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“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.” - Philippians 1:3
The familiar words above spoken by the Apostle Paul to the saints in Philippi ring true for my heart towards you as well. Your faithful support (financially and through prayers & encouragement) has made it possible to reach so many incoming freshmen this past month.
Since late August, CU Gloria upperclassmen and CU ministry faculty have been pouring themselves out to welcome first-years and their friends into the community. Picnics, a dorm drop, a scavenger hunt in Boston, and our weekly lecture series (pictured below)—not to mention countless caffeinated beverages consumed in one-on-one conversations in and around the Yard. Our collective efforts, thankfully, have led to a happy influx of people (and not just freshmen).
Greetings!
We are nearing the end of the Freshman Welcoming Campaign. I’m pleased to say that the Lord has been faithful in blessing the work of our hands as we reach out to students arriving on campus. We held events like a midnight pancakes gathering, a zoo trip, a late-night activities fair, a Phillies game, and a “Donuts for Dudes and Danishes for Dames” event to welcome new students to Penn’s campus and into CU Martus.
Laboring hard at Yale has defined much of what has been happening since we last wrote to you.
We give thanks for our wonderful time at Pre-Retreat, which was held during the last weekend of August. From then on, our student leaders and freshmen gathering team have worked tirelessly to welcome the class of 2026!
How Hatred Poisons Community and Steals Our Joy
By Qwynn Gross
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. – Ephesians 4:31
When time is given to fast and pray for matters relating to our nation, our families, and ourselves, it should also be a time of reflection and repentance for sin, specifically for the sin of malice.
America Is Becoming Less Christian, But Not Less Religious
By Anne Kerhoulas
The stats are in; America is becoming less and less Christian. But that doesn’t mean we are becoming less religious.
Christians Are Called to Pursue the Wholistic Flourishing of a Community
By Anne Kerhoulas
In her new book, Agents of Flourishing: Pursuing Shalom in Every Corner of Society, Amy Sherman explores what it means for Christians to be a people of peace in their communities and spheres of influence.
We are so encouraged by what God is doing through our freshmen outreach efforts this fall and by the way that our leaders are seeking the Lord and helping shepherd the incoming class by teaching them the Word of God, praying with them, and welcoming them to Cornell in practical ways.
I recently sat down over coffee with a freshman who’s asking tough questions and questioning his faith. He wants to know if Christianity is different than any other world religion. Over another lunch this week, I had the opportunity to share the gospel with a different freshman. This student is struggling with LGBTQ issues and wants to know where he stands with God. Another new student is looking for a community to help him grow in Christ, yet another is seeking accountability and hopes to build his worldview around biblical principles.
The Unity of The Triune God Is Our Hope
By Chris Coppernoll
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. – Romans 15:5-7
The temperature dropped in Eden when the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord walking in the cool of the day, and hid among the trees. By taking a bite of the forbidden fruit, they'd torn the bond with their Creator apart and hid because they knew what they'd done was wrong. The couple's act of hiding brought their sin out into plain sight. Now, there would be no more walking with God in the cool of the day, only the cold reminiscence of their innocence lost.
