The familiar words (above) spoken by the Apostle Paul to the saints in Philippi ring true for my heart towards you as well. Your faithful support (financially and through prayers and encouragement) have made it possible to reach so many incoming freshmen and new to in-person Columbia sophomores this past month.
After a week of planning with student leaders during pre-retreat in August, we hit the floor running, welcoming and loving incoming students. The first two weeks were packed with events ranging from an ice cream social at midnight on the steps of Low to capture the flag to pancakes & prayer at the ministry center. Our Freshmen Welcome team has had the chance to meet hundreds of incoming freshmen and sophomores and invite them to join CU Lumine. Overall, our freshmen welcomers put on nine events throughout NSOP (New Student Orientation Program)!
We held our first Illumina (Leadership Lecture Series) and had over 60 students pack the ministry center to worship Jesus and hear a talk on “Meeting Christ at Columbia.” Through it all, you could sense the desire of the students to be in community with other Christians and a hunger to be in fellowship with Christ.
We also officially kicked off Bible courses—10 of them—meeting all throughout the week studying the book of Philippians. It has been encouraging to see students invite their friends to study the Bible along with new and returning faces.
All of us at CU Lumine are excited for what God has in store for us this fall. Though many unknowns still exist on campus due to Covid-19, we know a God who is seated on the throne and moving in a mighty way at Columbia!
Would you join us in praying for:
- Columbia’s class of 2025: Pray for the freshmen that have connected with CU Lumine in the past four weeks. Pray that they would find a home with this ministry, connect with upperclassmen, and build deep, meaningful relationships.
- Student leaders: Pray that God would give them strength and wisdom as they lead this ministry and plan events for the fall. Pray God would give them favor with the school and their peers.
- 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.
- One-on-one discipleship: Pray for deep, meaningful conversations with students. Pray for those that are struggling in their faith and for those that seek to grow in their walk with God. Pray that God would use these one-on-one times to strengthen and grow individuals.
- 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.
Grace and Peace,
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.
