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Christian Union National Fast: America Returning to God, August 1-14, 2024
by grace ann arvey, director of christian union america
"Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust… All the nations are yet as nothing before Him, they are accounted by Him as less than nothingness and emptiness." - Isaiah 40:15,17
In these verses, the prophet Isaiah magnifies the incomparable greatness of our God, putting the importance of our nation into a right perspective. The nations, with all of their pomp, power, and multitudes, are yet as nothing before Him. They are but a drop in the bucket, insignificant and easily lost. The coastlands, lifted like fine dust, signify the ease with which God can govern the greatest of a nation’s endeavors.
A Note about Revival from Matt Bennett, Founder and President
Zechariah 8:20-23 (ESV) “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD and to seek the LORD of hosts; I myself am going.’ Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” |
Revival theologian Jonathan Edwards identifies Zechariah 8:20-23 as the most descriptive passage on revival in the Bible, centering it in his essay, An Humble Attempt, to promote united prayer for outpourings of the Spirit. America is currently at a crossroads, and more than ever needs to return to God wholeheartedly. Today is the first day of a 14-day fast led by Christian Union, beseeching God to have mercy on the nation and to bring revival. A Look Back at Tim Keller's Final Words to a Nation in Need of Revivalby Christian union america, first published in 2023; revised and edited in 2024It has been over a year since Tim Keller penned and published his last words to Americans. Two of Keller’s final written pieces, published just weeks before his passing on May 19, 2023, were on the subject of revival. One such article was directed to the church at The Gospel Coalition (March 17, 2023) and the other offered to all Americans in The Atlantic (February 5, 2023). The Power of Studying Scripture Revealed in Students' Livesby erin conner, writer and communications associate"It has honestly kept me alive. I think if I never had this spot to go to while being on this challenging campus, I would not be here. Literally," wrote one Columbia University student in response to a question on an end of year survey about Christian Union's Bible courses. The "spot" this student is referring to is CU's Ministry Center at Columbia located just blocks from campus where several CU Bible Courses are held each semester. This response and many others came pouring in as part of an end-of-year reflection given to students involved in Christian Union's Bible courses at Dartmouth, Brown, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Penn, Cornell, and Stanford. In 2023, 387 students were enrolled in Bible courses across all of Christian Union Universities' ministries. The following is a compilation of several testimonies shared by students at Princeton, Harvard, Columbia, and Cornell about the power of being in a men's or women's Christian Union Bible Course in the spring of 2024: Christian Union Caritas, Isaiah Drummond, '21by Erin Conner, writer & communications Associate"I want to be a changemaker in the energy space," Isaiah Drummond effortlessly shared, when asked what he wants his work to accomplish.
Dear CU Gloria Law Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
“And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city...” - Jonah 4:11. You know Jonah, right? It’s the little, little book between Obadiah and Micah, that chronicles a chapter in the life of a very reluctant prophet by the same name. When you think about the story, it doesn’t reflect well upon its supposed author. But those short four chapters hold great insight into so many great themes: the character of God, justice and mercy, missions, calling, and so on.
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
The last month at Harvard College has brought many changes, though not any changes that are out of the ordinary. As we send out the seniors that have shaped ministry at Christian Union Gloria for the past four years, daily life slows down and we are able to reflect on the last year and begin to plan for the next. It is truly a privilege to partner with students at Harvard as they navigate college life and to continue with them through young adulthood. As this is my first full academic year on faculty, I am especially grateful for the ways Christian Union works to not only raise up Christians who lead well, but also to continue connecting them and pouring into them even after they graduate.
Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
It has been a pleasure connecting with some of you recently over the phone or in person to update you on the work of Christian Union's leadership development ministry at Penn. Thank you for your time and desire to learn more about CU Martus.
Dear CU Caritas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
In a season when so many individuals attending influential universities across America are experiencing chaos and division, God is using CU to powerfully unite and impact the lives of our students. It's truly inspiring to witness these future leaders faithfully pray, fast, and grow in their faith through diligent study of God's word. We can see God moving in a mighty way, as we continue to cry out for revival. Recently, we partnered with other ministries to present “ONE," a night of exalting the Lord in unity through prayer and worship. Remarkably, over 200 students joined us at Meyer Green, as praise and prayers filled the air in the heart of Stanford’s campus. The evening concluded with students making life-changing decisions to give their lives to Christ!
Dear CU Lumine Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
The 2023-2024 academic year has come to an end at Columbia University, and Christian Union Lumine has been blessed by all that God has done on campus through the ministry. Most of our students have either gone home, traveled across the country for internships, or traveled abroad during the summer. We have seen our student leaders do amazing work during the semester with weekly outreach initiatives to reach their peers with the gospel. They have encouraged the community of believers to fast, pray, and seek God for revival on their campus. New on the SiteUpcoming Events |