Greetings from Cambridge!
In this monthly email update, I'd love to share with you a recent article that I have written about how God is moving at Christian Union Gloria to give you encouragement and inspiration that your support is changing lives at Harvard!
Rekindle the Gift of God to Overcome
By Michael Racine, writer and ministry fellow at christian union lux at yale
Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord. I give thanks to God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, having been reminded of your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, receiving remembrance of the sincere faith that is in you—which was first in your grandmother, Lois, and in your mother, Eunice, and which I am convinced is also in you.
The Heart of Christian Union's Ministry for Each and Every "One"
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
“May the Lord use these theologically informed, biblically equipped, spiritually growing graduates as significant leaders in the next great awakening." -William Tennett, founder of the Log College (later formed Princeton University)
Kenneth Jasko, '78, in his essay "God at Work" writes, "Princeton University is a school which has an exciting Christian history. Founded as a result of the Great Awakening, it has educated many notable men of God amidst numerous campus revivals. Princeton students have had a great impact on American Christianity, for they have been responsible for starting the American Bible Society, American Tract Society, Intercollegiate YMCA, Student Volunteers Movement, and many other Christian works." Jasko continues, "Princeton University has its roots in the Log College, founded in 1726 by William Tennett. The log college was little more than a small log house…it was here that Tennett educated a small group of men for the ministry."
photo credit: williamtennett.org
In 2024, almost three hundred years later, there is still a place at Princeton where believers are educated and equipped for the ministry: opened in June 2017, Christian Union Melrose Center is a house near campus where Princeton students are being developed as Christian leaders, devoted to making Jesus known to the entire university and to influencing the culture for Christ.
Christian Union Washington, DC Hosts First Annual Reception
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
On a warm October evening in Arlington, VA, close to two dozen people gathered to attend Christian Union's first annual Washington, DC reception. This reception included a meet and greet for attendees to connect with other Christian Union alumni and friends of the ministry. It also hosted Carrie Sheffield, a nationally renowned columnist and broadcaster, as the guest speaker to share an overview of her recently published memoir, Motorhome Prophecies. Sheffield, a Harvard alumna and member of Christian Union America, will be serving in an advisory role for the Christian Union Washington, DC Board of Advisors.
Carrie Sheffield sharing at Christian Union's Washington, DC Reception
Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Deonarain, Harvard Class of 2023
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
"Something holy was there," said Sarah Deonarain about her first visit to Christian Union's Leadership Lecture Series at Harvard called Doxa. "Peaceful, genuine communities coming together to worship God in the middle of campus created a beautiful space… something I had not experienced before." Deonarain grew very attached to this space over her undergraduate career at Harvard.
Her journey to how she got to Christian Union testifies to the fact that God provides us with the people, places, and things we need to grow close to Him if we are willing to see and say "yes." Deonarain admits at first she didn't, saying "no" several times to an invitation to come and experience Christian community. Like many students, she admitted to being swept up in the busyness of the culture, but when change was needed, she said yes to a persistent and faith-filled friend who warmly invited her time and time again.
Devotional from Christian Union America's National Fast, August 2024
by christian union america
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’" - Matthew 25:31-36
Final judgment might not be a popular topic for sermons or devotions in our time, and many churches likely wouldn’t dare preach a fiery sermon similar to Jonathan Edwards’ famous “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” today. Yet, it is crucial for every believer to understand. In this passage, Jesus paints a clear picture of what will happen when He returns, clarifying what He previously taught the disciples through parables.
But God's Remnant Stands Firm, Deeply Rooted in His Promises
by sadie sasser, ministry fellow at christian union gloria at harvard
The heart of Harvard’s undergraduate campus is called Harvard Yard. Many of the academic lecture halls are situated here, as well as all the first-year student dorms. Here, the towering trees hide the ground from sunlight and old brick buildings reflect the campus's age. And, of course, the entire yard is enclosed by red brick walls.
Intellectual Freedom Under Attack at American Educational Institutions
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
On September 16th, 2024, Dartmouth College aligned its written policies of free speech with First Amendment principles. Consequently, Dartmouth officially reclaimed the overall “green light” speech code rating from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
According to a recent article published by FIRE, Dartmouth is the only green light school in the Ivy League, one of four in New Hampshire, and one of 68 nationwide. FIRE awards green light ratings to institutions with no written policies that seriously imperil student free speech rights.
“Say something controversial at most elite colleges and you’re liable to get shouted down, canceled, reported, and disciplined,” said FIRE Director of Policy Reform Laura Beltz. “But Dartmouth has shown it aims to foster a better environment for free speech through adopting these policies and encouraging dialogue across difference.”
One Student Ministry's Unstoppable Heart to See God Transform Lives
by Erin conner, writer & communications associate
It's not easy or convenient to plan a weekend away. It is much easier to choose not to disrupt the pattern of life and to stay within the confines of routine. Disruption is not easy for anyone, but it is especially difficult for Ivy League students. Their rigorous academic schedules are full of the demands and pressures of achievement at the highest level, so stepping away from it all during the school year is nothing short of revolutionary.
Stepping away to retreat with the Lord and with each other is a beautiful gateway into the freedom Christ came to give--freedom, in part, from the weight of the standards, values, and identity placed upon us by the world. The students of Christian Union are learning to live in this kind of freedom, and, as a result, they are sharing it with others.
Greetings from New Haven!
This month, Christian Union Lux students and leaders are working around the clock to welcome freshmen to our campus and to our ministry! We recently hosted a pre-retreat to plan all the events and details of this month-long campaign and to grow in the Lord!
Greetings from Providence!
We are in the middle of working around the clock on our month-long freshman welcoming events, but wanted to share prayer requests and some news.
Last week, Christian Union Libertas students met on campus before convocation to pray for the 2028 class and give out Del's lemonade. Students at Brown only pass through the Van Wickle gates two times: at convocation and graduation, while the church bells from First Baptist Church are ringing. We were blessed to be there meeting many familiar and new faces!
Greetings from Ithaca!
We are off to an amazing start for the year here at Christian Union Vita! Cornell’s campus is buzzing once more as students fill the streets, hills, and slopes of this beautiful campus, and we have already been hard at work ministering to the thousands of students who are here.
“He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!'” -Rev. 21:5a
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.” -Eph. 3:20-21
What a blessing it is to work for a God who is infinitely creative! He gives us the comfort of routine, but gives us unending variety and newness within it. As we begin this next year, looking forward with profoundly high hopes, I am filled with excitement at the idea that God can do even more than anything I could come up with.
Greetings from Princeton!
This month, Christian Union Nova students and leaders are working around the clock to welcome freshmen to our campus and to our ministry! We recently hosted a pre-retreat to plan all the events and details of this month-long campaign and to grow in the Lord!
Greetings from Stanford!
On September 17, over 1,700 freshmen will begin their Stanford career. For many of them, it will be the most significant transition thus far in their lives. Please join us in praying that the body of Christ at Stanford will make a loving impact on every single one of these freshmen in the weeks and months to come!
Greetings from New York City!
We are off and running for the semester here at Christian Union Lumine. Columbia University's campus has come to life and the surrounding streets are buzzing with activity as usual. We have the opportunity to share the gospel with over 9,761 students, which includes a freshman class of 1,500.
Christian Union New York is a hive of activity, as young professionals who graduated this spring have officially moved to New York City to start their new careers.
Regular dinners are happening at Christian Union New York to gather rising Christian leaders for encouragement and spiritual strengthening. We are enjoying meeting new brothers- and sisters-in-Christ for the first time, finding profound things in common that serve to unite us far greater than anything the world can offer.
Greetings from Harvard Law School!
If you’ve ever visited Harvard, any time during the year, you can go on a guided tour of the campus led at times by current students. One of the stops on the tour is the famous “John Harvard” statue in Harvard Yard. The question is then asked if anyone knows the “3 LIES” of the John Harvard statue with the inscription of “Founder” and the date 1638. This was highlighted in a well known scene in the film, The Social Network, when some men were being tested on this very question in the dead of winter. The three lies that they are referring to are these:
Greetings from Cambridge!
September always brings with it a frenetic energy, especially around Harvard Square. Students return in the late weeks of August to reconnect with one another and begin to welcome the new class. Labor Day Weekend is packed with events that lead into the start of a new academic year and a new semester. We at CU Gloria are always so excited and expectant at this time of year, with the many hours spent planning to welcome students back over the summer converting back into the fast-paced schedule of the semester. We believe that God wants to move at Harvard among our students this year, and we are setting ourselves as watchmen to guard and await His move!
Greetings from Penn! We've been working around the clock to welcome freshmen to Penn and to find a strong, loving Christian community at Christian Union Martus! One outreach event we recently held was a trip to Citizens Bank Park to see a Phillies game. We had a blast!
