December 2012
Please note: if you would like to receive regular updates on how to pray for Christian Union's work at Dartmouth, please email prayer@christian-union.org.We continue to thank you for your prayers for Christian Union's ministry at Dartmouth!
The students are spread throughout the globe right now as they are taking winter break. Whether using the break to rest after an academically rigorous term, participating in an internship, working, or traveling overseas, each student finds themself in a unique situation. Some are going home to supportive Christian families, while others will be spending time with families that are skeptical of their faith.
It can be difficult to continue seeking God while away from the Christian community. Students may not have the accountability they regularly experience through involvement in Bible Courses and regular interaction with their Christian friends. Although it can pose a challenge, the time away can also present a great opportunity. The winter break can be a sort of "trial period" for what it will be like when the students graduate and must then cultivate a vibrant faith away from their campus ministry. Please pray for the students while on their winter break. They left right before Thanksgiving and will arrive back in Hanover for classes to start on January 7. Please pray that they seek God and grow in their relationship with Him even while away from one another. Pray that they can spur one another on to read the Bible, pray and look for ways to love their families! Pray that they come back in January with stories of God's faithfulness over the break.
A group of female students have decided to stay connected over winter break by participating in a book club. Sixteen girls have joined to read a book called Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. They are dividing up the chapters and discussing their thoughts on the book through a Facebook group page. Each girl is in charge of leading one of the discussions, sharing what God is teaching them and questions they have about what they are reading. It has been amazing to see the students take initiative in reaching out to one another even while separated over break! Please pray that this book study will be fruitful, and that the female students will discover Biblical truth that frees them to become all that God is calling them to be.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
When classes start back up in January, the executive team of students will continue to pursue recognition for Christian Union's ministry on the campus: Dartmouth Faith and Action (DFA). There have been numerous obstacles to the ministry's recognition as an official student group, with the Council of Student Organizations board turning the group down last spring and difficulty since then in being able to reapply for recognition. Please pray for the executive team. They will be meeting with leaders of the administration and will continue to seek recognition. Being recognized will open doors for the students to have more freedom to do things like reserving rooms and advertising on campus. Not only that, but being recognized will also communicate to the students that DFA is welcome at Dartmouth and that the college appreciates what the ministry is doing. Pray that those who make the decisions will look favorably upon DFA, seeing how beneficial the ministry has been in the lives of over one hundred students so far.
As you celebrate the birth of Christ this season, we hope that you experience His peace that passes all understanding, His joy even in difficult circumstances, and hope in His unfailing promises. We are so appreciative of the ways that you intercede for the ministry among the students at Dartmouth. He is faithful and is always at work!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
November 2012
