Nexus

Nexus is a conference which equips men and women to seek God and to live out their faith in a way that will make a difference.

The Christian Union Conference on Faith and Action 2017 gathered together 300 undergraduates from select universities for a weekend of inspiring speakers, thought-provoking panels, in-depth seminars, and powerful worship. The following are the plenary messages that amplified the theme, drawn from Hebrews 4:16: "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

This speech by Matt Bennett was given at Nexus 2017 to a joint session including both professionals and students. (27:43)

The following interview was recorded at Nexus 2017 to a joint session of students and professionals. (11:21)

Reverend Eugene F. Rivers III, a former gang member from Philadelphia, is a widely published writer, community activist, and worldwide speaker. As an activist for over 35 years, Reverend Rivers has worked on community development, faith-based initiatives, and domestic and foreign policy issues. He also advised both Bush Administrations and the Clinton Administration on their faith-based initiatives and in the foreign policy arena regarding the AIDS crisis in Africa. (33:18)

Dr. Carol M. Kaminski is a professor of Old Testament and Hebrew Language at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. She is a member of the Institute for Biblical Research and the Society of Biblical Literature. Originally from Australia, Dr. Kaminski holds an MA in Old Testament and an MA in Religion from Gordon-Conwell. She holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge. (34:58)

The following speech was given by Jon Nielson. It was recorded at Nexus 2017 to a joint session of students and professionals. (31:10)

R.R. Reno explored the topic of: Moral Inequality in America.

R. R. Reno has served as the editor of First Things, America's most influential journal of religion in public life, since 2011. he received his Phd in Theology from Yale University, and taught theology and ethics at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska for twenty years.

He has published in many academic journals, and his opinion essays have appeared in Commentary, National Review, the Washington Post, the New York Times and other popular outlets. His most recent books include Resurrecting the Idea of a Christian Society, Fighting the Noonday Devil, Sanctified Vision, and a commentary on the Book of Genesis.

The following was recorded at Nexus 2017. (56:27)

D. Michael Lindsay explores the topic: How should Christians model power?

He is an award-winning sociologist and educator draws from hundreds of interviews to tell the story of how leading Christian businesspeople, political leaders, and major figures in media, entertainment, and higher education have managed positions of power for better or for worse. Lindsay is president of Gordon College.

The following was recorded at Nexus 2017. (36:54)

This presentation by award-winning sociologist and educator D. Michael Lindsay draws from hundreds of face-to-face interviews with America's most senior leaders in government, nonprofit life, and business to explore how we can be intentional, mindful, and meaningful with our work in such a way that it will have lasting influence for Christ and the common good. (49:37)

Nexus, the Christian Union Conference on Faith and Action, was held April 1-3, 2016 in New Haven, Connecticut. Students and professional conferences were held simultaneously, with students in attendance from Brown, Cornell, Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, Harvard Law, Penn, Princeton, and Yale.

Here are the highlights from Nexus 2016. (2:40)