Student Spotlight: Brianna Garcia, '27, Christian Union Martus at Penn
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
"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."- Romans 12:1
Entering University of Pennsylvania this past fall was an answered prayer for Brianna Garcia. As a first generation student, she will be exploring business related majors in the Warton School as an undergraduate with a personal mission statement driving her: "My whole life I've wanted to build things for others around the concepts of service and community; I want to build a life that helps others to see the Lord through the works of His people," Garcia said. Although, she does not yet know the specific details regarding how she will get there, it is evident that she will because she is building her life for the Lord and allowing Him to build something beautiful in her and through her.
Building a life around one's relationship with God and seeing one's work as an expression of love and devotion to Christ is what it means to live for the Lord. It is a radical counter-cultural expression in a self-seeking world. It is a clear expression in Garcia's life.
Christian Union's University embraces the Biblical notion that a believer's relationship with God is the purpose and source of meaning and power in one's life; it is not simply an add-on; the understanding that followers of God are called to build their lives around seeking and loving God, as opposed to simply adding religious activities to a secular life is essential to teach believers, especially in modern American culture. For this reason, Christian Union offers a Bible course entitled the Seeking God Lifestyle to all incoming freshman to help them explore the mindset and practical applications of what it might look like to follow Jesus.
When transitioning into college life, research is clear that students need to find and develop a sense of community to help find personal security, mental health, and academic success, especially in the rush and rigor of intense academic institutions such as Penn. Garcia found her community through Christian Union when she arrived on UPenn's campus. CU Martus' Bible courses, group activities, worship nights, retreats, and leadership positions helped Garcia and other freshman develop the much needed sense of healthy community they deserve to find.
"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.
Another incredible month of ministry is behind us here at Christian Union Vita at Cornell! We are so grateful for how the Lord continues to work in and through our students as we seek to make Jesus the most talked about subject on campus in a culture that is increasingly in a state of upheaval.
We have had an incredible semester in our Bible courses, with new students continuing to join the community of Christian Union Vita on an almost weekly basis. We celebrate the Lord’s continuing faithfulness to grow the ministry as we coach and train close to 100 future Christian leaders to seek the Lord wholeheartedly.
“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” -1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV)
In the rhythm of a school year, the spring term is one of our most evangelistic times. The promised warmth, which you have no doubt enjoyed for months, has finally arrived to New Hampshire and to Christian Union Vox. The First-Years, having not yet experienced the nearly endless drawing out of Dartmouth’s winters, are relieved at the turn. With the newly warmed weather, everyone from students to staff to professors flock to the outdoors to enjoy the warmth and sunshine. The Green is covered in students eating, playing frisbee, studying, chatting, and sunbathing. But now, because of CU Vox, a new group has joined them: students living out their faith and practicing evangelism.
“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!
Spring is in the air, and the Holy Spirit is on the move at Princeton! We’ve just wrapped up our Bible courses for the year with seniors completing our “Vocational Prep” course, equipping them with a theology of work, money, and giving. Our juniors and sophomores completed our Romans course, delving into some of the richest theology of salvation in the Bible. And our freshman just finished our Sex and Spirituality Bible course, learning about God’s design for sexuality, marriage, and the family.
Our freshman men gathered together this week for a BBQ and firepit and reflected on their experiences this year at Princeton. Invariably, they answered that the best part about Princeton is the Christian community and the friends they’ve made in Christian Union!
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.
It has been a busy semester for Christian Union Lux at Yale! God is so good!
I'd like to share some testimonies from our students about how the semester is wrapping up. Here’s feedback from one of Christian Union's senior ladies about our recent ‘prefrosh welcoming campaign’ during Bulldog Days: "Bulldog Days was such a reminder of the Lord’s faithfulness to His children in such a special time at college. As a senior, I was already inspired by the current freshmen who came together to put on Bulldog Days for the pre-frosh. It was a beautiful reminder of the laborers God has brought to continue serving in CU. It’s a special joy to me as my peers and I graduate."
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 who 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, what the greatest struggle his students dealt with at the college, Bok quickly responded, “Living with emptiness.”
As spring descends upon the bustling city, CU New York is in full swing!
Over the last month I have had several meetings with Cornerstone partners! It was delightful getting to know so many new people during this first month here as the new executive director of CU New York. Hearing stories of transformation in people's lives never gets old! In fact, I recently had a coffee meeting with a faithful Cornerstone partner who has been tremendously blessed by the CU Fire Retreats. She asked about the vision for those in the future. CU New York's desire is to see the number of CU Fire Retreats increase dramatically across New York City with hosts in every borough! Would you join us in prayer for this?
A Glimpse into the Power of a Christian Union Bible Course
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
On the first day of one of Christian Union Gloria's Bible courses this spring, one young man began to believe that this "God thing" might be for him. He asked CU Gloria's ministry fellow, Jim Galvin, "Could there be more to my faith than what I have seen so far?" In that moment, Galvin set out on a journey of one-on-one discipleship with this young man. This student and this ministry fellow began to intentionally seek God wholeheartedly for the remainder of this spring semester together. Through one-on-one mentoring, in part, this student began to grow in the Lord. He intentionally walked away from many college campus temptations to be "of the world," while a deep longing to share his faith with others grew within him.
One of the many peers that this student spoke with and invited to CU Gloria's Bible course showed up and joined in. At the end of the meeting, all the students were invited to not only pray to God but to listen to God and see if the Lord was saying anything to them. As the group began to pack up and leave, the guest asked if he could stay and try and pray again because, as he said, "I think that worked."
Galvin spent the next 45-minutes in prayer with this young man, as he talked with and listened to the Lord, during which time this student found freedom from some past trauma in his life. In the period of an hour following a men's Bible course at Christian Union Gloria at Harvard on a beautiful night in Cambridge, this young man exchanged his pain and shame for the peace of God.
One discipled student helped to lead another to the foot of the cross for healing.
The discipled young man didn't stop here; he continued to grow in his desire to seek God, and his practices and prayer matured from following to leading. Just recently, within the last week of spring semester classes at Harvard, while this student was walking to his dorm with another friend, his friend mentioned to him that he wanted to explore his faith more, sharing, "I think it is what is missing in my life."
That night, these two students stayed up until two am talking about faith, which led to the student's acceptance of salvation through Christ Jesus. The next morning, these two went directly to Christian Union Gloria's ministry office to pick up a Bible and celebrate what happened the night before.
One discipled student helped to lead another to life in Christ.
On a campus where faith can easily be considered a matter of privacy, not to be shared with others, it is significant to recognize that being the kind of person with whom someone else is willing to share questions about faith and about God is a monumental success. This one student's character is a beautiful testimony of the power of Christ and of success in the Kingdom of God because his character serves to attract and direct those seeking truth to the source of it.
The lesson God is illuminating through CU Gloria seems clear: one disciple holds the power to influence many lives. "Therefore, go… and make disciples...," says Christ Jesus (Matthew 28:19). Making disciples is not an easy task. It is more than hosting a social group or extracurricular activity. It is the work of fully-committed followers of God who are willing to live in the Word, not the world; it is the work of a group of Christ-focused people who pput their trust in God and lay down "self" for the benefit of others in their community.
As Galvin watched spiritual growth unfold over the last few months, he was encouraged and shared, "I believe this story to be a microcosm of the greater metanarrative we want to see all our students in: owning their own faith and walking with the Lord to engaging in community to seeking God wholeheartedly to being discipled to produce fruitfulness to inviting others into community and into their own personal relationship with the Lord." Afterall, these are the contours of the journey all believers are called to for their own benefit, for the benefit of others, and for the glory of God.
Galvin, ending his first semester as one of CU Gloria's ministry fellows, is serving under interim Ministry Director Justin Yim and alongside Ministry Fellows Sadie Sasser and Fady Ghobrial. Galvin said, "Praise God for bringing us to the end of a fruitful spring semester, as Christian Union Gloria has journeyed through the book of Romans." Galvin continued, "As a team here at CU Gloria, we are all blessed and honored to be part of such an amazing journey with each and every one of the students. We would like to share our deepest appreciation to all who have made so much of this possible; as you partner with us to develop Christian leaders who transform culture, God is changing lives."
As Americans scroll through their newsfeed full of images of student protests across the nation's college campuses, may they also know that God's word has gone forth at Harvard into the midst of the chaos of it all, and God's word will not return to Him void, but it shall accomplish what He pleases and it shall prosper in the thing whereto He sent it (Isaiah 55:11).
At Harvard and beyond, lives are changing, as a result, in part, of Christian Union's ability to offer Bible courses each semester under the leadership of devoted ministry fellows.
To support Christian Union Universities Bible courses and ministries, consider giving a secure gift of $25 here.
Devotional 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” (https://www.chicagoshiddenwar.com), and he co-produced the documentary film “Emanuel.”
Salaberrios holds a Master of Divinity degree from Alliance Theological Seminary and resides in the Bronx with his wife Tiffany and three daughters. Salaberrios will be a featured speaker at the next Christian Union Fire Retreat being held October 4-5, 2024 entitled, "America Returning to God."
Christian Union Nova at Princeton Holds Powerful Leadership Lecture Series
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
To address the mental health crisis on our nation's college campuses, Christian organizations such as Christian Union and the Veritas Forum are using their ministries to create opportunities and discussions, as well as provide forums and workshops, to equip students to explore deeper meaning, freedom, and life through their faith in God.
Recently, Christian Union Nova at Princeton invited Dr. Matthew Suh to speak at a Friday night Leadership Lecture Series on “The Religion of Science, Integration of Faith, and the Art of Healing-a Christian Surgeon’s Journey into Supernatural Faith.” It was a powerful message and testimony, incorporating his career as a surgeon, his faith in Christ, and how the Lord miraculously healed him.
The next day, CU Nova students spent the day with Dr. Suh and his wife, Dr. Margaret Yoon, who is a practicing psychiatrist, in a training workshop entitled, “Healing of Mental Illness from a Christian Perspective.” This included a ministry time to conclude.
Mike Vincent, ministry director of Christian Union Nova at Princeton, shared that mental health is a prevalent issue in the lives of college students. Research across the country confirms this.
Vincent continued, "Addressing mental health from a spiritual perspective is not common practice in the Western church nor in Western medicine, but there is Biblical support for it, so I wanted to bring speakers and medical professionals to encourage, teach, and minister to our students. The time was well spent. Students found a deeper level of understanding and freedom as a result."
Bold University Ministry in America Featured on Canadian Show
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
The Perspective with Mike Sherbino is a ministry with a mission 1) to use television, social media, and radio as a primary way to communicate Christian values, insights and the hope of the gospel to Canada and beyond, 2) to talk about issues related to people's understanding of how faith in Jesus Christ can transform the way we live our lives, and 3) to use their platforms to push back against the secular agenda of our day and provide broadcast platforms for other like-minded ministries doing the same.
The Perspective has enjoyed a substantial audience across Canada, as this show provides solutions for navigating life’s journey by unpacking scripture through the lens of culture, crisis, and current events. In these challenging times, the message of hope in Jesus, as shared by Sherbino, holds immense significance.
Matt Bennett, Founder and President of Christian Union, recently appeared on The Perspective to discuss what it's like to do ministry at highly secular U.S. educational institutions, specifically this spring.
April's CU Fire Retreat Provides an Impactful Weekend for Participants
By Erin conner, writer and communications associate
Christian Union America equips and supports Christian Union Universities' alumni, as well as other Christian leaders across the country, with programs such as its alumni mentorship program, CU Fire Retreats, Bible studies, Daniel Spirituality coaching, and in-person conferences and forums. Christian Union's aim through these programs is to equip and strengthen Christian leaders to wholeheartedly seek God to transform their hearts and minds more unto the image of Christ and to transform their families, communities, and the nation as a result.
The most recent CU Fire Retreat, held in April, equipped Christians across the country to better understand the fear of God and the fear of man, exploring how the former leads to wisdom and life, and the latter leads to more fear and deeper despair.
CU Fire Retreats are 1.5-day nationwide simulcast retreats that create a context of worship, fasting, prayer, and Scripture reading, along with powerful guest speakers, to empower participants to experience spiritual rejuvenation and encouragement with their friends, family, and/or Christian community from the comfort of their own home or church.
Testimonies of lives that have been touched by God through April's weekend CU Fire Retreat are rolling in:
"The CU Fire retreat helped my faith to increase in that my need to fear God is so much stronger and so much more powerful than the fear of man."
"I have been strengthened in my faith for sure. I am always grateful for CU Fire. My favorite parts were the sermons. Worship was also very powerful and I appreciate the songs corresponding to the theme. Thank you!"
"The combination of every component made this retreat very impactful! It was great to know the difference between fear of God and fear of man. Also praying and worshiping!"
"I was able to address some areas in my life that I needed to think were healed but now know that there is some healing that needs to take place and will take the proper steps to get counsel and prayer."
"Loved the last presentation about fear of the LORD."
"I greatly enjoyed the speakers, the fellowship and the overall theme. "
"It certainly happened for us and was really reinforced by the fellowship and discussion of the 'Fear of the LORD' theme."
"It was amazing. We prayed together and over each other and had worship together. Reading the Word and discussing God’s character was impactful."
"This being my first retreat, it was a powerful experience. I learned new things about God through discussions. I feel encouraged to continue my journey with God and have created fellowship. I won’t forget this experience."
"The most memorable were the moments hearing my participants say this is the first time they’ve read the Bible for a long period of time! Also, that they have enjoyed this time so much they don’t want it to end, which led to great conversation about how they can cultivate this moving forward."
"I especially enjoyed the dedicated reading in Jeremiah and Lamentations. And how the LORD works and his faithfulness to his word. It was so interesting to see those events and how they are mirroring today’s as well in so many aspects. God’s word is truth and has been proven over and over consistently. I will never doubt it!"
"Our group leader was phenomenal, and the openness we all shared along with the powerful prayers were very impactful on all of us."
The next CU Fire Retreat's theme is "America Returning to God," and will be held the weekend of October 4-5, 2024 with Dimas Salaberrios as one guest speaker. Salaberrios, in addition to being a NY pastor 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.”
Salaberrios is a faith leader, film producer, prayer warrior, and author. He is 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 Hurricane Harvey in Houston. After the shootings in Saint Paul, Dallas, Charleston, and Paris, Dimas organized believers to infiltrate the protests and pray with hurting people. He has also organized prayer during the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis and New York City. His directorial debut is titled “Chicago: America’s Hidden War” (https://www.chicagoshiddenwar.com), and he co-produced the documentary film “Emanuel.” Dimas is married to Tiffany and has three daughters. Learn more about Dimas by visiting http://thedynamiclifeministry.com/pastor-dimas/
Learn more about CU Fire Retreats and how you can become involved in October's retreat here.
Devotional from CU National Fast 2024: Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace of all Nations
By jason walsh, president of christian union universities
As I stood tall before a judge in a civil case, I waited for the judgment to be announced. I was prepared. I was confident the truth of my statements was sufficient. I knew I stood for what was right, but I was unwilling to look to my left at the individual I perceived as my enemy. Memories as a United States Marine during uniform inspections flashed through my mind. I had spent years standing tall while being inspected from head to toe. I prepared for these inspections to the point I’d be surprised if the inspecting Marine found anything incorrect, yet whispers of doubt had me wondering if I overlooked anything while I waited for the final judgment. But this wasn’t the Marine Corps. This wasn’t about my preparation. This involved a person acting as an enemy toward me. While everyone waited for a judgment to be spoken, I thought, "how could this person get away with false claims?” “How could this person be so deceiving?” “Did their lies convince the judge? “Does the truth matter?” “Would my enemy receive a just penalty?”
The judge lifted his head and said, “Mr. Walsh, you are free to go.” Replying, “thank you sir,” I quickly headed for the exit, but as I reached for the door I heard, “Mr. Walsh!” It was the judge! I turned around as he said, “Semper Fi!” This was the Marine Corps motto “Semper Fidelis,” meaning, “Always Faithful.” The judge was one of my own! Maybe I was one of his own. Regardless, we were both Marines! Both of the same brotherhood and the same family! Once a Marine, always a Marine!
Jesus says, "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? (Matthew 5:44-47).
I was relieved and thankful when the judge told me I was free to go, but I hadn’t done anything in the courtroom reflecting love for my enemy or praying in response to their persecution of me. I hadn’t even looked at the person I considered an enemy that day. How was I any different from the rest of the world?
Paul writes, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life”(Romans 5:10). This is a sobering reminder we were all enemies of God at one point, yet He loved us so much that He sent His son to die for us, pay our penalty, and reconcile us to Him. In other words, Jesus died for His enemies and He died for our current enemies. “For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).
As you read this, religious wars, territorial wars, cultural wars, organizational wars, civil wars, and spiritual wars are happening all over the world. These wars are happening in Israel, the Middle East, Ukraine, and cities and the related ideological wars on university campuses across America. These wars affect fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. These wars affect governments, cities, and university students, many of whom are the future leaders of our nation.
These wars affect you and I, influencing our perception of good and evil, enemy and friend. But, like my courtroom experience, there is a Judge who oversees it all. It is great to stand tall for what is right. It is great to stand prepared in truth before the enemy. But what do you do when your enemy persecutes you? What do you do when the enemy persecutes your family, your country, or your organization? What do you do when the enemy makes false claims against you? Do you love them and pray for them? Or do you hope to make them pay for their actions? Do you respond in a way that demonstrates you are part of the same family of Christ Jesus?
As Christians, the greatest thing we have to offer our enemies and those who persecute us is the kingdom of Jesus! We earn the right to speak to our enemies about the kingdom of Jesus by showing them that kingdom! We earn the right to speak to our enemies about the kingdom of Jesus by loving them and praying for them. Jesus says do this, “so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44).
I am honored to be a United States Marine, sharing the same brotherhood with the judge that said, “always faithful.” But, above all, I am eternally grateful I am a son of my Father in Heaven. He is the final Judge who we all will stand before one day. On that day, will we be counted by the Father as enemies? Or will we be counted as sons and daughters of our Father in heaven? Sons and daughters who were “always faithful?”
Father, as Your sons and daughters, forgive us when we are unfaithful to You. Forgive us when we have responded to persecution like the rest of the world. Forgive us when we have not loved our enemies and have failed to pray for those who persecute us. Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace for all nations and all people! Bring peace to Israel! Bring peace on our college campuses! Change our hearts! Change the hearts of Christians in the middle east and in America, so they love their enemies and look to You and pray in the midst of persecution. Lord, I pray that people of all religions would seek you and know You! Lord, heal our nation and bring protection to students on university campuses across America! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Ministry that Equips Tranformative Christian Leaders for Life
By Erin conner, writer and communications associate
Christian Union has been in the national spotlight for several weeks now. From magazine and newspaper articles, television interviews, a podcast appearance, a Worldwide Prayer Meeting at Yale with the Summit International School of Ministry that was live-streamed across multiple countries, and social media ads running from the west to the east coast of the U.S., many people in faith-based circles are asking, "What is Christian Union?"
Christian Union is a leadership development ministry that works at ten of the nation's most influential educational institutions and beyond to develop and connect Christians to transform culture for God's glory.
Christian Union (CU) is a unique ministry in that it meets a comprehensive set of needs in our nation's young adults:
1) Christian Union Universities meets the spiritual ministry needs of college students by providing them with one-on-one discipleship, Bible Courses, prayer, worship opportunities, spiritual retreats, and leadership training to strengthen their devotion to and faith in the Lord.
2) Christian Union America equips and supports these students, as well as other Christian leaders, after graduation with initiatives like mentorship programs, online weekend retreats, Bible studies, Daniel Spirituality coaching, and in person conferences and forums.
Christian Union's aim is to equip and strengthen Christian leaders to wholeheartedly seek God to transform their hearts and minds more unto the image of Christ, and to transform their families, communities, and the nation as a result.
Christian Union Caritas Ministry Fellow Justin Woyak with two students at Stanford. In addition to the ministry at Stanford, Christian Union has established ministries at nine other highly influential academic institutions.
This is a critical ministry in 2024, as the U.S. is in profound need of sweeping spiritual transformation. Despite the large number of Christians in the United States, the impact of the church in our culture has declined steadily. Furthermore, the predominant worldview in the most influential academic and cultural institutions is profoundly secular, pushing destructive ideologies that contribute to societal disorder.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) late last year released data showing that nearly 50,000 people died by suicide in the United States in 2022, reaching the highest number ever recorded and the highest rate since 1941 following the Great Depression. It seems clear that secular messages of human purpose and freedom are deceptively empty, and young adults are struggling with the highest level of depression and anxiety on record.
Christian Union believes Christ Jesus is the only name that holds the power to stop this trajectory and restore people, individually and collectively, back to Life. Thus, Christian Union develops leaders to proclaim His name in places of spiritual darkness. As a result, thousands of students since 2002, when Christian Union started its ministry, have joined CU with a desire to develop and use their talent, faith, courage, intellect, and fortitude to hunger after God and to transform their spheres of personal and professional influence for His glory. Furthermore, many have found salvation through Jesus Christ too. These students' faces and stories have filled the pages of Christian Union's Magazine for two decades.
Christians are called to love the Lord with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their mind, and with all their strength (Mark 12:30). Christian Union seeks to help students navigate the challenge, beauty, and implications of this call, not just for the four years they are in undergraduate school, but for the entirety of their lives.
Consider joining this movement today to help develop Christian leaders and to help America return to God.
Watch an upcoming interview on the national Christian television show, TCT Today, airing on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 at 8 pm (ET) or Thursday, April 18th at 6 am (ET) here.
"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!" - Psalm 95:1-2
Greetings from CU Libertas at Brown!
