November 2021

Dear Cornerstone Partners and friends of CU Lux,

Every community of Christians is called to pursue humility. In our study of Paul’s letter to the Philippians this semester, students at CU Lux learned that early Christians incorporated a hymn about Christ’s humility in their worship (Phil. 2:5-11). The hymn celebrates Christ’s life of selflessness, from his divine preexistence to his undeserved death and exaltation. The one who enjoyed equality with God emptied himself. Instead of clinging to the advantages of that equality, Christ set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, becoming human. He lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death—a crucifixion.

Our study of the Christ hymn (Phil. 2:5-11) took our breath away and caused our students to wonder. What would happen if Christ’s humility was emulated at Yale? What would take place if selfish ambition and pride were replaced with humility; if we considered others more significant than ourselves (Phil. 2:3)? Imagine if those at Yale who wanted to be first will be the very last and the servants of all (Mk. 9:33-37).

While this posture is difficult and atypical of the human condition, our students continue to look at Christ as their example and empowerer. I am regularly encouraged to witness students following in the way of Jesus, choosing to humble instead of exalting themselves before others. The most noteworthy example is the recent initiative to build strong ties with other Christian communities at Yale. A commendable zeal for Christian unity is alive and made manifest by different campus groups coming together as one. Students take each other on prayer walks across Yale’s fourteen residential colleges. They organize social events and inter-ministry worship nights. It is through humility that we are discovering unity and even Christ-likeness at Yale.

Thank you for joining us in this pursuit through your continued support. Please pray that the lives of our students at Yale would become a living melody of the Christ hymn, one that unveils the power of humility and harmonizes us with God and each other.

He left His Father’s throne above—

So free, so infinite His grace—

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For, O my God, it found out me!

“And Can it Be,” Charles Wesley (1738)

Blessings,

Ben Pascut
Ministry Director
Christian Union Lux