January 2019

Dear Friends and Partners of Christian Union at Penn,

Praise God! Our students have returned safely to campus after Winter Break and our Bible Courses have had an excellent start. We currently have 13 Bible Courses meeting, with the possibility of adding an additional course for those who are serving in Penn’s Gospel choir. We are thankful that God’s Spirit is moving among the students, bringing a sense of unity and hunger for God’s Word. Please pray that our students would have an increasing affection for Jesus and would translate that passion for Christ’s glory to tangible action on Penn’s campus.

This semester we hope to see our community grow and thrive in service and care for one another. We hope to see this in the connections our students are making with each other individually, in Bible Course fellowship and larger group meetings. We have seen an increase in our Leadership Lecture Series engagement and attendance. We held our first of the semester this past Thursday and we had a better turnout then we had at our first Philia of the year, over 65 students! Our prayer is that this continues and that the gospel reaches many through the strong efforts of our devoted students.

Our Assistant Bible Course Leaders (ABCL) are doing an amazing job with our freshman this year! This is our first year to have entirely led Bible Courses and our students are experiencing high retension and have developed a flourishing community among our students. We are so proud of the work they are doing. Continue to pray that they spend their time well and that they are able to serve their students well.

Fuji Kim, has been leading our ABCL training and has done an outstanding job. We praise God that our team is full (administrative assistant and volunteer Bible Course leader Mae Trieu is also doing an excellent job) and would ask for continued prayers for team cohesiveness, unity of vision/mission, and collegiality.

Finally, please pray for our Friday evangelism efforts. Since August, we have had a table on Locust Walk where we offer prayer and Good News. Fuji has led this initiative and we are prayerful that our students join our Ministry Fellows in this important outreach. Pray that our students would own this effort, that their hearts would break for the lost, and that God’s Spirit would convict sinners and edify saints through this ministry. We have already had a number of opportunities to share the Gospel. Praise God for his opening ears and hearts!

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Kelly Schaaf
Ministry Director 
Christian Union at Penn