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Student Spotlight: Brianna Garcia, '27, Christian Union Martus at Penn
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."- Romans 12:1
Entering University of Pennsylvania this past fall was an answered prayer for Brianna Garcia. As a first generation student, she will be exploring business related majors in the Warton School as an undergraduate with a personal mission statement driving her: "My whole life I've wanted to build things for others around the concepts of service and community; I want to build a life that helps others to see the Lord through the works of His people," Garcia said. Although, she does not yet know the specific details regarding how she will get there, it is evident that she will because she is building her life for the Lord and allowing Him to build something beautiful in her and through her.
Building a life around one's relationship with God and seeing one's work as an expression of love and devotion to Christ is what it means to live for the Lord. It is a radical counter-cultural expression in a self-seeking world. It is a clear expression in Garcia's life.
Christian Union's University embraces the Biblical notion that a believer's relationship with God is the purpose and source of meaning and power in one's life; it is not simply an add-on; the understanding that followers of God are called to build their lives around seeking and loving God, as opposed to simply adding religious activities to a secular life is essential to teach believers, especially in modern American culture. For this reason, Christian Union offers a Bible course entitled the Seeking God Lifestyle to all incoming freshman to help them explore the mindset and practical applications of what it might look like to follow Jesus.
When transitioning into college life, research is clear that students need to find and develop a sense of community to help find personal security, mental health, and academic success, especially in the rush and rigor of intense academic institutions such as Penn. Garcia found her community through Christian Union when she arrived on UPenn's campus. CU Martus' Bible courses, group activities, worship nights, retreats, and leadership positions helped Garcia and other freshman develop the much needed sense of healthy community they deserve to find.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
-Lamentations 3:22-23
As this year comes to a close, I am reflecting on the steadfast faithfulness of our God. He has exceeded our expectations and answered many of your prayers. I remember in September, asking for prayer for full, vibrant Bible courses. This year, we have had an abundant overflow of students participating in weekly Bible courses. The students love the Bible course manuals which provide rich, in-depth studies of each lesson. In addition to full Bible courses, we prayed for gospel exposures and the name of Jesus to saturate the entire campus of Brown University. Starting with freshman campaign, where we had a string of events all throughout September to welcome students, as well as worship events on campus, tabling and handing out books and scripture tracts, and our latest campaign, CU Rise, we have had an incredible amount of gospel exposures! This year, we have had more students dive into questions about Christianity than I have ever seen in years past. It is evidence that the Lord of the harvest is on the move on our campus!
It’s been an amazing month of ministry here at Christian Union Lumine on the campus of Columbia University. To witness how the Lord has been working in the lives of our students and using them to impact the campus for the Kingdom has been a blessing.
We continue to see our students really be committed to being intentional and deliberate in seeking God in prayer and fasting. During the month, ten football players from our Bible course attended our Monday night seek prayer meeting. We’ve continued to see more students getting involved in our Bible course during the middle of the semester. We are continuing to hold leadership training, workshops, and events for our students during these tumultuous times.
Another incredible month of ministry is behind us here at Christian Union Vita at Cornell! We are so grateful for how the Lord continues to work in and through our students as we seek to make Jesus the most talked about subject on campus in a culture that is increasingly in a state of upheaval.
We have had an incredible semester in our Bible courses, with new students continuing to join the community of Christian Union Vita on an almost weekly basis. We celebrate the Lord’s continuing faithfulness to grow the ministry as we coach and train close to 100 future Christian leaders to seek the Lord wholeheartedly.
“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” -1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV)
In the rhythm of a school year, the spring term is one of our most evangelistic times. The promised warmth, which you have no doubt enjoyed for months, has finally arrived to New Hampshire and to Christian Union Vox. The First-Years, having not yet experienced the nearly endless drawing out of Dartmouth’s winters, are relieved at the turn. With the newly warmed weather, everyone from students to staff to professors flock to the outdoors to enjoy the warmth and sunshine. The Green is covered in students eating, playing frisbee, studying, chatting, and sunbathing. But now, because of CU Vox, a new group has joined them: students living out their faith and practicing evangelism.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” - Romans 12:1-2
As we begin to wrap up the normal semester happenings at Harvard, I have been reflecting on these couple verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans. Our sophomore and junior Bible courses have been diligently studying Romans for the spring semester, and what a joy it has been to delve into the deep and all-consuming good news presented in this book! Our students have asked good questions and engaged in conversations about theology and practice that make me continually excited to revisit Paul’s message every week. I have especially gained encouragement from Paul’s reminder to withstand the pattern of the world and instead allow Christ to transform our minds - what an important message to remember in the midst of the times through which we are living!
Spring is in the air, and the Holy Spirit is on the move at Princeton! We’ve just wrapped up our Bible courses for the year with seniors completing our “Vocational Prep” course, equipping them with a theology of work, money, and giving. Our juniors and sophomores completed our Romans course, delving into some of the richest theology of salvation in the Bible. And our freshman just finished our Sex and Spirituality Bible course, learning about God’s design for sexuality, marriage, and the family.
Our freshman men gathered together this week for a BBQ and firepit and reflected on their experiences this year at Princeton. Invariably, they answered that the best part about Princeton is the Christian community and the friends they’ve made in Christian Union!
Greetings from “The Farm.” As you know, God is constantly on the move here at Christian Union Caritas, and I'm elated to share with you some of the wonderful things occurring.
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." - Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV)
Greetings from Penn!
Hope this finds you well.
Things on campus have gotten progressively more interesting. Students are in finals, we are wrapping up the year with “see you later” hugs, and the protest encampment is bringing a lot of attention.
As spring descends upon the bustling city, CU New York is in full swing!
Over the last month I have had several meetings with Cornerstone partners! It was delightful getting to know so many new people during this first month here as the new executive director of CU New York. Hearing stories of transformation in people's lives never gets old! In fact, I recently had a coffee meeting with a faithful Cornerstone partner who has been tremendously blessed by the CU Fire Retreats. She asked about the vision for those in the future. CU New York's desire is to see the number of CU Fire Retreats increase dramatically across New York City with hosts in every borough! Would you join us in prayer for this?
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