December 11, 2024
One Student Ministry's Unstoppable Heart to See God Transform Lives
It's not easy or convenient to plan a weekend away. It is much easier to choose not to disrupt the pattern of life and to stay within the confines of routine. Disruption is not easy for anyone, but it is especially difficult for Ivy League students. Their rigorous academic schedules are full of the demands and pressures of achievement at the highest level, so stepping away from it all during the school year is nothing short of revolutionary. Stepping away to retreat with the Lord and with each other is a beautiful gateway into the freedom Christ came to give--freedom, in part, from the weight of the standards, values, and identity placed upon us by the world. The students of Christian Union are learning to live in this kind of freedom, and, as a result, they are sharing it with others.December 2, 2024
2018 Christian Union National Fast Devotional
"And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, and their clothing, his cupbearers, and their clothing, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her. And she said to the king, "The report was true that I heard. ... Blessed be the Lord your God." -2 Chronicles 9:3-5, 8 (ESV)The queen of Sheba had heard of the fame and wisdom of Solomon and she thought, “I have to see it for myself.” The Bible records her visit in this wonderful passage, giving us insight into the nature of excellence and wisdom.December 1, 2024
How to Join a Movement to Transform Culture for Christ in America
Christian Union Universities (CUU) is developing leaders with spiritual depth at strategic places for cultural engagement to change the world. CUU serves students at Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Harvard Law, Penn, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale. You can join this movement to equip our nation's students at these highly influential and secular schools with the power and love of Jesus in the following ways: 1. Pray "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." -Matthew 7:8, 9When believers pray, God hears and responds. 2. Give When you give to Christian Union, you help evangelize an unreached people group - the relatively small number of men and women whose leadership choices affect the daily lives of millions and who help to shape culture, from the economy, to entertainment, to the legal system. Help develop men and women of wholehearted devotion to God, and help them to build relational and professional networks that will increase Christian cultural influence by giving an end of year gift of any amount today.Donate > 3. Advocate You can share this mission and vision in a variety of helpful ways. Here are just a few ideas: Talk to Christian parents - Many Christian parents of students applying to college have well-founded concerns about their children attending these leading universities, known for their sometimes intense secularism. Talk to parents about the role Christian Union is playing to develop students into mature believers and effective culture changers. Inform high schools - Share with administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors of Christian schools about the Christian leadership development ministries at these universities, if you are able, so they in turn can communicate with parents and students. Discuss with friends and colleagues - Many believers are passionate about changing our culture and may be eager to learn more about a few ways how. 4. Share Socially Christian Union is active on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. Follow the ministry, like us, connect with us, and please share anything we post that may be of interest to others. By taking the simple step of sharing content posted on social sites with your friends and family, you expand the ministry's reach. 5. Refer Others to Subscribe to Our Newsletter For culture to be transformed by the gospel, thousands of believers must learn about and come alongside to support Christian Union’s and other ministries' strategic approach. Christian Union's primary way of communicating is through bi-weekly email newsletters. Subscribe by clicking on the link. Please feel free to share link with: Friends Alumni Staff & Faculty Parents Churches Foundations 6. Connect Students to Ministry Let Christian Union know about incoming and current students at Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Harvard Law, Princeton, Penn, Stanford, or Yale that would benefit from Christian leadership development. Christian Union faculty and student leaders are warmly welcoming of interested and curious students, inviting them to participate in the ministry in a variety of meaningful ways. Send students names to Vickie.Coonan@ChristianUnion.org. 7. Engage with Your Alma Mater If you are an alumni of Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Harvard Law, Princeton, Penn, Stanford, or Yale, you can have extraordinary influence with your alma mater. By being involved with your universities, you can be a powerful witness for Jesus Christ.Some suggested ways to engage: Participate in alumni boards and activities Attend reunions Write respectfully to the administration or alumni magazine when Christian values need to be defended 8. Share Story Ideas Christian Union seeks to inform readers about the spiritual activity on the campuses where they serve. Let the ministry know of opportunities and challenges for the gospel at these universities. Share encouraging stories of alumni who are Christian leaders in their respective fields. Send stories ideas to Erin.Conner@ChristianUnion.org. 9. Share Your Story If you would like to share about your experience as a student, parent, donor or friend of Christian Union, please feel free to send in your thoughts to Erin.Conner@ChristianUnion.org. We'd love to be encouraged by them.God bless you as you consider how to help students have an impact on the lives of others for eternity.December 1, 2024
A Film Recently Released about Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer
After 12 years in the making, Bonhoeffer opened in 2,000 theaters across the country starting on November 22. Faith-based films like this one raise thought-provoking questions that lead viewers to explore their own faith and actions in their spheres of influence, as well as the implications of their actions in shaping the contours of culture and history.Preview the trailer of this film here: https://youtu.be/eK2sPrMlsQsNovember 30, 2024
A Cornerstone Partner Visits Christian Union Libertas at Brown
By Don Stahl; written in February of 2023
Ever wonder, “what is that ministry really like?”
As a Cornerstone Partner, I certainly knew something of what Christian Union seeks to do, and saw lots of evidence that it was genuinely touching the lives of the next generation of leaders. But in my experience working with over 100 non-profits and ministries throughout my career, I have found there is nothing like “showing up!”
So, by prior arrangement, I did. I am so glad I went!
November 18, 2024
Christian Leader in Media Shares Life-Giving Message in a Culture of Despair
Carrie Sheffield, a renowned columnist and broadcaster in Washington DC, released a memoir this past spring entitled Motorhome Prophesies that proclaims liberty is possible for the captives of trauma. Sheffield is a Harvard alumna, a member of Christian Union America, and serves in an advisory role for the Christian Union Washington DC board of advisors. Sheffield shares insights with millions of Americans on networks like CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CBS News, CNBC, BBC, and more. From ABC’s Good Morning America to HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, PBS, and C-SPAN, she brings a voice of virtue to the American communications and media industry through boundless interviews, articles, appearances on television shows and podcasts, and at forums across the nation.November 17, 2024
Christian Union Provides Support and Resources for Spiritual Strengthening
Your spiritual vitality is a matter of national importance. Perhaps that sounds dramatic, but consider it–our culture is shaped by the daily decisions of industry leaders who either embrace secular values or who embrace biblical values, many of whom may not know how to integrate their faith and their profession. How well are American believers equipped to bring Christian faith and values into their spheres of influence? And what are the implications if they don't?November 16, 2024
Former Christian Union Student President Claims Victory in Recent Election
Leaders developed at Dartmouth shape the future of our country by determining what media gets disseminated, what laws get passed, and how major decisions get made. Dartmouth has produced influential figures, including author Dr. Seuss, beloved T.V. personality Fred Rogers, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and former central banker and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Another name of influence has been recently added to this list: Brandon Gill. Brandon Gill claimed victory in the congressional race for the 26th district of Texas over Democrat Ernest Lineberger III in the recent November election.Gill's Congressional webpage states, "I attended Dartmouth College and graduated cum laude with degrees in both Economics and History. I was President of the conservative paper, The Dartmouth Review. I was also President of Christian Union and grew it to be one of the largest student groups on campus, despite being on a campus hostile to the Christian faith. In college, I fought the left nonstop - on their own turf - and I left Dartmouth even more conservative than when I arrived."November 11, 2024
Devotional from 2018 Christian Union National Fast
"So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation." - 1 Peter 2:1-2 (ESV) King’s College was founded in 1754, suspended instruction during the Revolutionary war, reopened as Columbia College in 1784, and later changed its name to Columbia University. Its purpose was to provide “future colonial leaders an education that would enlarge the mind, improve the understanding, polish the whole man, and qualify them to support the brightest characters in all the elevated stations in life.” The college president taught the first classes in a building adjoining Trinity Church in downtown Manhattan, and the campus later moved north to 116th street on the West side of Manhattan.November 2, 2024
City Celebration to Acknowledge His Great Name
In May of 2025, the “Jesus is Lord Parade” will unite churches, ministries, pastors, and Christians across New York City and across the nation to lift up and glorify the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. For His glory and by His power, the parade is anticipated to be the largest Christian parade in the history of the US.November 1, 2024
Servant Leadership at Christian Union Martus
At one of our recent Philia meetings, the weekly Christian leadership lecture series we hold for Penn students, we discussed the significance of leadership and servitude from John 13:3-5 (ESV), “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him (emphasis added).” The phrase “all things” is also used in Ephesians 1:22, “God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.” Paul is almost mirroring John’s writing in the gospel. The main point discussed was what Jesus did once everything was given to Him–He served. He used His authority, His influence, His power to serve.October 24, 2024