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Ministry Leaders Testify How God is Moving at Four Top Colleges
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
Christian Union ministry leaders who serve students at Brown, Cornell, Princeton, and Yale recently shared how they see God working on their respective campuses. Across America, many believe that these types of schools are too secular to see a move of God, while others believe that these schools sit at the heart of a future national spiritual revival. From the following testimonies, it is clear that, despite the increasingly destructive ideologies pervasive at these schools, God is on the move to demonstrate truth, love, and a way out of a culture inarguably producing disorder and despair.
Dartmouth Students Experience God's Power at Recent CU Classic
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
Each spring, Christian Union plans CU Classic events across all the schools where they minister; CU Classics are large, campus-wide events that serve as part of a comprehensive evangelistic effort to reach as many students as possible with the truth, love, and transformative power of God. Christian Union Vox at Dartmouth recently held their spring CU Classic event, hosting David Taylor at the Hanover Inn, a historic New England hotel on Dartmouth's campus.
Christian Leadership Ministry at Harvard Law
by Justin Yim, Ministry Director of Christian Union Gloria Law at Harvard Law
When Harvard was first founded in 1636, one of its central bylaws was written as follows: "...let every student be earnestly pressed to consider well that the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life--and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning..."
In 1993, when evangelist Billy Graham asked Harvard’s President, Derek Bok, about the greatest struggle his students faced at the college, Bok quickly responded, “Living with emptiness.”
Much has changed at Harvard since its founding days, but much has remained the same. And the unique urgency of the body of Christ to be more present in the greater student community is at a crescendo, as we are challenged to show love amid hate, peace in a time of turmoil, and to speak truth in love.
Christian Organizations Host Historic Campus Event with Francis Chan
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." - Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV)
Monday evening, May 6, 2024, was a chilly evening in Palo Alto, yet the glow of the lights and the warmth of the love lit up Meyer Green in the heart of Stanford's campus as approximately 200 Christians gathered to exalt the Lord in unity through worship and prayer.
This historic event, entitled "ONE," was the result of prayer by Christian alumni, students, and leaders for the light of Jesus Christ to be publicly expressed as a beacon of hope in the midst of this highly secular campus. The event was a collaborative effort of six Christian ministries on Stanford's campus: the Catholic Undergraduate Student Association, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Action, Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, Parakaleo Christian Ministries, Moment Christian Fellowship, and Christian Union Caritas.
Faith and Conviction from Christian Union's National Fast in 2020
by dimas SalaBerrios (2020); updated by erin conner (2024)
The following devotional is a transcript of a video devotional that was originally recorded as part of Christian Union's National Fast in 2020 by Dimas Salaberrios. Salaberrios is the author of Street God: The Explosive True Story of a Former Drug Boss and his film “Chicago: America’s Hidden War” was recently nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. He is also the founder and former pastor of Infinity Bible Church in New York City, and the President Emeritus of Concerts of Prayer Greater New York.
Salaberrios has been on the frontlines of the earthquakes in Haiti and of Hurricane Harvey in Houston. After the shootings in Saint Paul, Dallas, Charleston, and Paris, Salaberrios organized believers to infiltrate the protests and pray with hurting people. He has also organized prayer during the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis and in New York City. His directorial debut is titled, “Chicago: America’s Hidden War, and he co-produced the documentary film “Emanuel.” Salaberrios will be a featured speaker at the next Christian Union Fire Retreat being held October 4-5, 2024 entitled, "America Returning to God."
Greetings from “The Farm.” As you know, God is constantly on the move here at Christian Union Caritas, and I'm elated to share with you some of the wonderful things occurring.
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." - Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV)
Greetings from Penn!
Hope this finds you well.
Things on campus have gotten progressively more interesting. Students are in finals, we are wrapping up the year with “see you later” hugs, and the protest encampment is bringing a lot of attention.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
-Lamentations 3:22-23
As this year comes to a close, I am reflecting on the steadfast faithfulness of our God. He has exceeded our expectations and answered many of your prayers. I remember in September, asking for prayer for full, vibrant Bible courses. This year, we have had an abundant overflow of students participating in weekly Bible courses. The students love the Bible course manuals which provide rich, in-depth studies of each lesson. In addition to full Bible courses, we prayed for gospel exposures and the name of Jesus to saturate the entire campus of Brown University. Starting with freshman campaign, where we had a string of events all throughout September to welcome students, as well as worship events on campus, tabling and handing out books and scripture tracts, and our latest campaign, CU Rise, we have had an incredible amount of gospel exposures! This year, we have had more students dive into questions about Christianity than I have ever seen in years past. It is evidence that the Lord of the harvest is on the move on our campus!
It’s been an amazing month of ministry here at Christian Union Lumine on the campus of Columbia University. To witness how the Lord has been working in the lives of our students and using them to impact the campus for the Kingdom has been a blessing.
We continue to see our students really be committed to being intentional and deliberate in seeking God in prayer and fasting. During the month, ten football players from our Bible course attended our Monday night seek prayer meeting. We’ve continued to see more students getting involved in our Bible course during the middle of the semester. We are continuing to hold leadership training, workshops, and events for our students during these tumultuous times.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” - Romans 12:1-2
As we begin to wrap up the normal semester happenings at Harvard, I have been reflecting on these couple verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans. Our sophomore and junior Bible courses have been diligently studying Romans for the spring semester, and what a joy it has been to delve into the deep and all-consuming good news presented in this book! Our students have asked good questions and engaged in conversations about theology and practice that make me continually excited to revisit Paul’s message every week. I have especially gained encouragement from Paul’s reminder to withstand the pattern of the world and instead allow Christ to transform our minds - what an important message to remember in the midst of the times through which we are living!