Harvard
A Retreat... In Your Home
Announcing the October 13-14 CU Fire National Simulcast Retreat
By grace ann arvey
CU Fire Retreats—quarterly simulcast retreats for believers across America—help participants experience spiritual rejuvenation and encouragement with their friends, their church, or any other Christian community to which they belong, from the comfort of their own homes. The next CU Fire Retreat will take place October 13-14, 2023.
Come and See
God is at Work Through CU's Freshman Welcoming Campaign
By erin conner
The great commission of Jesus Christ, to his followers, is to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
At universities across America, students entering college can discover a culture that seems to silence discourse about existential purpose and meaning; about faith and God. This is especially true at the ten academic institutions where Christian Union serves. To follow the great commission in these contexts requires courage to resist the pattern of this world.
No Hope in Dead Grass
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?
CU's National Fast Continues
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.
Finding Our Voice In God
How One HLS Student Uses Her Voice For Others
By Marianna Marques, Harvard Law School ’23
Editors note: This article has been reprinted with permission from the Program on Biblical Law.
I followed an unconventional path to Harvard Law School and was thrilled upon receiving admission. While I felt that God wanted to use me to advocate for those who lack a voice, I didn’t know the extent to which my own voice would be challenged during my time at HLS. To elevate the voice of others, I first needed to fight for my own.
Deliverance In A Conference Room
Harvard Law School Students and Professor Host Powerful Time of Prayer
By Anne Kerhoulas
It’s not every day that a deliverance event is hosted at Harvard Law School. But that’s just what happened in the fall of 2022 when Marianna and Jacob Hawkins contacted a Harvard Law School professor with the idea of hosting a spiritual freedom event for Christian students at Harvard.
CU Rise Campaign Seeks “To Make Jesus The Most Talked About Name On Campus”
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.
Easing the Post-Grad Transition
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.
God's Not Dead—At Harvard Or Any College Campus
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
Environmental Stewardship
CU Gloria Social Action Team Explores Environmentalism and the Gospel
By Anne Kerhoulas
What does climate change have to do with Jesus? For many people, the answer is nothing. But as environmental activism and climate policy become more central to the world stage, Christians are speaking into the conversation with a simple but profound truth: environmental stewardship is a call placed on every Christian.
From Fragmentation to Wholeness
CU Alumna and Hamilton Cast Member Finds Identity in Christ
By Ashley LaLonde
Growing up in the heart of New York City, I often struggled to connect with other believers. Though my parents were both faithful Christians, and we attended church nearly every Sunday, almost all my close friends were people of other faiths or no faith at all. I often felt like the oddball. I loved Jesus and knew I had a relationship with him, but I would frequently downplay it with others just to fit in.
CU Gloria Prepared Alumna For A Life of Faith
How One Alumna Learned To See The Lord In All Things
By Kate Lucky, Harvard ’15
In college, I spent many mornings talking about stories: analyzing characters and structures and metaphors, voicing my ideas about plot and motif. At the end of these classes, we closed our novels and ventured out into the cold. I was an English concentrator.
Transformation Through Leadership
The Heart of Christian Union's Mission
Learn more about how Christian Union is promoting national revival and reformation for a spiritually vibrant America through Christian leadership. That’s been the heart of Christian Union’s vision and mission all along through two strategic ministries: Christian Union Universities (CUU) and Christian Union America (CUA). The aim is not just to endure our current trials, but to recapture the Christ-centered spiritual vibrancy that blessed the world for generations.What Harvard Is Really Like
A Current Student Gives An Honest Assessment of the Institution
By Anne Kerhoulas
For the past 20 years, Christian Union has ministered at some of the most influential universities in our nation. As one of these schools, Harvard has a long history of excellence and prestige, but what is Harvard like for the students attending its hallowed halls?
Surprised by the Gifts of the Spirit
Jack Deere Speaks at Several Christian Union Universities
By Anne Kerhoulas
Almost forty years ago, Jack Deere found himself in an unexpected position. An esteemed professor of Hebrew and the Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), Deere had signed a statement of beliefs for professors regarding the ongoing supernatural gifts of the Spirit. But through his teaching and study, he found his beliefs increasingly changing, becoming misaligned with the seminary’s stance.
The Supernatural Power of Christian Unity
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.
New Song Theatricals: A Christian Presence at Harvard
CU Gloria Members Produce DaVinci Play
By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer
“The arts are a powerful tool,” reflects Harvard rising junior LyLena Estabine. They have the power to cross boundary lines, reach into the emotional and spiritual core of a person and leave them changed.
Seeking the Lord Fervently at Spiritus
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.
CBN Report: Seeking God for Revival at Harvard Law School
CU Gloria Director: ‘We Want to See Christ Lifted High’
By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor
Christian Union Gloria and other ministries at Harvard Law School were recently featured on the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). The report, seen on major television stations and online, highlighted a strong Christian presence there and a unified desire to see God move mightily.
Harvard Alumni Panel: Community at the Cross
Young Professionals Reflect on CU Gloria, Post-College Life
By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor
On Good Friday, six Harvard College alumni gathered for "Community at the Cross," a panel discussion hosted by Christian Union Gloria.