What a year this has been, particularly for university students. When the pandemic started unfolding in March and Columbia University was forced to go virtual, we were all holding out that Fall 2020 would be the reset we needed. But instead of our students moving into John Jay, Schapiro or Ruggles or connecting with new freshmen during NSOP (New Student Orientation Program), we are mapping out what ministry can look like virtually.
Right now, student leaders at CU Lumine are setting aside this week for a time of prayer and fasting while planning what ministry will specifically look like in the fall.
We gathered for pre-retreat online last week. We all felt it was the spiritual “reset” we needed before starting the school year. Our theme was “In Him: Finding meaning, security and life in Christ.” It was encouraging to see familiar faces and some new freshman faces that joined us as we connected with God.
Would you join us in praying for:
- Columbia’s class of 2024: Pray for the new students joining Columbia and missing out on the traditional NSOP. Pray that their hearts would be encouraged and God-ordained meetings would take place with CU Lumine upperclassmen.
- NSOP: Pray for all the different events happening online for new students. Pray also for the CU Lumine events that are planned with the hopes of connecting with new students. Pray that students looking for Christian community or seeking God would connect with the ministry and students.
- Student leaders: They started this semester with the hard news that two CU faculty (Yolanda Solomon and Nick Nowalk) were let go due to budget cuts. This pandemic has hit our financial partners greatly forcing us as a ministry to restructure and rethink ministry for the fall with only one full-time staff member. Pray that God would give them strength and wisdom as they lead this ministry and take on new responsibilities.
- Raising up new financial supporters: We know that we can’t do this ministry without Cornerstone Partners like you. Join us in praying that God would bring new Christ-minded friends of this ministry to help rebuild CU Lumine at Columbia through their partnership.
- Revival on campus: In the midst of unknowns, we know that God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine. Pray that God would continue to open eyes to respond to His call of grace and bring about a mighty wave of peace, joy and transformation so when campus reopens, we would meet students on fire for Christ.
I look forward to meeting with you personally on campus when things reopen. Until then, thank you for your love and partnership at CU Lumine. I could not do this without your prayers.
Stan Thomas
Ministry Director
Christian Union Lumine
Please note: if you would like to receive regular updates on how to pray for Christian Union's work at Columbia, please email prayer@christianunion.org.
