Columbia
God Is at Work
Students, Christian Union Faculty Appreciate Ministry Center
by tom campisi
When the Christian Union Center at Columbia University was dedicated last fall, the ministry’s Founder and CEO, Matt Bennett, said “generations of influential students, faculty, and alumni will be emboldened and equipped to carry revival and cultural reformation to the university and the world.”
The impact of the building was felt immediately; the consensus among the ministry’s faculty was that “God is at work in the new ministry center.” Within a few days, Christian Union was able to engage more new students than in the previous year of ministry. At the close of the recent academic year, Ministry Fellow Ava Ligh said the Christian Union Center was a blessing that enabled students to experience a greater sense of community and provided a wonderful place to seek the Lord, study the Word, and grow together.
Student Spotlight: Krya A. Dawkins, Columbia Class of 2020
Bring Your Doubts
Christian Union provided Krya the space to ask the hard questions about Christianity, and she found that the Lord used her doubts, and the answers she found, to strengthen her faith.Reach the Class of 2023
Your Gift by June 30 Will Share Gospel and Change Lives
Please consider a special gift to Christian Union by June 30 to support the next Freshman Campaign. The Class of 2023 will be here before we know it!The ministry will connect with freshmen before they even set foot on campus to welcome and warmly invite them into biblical studies, Christian community, and spiritual and leadership growth.
Your gift helps set lives on a new course!
Senate Chaplain Chief of Staff
Q and A with Lisa Schultz
Lisa Schultz is the Chief of Staff for United States Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black. She directs all of Chaplain Black’s programs and outreach to Senators, their families, and hundreds of Senate staff. Schultz has spent 15 years overseeing Capitol Hill-focused ministries, first as Director of Outreach for the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship and the last 11 years for the Senate Chaplain. Prior to her time serving on Capitol Hill, she lived as a missionary in Schladming, Austria, for seven years under the umbrella of Torchbearers International.
At Christian Union’s Nexus Student Conference in February, Schultz was a member of the law and government panel during the vocational breakout sessions.
A Harvest of Righteousness
Susan Stover and Arthur Stella
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
- 2 Corinthians 9:10
Early in Susan Stover’s life, her parents, Bob and Joan Stover, sowed the seeds of generosity. “My parents’ faith journey had a tremendous impact on me,” Susan noted.
“My father became a Christian as a young man after serving in the Navy during World War II. His life reflected his personal belief that he needed to use his talents and resources in the Lord’s service.” After the war, Bob Stover began a temporary employment agency in San Francisco.
Thanks for the Memories
Seniors Show Appreciation for Christian Union at Dinner
by tom campisi, managing editor
In April, students with Christian Union at Columbia hosted a senior dinner at the organization’s new ministry center. It was a sweet time of reflection, prayer, and even a few tears, as seniors looked back with gratitude on four years of spiritual growth and Christian community.
“Student after student commented on how the ministry has made a difference in their lives and how they have made lifelong friends,” said Yolanda Solomon, a Christian Union ministry fellow at Columbia. “They talked about connecting and staying in touch and how they will miss Christian Union.”
P.S. We All Deserve a Second Chance
Tam Smith ’09 Is Helping to Break the Cycle of Poverty
By Lauren Curiotto, Contributing Writer
A Columbia University alumna is proving that a business model that uplifts those who feel unworthy and overlooked can operate sustainably at the intersection of compassion, good food, and God’s love.
“Think of the worst thing you’ve ever done in your life and being forever known for that,” says April Tam Smith, as she explains why P.S. Kitchen, the restaurant she founded in Manhattan, gives those marginalized by their past a new beginning. The people whom Smith has chosen to serve and rehabilitate are often treated like afterthoughts, but P.S. Kitchen wants to make them feel as valued as they are in God's sight.
Thomas Merton Lecture: “Views from Space”
Former Astronaut Was Starstruck by God’s Creation
By Nathan Barlow, Columbia ’20
On March 7, Columbia’s Catholic Ministry hosted engineering professor and former astronaut Mike Massimino at the 41st annual Thomas Merton Lecture. Dr. Massimino spoke about his journey, outer space, and what his adventures taught him about faith.
Columbia’s Catholic Ministry hosted former astronaut Mike Massimino to speak on what his journeys into outer space taught him about God.
CU Student Spotlight: Columbia
Nathaniel Encounters God’s Diversity
Nathaniel tells his personal story, coming from a largely like-minded culture to the opposite in New York. He recognizes how adaptable and diverse Christianity can be through his CU at Columbia Bible Course.
Christian Unity at Columbia
Ministries Enjoy Thanksgiving Meal
by tom campisi, managing editor
Three juniors with Christian Union at Columbia led a team that prepared and served a Thanksgiving meal in the fall semester, uniting several campus ministries for a memorable celebration.
The dinner, held on November 16 at Wein Hall, was organized by Shazzarda Davis, Barnard ’21, Anne-Marie Tehn-Addy, Columbia ’21, and Callum Kiser, Columbia ’21.
"I might as well ask everyone..."
In Finland, Camille Zimmerman, Columbia ’18, Continues to Lead in Prayer
Columbia University refers to her as its “Best-Ever Basketball Player.” Camille Zimmerman ’18 is “the highest scoring basketball player ever in Columbia Athletics history.” She was also, up until graduation last spring, considered a leader at Columbia in more ways than one.
A Celebrated Space
Christian Union Dedicates Ministry Center at Columbia
by catherine elvy, staff writer
Profound awe and gratitude permeated the highly anticipated opening of Christian Union’s ministry center adjacent to Columbia University.
On October 13, staff, ministry faculty, and financial partners of the leadership development organization celebrated the debut of the center on West 113th Street with a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Building Community on Campus
Christian Union Launches Freshman Welcoming Campaign
by catherine elvy, staff writer
Students involved with Christian Union’s ministry at Columbia University were energized as they prepared to reach out to members of the class of 2022.
The theme for this year’s freshman welcoming campaign centered upon spiritual kinship. The ministry greeted incoming students with the intent of offering “community for the sake of others,” said Ministry Director Lane Young. “What brings us together is Jesus.”
Columbia Ministry Center
By Carol Fausnaught
On Saturday, October 13, 2018, nearly 70 Christian Union leadership, faculty, financial partners, and friends marked a jubilant dedication of the new ministry center at Columbia University in Upper Manhattan. Festivities included a dedication ceremony, brunch, and tours of the new facility.
This joyful day was over five years in the making.
2018 Conference Highlights
The Christian Union Cities Conference convened graduate students and diverse professionals, from recent graduates to seasoned pros, from across industries, to explore compelling ideas about faith and its relevance to every facet of our lives. Graduates of Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale explored their role in becoming Christian leaders. (2:26)A Spiritually Vibrant Nation
A Blessing To The World
Since 2002, Christian Union has worked to help bring sweeping spiritual change to America. We want to see the United States become a spiritually vibrant nation that blesses the world. (5:07)Please consider giving a generous gift by June 30 to engage even more students with the gospel. Click here to donate today.
2018 Nexus Highlights
The Nexus 2018 theme of "Turn the World Upside Down" comes from Acts 17, when Christians were accused of turning the world upside down with the message of Jesus Christ. What does it mean to turn the world upside down with the Good News? In God’s "upside down" economy, Christ died so that we might live, the weak are strong, the poor are rich. How can we be a part of what God is doing today? These questions were at the heart of Nexus.For one weekend, students worshiped and prayed together, heard from high-caliber speakers, experienced engaging breakout sessions, connected with one another in small groups, and built cross-campus ties around shared challenges and opportunities.
SpokenWord Highlights from Nexus 2018
Over the last weekend in February, nearly 300 students, from Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale, gathered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, for Christian Union's Nexus 2018 conference. On Saturday night, a team from each school competed in the Christian Union SpokenWord competition that required teams to memorize and present any selection of scripture passages in a spoken word style. The presentations were powerful, creative, and inspiring. A highly energetic audience spurred each team on, and after jubilantly celebrating the top performances, performers and audience together broke into a playful dance party to cap off the joyous celebration of the power of God's Word!
Watch the top three finalists, below, as revealed at Nexus 2018:
Nexus 2018
The Christian Union Conference on Faith and Action
Nexus 2018 gathered nearly 300 students from nine of the United States' most influential universities for a challenging and inspiring weekend. Undergraduate attendees represented Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale.For one weekend, students worshiped and prayed together, heard from high-caliber speakers, experienced engaging breakout sessions, connected with one another in small groups, and built cross-campus ties around shared challenges and opportunities.
Faith and Vocation
Nexus Conference Networks, Inspires Students and Professionals
By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
Nexus: The Christian Union Conference on Faith and Action explored the convergence of culture, career, and Christianity for 317 students from some of the nation's most influential universities.The Omni Hotel in New Haven, Connecticut, just a couple blocks from Yale University, was home to a weekend of vibrant worship, continuous and intercessory prayer and engaging messages from powerful plenary speakers on April 1-3. Students from Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Yale attended the conference, which offered insight, inspiration, networking, and practical advice on discerning God's purpose for life, campus, and career.
