November 2020

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

Eight months into the pandemic, protests, and politics and God is still at work here at Princeton University! By the time this email arrives, the election will be over, and guess what...we’re still standing. It seems this year’s theme has been one of learning to adapt to the changes around us. Even with many changes in our culture as Christians, we can be assured as the author of Hebrews says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Yes, some of our methods to reach students have changed, but the message is the same. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” That is the key verse in the book of Mark that CU Nova has been studying this semester. It provides resilience in the face of transforming times.

Princeton remains completely online for everything. Bible courses in the book of Mark continue every week. Two large group meetings with students every other week. A Saturday game night. Daily prayer at noon and individual mentoring. Our ministry team works alongside our very capable and committed student leadership team, and CU Nova could not have done as much this year without them serving with us. The ministry is reaching about 140 students this semester with many students who have chosen to take a gap year as well. One hopeful story: A Princeton freshman from Singapore who wanted to join a Bible course but the 12-hour time difference was a hindrance. So, I met with him at 7:00 am one day, and put a digital version of our Mark study in his hand. We also were able to connect him with a fellow student in Singapore who is a part of Christian Union Gloria at Harvard so the two would be able to study Mark together.

This past month many Princeton alumni gathered together for a joint Zoom call. Graduates from classes in the 1970s all the way into the 2000s connected to hear more about what God is doing here at Princeton. The ministry staff was very encouraged by the receptivity and willingness to engage and support students.

Please be in prayer for the following:

• Pray for the student leaders that they serve their brothers and sisters in CU Nova.
• Pray that freshmen who are interested would find a community that they can belong to, even if they are far away.
• Pray that students would be connected through Bible courses and through personal relationships that will build until they return to campus.
• Pray for the students taking a gap year, that they would continue seeking the Lord while away.
• Pray that we are all back on campus this coming spring.
• 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 also consider becoming a Cornerstone Partner with us?

The Princeton team wants to personally thank each one of you for your prayers and support.

Sincerely,
Dr. Cameron Garven
Ministry Fellow
Christian Union Nova