March 2018

Dear Friends and Partners of Christian Union at Penn,

Spring break has come and gone. I have seen snow blowing upwards and snowing-raining at the same moment. Bible courses for the semester are under way: some groups are on schedule (Romans 6) while others are camping out on Romans 3. Thankfully, our sense of righteousness is not in our ability to lead the courses but by faith in Christ’s death and resurrection.

I, Fuji, write this prayer letter into the fifth month of serving Christ at Penn. While still feeling like a newbie on Penn campus, I am feeling ownership of parts of Locust Walk (the campus thoroughfare) and better at finding workspaces in between personal discipleship meetings. I am thankful as I look forward to the work-week especially starting it with prayer and conversation with the Penn team. The call to Kingdom ministry with Christian Union has been affirmed all the more in getting to know and care for the students.

Continue to pray with us for the gospel to take hold of participants in Bible courses, in Romans and “Sex and Spirituality.” That the gospel truth to the Romans, “the righteous shall live by faith” in Christ’s death and resurrection (1:16-17), become an experienced reality in hearts. That “the distinctively Christian understanding of sex is, from beginning to end, an astonishingly beautiful and unrivaled vision for human flourishing. [For our students, pray with us that] God’s designs for sex [not] be perceived as merely true, or right, or beneficial—they [will] ultimately be adored as beautiful” (CU Manual). Pray that the gospel’s comfort will continue to challenge students to live by faith in Christ to obey Christ in everything, including our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:13).

Pray for my sophomore Bible course to solidify as regulars in their course. I was originally concerned about the juniors, but the switch in the parable of two sons (Matthew 21) has occurred. Pray also that I continue to grow in trust in the sovereign God who does the work of ministry (and that I be less anxious if I said something wrong).

Pray that we are faithful in prayer and practice of campus kindness (high quality donuts on Locust Walk) and evangelistic outreach (“free hot apple cider” and conversations about Jesus), and that God will use us for others’ faith in Christ, now and later.

As an update, we had a well-participated, student-led 24 hours of prayer; evangelism seminar; positive fruit from Nexus Conference; and encouraging Philias (Thursday evening leadership lecture series).

Pray for Bible course groups to connect into service ministries in and around campus; spiritual engagement for Holy Week; encouragement through campus-wide worship; and outreach during “Quaker Days” (orientation for early decision admits) and “Spring Fling" (Penn’s social, musical and arts event).

Pray for the newly formed student Exec and ministry teams that they will be growing in faith in Christ who denied Himself so that they will all the more deny themselves (grow in character), sacrifice so that others will hear the gospel and experience new life (grow in service).

Thankful for your partnership in prayer to the God who hears and directs us for ministry, and for your continued support. As the Spirit engages us together to make Christ known at Penn, our triune God is glorified.

Fuji Kim
Ministry Fellow 
Christian Union at Penn