October 2020

Dear CU Nova Cornerstone Partners and other friends of the ministry,

Our freshman campaign is nearing its end, and it has been a campaign like none other before it. There have been obstacles to overcome, new events to develop, all the while doing ministry in an environment never experienced before. It has been a challenge to adjust to, and our faculty and students are still finding a way forward. But that does not mean that God is not at work.

As you already know, the ministry is going into this year with a smaller staff than in the past few years, and with classes online and students off-campus. Our remaining faculty have had to completely rethink how to reach both our returning students and the freshman matriculating at Princeton. I want to encourage you that God has been good to provide us with student leaders who are excited to reach out, to reconnect with one another, and to challenge one another to grow in the knowledge of the Lord and to seek his face. That coupled with a staff that works tirelessly to disciple and train our students for the work of the ministry, our ministry knows God will still do amazing things on our campus, even when people are physically absent or distant.

I wanted to share a few items with you to encourage you as you pray for and support our ministry this semester. Our students have taken ownership of our prayer and fasting, in our weekly seeking the Lord together on Mondays and Thursdays. Additionally, many student leaders have stepped up in the absence of ministry fellows to lead Bible courses, having been trained by the ministry fellows these past few years. It has been exciting to see in these early days how our students are stepping up to lead, to serve, and to seek out revival upon this campus. They are unashamed in their faith, and they want to see the name of Jesus made known at Princeton.

I do encourage you to keep praying for our ministry. Outreach to freshmen has been our most difficult process so far this year. Not having direct interaction with students on campus has proved to be more complicated than ideal. But, God is still faithful, and He knows the hearts of those whom he wants to turn toward Him. Please be in prayer with us, that we would be wise in how we approach the freshman class, and creative in our outreach. CU Nova needs your prayers and support more than ever.

Please be in prayer for the following:

• Pray for our returning student leaders that they would find that they are gifted and strong in the Lord. Much of the ministry is beginning to fall upon them in this new normal. We want them to know the why, the what, and the how when it comes to making disciples of Christ.
• Pray that freshmen who are interested would find a community that they can belong to, even if they are far away. Pray that they would be connected through Bible courses and through personal relationships that will build until they return to campus.
• Continue to pray about becoming a financial supporter of our ministry. We need your help in order to be able to do the outreach that is so critical at Princeton University. Would you consider becoming a Cornerstone Partner with us?

I want to personally thank each one of you for your prayers and support. The CU Nova Alumni Board held an encouraging meeting last week to update alumni on ministry in this unusual season. If you, too, are interested in getting more involved, please fill out this form. Revival, both in this university, and in our nation, will only come about when God's people pray together, humble themselves, and seek his face together. Thank you for everything that you do, and everything you mean to this ministry.

Sincerely,

Christopher Heslep
Ministry Director
Christian Union Nova