Ministries
Earlier this week I was watching an interview with a Federal Reserve official on managing the US economy. In the course of the interview he made two interesting statements:
“We have to be data-dependent”, and
”I don’t see any clear signal from the market…”
Apart from the second statement seeming to mock the first, both statements reinforce the idea that a world consisting of humans filled with longings, hopes, fears, giddiness (at times), and relational dysfunctions is naturally best understood and motivated by data – that somehow data is unbiased and wise. In light of history I think it’s a weak argument, but one that nonetheless shapes the vocational worlds we all live in.
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We’re well on our way into the fall semester here at Brown University. Lots of life and ministry have happened so far this semester – Bible courses, community gatherings, service opportunities with local non-profits, and so much more. One highlight from the past month was our annual Fall Retreat to Lakeside Christian Camp and Retreat Center in the beautiful Berkshires of Massachusetts, the weekend of October 5-7. This year’s theme was “Until We Find Our Rest in You,” a theme taken from St. Augustine that focused on exploring what it means to find rest in Jesus in the midst of the busyness of life. The retreat center was the perfect setting to slow down and consider the rest of Jesus in community. There was plenty of time for small-group discussion, apple picking, and even the occasional nap. In all, the short time away proved to be exceptionally restful, encouraging and helpful in solidifying our community as the year begins.
We’re well on our way into the fall semester here at Brown University. Lots of life and ministry have happened so far this semester – Bible courses, community gatherings, service opportunities with local non-profits, and so much more. One highlight from the past month was our annual Fall Retreat to Lakeside Christian Camp and Retreat Center in the beautiful Berkshires of Massachusetts, the weekend of October 5-7. This year’s theme was “Until We Find Our Rest in You,” a theme taken from St. Augustine that focused on exploring what it means to find rest in Jesus in the midst of the busyness of life. The retreat center was the perfect setting to slow down and consider the rest of Jesus in community. There was plenty of time for small-group discussion, apple picking, and even the occasional nap. In all, the short time away proved to be exceptionally restful, encouraging and helpful in solidifying our community as the year begins.
Greetings,
Christian Union at Columbia recently celebrated the grand opening of its ministry center. The opening of this center is the culmination of years of prayer, fasting, and giving. We have begun to use the center for ministry and the difference has been immediately felt. We are one block from campus, right between two fraternities. Our location puts us right where all the action is, and we have already begun to have conversations with curious students wondering who their new neighbors are.
Christian Union at Columbia recently celebrated the grand opening of its ministry center. The opening of this center is the culmination of years of prayer, fasting, and giving. We have begun to use the center for ministry and the difference has been immediately felt. We are one block from campus, right between two fraternities. Our location puts us right where all the action is, and we have already begun to have conversations with curious students wondering who their new neighbors are.
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
October thus far has been a time of great growth and outreach for the students here at Cornell. Freshman campaign has ended, and the regular school year is in full swing. As things have begun to take on a normal schedule, students are regularly involved in Bible courses, daily prayer, and other events. Along with this, new relationships continue to be formed and grow within our community.
October thus far has been a time of great growth and outreach for the students here at Cornell. Freshman campaign has ended, and the regular school year is in full swing. As things have begun to take on a normal schedule, students are regularly involved in Bible courses, daily prayer, and other events. Along with this, new relationships continue to be formed and grow within our community.
Dear Prayer Partners,
Happy fall from Dartmouth! Last night our student executive team put on a dinner for all our ministry and Bible course leaders to care for them, as well as to give them opportunity to voice how they would like to see CU grow at Dartmouth and to pray for their specific areas of leadership. Will you join us in praying for their following requests?
Happy fall from Dartmouth! Last night our student executive team put on a dinner for all our ministry and Bible course leaders to care for them, as well as to give them opportunity to voice how they would like to see CU grow at Dartmouth and to pray for their specific areas of leadership. Will you join us in praying for their following requests?
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As I write to you today, there is a clear cool breeze in the air—a clear indication that Fall has finally arrived. Here in Princeton we are now well into the semester, with midterms right around the corner for our students. In the midst of the busyness here, God has been very faithful—he has helped get us off to a good start with a successful freshman campaign. In this letter, as usual, I wanted to update you on the freshman campaign as well as give you an update of some individual prayer requests that we have.
As I write to you today, there is a clear cool breeze in the air—a clear indication that Fall has finally arrived. Here in Princeton we are now well into the semester, with midterms right around the corner for our students. In the midst of the busyness here, God has been very faithful—he has helped get us off to a good start with a successful freshman campaign. In this letter, as usual, I wanted to update you on the freshman campaign as well as give you an update of some individual prayer requests that we have.
Dear Friends and Partners of Christian Union at Penn,
I was looking back at an old prayer letter from June 2018. In that letter I asked that you would “…pray for fresh vision for this coming fall. Even now as we plan, we are trusting in God’s power to bring divine appointments, to scatter the seed of the Gospel and to see much fruit born.”
I was looking back at an old prayer letter from June 2018. In that letter I asked that you would “…pray for fresh vision for this coming fall. Even now as we plan, we are trusting in God’s power to bring divine appointments, to scatter the seed of the Gospel and to see much fruit born.”
Dear Friends,
Thank you for continuing to remember us in prayer before the Lord Jesus Christ! I’m pleased to share that Fall Retreat (Oct 12-14) was the encouraging, faith-building experience that we had hoped it would be! We brought 28 students to the Incarnation Center to reconnect with God and with one another, and evangelist Chris White (Yale ’87) taught richly from God’s Word and his own life. Saturday night was particularly powerful as the Holy Spirit flooded the room during our time of worship, and God’s Spirit helped staff and students pray over and minister to one another. I had a strong impression right before the retreat that the young men and women in our ministry would begin to live more like “brothers and sisters” in Christ as a result of the weekend. Progress towards that end was evident in group times, play times, meal times, and we all agreed that God had graced us with much deeper sense of “openness” as guards had come down in response to His work in hearts.
Thank you for continuing to remember us in prayer before the Lord Jesus Christ! I’m pleased to share that Fall Retreat (Oct 12-14) was the encouraging, faith-building experience that we had hoped it would be! We brought 28 students to the Incarnation Center to reconnect with God and with one another, and evangelist Chris White (Yale ’87) taught richly from God’s Word and his own life. Saturday night was particularly powerful as the Holy Spirit flooded the room during our time of worship, and God’s Spirit helped staff and students pray over and minister to one another. I had a strong impression right before the retreat that the young men and women in our ministry would begin to live more like “brothers and sisters” in Christ as a result of the weekend. Progress towards that end was evident in group times, play times, meal times, and we all agreed that God had graced us with much deeper sense of “openness” as guards had come down in response to His work in hearts.
The annual CU New York Yacht Cruise late last month was spectacular – a cool vintage yacht, gorgeous weather, and a collection of sixty of the most fun people to hang out with. From recent grads to grizzled veterans of the Big Apple it was an afternoon of fun and fellowship, followed by an after-party at The Park.
Friends,
The fall semester has begun here at Brown University and we’re well into our Freshman Welcoming Campaign (our effort to love, serve and welcome freshmen into our community during the first four weeks of the semester). It’s been a flurry of events, conversations and the beginning of our normal rhythms of ministry. There’s so much I could share, but I wanted to briefly share one story.
The fall semester has begun here at Brown University and we’re well into our Freshman Welcoming Campaign (our effort to love, serve and welcome freshmen into our community during the first four weeks of the semester). It’s been a flurry of events, conversations and the beginning of our normal rhythms of ministry. There’s so much I could share, but I wanted to briefly share one story.
