Christian Union Universities
Hello from Palo Alto!
Today is a big day for students at Stanford, especially for our new freshmen. As I write this, today (Monday) is the first day of the fall quarter. I think about these students stepping into a classroom for the first time, a launch of a four-year journey that started years prior for most of them as they strove hard to enter their top choice schools. As we have prayed and prepared to meet these new students, I also think of the spiritual opportunities ahead of them. For some, unfortunately, their faith will be shaken and they will exit Stanford not walking with Jesus and out of fellowship with His Church. But for some (and we pray for many!) this will be the season they will look back on the rest of their lives and say, “This is where God met me.”
Today is a big day for students at Stanford, especially for our new freshmen. As I write this, today (Monday) is the first day of the fall quarter. I think about these students stepping into a classroom for the first time, a launch of a four-year journey that started years prior for most of them as they strove hard to enter their top choice schools. As we have prayed and prepared to meet these new students, I also think of the spiritual opportunities ahead of them. For some, unfortunately, their faith will be shaken and they will exit Stanford not walking with Jesus and out of fellowship with His Church. But for some (and we pray for many!) this will be the season they will look back on the rest of their lives and say, “This is where God met me.”
Friends,
It’s the end of August, so you know what that means – students are getting ready to head back to campus! This is one of my favorite times of the year. Lots of energy on campus, excitement among the student body, and sense of God’s Spirit working in our midst. Please join us in prayer for the following as the semester begins:
Greetings!
I’m excited to report that the new academic year has begun. All our staff and students are brimming with expectation as we begin freshman campaign. We’re off to a great start as we even had a few freshmen attend our pre-retreat. Our pre-retreat was highly successful. We had a great mix of older and younger students and it was evident that the students in attendance grew deeper in community, had fun, and were spiritually nourished. On our last night, we had a time for students to share their heart. The level of vulnerability was simply astounding. It was as if these students had known each other for years, but in fact many were just getting to know each other. It was clear that God met us during our retreat; we left energized and ready to engage the incoming freshman class.
I’m excited to report that the new academic year has begun. All our staff and students are brimming with expectation as we begin freshman campaign. We’re off to a great start as we even had a few freshmen attend our pre-retreat. Our pre-retreat was highly successful. We had a great mix of older and younger students and it was evident that the students in attendance grew deeper in community, had fun, and were spiritually nourished. On our last night, we had a time for students to share their heart. The level of vulnerability was simply astounding. It was as if these students had known each other for years, but in fact many were just getting to know each other. It was clear that God met us during our retreat; we left energized and ready to engage the incoming freshman class.
Dear friends,
It was over twenty-five years ago, but I still remember moving in my freshman year of college and wondering “now what?!”. We just witnessed thousands of first year Cornellians move in last week and by the looks on their faces they’re thinking much the same thing. We’re doing our best to answer their “now what?!” with “come and be a part of our Christ-centered community . . .”.
It was over twenty-five years ago, but I still remember moving in my freshman year of college and wondering “now what?!”. We just witnessed thousands of first year Cornellians move in last week and by the looks on their faces they’re thinking much the same thing. We’re doing our best to answer their “now what?!” with “come and be a part of our Christ-centered community . . .”.
Dear friends,
As we turn the corner from summer into the fall, we have much to look forward to and, therefore, much to petition the Lord for! Please join us in lifting up these requests for Dartmouth.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel . . . (Phil. 1:3-5)
I hope this finds you well, trusting in the Lord. I am grateful for our partnership of prayer in the gospel. As I remember you with thanksgiving, I want to give you a few updates to inform your prayers as the new academic year begins.
I hope this finds you well, trusting in the Lord. I am grateful for our partnership of prayer in the gospel. As I remember you with thanksgiving, I want to give you a few updates to inform your prayers as the new academic year begins.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” – John 15:5-11
Dear Friends and Family of HCFA,
This will be brief, but only because we stand on the threshold of what is arguably the most important week or two in the academic year. It’s an exciting time. Freshmen are moving in as we speak for orientation activities and forty students are returning to campus early to load a bus for Ottauquechee Farm in Bridgewater, VT. Our primary purpose? To prepare to welcome the class of 2022 with open arms.
Dear Friends and Family of HCFA,
This will be brief, but only because we stand on the threshold of what is arguably the most important week or two in the academic year. It’s an exciting time. Freshmen are moving in as we speak for orientation activities and forty students are returning to campus early to load a bus for Ottauquechee Farm in Bridgewater, VT. Our primary purpose? To prepare to welcome the class of 2022 with open arms.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As I am writing you today, it is a beautiful day in Princeton. The weather is becoming cooler—a clear sign that that summer is coming to a close. Our staff recently returned from our annual “Christian Union Faculty and Staff Conference.” This was a conference for all Christian Union’s ministry faculty as well as our support staff. We had a wonderful, encouraging time of seeking God together through prayer, as well as a time of training and equipping.
As I am writing you today, it is a beautiful day in Princeton. The weather is becoming cooler—a clear sign that that summer is coming to a close. Our staff recently returned from our annual “Christian Union Faculty and Staff Conference.” This was a conference for all Christian Union’s ministry faculty as well as our support staff. We had a wonderful, encouraging time of seeking God together through prayer, as well as a time of training and equipping.
Dear Friends and Partners of Christian Union at Penn,
Praise God! Our students have returned safely to campus after Summer Break and our Freshman Campaign is off to an excellent start. We kicked the school year off with our Pre-retreat, for our returning leaders. I have to say it was one of our best retreats to date. The students reunited and had a wonderful time of teaching and training. We are thankful that God’s Spirit is moving among the students, bringing a sense of unity and hunger for God’s Word. Please pray that our students would have an increasing affection for Jesus and would translate that passion for Christ’s glory to tangible action on Penn’s campus.
Praise God! Our students have returned safely to campus after Summer Break and our Freshman Campaign is off to an excellent start. We kicked the school year off with our Pre-retreat, for our returning leaders. I have to say it was one of our best retreats to date. The students reunited and had a wonderful time of teaching and training. We are thankful that God’s Spirit is moving among the students, bringing a sense of unity and hunger for God’s Word. Please pray that our students would have an increasing affection for Jesus and would translate that passion for Christ’s glory to tangible action on Penn’s campus.
Dear Prayer Partners,
As I write this update, Clay and the Yale team are in the midst of their pre-retreat with student leaders! Before classes start, the student leaders and the CU staff come together to reconnect with each other, the Lord, and the mission to reach Yale's campus with the gospel of Christ Jesus. In particular, they'll be strategically focusing on hospitality and outreach to the first-year students. Join me in praying that this time would be fruitful in terms of their relationships with each other, the Lord, and in stirring up these leaders to boldly proclaim the Lord and minister to their classmates.
As I write this update, Clay and the Yale team are in the midst of their pre-retreat with student leaders! Before classes start, the student leaders and the CU staff come together to reconnect with each other, the Lord, and the mission to reach Yale's campus with the gospel of Christ Jesus. In particular, they'll be strategically focusing on hospitality and outreach to the first-year students. Join me in praying that this time would be fruitful in terms of their relationships with each other, the Lord, and in stirring up these leaders to boldly proclaim the Lord and minister to their classmates.
