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Christian Union Ministry Director Publishes Third Book
by Catherine Elvy, Staff WriterYouth ministry involves far more than staging fun-filled retreats and offering frightful warnings against teen vices.
Rather, God calls youth pastors to develop students who will embrace missional purposes throughout their lifetimes.
With such principles in mind, Jon Nielson co-edited and co-wrote Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide. Crossway, part of Good News Publishers, released the 224-page paperback in February, about seven months after the longtime youth and college minister became the director of Christian Union's ministry at Princeton University.
New York City Salon Features Seth Ward
by Eileen Scott, Senior WriterAt a salon sponsored by Christian Union New York City, musician Seth Ward countered the philosophical notion that man's ability to think uniquely defines his existence. In his presentation, "The Mark of the Maker: The Musical Soul," Ward contended that humans have God's rhythmic signature engraved upon their souls, marking them as His beloved.
The pianist's love of music and deep Christian faith were evident during a discussion that ranged from historical to whimsical. Ward, the music director at Central Presbyterian Church in New York, discussed the ancient chords and rhythms uncovered by archeologists and noted how these early songs and chants have been interwoven into timeless classical, contemporary, and iconic works.
Even those of us who pray regularly have sometimes wondered if we should not ask God for things in prayer because, since He is all-wise, doesn’t He know already what is best? And if He is all-good, won’t He do it whether we pray or not?
Hello from Dartmouth,
We are wrapping up our sophomore summer with the ‘18s and it has flown by quickly! We spent several weeks walking through a book study with them over Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller, which proved to be not only impactful for the students, but for us as staff as well. It proved to be the perfect read, given the phase of life the students are in with all the pressure they feel to perform and to put their value and worth in their grades or a job or a spouse. We were thankful for the conversations that led to a greater hope and thanksgiving for Christ who frees us from bondage to the things that do not satisfy that we might worship the only One who can truly fulfill us.
Dear Prayer Partners,
The fall air is noticeably "in the air" as mornings are cooler and the streets of New Haven are alive again. Christian Union's ministry here at Yale has kicked off the new semester with a pre-retreat of students leaders. We got away for three days together to hear from one another about all that God had done in each student's life this summer, as well as what we hope He will do at Yale this fall. There was great enthusiasm and energy for prayer and outreach--both critical aspects of a thriving ministry this year.
Greetings from the campus of Harvard Law School!
As the warm summer days give way to the approach of autumn, students are beginning to repopulate the Harvard Law School campus.
Greetings from Princeton!
We are under two weeks away from our annual Pre-Retreat, which will mark the official start of our fall season of ministry at the university. This particular retreat is an opportunity for some of our core leaders to gather together before classes start. We want them to be refreshed spiritually through biblical teaching and worship, connect relationally through the fellowship a retreat affords, and prepare to approach the fall season with outward-looking hearts and minds for the sake of inviting freshmen into Christian community. We would ask for your prayers for a powerful and encouraging time away together!
Students Seek to Support Friends Who Are Struggling, Suffering
By Eileen Scott, Senior WriterStudents involved with Christian Union's ministry at the University of Pennsylvania devoted a chunk of their summer to a reading group aimed at prepping them on the basics of peer counseling.
"We want our students to know that they can help their friends," said John Cunningham, a Christian Union ministry fellow at Penn. "There are more people struggling than they think."