February 3, 2023
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
I’m Dr. Marcus Buckley, and as the new CU Vita Ministry Director, I first want to say thank you for your support of the great work God is doing on campus here at Cornell University. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this effort for the Kingdom, and I’m grateful that God has opened this door of opportunity. I have served as lead pastor for nearly 29 years, and I am truly excited for this new journey that the Lord has for my family and me. My wife, Lea Ann, is also on the CU Vita staff as the Administration/Ministry Associate, and we are genuinely excited to be here in Ithaca.
I’m Dr. Marcus Buckley, and as the new CU Vita Ministry Director, I first want to say thank you for your support of the great work God is doing on campus here at Cornell University. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this effort for the Kingdom, and I’m grateful that God has opened this door of opportunity. I have served as lead pastor for nearly 29 years, and I am truly excited for this new journey that the Lord has for my family and me. My wife, Lea Ann, is also on the CU Vita staff as the Administration/Ministry Associate, and we are genuinely excited to be here in Ithaca.
February 3, 2023
Dear CU Vox Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Greetings from CU Vox! As I watch the snow fall and praise God for his beautiful creation, I am reminded of Revelation 21:5, which says that “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” In this spirit, our prayer request is simple: for divine newness and renewal as we finish the winter term, endure the finals, and look toward the spring.
Greetings from CU Vox! As I watch the snow fall and praise God for his beautiful creation, I am reminded of Revelation 21:5, which says that “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” In this spirit, our prayer request is simple: for divine newness and renewal as we finish the winter term, endure the finals, and look toward the spring.
February 3, 2023
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Sad will be the day for every man when he becomes absolutely contented with the life that he is living, with the thoughts that he is thinking, with the deeds that he is doing, when there is not forever beating at the doors of his soul some great desire to do something larger, which he knows that he was meant and made to do because he is the child of God. - Phillips Brooks, Class of 1855, Harvard Overseer and Preacher
Sad will be the day for every man when he becomes absolutely contented with the life that he is living, with the thoughts that he is thinking, with the deeds that he is doing, when there is not forever beating at the doors of his soul some great desire to do something larger, which he knows that he was meant and made to do because he is the child of God. - Phillips Brooks, Class of 1855, Harvard Overseer and Preacher
February 3, 2023
Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Greetings in Christ from CU Martus!
As stated in the previous letter, we conducted our winter retreat. I’m pleased to say that we had 40 students that attended a retreat where we discussed the Holy Spirit and the gospel. This was a time for students to live out our third goal of being steeped in Scripture and exercise the model we see in Acts 17:11 of examining the scriptures to investigate what was being discussed at the winter retreat. Students came away being challenged in their faith, spurred on to evaluate Scripture further, and also building life-long bonds with one another.
Greetings in Christ from CU Martus!
As stated in the previous letter, we conducted our winter retreat. I’m pleased to say that we had 40 students that attended a retreat where we discussed the Holy Spirit and the gospel. This was a time for students to live out our third goal of being steeped in Scripture and exercise the model we see in Acts 17:11 of examining the scriptures to investigate what was being discussed at the winter retreat. Students came away being challenged in their faith, spurred on to evaluate Scripture further, and also building life-long bonds with one another.
January 16, 2023
Dear CU Lumine Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
On behalf of all the staff and students at Christian Union Lumine, let me wish you a Happy New Year. We pray you had a restful holiday season.
By the grace of God we were able to have a vibrant, impactful Fall 2022 semester.
On behalf of all the staff and students at Christian Union Lumine, let me wish you a Happy New Year. We pray you had a restful holiday season.
By the grace of God we were able to have a vibrant, impactful Fall 2022 semester.
January 16, 2023
Dear CU Nova Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
It's been quite a year.
As 2023 begins, let's take a moment to look back to see how far we've come and all that God’s accomplished. As we reflect on all that has happened in the past twelve months, it's important to take stock of where we are and where we're going. God has built on our strong foundation to position ourselves for even more success in the years to come. Here's what God has accomplished in the fall semester.
It's been quite a year.
As 2023 begins, let's take a moment to look back to see how far we've come and all that God’s accomplished. As we reflect on all that has happened in the past twelve months, it's important to take stock of where we are and where we're going. God has built on our strong foundation to position ourselves for even more success in the years to come. Here's what God has accomplished in the fall semester.
- More than 2,000 hours of student prayer.
January 16, 2023
Dear Cornerstone Partners and friends of CU Lux,
Greetings from the campus of Yale!
Spring Semester is beginning and although you are not on campus with us, God has you in just the right place He needs you—in prayer for the work of the Kingdom at Yale. Please join us in prayer for four major events this semester: winter retreat, Bible courses, outreach, and campus-wide prayer.
Greetings from the campus of Yale!
Spring Semester is beginning and although you are not on campus with us, God has you in just the right place He needs you—in prayer for the work of the Kingdom at Yale. Please join us in prayer for four major events this semester: winter retreat, Bible courses, outreach, and campus-wide prayer.
January 12, 2023
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
We are just two weeks away from the start of the spring semester at Cornell, and we are looking forward to all that our faithful Savior is going to do through our students in Ithaca in this new year. I was so encouraged by a recent conversation with one of our students, a member of the Cornell wrestling team. After battling back from a serious injury last year, he recently began wrestling again with great success, only to injure himself again a couple of weeks ago. And this injury could end his wrestling career. But even in the face of this disappointment, his faith is strong, trusting in God’s plan and providence. As we talked together over lunch, we rejoiced in the goodness of God and the amazing gift of eternal life through Christ, which put everything in perspective. Seeing the faith of this student in the midst of trials and challenges reminded me that God is surely with us and He is faithful to preserve and sanctify His people at Cornell.
We are just two weeks away from the start of the spring semester at Cornell, and we are looking forward to all that our faithful Savior is going to do through our students in Ithaca in this new year. I was so encouraged by a recent conversation with one of our students, a member of the Cornell wrestling team. After battling back from a serious injury last year, he recently began wrestling again with great success, only to injure himself again a couple of weeks ago. And this injury could end his wrestling career. But even in the face of this disappointment, his faith is strong, trusting in God’s plan and providence. As we talked together over lunch, we rejoiced in the goodness of God and the amazing gift of eternal life through Christ, which put everything in perspective. Seeing the faith of this student in the midst of trials and challenges reminded me that God is surely with us and He is faithful to preserve and sanctify His people at Cornell.
January 12, 2023
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. — Hebrews 12:28,29
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. — Hebrews 12:28,29
January 12, 2023
Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Greetings from Penn!
Hope this finds you well!
As we look to the year ahead we have a few exciting things on the horizon, particularly our winter retreat, Bible courses, and prayer workshops.
Greetings from Penn!
Hope this finds you well!
As we look to the year ahead we have a few exciting things on the horizon, particularly our winter retreat, Bible courses, and prayer workshops.
October 31, 2022
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Thank you for your partnership and prayers! We have been so encouraged by the ways that our students have been seeking the Lord this semester. There are now five different prayer meetings going on throughout the week with 35-40 students in attendance each week. There are four student-led meetings and one meeting that I lead on Monday mornings focused on revival and renewal at Cornell. At this prayer meeting, several prominent male student leaders from across different campus ministries gather together with me to pray for the week ahead, for every campus ministry, the leaders, upcoming meetings, the local churches and pastors, and for God to pour out His Spirit at Cornell for the awakening and salvation of many souls.
Thank you for your partnership and prayers! We have been so encouraged by the ways that our students have been seeking the Lord this semester. There are now five different prayer meetings going on throughout the week with 35-40 students in attendance each week. There are four student-led meetings and one meeting that I lead on Monday mornings focused on revival and renewal at Cornell. At this prayer meeting, several prominent male student leaders from across different campus ministries gather together with me to pray for the week ahead, for every campus ministry, the leaders, upcoming meetings, the local churches and pastors, and for God to pour out His Spirit at Cornell for the awakening and salvation of many souls.
October 31, 2022
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. — Hebrews 10:19-22
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. — Hebrews 10:19-22
October 31, 2022
Dear CU Nova Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
In Malachi 3:10, the Lord says, “Test me in this . . . and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it!”
In Malachi 3:10, the Lord says, “Test me in this . . . and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it!”
October 31, 2022
Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Greetings from Penn! Hope this finds you well.
I’m excited to say that we have 13 Bible courses running. Students are finding community, digging into the scriptures, and growing in their faith. I’ve also talked with several freshmen that are enjoying and being encouraged and challenged in their Bible courses. Many of them are also enjoying the relational bonds within their Bible course.
Greetings from Penn! Hope this finds you well.
I’m excited to say that we have 13 Bible courses running. Students are finding community, digging into the scriptures, and growing in their faith. I’ve also talked with several freshmen that are enjoying and being encouraged and challenged in their Bible courses. Many of them are also enjoying the relational bonds within their Bible course.
October 31, 2022
Dear Cornerstone Partners and friends of CU Lux,
We have much to thank God for since we last wrote to you. Our family has grown!
When we hear our beloved freshmen say that the “CU Lux community feels like it is a home away from home,” our hearts are warmed.
What does home at CU Lux look like?
We have much to thank God for since we last wrote to you. Our family has grown!
When we hear our beloved freshmen say that the “CU Lux community feels like it is a home away from home,” our hearts are warmed.
What does home at CU Lux look like?
October 1, 2022
Dear CU New York Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
As Christians in New York City, we cannot stand idly by as we watch the perils of our nation and of our American churches:
- Departure from the Word and presence of God
- Fatherlessness and broken families
- Celebration of distorted gender and sexual ideologies
- Rebellion against God and authority
- Division and hatred
- Widespread deception, corruption, and confusion
- Lack of repentance and holiness
- Idols of self and materials
R. C. Sproul commented: “In every generation, including our own, the same perils to the spiritual strength that Jesus rebuked in the seven churches of Revelation threaten us anew…There were rebukes and encouragements given to these churches by our Lord that every church in every age must take seriously, examining ourselves to make sure that we are not manifesting the same departures from biblical truths that these churches were. We must be vigilant and diligent if we are to maintain a godly witness in our day.”
In order to stay vigilant and to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), Christian Union developed a 24 Hour prayer chain as a practical means to join together as the body of Christ to pray for our nation and for our churches. As darkness increases, the Light must also increase!
Would you sign up for a 15 minute daily time to pray for our nation and our churches, so that there would be ceaseless prayer through the CU 24 Hour Prayer Chain?
September 22, 2022
As fall is around the corner, Christian Union New York remembers the biblical concept of the harvest season. In our modern American context, a literal season of harvest is of little significance to many of us. Yet all throughout Scripture, the Lord speaks to His people regarding the seasons of harvest, both literally and figuratively. Jesus frequently refers to the harvest of souls through His parables. In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus tells his disciples: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
In this wisdom, we come to you to ask for your prayers and support, to wrap around Christian Union New York as laborers of the harvest! On the cusp of fall, Christian Union New York is already seeing a plentiful harvest with abundant fruits from the ministry. In this past month, Christian Union NY has formed a CU Alumni Leadership team for the class of 2022 CU alumni who are planning gatherings and ministry opportunities for the 21 alumni of the CU class of 2022 in the city. Many of these alumni met for the first time at a meet and greet dinner in August and are excited for more opportunities to come.
September 16, 2022
Dear CU Lumine Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.” - Philippians 1:3
The familiar words above spoken by the Apostle Paul to the saints in Philippi ring true for my heart towards you as well. Your faithful support (financially and through prayers & encouragement) has made it possible to reach so many incoming freshmen this past month.
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.” - Philippians 1:3
The familiar words above spoken by the Apostle Paul to the saints in Philippi ring true for my heart towards you as well. Your faithful support (financially and through prayers & encouragement) has made it possible to reach so many incoming freshmen this past month.
September 16, 2022
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Since late August, CU Gloria upperclassmen and CU ministry faculty have been pouring themselves out to welcome first-years and their friends into the community. Picnics, a dorm drop, a scavenger hunt in Boston, and our weekly lecture series (pictured below)—not to mention countless caffeinated beverages consumed in one-on-one conversations in and around the Yard. Our collective efforts, thankfully, have led to a happy influx of people (and not just freshmen).
Since late August, CU Gloria upperclassmen and CU ministry faculty have been pouring themselves out to welcome first-years and their friends into the community. Picnics, a dorm drop, a scavenger hunt in Boston, and our weekly lecture series (pictured below)—not to mention countless caffeinated beverages consumed in one-on-one conversations in and around the Yard. Our collective efforts, thankfully, have led to a happy influx of people (and not just freshmen).
September 16, 2022
Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Greetings!
We are nearing the end of the Freshman Welcoming Campaign. I’m pleased to say that the Lord has been faithful in blessing the work of our hands as we reach out to students arriving on campus. We held events like a midnight pancakes gathering, a zoo trip, a late-night activities fair, a Phillies game, and a “Donuts for Dudes and Danishes for Dames” event to welcome new students to Penn’s campus and into CU Martus.
Greetings!
We are nearing the end of the Freshman Welcoming Campaign. I’m pleased to say that the Lord has been faithful in blessing the work of our hands as we reach out to students arriving on campus. We held events like a midnight pancakes gathering, a zoo trip, a late-night activities fair, a Phillies game, and a “Donuts for Dudes and Danishes for Dames” event to welcome new students to Penn’s campus and into CU Martus.
