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A discipleship program and personal touches to Bible course bring students together across the globe

By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer

The women of Christian Union Libertas at Brown University are using this season to dig deep. Although the current fall semester is very different than in previous years, with no freshmen on campus, no large group Leadership Lecture Series, and most students taking classes remotely, the women’s side of the ministry has found ways to deepen their connections with one another.

CU Libertas

Ministry Fellow Laurel Copp realized that things would need to look different this semester in order to engage students well, so she took two of the Chrisitan Union foundations, Bible course, and discipleship, and reimagined them. While much is the same, a lot is different, as Copp believes this year can be one of substantial growth.

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

I’m writing this on a snowy afternoon in late October! That’s not too out of the ordinary for us New Englanders, but an all-too-soon preview of the cold winter to come. CU Libertas gives thanks for all the Lord has done since students arrived on campus last month. Yet, the students and ministry faculty pray for even more! More hearts changed to desire Christ, more opportunities to share the gospel, more connections with interested students, and more normalcy in a semester that has been filled with everything but that. And as the weather turns cooler and cooler, we look forward to the unique opportunity of ministering to the Brown community during a rather abnormal holiday season.

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

This is the halfway point for the academic semester at Columbia. Students are still adjusting to a semester unlike any other — instead of grabbing a bite to eat at John Jay and discussing theology with students, our one-on-one’s have been relegated to zoom. I have had the privilege of meeting in person with a handful of students that are staying on or near campus, but the majority of students who are a part of CU Lumine are at home.

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

Thank you so much for partnering with us in prayer. Your prayers are being answered! God is working powerfully in so many ways and we rejoice in his unfailing love and faithfulness. Although the virus has limited our ability to gather together in many ways, attendance at our Bible courses has been strong and student engagement in the Word of God and prayer during these times has been very encouraging.

More students are added to our Bible course groups every week, including a freshman guy who had felt overwhelmed with his academics during his first two months at Cornell, but responded to my message last week and joined one of the men’s groups for the first time. The women athletes’ Bible course taught over zoom has grown from 15 women to 25! And one of those women, a freshman hockey player, has joined leadership and is helping head up our communications team.

The CU Vita ministry faculty members have also been meeting with three different students who are considering the Christian faith and/or fellowship for the first time. One of those students comes from an atheist/Hindu background and is meeting with me weekly to discuss the gospel and issues of faith and reason. Finally, the Mott Center is open again, bustling with various Bible courses, prayer meetings, and small group gatherings.

Dear CU Vox Cornerstone Partners and other friends of the ministry:

Greetings from Hanover and Christian Union Vox. We are hastening toward the end of the fall term and fittingly, there is snow falling as I write. In a departure from the normal Dartmouth calendar, students will take exams at home this term and classes end on November 17. It's been a delight to meet the Class of 2024 and I'm grateful that they, and the Class of 2022, were on campus this term. The ministry has seven different Bible courses taking place; our Leadership Lecture Series, The Vine, happens every Friday night; and there are multiple prayer meetings each week.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians

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

Cambridge has now officially seen its first snow of the season and Harvard’s campus is currently coated in white. The Fall season was beautiful but short, much like the Fall semester. Freshmen along with the few upperclassmen on campus will be vacating their dorms and going home just before Thanksgiving. As the month of November begins there will doubtless be a growing emphasis on thanksgiving, as there always ought to be, towards our good God and Father, who is the giver of every good gift. At CU Gloria we are most grateful for your support, prayers, and partnership in the gospel as we continue to minister to our students at Harvard.

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.”

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

As one of the most turbulent years in recent memory draws near to a close, the ministry would love support in prayer for the Stanford students CU Caritas serves. They are in the final stretches of this fall quarter, which ends November 20.

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

On a beautiful fall day like today, I am reminded of God’s tender mercies. They are new every morning. From a beautiful blue sky to coffee, to the blessings of my family…God shows His abundant mercy in myriad ways. Thank you for praying with and for CU Martus. The ministry faculty and leaders continue to serve, gather, and equip students. When students finally do return to campus, it will be the same…only different. A new dorm construction project is nearing completion near 40th Street, the grounds look pristine (probably due to very little traffic), and the shops along Walnut Street are getting a face-lift. While the students are not on campus, they are a mouse-click away, and I am so grateful for them and their ministry to their peers at Penn.

I Thessalonians 5:17, 23,25
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you… Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it…. pray for us.

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

CU Lux deeply values your love, prayers, and support through the many changing seasons this year has brought. One thing we do know is that God who calls us is faithful through it all!

 
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