All of us are prone to forget the things God has done for us. We need reminders. When Joshua led God’s people towards their new home, they had to cross the Jordan River ( Joshua 3:15-16). God parted the waters, and His people walked through on dry land (v. 17). To create a memorial of this miracle, they took twelve stones from the middle of the riverbed and stacked them on the other side (4:3, 6–7). When others asked what the stones meant, God’s people would tell the story of what God had done that day.
CU Lux celebrated 10 years at the end of 2020. Despite it being a hard year, we wanted to remember God’s faithfulness in bringing us this far. Keeping to our usual tradition, we had a special “Stones of Remembrance” evening at our last Rooted, our large group gathering where students shared testimonies, remembering special markers of God’s faithfulness to them. This was a moving and deeply encouraging evening. One student shared how he came to faith through the ministry and another said she joined Christian Union because of its passion for seeing a revival in the University. Both now are assistant Bible course leaders! Over the evening there were several other stories of remembrance and a great sense of deep gratitude expressed to God by students and staff.
A beautiful way the community supported each other during the stressful exam period was through, “Productivity over Procrastination” sessions, also known as study sessions with the CU community. It was really encouraging to see people doing life together outside of formal CU events.
Christmas is a beautiful time to get together in a special way and celebrate with other campus ministries. Both staff and students had opportunities to fellowship, worship, exchange gifts, and pray together. It is a joy to serve our Lord together as fellow ministers on Yale’s campus.
Although formal Bible courses have come to an end some of our Bible course groups are very proactive in continuing to enjoy fellowship with each other. Our senior Bible course ladies regardless of varied time zones continue to find ways to meet, exercise, pray for each other, read books together, hold game nights, and hang out regularly.
The freshmen ladies have committed to starting a two-year Bible reading plan together and are very excited about it. Their upperclassmen Bible course leader joins them in that effort!
Our student exec and ministry staff have been identifying and ‘tapping’ our next leaders. This has been done with much prayer, discussion, and careful process. We are so excited at the caliber of core leadership and the process of passing on the baton in a God-honoring way over the next couple of months.
One of the highlights for December was a surprise gift offered by CU Leadership. This resource was spearheaded by a sophomore leader with tips and tricks offered by others. “Surviving the Semester off Campus” is a survival guide for anyone who will be doing classes online, taking a gap, traveling, or working. It is not only a great resource for our own students in the ministry but is a fantastic way for CU Lux to show care to the whole campus!
Prayer points
- For our present student leaders and ministry staff as they help in the transitioning process of electing a new student leadership body.
- For our Bible course groups to stay connected and encouraged in the Lord.
- For our freshmen group to keep up their Bible reading plan.
- For the “Surviving the Semester” resource to get into the hands of many students across the campus and be encouraged and drawn in by the CU Lux family.
- For energy for our students and staff to continue to be faithful in following God’s lead in the new year.
- For joyful hope for our students as they begin a new year.
- For more students to be added to our ministry in following and serving the Lord with zeal.
- For protection for our students and for their mental health.
- For the finances of our ministry.
- For more testimonies and “Stones of Remembrance” of God’s faithfulness this new year.
We value and need your support. To offer a special gift or become a partner of CU Lux please click here. Thank you!
Wishing you all a very blessed 2021!
Chitra L Kovoor
Ministry Fellow
