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It’s hard to believe that the fall semester is already coming to a close! In just a few short weeks, and after many coffee-fueled late night study sessions (who among us doesn’t procrastinate?), our students will submit their final papers and take their last exams before heading home. We’re all looking forward to a little rest after a busy season, but it’s so bittersweet. We’ve been blessed beyond measure by a truly wonderful group of young women and men who so eagerly seek the Lord! They’ve poured their heart into one another and into spreading the love of Christ across campus. In a few days, we’ll be putting up a Christmas tree in the Judson Center and celebrating Christmas together before saying many sad goodbyes as they leave campus.
Slowing Down to Acknowledge "Endarkenment"
The Christmas season is upon us which means shoppers are shopping, homes are being decorated, city streets are filled with Christmas trees and garland, and a festive air seems to sparkle around us. But this kind of Christmas season stands in stark opposition to the Church’s season of advent. Advent is decidedly not about shopping and decorating. It is about waiting, watching, and hoping in the darkness of our world. And perhaps, that is the timbre of the season that we need most.
The True Path to Freedom
The great promise of modern life is that you can be whatever you want to be. The world is your oyster. Your options are limitless. You can go out and make whatever you want of yourself and your life. The freedom to create your identity pulses through our culture shaping our politics, discipling our young people, and redefining the boundaries of humanity.
Columbia and Penn Alumni Discuss Films
By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer
Alumni from Columbia and Penn gathered in person and virtually to discuss religious themes in film. Spearheaded by Columbia alumnus Stephen Cone ’20, who was a Film and Media Studies major, the alumni recently gathered at the CU Lumine Ministry Center on the day of the Columbia vs. Penn football game for the discussion entitled, “Where Is God in the Movies?”
In-Person Ministry Returns
By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor
A core group of emerging student leaders and alumni who have returned to the area have helped Christian Union Vox reach incoming freshmen and launch into the new academic year with vitality.
"That None Would Perish"
By Christopher N. White, Evangelist
As Jesus makes abundantly clear, the heart of God is never satisfied while even one soul is still lost, wandering in the darkness of sin:
Seeking God
On November 16, 2021, Christian Union Founder and President, Matt Bennett gathered virtually with Christian Union’s Cornerstone Partners from around the country to pray for America’s rescue and revival, and that the God-given mission of Christian Union would be accomplished. The evening was organized by leadership from all three branches of Christian Union’s ministry.
A New Realm of Social Media
When Facebook debuted in 2004 from a dorm room at Harvard, the world didn’t have any idea what the social media platform might become. Social media itself was still in its infancy, relegated to corners of the internet and certain affinity groups. But today, Facebook is preparing to enter an entirely new realm of its social media dominion—it’s called the metaverse.
Our Complicated Relationship with Eating and Drinking
As the holiday season approaches, most people begin to anticipate the culinary experience of feasting. Thanksgiving turkeys or Christmas hams, pies and frosted cookies, sparkling ciders, and holiday cocktails—they’re all part of our tradition of feasting with those we love during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
CU Lumine Introduces Student Leaders Via Social Media
By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor
Prior to hosting its Freshman Welcoming Campaign this fall, CU Lumine embarked on a social media campaign that introduced first-year students to the ministry and gave them practical wisdom and biblical insight before they even arrived on campus.
CU Gloria Reaches Out to Freshmen, Returning Students
By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer
It’s easy to recall March of 2020. The growing alarm about the COVID-19 pandemic, cases emerging in various parts of the country, the uncertainty of what might happen, the beginning of lockdowns, working from home, and some hospitals overflowing with patients. It was a traumatic time for everyone and the beginning of what would be many losses for individuals, families, businesses, and our nation.
CBN Airs Segment on CU’s New York Conferences
By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor
In August, the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) highlighted some of the supernatural healings and manifestations that have happened at Christian Union’s Gospel of the Kingdom Conferences in New York City. Karen Hetzler, Assistant Ministry Director of Christian Union New York, was a guest on the CBN News Prayer Link program with hosts Wendy Griffith and Charlene Aaron.
Greetings from Providence!
It’s hard to believe that it’s already November. We continue to give thanks to the Lord for the new faces that joined our ministry since the start of the semester, and we are so thankful that we’ve been able to meet in-person for Bible courses and discipleship meetings. The students are craving the warmth and assurance of personal interaction, and thanks to your financial support, we’ve been able to host family dinners and praise nights at the Judson Center. These community-wide events have proven to be so beneficial in providing students spiritual and emotional support as they re-adjust to life on campus following the turmoil of the last 18 months.
Lotspeich, a Former Marine, Is Hungry for Revival
By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer
Christian Union’s new ministry director at Penn wants to change the world. Though many would scoff at such ambitions, former Marine Cory Lotspeich recognizes the immense potential of developing leaders at an institution like the University of Pennsylvania.
Greetings from Palo Alto!
Students’ initial excitement of being back on campus at Stanford (after a long time away!) is waning, and midterm season has been going strong for multiple weeks now. Students are in need of refreshment from the Lord! I suppose we all are, all the time.
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.
Every community of Christians is called to pursue humility. In our study of Paul’s letter to the Philippians this semester, students at CU Lux learned that early Christians incorporated a hymn about Christ’s humility in their worship (Phil. 2:5-11). The hymn celebrates Christ’s life of selflessness, from his divine preexistence to his undeserved death and exaltation. The one who enjoyed equality with God emptied himself. Instead of clinging to the advantages of that equality, Christ set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, becoming human. He lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death—a crucifixion.
Christian Union Multi-Site Event Stirs, Strengthens Believers
By Dr. Chuck HetZler, Director of CU Day and Night
Christian Union Day and Night hosted its first-ever, multi-site version of CU Fire on Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9.
We praise God for partners like you in supporting the work He is doing through Christian Union Lumine at Columbia. The students have reached the halfway point of the semester and are finishing up their midterms. It’s truly hard to believe how fast this semester is going!
