Cornell University

Christian Union owns and operates the Mott Center at Cornell University. The Center was named after John R. Mott, a Cornell graduate (1888) who had an enormous impact for Jesus Christ, in America and abroad.

For 27 years, he served as the national secretary of the Intercollegiate YMCA of the USA and Canada. He was a part of the conference that launched the remarkable Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions, and later served as chairman of the executive committee of the Student Volunteer Movement. In 1895 he helped launch the World's Student Christian Federation. In his various roles, he helped organize student missionary movements in countries spanning the globe.

In 1946, he won the Nobel Peace Prize as a result of the impact of his work.

Mott's life was changed during his second year at Cornell (this quote is from the page on the Nobel Prize web site):

At this time he thought of his life's work as a choice between law and his father's lumber business, but he changed his mind upon hearing a lecture by J. Kynaston Studd on January 14, 1886. Three sentences in Studd's speech, he said, prompted his lifelong service of presenting Christ to students: "Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God."

The house provides living space for Christian students who host Bible studies and other gatherings.

The Mott Center
Address: 203 Wyckoff Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: 917-969-1241

Dear Partners in Prayer for Cornell,

For our prayer letter for May, we’d like to share with you three different stories of answered prayers. This update is a little longer, but do read to the end!

Dear Partners in Prayer for Cornell,

Easter marked a turning point in the seasons here in Ithaca. Over the span of forty-eight hours we watched tufts of green burst from the tips of branches. Daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinth dot the walkways, cardinals sing, and the spring rains raise fragrance from the soil. Over the weekend, 1,000 plus students and community members filled Bailey Hall at an event called Worthy. A Cornell music professor, Joe Salzano, drew musicians from across the campus and the local churches. The event wove genres as diverse as rap, classical, celtic rock, middle eastern, gospel choir, and contemporary Christian worship music to tell the story of Christ’s incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension. I wish you could have joined us singing “Oh Happy Day!”

Dear partners in prayer for Cornell,

We celebrate the first full two months of the semester with many praises, thanks to your support in praying for us.

Dear partners in prayer for Cornell,

As we reflect upon the completed semester, we echo Zechariah’s prayer this Christmas season:

Because of our God’s tender mercy
the dawn will break upon us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Despite the shortened daylight hours, God’s light has indeed broken over Cornell this semester. We have witnessed countless tender mercies and divine guidance distinguish so many students’ lives as they responded to the news of the election, to racial tensions, not to mention personal challenges through relationship breakups, preliminary examinations, labs, group projects, sports competitions, illness and finals.

Dear Partners in Prayer for Cornell,

Thank you for praying for students in our ministry in November—the time to focus on answers to prayer with thanksgiving!

Dear Partners in Prayer for Cornell,

Thank you for praying for us. It is hard to choose which encouraging stories to share from the start of the semester until now. God is using your prayers for this campus to accomplish exciting things!

Since 2012 CU Vita has worked to bring spiritual transformation and renewal to campus by seeking the Lord, growing in knowledge and love of His Word, and thoughtfully engaging Cornell with the gospel.

The high-caliber ministry faculty at CU Vita teach intellectually rigorous Bible courses, disciple students one-on-one, and coach students to develop as Christian leaders.

CU Vita also offers conferences and retreats each semester and a weekly leadership lecture series called Vita Fidei, which features great worship, talks from compelling speakers, and space for students to grow together in fellowship.

Ithaca, New York

Marcus Buckley

Ministry Director

Beginning his career in ministry as a church pianist while in college, Marcus took a position as lead pastor the year after his graduation from Stetson University. For nearly 30 years he has pastored churches in Florida and South Carolina while also serving as a police chaplain. During this time, Marcus completed his Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and earned his Doctor of Ministry from North Greenville University. In addition to pastoring and preaching in a broad variety of contexts, he has also hosted Christian talk radio programs, taught college classes, contributed numerous articles to a variety of publications, and has authored two novels with a third forthcoming.

Marcus began as Ministry Director in February 2023, along with his wife, Lea Ann, who serves as the CU Vita Administration/Ministry Associate. They have three children, Emma, Victoria, and Brandon, and four dogs. In his free time, Marcus enjoys tinkering with anything and everything related to automobiles.

Lea Ann Buckley

Administration / Ministry Associate

Growing up in a pastor's home, Lea Ann was involved in ministry from an early age. She spent 20 years in the banking and medical professions before joining her husband, Marcus, on staff at Oasis Church, in Ormond Beach, Florida as the Administrator and Ministry Coordinator for nearly 7 years.

Lea Ann joined Christian Union in February 2023. She and Marcus, who is the Ministry Director for CU Vita, have three children--Emma, Victoria, and Brandon--and four dogs. In her spare time, Lea Ann enjoys gardening, exercise, outdoor activities, and is an HGTV aficionado.