Greetings in the matchless name of Jesus! I am thankful for your love and partnership with Christian Union Lumine at Columbia University. Because of your committed giving and prayers, we are seeing students’ lives transformed by the gospel.
After a much-needed break, the students returned for their spring semester on January 18th. Due to the rise in Covid cases, Columbia University decided to go remote for the month of January, but you might be encouraged to know that many students physically returned to campus at the start of the semester. It was so good to see students connecting and getting together to fellowship, pray, and study God’s word together in the first week back!
CU Lumine is back in the swing of things. We have started Bible courses for this semester. We are studying the book of Romans with sophomore and junior students, a Faith and Vocation Bible course with seniors, and the Seeking God Lifestyle Bible course with freshmen. I am so excited to have a former Barnard and Christian Union alum, Jade Thompson, join us again as a volunteer Bible course leader this semester.
We also held our first in-person LLS at the CU Ministry Center where we discussed God’s sovereignty when we experience delays and disappointments. The student executive team and ministry team leaders are also putting together various fellowship and social events for students to connect and grow in community. This is going to be a full semester and we are truly believing God will awaken hearts and transform lives!
As we get deeper into this semester, would you please join us in praying for:
- Student Leadership: Pray for the present student leaders and the new ones that will be selected in the coming weeks. Pray that God would bring the right students to take up the mantle of leadership and continue the good work of the gospel on Columbia’s campus.
- Staff: Please pray for myself and Jade Thompson. Jade is serving this semester as a Bible course leader for freshmen and sophomore women. Pray God would give us wisdom and favor as we minister to the student body at Columbia.
- Students with CU: As I mentioned, more students will be on campus this semester. Pray for God’s favor when we meet one-on-one with students. Also, pray that the students will be able to manage their time well and give priority to studying God’s word and seeking His face in prayer.
- Spiritual hunger and thirst: Pray that the students would have a deep hunger for the things of God: prayer, worship, Christian community, reading scripture. Pray also that they would grow deeper in their Christian community.
- Raising up new financial partners: We can’t do this ministry without supporters 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 financial support.
- Revival on campus: We need God to move in a mighty way at Columbia! 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 that students would be on fire for Christ.
Thank you for your love and partnership at CU Lumine. We could not do this without your prayers and faithful giving.
Grace and Peace,
Stan Thomas
Ministry Director Christian Union Lumine
P.S. The CU Faculty started the year off with a week of fasting and prayer in the Poconos. It was a sweet time to worship God with my brothers and sisters. I was encouraged by two songs that I added to my playlist that have been on repeat since our time together. I would love to share them with you: Make Room and Christ Our Hope.
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.
