Columbia and Penn gathered in person and virtually to discuss religious themes in film. Spearheaded by Columbia alumnus Stephen Cone ’20, who was a Film and Media Studies major, the alumni recently gathered at the CU Lumine Ministry Center on the day of the Columbia vs. Penn football game for the discussion entitled, “Where Is God in the Movies?”
Hashtag: Welcome Columbia Freshmen
CU Lumine Introduces Student Leaders Via Social Media
By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor
Prior to hosting its Freshman Welcoming Campaign this fall, CU Lumine embarked on a social media campaign that introduced first-year students to the ministry and gave them practical wisdom and biblical insight before they even arrived on campus.
A Seeking God Lifestyle Seminar for Students
Christian Union Event Inspires Young Leaders
By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor
Students with Christian Union ministries at some of the nation’s most influential universities gathered virtually last spring for a Seeking God Lifestyle Seminar. For eight evenings, attendees heard inspiring teaching on topics ranging from repentance to revival, gathered in cohorts, and sought to draw closer to the Lord.
Intellectual Engagement
Tanaka ’23 Launches Online Apologetics Forum
By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer
At most of the nation’s leading universities, Christian scholarship is not taken seriously. Whether it is courses that teach the Bible from a strictly literary perspective and neglect available scholarship, or students passively believing that Christianity has no response to deep philosophical questions, the Gospel is often ignored completely or viewed with disdain as ignorant and unthoughtful. Jonathan Tanaka wants to change that.
Seeking the Lord and Praying Without Ceasing at Columbia
CU Lumine Prepares for Fall Semester
By Kelly Parks, Staff Writer
Despite the challenges posed by conducting Bible courses and other events online or with strict social distancing guidelines this past academic year, CU Lumine, Christian Union’s ministry at Columbia, was full of prayer pods, evangelism workshops, and Bible courses - all of which took place online. While the ministry center was open for occasional one-on-one meetings and small groups of under nine participants, Zoom meetings were the primary way students connected with each other.
The Intersection of Faith and Vocation
“Whose Voice Are We Hearing?”
By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor
At first glance, the career path of Amilee Watkins may seem somewhat random. A trained classical musician, her resume includes employment as a manager of a Starbucks in New York City, assistant director for the Center for Faith and Work at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and COO of a startup that centers on spiritual formation.
Sharing the Good News at Columbia
CU Lumine Hosts Evangelism Workshops
Kelly Parks, Staff Writer
At its core, evangelism is the act of sharing the good news of Christ with others so that they might come to have new life and have it to the fullest. As society has become increasingly secular, however, evangelism has become a less comfortable topic for many Christians. Although evangelism is sometimes synonymous with preaching on a street corner, we should certainly not overlook the equally powerful act of sharing Christ through personal witness.
Columbia Virtual Reunion 2021
CU Event Was Held Saturday June 5, 2021
Thank you for joining Christian Union Lumine (Columbia University) on June 5, 2021 at 1:00 PM EST for a virtual reunion! Christian Union Lumine invited participants from all classes, all denominations, and all Christian ministries to this annual event.An Emerging Leader for CU Lumine
Sternklar ’22 Has a Passion For Prayer, International Justice
By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor
Athena Sternklar wants to change the world through a career focused on international policy and humanitarian aid.
The political science major, who transferred to Columbia University in the fall, took a hiatus from college a few years back to travel abroad and volunteer in refugee camps in Greece, Serbia, and Jordan. She came to Columbia via Montgomery Community College in her hometown of Rockville, Maryland.
Pursuing God, Pursuing Truth
Columbia Student Is a Leader with Christian Union, John Jay Society
By Luke Brown
In his Summa Theologica, Thomas Aquinas said, “There is no greater act of charity than to lead a neighbor to truth.” At Columbia University, Jonathan Tanaka ’23 is passionately seeking this greatest act of charity in a bold and wholehearted way.
“I believe that since God is the perfect, supreme arbiter of truth—He is truth. It is not only a good thing to pursue Him by pursuing truth, but it is my duty to do so,” said Tanaka, who serves on the executive team for Christian Union’s Lumine ministry at Columbia.
Let Us Hold Fast
Family is Thankful for Christian Union's Ministry at Columbia
At Columbia University, in the heart of one of the world’s most influential cities, academic rigor and the vibrant, rapid pace of life merge to form an exhilarating and often intimidating atmosphere for incoming freshmen. Establishing relationships and a sense of belonging are critical in the first weeks of college life. Michael was first introduced to Christian Union during freshman orientation when he was invited to a Christian Union jazz night. “From that point on, I’ve been involved in the ministry, helping out and volunteering in any capacity necessary,” Michael shared.Center Stage Faith
Wyatt ’20 Pursuing a Career in Media Arts
by catherine elvy, staff writer
A Columbia University senior dreams of reflecting his faith while unleashing his passion for acting, storytelling, and triggering laughter.
In the fall, Nathaniel Wyatt ’20 plans to relocate to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment. “I want to communicate the beauty of God through art,” he said. “It’s part of being salt and light.”
At Columbia, Wyatt served on the executive team for Christian Union’s ministry and as editor-in-chief for The Columbia Witness: A Journal of Christian Perspectives (columbiawitness.org). Wyatt also was active in Chowdah, Columbia’s sketch comedy troupe that performs original material from student members.
Blessed to Be a Blessing
Jade Thompson ’21 Leads Outreach Team
by tom campisi, managing editor
For Jade Thompson, co-directing a Text-4-Toasties outreach for Christian Union at Columbia this fall was just one of the many ways she has been challenged to grow as a leader.
Thompson, an Economics and Sustainability major from Westchester, New York, called her involvement with Lumine, Christian Union’s ministry at Columbia, “the best part of my college experience.”