Our Biblical faith is the affirmation that God’s presence changes our lives in transformative ways. Once we were no people, but now we are God’s people; once we had not received mercy, but we have now received mercy. Once we were nothing, now we are something (1 Peter 2:10).
With Yale University students back on campus for the spring semester, CU Lux organized a retreat that invited students to unite for conversations about God’s transformative power and presence in their lives. The virtual retreat began with icebreakers that warmed up the conversation and continued with a heart-opening time of worship. Students experienced the liveliness of God’s presence in small group Bible study, silent moments of reflection, one-on-one prayer, and large group testimony sharing.
Half of the benefit of gathering together to seek God is in generating moments of repentance, in the offering of grace that enables students to come home in the arms of a forgiving Father. The other half is in leading them to celebrate God’s grace by renewing their commitment to radical obedience. That’s the thing about coming together to encounter God even on platforms like Zoom– He always shows up to meet us and draw us closer to Him and each other.
His power was most evident in the many personal testimonies of transformation shared at the end of the retreat. Here is a sample:
- “I’m committed to a two-year Bible reading plan with my friends. Reading through the Bible together keeps me accountable.”
- “During this retreat, I’ve learned that nothing is more important than living in the presence of the Father.”
- “When studying the Bible together in our breakout room, I’ve realized that every word of God can be a treasure chest.”
- “I used to struggle with the question of why religion focuses so much on guilt. Now, I feel so much freedom in knowing that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
- “I take the free gift of Jesus and continue to walk in obedience.”
- “I was deceiving myself into thinking that I’m perfectly okay. But there are areas in my life where I need repentance.”
- “My relationship with God is the goal of my life.”
The retreat was a fresh start that invited the presence of God to strengthen students for the semester ahead. CU Lux students look forward to this semester because by seeking Him in prayer and fasting, the wonders of God are given and guaranteed.
So driven to bring revival at Yale, CU Lux students will begin the first day of classes with a sunrise prayer around the theme of seeking first the kingdom of God. They hold dearly to this vision and the promise that when we seek Him, we find Him, and when we find Him, He changes our lives in transformative ways.
Prayer points
- For our new student leadership body and their transition to their ministry roles
- For reaching more Yale students and staff with the good news of the gospel by creating a culture of evangelism within the ministry
- For our Bible courses and their leaders who will be studying together the Acts of the Apostles
- For increasing attendance in Bible courses
- For more students to be added to our ministry in following God and forming a transformative community
- For the opportunity to train more student leaders and equip them into becoming transformative Christian leaders
- For students to get better connected with each other and the ministry staff during the pandemic
- For a smooth transition of our Ministry Director and his family to the New Haven area
- For the finances of our ministry
- For more testimonies of transformation in 2021
In His Name,
Ben Pascut
Ministry Director
Christian Union Lux
