Greetings,
We continue to see God’s grace in our ministry as we disciple students. One example of this is our winter conference which took place Jan. 20-22 at Spruce Lake. We were privileged to see students make strides in their walk with God. During one of our small group prayer times at the retreat, one young lady, who suffers from social anxiety and had never prayed before was taught by another student to pray. After she prayed for the first time, she was overwhelmed with joy and expressed interest to continue meeting with students to practice seeking God together.
God’s power was on full display at the conference in other ways as well. Two students experienced miraculous physical healings. During our prayer time, one student who was suffering from pain in his knee, and another student who was experiencing pain in her shoulder received prayer for both those issues. Both testified God healed them right as they were receiving prayer for those ailments. The ministry fellows were also presented with plenty of opportunities to engage students in fruitful discussion geared toward their spiritual formation. Moreover, the teaching we received at the conference’s main sessions were both edifying and thought-provoking. Our staff are thankful for the generous gifts from donors who make conferences like the one we just experienced possible.
We continue to ask for your prayers for the following:
- Since the beginning of this school year, Columbia has experienced seven student deaths resulting from suicide or drug-overdoses. Many students have complained that there are inadequate mental health options for students suffering from the stresses of college life at the university. Pray for students who are suffering and possibly thinking about ending their own life, and that the administration would address this issue by providing more opportunities for students to pursue mental stability during their time at Columbia.
- Pray that Christian Union at Columbia would be able to reach and minister effectively to these students that are lost and feel hopeless.
- Nexus: the Christian Union Conference on Faith and Action is around the corner. Pray that we would be effective in promoting and signing up students to attend the conference.
- Pray for our Bible courses and times of one-on-one discipleship that it would bear fruit in the lives of these students.
Thanks to all our partners for your continued support of God’s work through Christian Union at Columbia University!
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,
Bryant Parsons
Christian Union Ministry Fellow
Columbia University
