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 Wharton 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
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.
April's Weekend Fire Retreat Greatly Impacts 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. 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."
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?”
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:
"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!
Thank you for your continued support for Christian Union Lumine here at Columbia University. We would be unable to reach the community of students here without you. During the month of March, the Lord has been really stirring the hearts of our students.
We have seen continued growth in our Monday night prayer meeting “Seek,” which we launched in February from an average of 5 students in attendance to an average of 15-20 each week. The meetings are being held in a classroom on campus and students walking by the classroom and hearing the a cappella worship and prayer have been stopping by.
Thank you as always for your support, as it is making a difference! March has been an absolutely incredible month for Christian Union Vita here on Cornell’s campus. The Lord has continued to move in extraordinary ways, and I’m so excited to share a few high points with you so you can celebrate with us!
First and foremost, we are praising the Lord for over a dozen students who have put their faith in Jesus this semester! This is an extraordinary blessing, and we are rejoicing in the salvations the Lord has allowed us to see and be a part of on campus. Your support helps to make this possible, so rejoice with us as a member of the team of workers who are a part of this harvest. Pray that God continues to draw more and more students to a saving knowledge of Him!
And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. - Jeremiah 3:15
It’s leadership transition time here within Christian Union Vox at Dartmouth! This April marks the beginning of the tenure of our new leadership team. The leaders of our Outreach, Socials, Worship, and Leadership Lecture Series teams, alongside the President and Vice President, have been giving their specific goals to reach the campus and build transformative Christian leaders. Now comes the fun part: with the training, resources, coaching and vision of CU, how can they maximize the impact of the gospel on the campus?
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Romans 5:1
Spring is a time of beauty and blooming, especially signifying new life as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday. Praise God for the good news of the gospel, that through faith and repentance, we can be reconciled and have peace with God!
Greetings from Princeton! God is on the move here in Christian Union Nova and I’m excited to share with you some of the amazing things that are happening!
On March 1st, we welcomed local pastor Ian Graham, who gave a powerful message on the parable of the prodigal son. Many came forward at the end for prayer, as it touched the hearts of students. I think this was just what they needed before their midterms week and spring break.
I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new ministry director of CU Caritas at Stanford. My name is Marcus Preciado, and I am elated to have joined this incredible team and community. It has been a wonderful experience to be on campus this past month, engaging and connecting with the CU students. Witnessing their love and devotion to Christ has been truly inspiring. I can already see the Lord's mighty hand moving within the ministry.
I have had the privilege of joining the students in prayer, devotionals, and fasting. I have especially enjoyed attending Venture, our Leadership Lecture Series. It is quite encouraging to see so many students committed to growing as Christian leaders, choosing to spend their Friday nights worshiping and seeking the Lord.
Greetings from Penn! I pray this finds you well.
We find ourselves in a time of student leadership training and preparing for the Freshman Welcoming Campaign next fall. We recently turned over all of our student leaders and are recognizing them for their time and service within Christian Union. Collectively, they gave hundreds of hours to serve our ministry and Penn’s campus. The team and I are grateful for their contributions to the ministry and pray that they will ultimately have a heavenly reward for their service unto the Lord and his saints.
Thank you for developing and connecting Christian leaders to transform culture at Yale for God's glory. We couldn't do it without you and your support!
We earnestly request your prayers for two of our upcoming large group events:
“The cost of salvation for us–nothing. The cost of faith–everything.”
This gospel truth dropped on our students this semester as we are studying through Genesis (which the students requested). For the past few weeks, we have been digging deep into and wrestling with the life of Abraham, from chapters 12-23. We have tracked the evolving relationship between Yahweh and Abraham, with a special focus on what we learn of who God is and what He is like. It gives us a very special view into the foundation of God’s redemptive narrative that ultimately helps us understand the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And when we really know the gospel–both cognitively and experientially– it transforms us, setting us free to become the image-bearers of our Creator.
My name is Andy Woodard, and I am delighted to introduce myself to you. I've been hired as the new executive director for CU New York effective Monday, March 25th, the year of our Lord 2024.
I'm excited to share with you three things that brought me to Christian Union: first, the strategic vision for investing in key leaders by encouraging them to seek the Lord with their whole hearts; second, my own personal benefit from the ministry of Christian Union and Matt Bennett. I received and observed the power of this ministry to transform lives firsthand. Third, the mission of Christian Union is to wholeheartedly seek the Lord to bring about a great awakening in New York City.
Christian Union Lux' Second Annual Worship and Prayer Event
By erin conner, writer and communication associate
Christian Union Lux is a spiritual force of light at Yale University by God's grace and power. A leader of this force is Reverend Jeffrey Walsh. Walsh is a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant with over 23 years of experience as a Military Police Soldier, Educator, and National Director of Police. He is also an ordained Christian minister with a lifetime of experience in pastoral ministry.
Walsh has served in various assignments and attachments worldwide with the U.S. Army National Guard Bureau, the 5th Special Forces Group, and the 169th Regional Training Institute. Jeffrey spent the last ten years in senior leadership positions. He has trained military leaders across North America in his former roles and Walsh's combat experience has earned him numerous service awards, including the Bronze Star Medal with Valor and four presidential unit awards. And for the last two years, Walsh has been training and ministering to students as the ministry director of Christian Union Lux at Yale. His passion for serving others stems from a personal journey of healing and transformation through the Spirit of God.
Understanding the Christian View of Fear
updated By Erin conner, writer and communications associate
This April 19-20th, Christians around the country are joining Christian Union America from the comfort of their own home for a weekend retreat to better understand the Christian view of fear: the fear of man and the fear of God.
In light of this upcoming event, Christian Union desires to encourage all Christians to seek the Lord wholeheartedly to find freedom from the destructive forces of the fear of man and to find their security in God alone. The following excerpt, originally published as part of a 2014 CU Fast, examines Jesus' words to his disciples about fearing man, as recorded in the Book of Matthew.
We Have Not Received a Spirit of Fear
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.
