March 2017

To our friends and partners in the Gospel,

This month has brought much needed rest and peace here at Christian Union at PENN. This wasmmuch needed after the busy Fall and frigid winter months. After beginning the month with midterms, many of our students were able to get away to warmer climates with friends and family over spring break. They have returned with renewed spirits, energetic and hopeful for the months to come.

As the semester begins to speed up we pray that our students continue to seek out devotional time and remain faithful to the call of the gospel. We have been encouraged these past few weeks as our new student executive team has begun to solidify the leadership team for the coming year so we ask for prayer as they begin to grow and thrive in their new leadership roles. It has been encouraging to see new and old student leaders begin to serve and grow in different and new ways. They are seeking to mentor others who will one day rise to be in leadership rolls themselves. We are extremely grateful for what the Lord has been doing in the lives of all of our students and look forward to the great things the Father has for us.

In March we continue our studies in the Book of Acts with our Sophomores and Juniors, Seeking God Lifestyle/Sex and Spirituality with our Freshman and Vocational Preparation with our Seniors; it has been a busy time. Tucker, Justin and I have seen many of our students embrace truths of the scriptures in new and encouraging ways. In Acts our students have been challenged to reflect on the mission of the Church, through the Spirit and how it should look in their lives and on campus. Through Seeking God and the Sex and Spirituality teaching manuals we have covered many areas of foundational truths to our faith (i.e., prayer, authority of scripture, community, etc.), and it has allowed for powerful discussions and deep questioning of faith and belief in the power of scripture and the Lord.

Our seniors have been learning more about what life after college may entail for them. They are discussing questions related to finances, local church service and community, and other truths and challenges/opportunities they will encounter as their undergraduate years come to a close. The team here at PENN is excited and encouraged with the growing maturity we see developing in the lives of our students through their small Bible course communities.

Please pray with us here at Penn, as our students enter into the final weeks of their academic year. We ask for prayers that they will remain faithful and strong as they work to finish strong and decide on summer opportunities. For our seniors please pray that they find jobs, and for some, that they find favor with graduate work opportunities. In the next few weeks we will be preparing to attend Nexus with a group of our students, who are energized to join the larger CU team for a time of good teaching and worship. Pray that God’s Word goes out powerfully here on campus, and that we see much fruit for the glory of God. Our desire is also to ask the Lord to strengthen the relationships we have with
students and develop more opportunities for discipleship.

In the Book of Acts 1:8 it states, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Our desire for our students is that in the coming months we, as a community, will grow in boldness, as we work to share the love of Jesus with those who are still trapped in darkness. Pray that the kingdom here at PENN and all across Philadelphia multiplies daily.

We thank God for your partnership in this work through your prayers. We look forward to seeing what God might accomplish through students who are wholly devoted to Him, both in their time at PENN and in their careers to come.

Kelly Schaaf
Ministry Fellow
Christian Union at Penn