Laboring hard at Yale has defined much of what has been happening since we last wrote to you.
We give thanks for our wonderful time at Pre-Retreat, which was held during the last weekend of August. From then on, our student leaders and freshmen gathering team have worked tirelessly to welcome the class of 2026!
We are so encouraged by what God is doing through our freshmen outreach efforts this fall and by the way that our leaders are seeking the Lord and helping shepherd the incoming class by teaching them the Word of God, praying with them, and welcoming them to Cornell in practical ways.
I recently sat down over coffee with a freshman who’s asking tough questions and questioning his faith. He wants to know if Christianity is different than any other world religion. Over another lunch this week, I had the opportunity to share the gospel with a different freshman. This student is struggling with LGBTQ issues and wants to know where he stands with God. Another new student is looking for a community to help him grow in Christ, yet another is seeking accountability and hopes to build his worldview around biblical principles.
Connect with Like-Minded Alumni from your School
CU Society is a collection of Christian alumni and spouses from Christian Union’s targeted universities and Cornerstone Partners of these ministries. CU Society connects these Christian leaders with a heart for Christian strengthening and societal impact through a mentoring program, alumni boards, university events during reunions and homecomings, and forthcoming CU Connect Groups.How to Get Involved
All Christian alumni and spouses from Christian Union’s targeted universities and Cornerstone Partners of those ministries are considered part of CU Society, having access to the benefits of the community.Alumni Boards and University Events
To learn more about CU Society’s alumni boards and university events (e.g., reunions and homecoming), contact Andy Woodard via e-mail: andy.woodard@christianunion.org.Mentoring Program
Leaving the university context upon graduation can be a tumultuous time for Christians. In the university setting, many students involved with Christian Union saw the ministry, along with their local church, as a home away from home, and a family with whom they grew in faith and sought God together. Upon graduation, Christian Union graduates are in a precarious situation of needing to find a new faith family in the form of a local church. Secular workplaces and graduate school environments can also challenge graduates. During this transition, alumni lose their regular connection to a significant source of spiritual encouragement and leadership. For this reason, Christian Union believes it is vital to come alongside recent graduates and support them in this key transition season.This is where the CU Society mentoring program comes into play. The vision for the mentoring program is that every Christian Union graduate who wants to have an older alumnus or valued friend of the ministry come alongside them during this transition season can do so. Mentorship relationships focus on spiritual and professional capacities. Each pair is introduced around the time of graduation. Mentors take the lead and set up regular online or in-person connection times for at least the next ten months. The pair works together to help the mentee achieve specific goals that set them up well for a faithful future. These include attending church regularly, making local Christian friends, committing to stewardship, participating in times of fasting and seeking God, and setting and meeting spiritual and professional goals. Both mentees and mentors say that their lives are better and their faith is encouraged because of these relationships.
If you want to learn more about involvement with the mentoring program, you can contact Christine Foster.
Connect Groups
Launched in the fall of 2022, CU Society members can lead, form, and join online connecting groups with other members. These groups will include sponsored groups and interest groups.Groups sponsored by Christian Union will curate specialized content to develop and connect Christian leaders in areas of spiritual growth, intersection of faith and work, intellectual questions related to the faith, exploration of supernatural elements, and more. Christian Union sponsored groups will be led by CU leadership and well-known Christian experts in various fields and run for a specified time throughout the year.
Member-initiated interest groups can be formed with a general or limited audience, such as university-specific or location-centric. They can center around any topic that does not conflict with CU’s Statement of Faith and Ethics. Interest groups may range from devotional groups to film-making groups to Christian entrepreneurs groups to mothers of CU Universities students. The possibilities of interest groups are almost endless and can last for as long as the group leader(s) chooses. CU Connect Groups will be an incredible blessing to expand and deepen a network Christian leaders across the nation.
An Opportunity to Seek the Lord...Together
Christian Union America hosts regular national fasts ranging from week-long to 40-day fasts with the intention of both deepening our own relationship with the Lord and interceding for our nation to return to Him. Fasting is an essential part of Christian life. It is modeled for us throughout the Scriptures and has a unique capacity to draw us closer to the Lord through humble dependence upon Him.Each signed-up participant receives a daily Bible-based devotional by email during the fasting period.
Each participant decides how to abstain from food and/or drink during the fast. The Bible provides different examples of fasting, from eating only one meal per day to forgoing all foods for multiple days in a row. Only rarely and in very exceptional circumstances does someone abstain from both food and drink. Ask God how you should fast, and please consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about fasting. If you have never fasted for days in a row, then join for as long as you can. The most important part of fasting is the humbling of our hearts to seek after God.
Learn more about the next fast and how you can join other Christians to seek God through fasting and prayer here.
More on Fasting:
The Life-Changing Power of Fasting
Christian Union Introduced Me to Fasting
Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross
Experience God Like Never Before
A CU Fire Retreat is a 1.5-day nationwide simulcast retreat. Experience spiritual rejuvenation and encouragement with your friends or any other Christian community. This can all happen at your church or from the comfort of your own home with your friends.
Watch this 3.5-minute video to witness the power of a CU Fire Retreat:
The Next CU Fire Retreat
America Returning to God
October 4-5, 2024
Learn more at CUFire.org or click the button below to register.
Register Now!
Why CU Fire Retreats?
CU Fire Retreats were created to help believers experience God more deeply and fully. If you long for a closer relationship with the God who loves you, a CU Fire Retreat might be a tremendous next step. Taking more time to seek the Lord and draw close to Him will dramatically impact your closeness to God.
While we can all seek God in our own time, doing so with friends and people you want to get to know helps deepen the bonding and creates powerful camaraderie.
Christian Union founder and president, Matt Bennett, said, "Focused times of drawing near to God have an incredibly positive impact on Christians. Such times provide powerful spiritual strengthening and renewed vision. You can view Matt Bennett’s bio here and an interview with Matt by CBN here (5:21).
As more and more Christians take time to seek God and grow stronger in Him, God draws near to us with His increased power and presence in our churches, communities, and nation. Many are frustrated with the spiritual decline in their communities and the nation, and seeking the Lord is the answer.
As believers grow strong in the Lord, their vibrant faith will bring a supernatural change.
Visit CUFire.org to learn more or to sign up for a CU Fire Retreat today.
Fire Retreat Speakers
The speaker lineup for the October 2024 Fire Retreat is as follows:Matt Bennett
Topic: "Repenting of Worshiping Other Gods"
Matt Bennett is the Founder and President of Christian Union, a Christian leadership development organization with the mission to bring sweeping spiritual and cultural transformation to our nation and the world by developing and networking Christian leaders to make an impact for Christ. Christian Union focuses on America's most influential universities and professionals in the nation's key cities.
A native of Houston, Texas, Matt earned a BS and MBA degree from Cornell University and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He worked for Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) at Princeton University for 12 years and developed the ministry into one of the largest in the history of the Ivy League. In 2002, he founded Christian Union. The ministry has been featured in The New York Times, PBS, NPR, Christianity Today, and World Magazine. Matt currently resides in New York City.
Dimas Salaberrios
Topic: "Power of Prayer in Reviving God's People"
In addition to being a NY pastor and the Ministry Associate for CU New York, he 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”! Pastor Dimas 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. Dimas 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/
Andy Woodard
Topic: "Cultivating a Lifestyle of Seeking God Wholeheartedly"
Andy is the Executive Director of Christian Union New York.
CU Fire Retreat Schedule
(Subject to Change)Friday Evening :: 6-9pm Local Time
| Welcome and Orientation |
| Start / Group Sharing or Testimonies |
| Zoom Message (Streamed) |
| Group Prayer / Response to Message |
Saturday :: 8am - 8pm Local Time
Saturday Morning
| Arrival / Prayers of Adoration and Praise |
| Bible Reading |
| Zoom Worship and Message |
| Live Q&A |
Saturday Afternoon
| Group Discussion (Response to Message) |
| Bible Reading followed by Group Discussion: What is God Like? |
| Group (Streamed) Worship + Video followed by Group Discussion |
| Prayer |
Saturday Evening
| Meal |
| Zoom Message |
| Group Discussion (Response to Message) |
| Group Wrap Up (Testimonies, Discussion, and Prayer) |
Perspectives:
“CU Fire was amazing. The way I was able to meet with God and connect to others has broken some chains off of my heart!! The experience was invaluable.”
– Kimberly
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
– Hebrews 10:24
My first experience as a participant of a CU fire retreat connected me with like minded believers seeking the Lord for revival. Our time praying together and seeking God in the scriptures was powerful. When given the opportunity to host during the next CU fire retreat I was all in.
– Guy
The Next Christian Union Bible Study
Christian Union is pleased to announce, as a f0llow up to its three-volume series on the book of Psalms, a new study that will be published in 2024, on the book of Job.
New information will be published here as the publication date nears.
. . .
Learn more about the Psalms studies (shown below), or order them today >
A Series on the Psalms, Available Now!
Christian Union's Bible Study Series on the Psalms will empower you to dive into this wonderful book as never before.These guides are more exegetically focused and academic than devotional books, yet more accessible and application-oriented than commentaries. Proven on the campuses of the nation’s most academically intense and influential universities, CU Bible studies provide a deep understanding of biblical texts through explanations about translations, historical background, literary genres, and the meanings of Hebrew and Greek words.
They draw from the best biblical scholarship available, presenting it in an accessible and concise format. This three-volume series is perfect for people who want to grow in their faith through in-depth studies of Scripture that supplement their regular Bible reading. Bible studies are typically ten lessons, helping you dive deeply into the Scriptures on your own or in a group context.
Buy the first of the three studies, Psalms 1-41, from Amazon.com >
Buy the second in the series, Psalms 42-89 from Amazon.com >
Buy the third in the series, Psalms 90-150 from Amazon.com >
ALSO, DON'T MISS
Coming in late 2024: A new Bible study from Christian Union, on the Book of Job!
Spiritual Strengthening for Christians
CU America is Christian Union’s ministry to adults across the nation. The values of Christian Union shape and direct the particular offerings that CU America currently provides and is planning for the future. Christian Union develops leaders for the promotion of national revival and reformation.
When CU began in 2002, its first strategic program started at Princeton University and quickly spread to other academically intense, influential undergraduate and graduate schools. Even though CU Universities led the way for the organization, the overall mission of the ministry has always been to influence the entire nation directly.
Find out about CU America’s Fire Retreats, National Fasts, Cities ministry, Resources, and Alumni ministry to see which ones may strengthen and connect you with other like-minded Christians until the Lord’s ways mark every corner of society.
DONATE TO CU AMERICA
Thank you for your faithful, seasoned prayers for the work of God through Christian Union New York! The purpose of our prayers may be best summarized by Elisabeth Elliot: “Prayer lays hold of God’s plan and becomes the link between his will and its accomplishment on earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit’s prayer.”
In this confidence, Christian Union NY asks you to please pray that His will may be done right here in NYC, as we all expectantly hope for amazing things to continue happening in the lives of leaders who are on fire for Christ!
“The guys have been missing getting together...”
Those words were spoken by one of the football players after meeting up for a one-on-one in the summer describing our Bible course group from the spring. The students will be wrapping up summer classes or internships and heading home for a few weeks before the fall semester. On behalf of all the students who are a part of CU Lumine, thank you for your continued support and prayers for this ministry. We could not have done this past year without you. Your faithful prayers and financial giving have truly made an impact on the lives of students at Columbia University.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. — Hebrews 1:14
Christian Union had an amazing faculty and staff conference during the first week of August. Thank you for praying for us! For five days straight we spent almost all day reading Scripture, hearing Bible teaching, fasting (except for dinners!), praying, listening to God, confessing and repenting of sin, sharing testimonies, getting to know one another, worshiping God, and more—both together and alone. Not surprisingly, it was an incredible time! For me at least, each day got better and better. God drew near to us as we drew near to Him, praise His Name (James 4:8)! What an incredible God we serve, who dwells “in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15).
Greetings from Penn!
I am still pushing toward our summer goals of building the support base for CU Martus and CU Fire Retreats. Thankfully, the Lord is blessing those efforts and showing his faithfulness. The summer has also been a great time to seek the Lord, make new connections for the ministry, and write a “game plan” for the upcoming semester.
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)
Jesus gave us his recipe for producing fruit. In John 15, he said, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” We will remember summer 2022 as a season in which we abided in Him with the expectation of bearing much fruit. For Jesus also told us, “If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7).
October CU Fire Retreat
Brief bios of the October 2024 CU Fire Retreat speakers:Matt Bennett
Matt is the founder and CEO of Christian Union, a Christian leadership development organization with the mission to bring sweeping spiritual and cultural transformation to our nation and the world by developing and networking Christian leaders to make an impact for Christ. Christian Union focuses its activity on America's most influential universities and professionals in the nation's key cities.
A native of Houston, Texas, Matt earned a BS and MBA degree from Cornell University and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He worked for Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) at Princeton University for 12 years, and developed the ministry into one of the largest in the history of the Ivy League. In 2002, he founded Christian Union. The ministry has been featured in The New York Times, PBS, NPR, Christianity Today, and World Magazine.
Matt currently resides in New York City.
. . .
Dimas Salaberrios
In addition to being a NY pastor and the Ministry Associate for CU New York, he 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”! Pastor Dimas 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. Dimas 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/
. . .
Third Speaker: TBD
Greetings from Christian Union Lumine!
Students are presently back home, in summer internships, or taking classes, but I have the privilege of connecting with a few students who are still in the NYC area or on campus.
As a ministry, we will be spending the bulk of time this summer planning for our Pre-Retreat. Pre-Retreat is a time for our Freshman Welcomers and Ministry Leaders to get away, reconnect with God, rekindle friendships, and plan our freshmen welcoming events for incoming freshmen.
We hope you are having a wonderful summer. Our students are enjoying all kinds of experiences all over the world during their summer break and it is a joy to know that they are shining the light of Christ and the glory of God wherever they are.
Greetings from Cambridge,
I remember my first experience at pre-retreat in our first month on the job in the Fall of 2017. I was blown away as I witnessed dozens of Harvard students worshiping Jesus passionately and praying with an intensity I had rarely seen. I knew immediately this was a special community and that God was doing something spectacular here. I am grateful as I reflect on how the Lord has continued to sustain this love and zeal and spiritual fervor among the CU Gloria students.
