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An Amazing Opportunity for American Christians to Seek the Lord Together
By erin conner, writer and communications associate
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
Christian Union America hosts regular national fasts with the intention of deepening our own relationship with the Lord and interceding for our nation to return to Him, and wants to invite you to join this January for 14 days.
Two powerful testimonies from previous CU America National Fasts illustrate the significance, in part, of joining this movement:
"This was the longest fast I have ever done. The fast showed me the danger of having so much comfort and material prosperity. It can cause us to forget God and live our lives apart from seeking Him."
"I’m so thankful for CU and have been so blessed by all the CU ministry events I’ve participated in. For the first part of the fast I did a dry fast, which really broke me in a good way spiritually and physically. The fast took me to a deep place of crying out for God and brought me to a depth of need for God that I’ve never experienced before. I thank God for this opportunity to join in this fast."
Fasting is an essential part of Christian life. It is modeled for us throughout the Scriptures and has a unique capacity to draw us closer to the Lord through humble dependence upon Him above all things.
Christian Union America will be hosting this 14-day fast from January 1 through the 14th with a special emphasis on persevering in our devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In regard to this fast, founder and president of Christian Union, Matt Bennett, shared, "Jesus is everything to us, and we need His supernatural strength to remain faithful to Him through thick and thin. We want revival across America, and to see that happen, Christians need to faithfully seek His face no matter the obstacles or cost."
Alumni Spotlight: Esther Xiang, Harvard '23
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
"I thought Harvard would give me everything I ever needed," said Esther Xiang, as she reflected on her undergraduate career, "but only Jesus can do that." Xiang graduated from Harvard in 2023 as a psychology major. She walked out of Cambridge, rejecting the voice of the world, and followed the voice of God into full-time missionary work to be Jesus's hands and feet to the nations. The Lord opened up a door for her to take a year off and do global mission work in the Himalayas, France, and New Zealand.
A Mission to Live Like Jesus Did
by Tim pillsbury, ministry director of christian union vox
“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
–1 John 2:3-6 NIV
After a student joins Christian Union Vox, the real work begins. We are not here just to put names on a list, but instead to disciple Christians to live like Jesus lived and do what Jesus did. John is clear: if we want to call ourselves Christians, we need to both know how Jesus lived and then live that way ourselves. There is no shortcut past obedience.
2018 Christian Union National Fast Devotional
By christian union
“And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. … He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.” -1 Kings 4:29-30, 33-34
Public education in the United States has become a mostly godless enterprise. Unfortunately, the more “elite” an academic institution is, the more pride it takes in a secular approach to learning. Modern educators falsely presume that the best path to knowledge is one that is without bias of religion. However, in their pursuit for untainted learning, they keep themselves from the beginning of wisdom – the fear of the Lord.
One Student Ministry's Unstoppable Heart to See God Transform Lives
by Erin conner, writer & communications associate
It's not easy or convenient to plan a weekend away. It is much easier to choose not to disrupt the pattern of life and to stay within the confines of routine. Disruption is not easy for anyone, but it is especially difficult for Ivy League students. Their rigorous academic schedules are full of the demands and pressures of achievement at the highest level, so stepping away from it all during the school year is nothing short of revolutionary.
Stepping away to retreat with the Lord and with each other is a beautiful gateway into the freedom Christ came to give--freedom, in part, from the weight of the standards, values, and identity placed upon us by the world. The students of Christian Union are learning to live in this kind of freedom, and, as a result, they are sharing it with others.
“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” -1 John 2:3-6 (NIV)
After a student joins Christian Union Vox, the real work begins. We are not here just to put names on a list, but instead to disciple Christians to live like Jesus lived and do what Jesus did. John is clear: if we want to call ourselves Christians, we need to both know how Jesus lived and then live that way ourselves. There is no shortcut past obedience.
God is on the move! After a very eventful and successful Freshmen Welcoming Campaign, our students have settled into their Bible courses, studying the Gospel of Mark. Our ministry fellows are seeing our students engage with the Scripture, spurring one another on to seek the Lord. Even throughout October, newcomers have inquired about how to get involved in our Bible courses. One sophomore student, an atheist, has been coming regularly to our weekly Leadership Lecture Series, since most of his friends are a part of CU Nova. This year, he has finally requested to join in with one of our Sophomore Bible courses! He spoke to a ministry fellow recently, saying, “I think I’ve investigated faith from every angle I need to. All that’s left for me is to experience it….I’m open to change.” Please pray for his salvation!
Christian Union at Harvard is in the final month of the fall semester, and we have finally hit a rhythm. Even in my short time here, I can attest to the extra difficulty of finding a pace of life in the first semester of the academic year. Fall brings with it much energy, but much chaos. We, on faculty, as well as our students, are grateful to have slowed down–even if we only have a few weeks remaining.
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Greetings from Ithaca! God continues to move and do mighty things here on the campus of Cornell. Even as students face growing challenges and struggles, the Lord shows His mighty hand in ways both large and small, demonstrating His care and provision towards these precious students.
2018 Christian Union National Fast Devotional
By Fady Ghobrial, Ministry Fellow for Christian Union Gloria at Harvard
"And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, and their clothing, his cupbearers, and their clothing, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her. And she said to the king, "The report was true that I heard. ... Blessed be the Lord your God." -2 Chronicles 9:3-5, 8 (ESV)
The queen of Sheba had heard of the fame and wisdom of Solomon and she thought, “I have to see it for myself.” The Bible records her visit in this wonderful passage, giving us insight into the nature of excellence and wisdom.
