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Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

We’re back into the swing of things at Penn and the main focus is leadership. 1 Timothy 3:1-2 states, “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach…”

This semester is a significant time for our students as we are seeing the fulfillment of 1 Timothy 3:1-2 happen before our eyes as we prepare for a “change of the guard” with our student ministry team leaders (MTL’s) and assistant Bible course leaders (ABCLs). We have big shoes to fill as many of our current leaders are graduating seniors this year. However, this provides a great opportunity for aspiring leaders to rise to the occasion to lead next.

Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’" (Luke 2:8‭-‬10 ESV)

Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

As we enter the month of December, the students at CU Martus on the campus of Penn have been earnestly engaged in growing more in their gratitude of the gospel and focusing their intentions on flourishing Christ-centered friendships. Our weekly gatherings and outreach efforts have produced many good fruits in wisdom, devotion, kinship, and the transition of their hearts to mimic that of our Savior’s, Christ Jesus.

“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” – Psalm 106.1

Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

Greetings in the Lord! We now find ourselves heavily engaged with Bible courses, daily prayer, leadership development, Philia, Brogram, and reaching Penn students with the gospel.

Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

Since the last update, we have closed out our Freshman Welcoming Campaign. Throughout the campaign, we were blessed to have had 100+ meaningful interactions with freshmen, and 35+ of whom were interested in our Bible courses. To close out our Freshman Welcoming Campaign, we were able to host a Fall Retreat where 34 students came to build closer relationships, grow deeper in their faith, and be challenged to live for Christ in greater boldness.

Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

As we enter the Fall semester, there is much anticipation among CU Martus student leaders about how the Lord will reunite Penn students and spread the Gospel among the student body. I am living in anticipation as well as I begin my first year as the Ministry Director at Christian Union Martus. I am delighted to be called to do God's work at Penn!

Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

This feels like a season of anticipation. Even in normal times, when you work in a college ministry, as July turns to August you begin to get excited about waiting for the return of the students. There is something amazing about the promise of new lives that God can begin to change. And this year the promise feels even greater. For some of these students, it has been more than a year since they were on campus. At Stanford, for example, the class of 2022 left as sophomores in March 2020 and will return as seniors next month after a full 18 months away. That is a lot of time to dream about what God can do in the midst of faithful people gathered together in person!

This makes me think about the most powerful story of anticipation — the promised coming of the Messiah. The people of Israel had to wait a much longer time than we do — generations passed from the promise in Isaiah until the birth of Jesus. Imagine gathering your children around a campfire and repeating that familiar promise year after year while you waited: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

This month I was reminded of how God is involved in the little details of our lives. One of our graduating seniors asked for an alumni mentor to walk beside her during this transition. Because she asked later than the mentor/mentee match period, I found myself scrambling to find a good match. At the same time, another young graduate had to step back from her already assigned partnership. Providentially, the mentor who was left without a partner lives in the city where our young graduate looking for a mentor is headed! A new pairing was made and this young woman has someone to walk beside her. God’s timing and plan is perfect!

As our ministries prepare for an exciting back-to-normal fall, please pray fervently for these priorities:

Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” – Psalm 86.12

Graduating students recently gathered at Franklin Field for the first time in 2 years to participate in Penn’s commencement ceremony. It was a bittersweet ending to our students’ undergraduate tenure. I am thankful for their resilience and grit during these past 15 months. The class of 2021 will be sorely missed! As we celebrate graduation and the end of another school year, please pray for:

Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” – Psalm 106.1

As the semester comes to a close, there are so many reasons to be thankful. Christian Union Martus has completed a seamless leadership transition and our new exec and ministry team leaders have started their tenure with energy and focus. From Scripture memorization, campus outreach, social activities, daily prayer, and a strong finish to Bible courses, the students have been incredibly resilient. God has shown Himself to be faithful again and again. We are taking tentative steps to have in-person meetings at Panera and various spots around campus. And our students are beginning to think about the fall term and how we can strategically reach incoming freshmen. As we approach graduation and the summer break, would you pray for:

 
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