September 2, 2021
Dear CU Lumine Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
What a year this has been so far, particularly for university students. Columbia University announced it will reopen for new students and returning students for the Fall 2021 semester. There are already signs of life on campus and in NYC as students are slowly coming back and moving on to campus.
What a year this has been so far, particularly for university students. Columbia University announced it will reopen for new students and returning students for the Fall 2021 semester. There are already signs of life on campus and in NYC as students are slowly coming back and moving on to campus.
September 2, 2021
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
I hope you will be encouraged to know that your prayers for us for the start of the year at Cornell have been answered! During the first week of the semester that started last week, we were able to meaningfully welcome and serve over 40 new Cornell students. Many of them are finding Christian community with CU Vita and showing sincere interest in joining our Bible courses that start this week.
I hope you will be encouraged to know that your prayers for us for the start of the year at Cornell have been answered! During the first week of the semester that started last week, we were able to meaningfully welcome and serve over 40 new Cornell students. Many of them are finding Christian community with CU Vita and showing sincere interest in joining our Bible courses that start this week.
September 2, 2021
Dear CU Vox Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
The end of summer in Hanover is bittersweet. The summer term is over and with it go the warm temperatures and slower pace of life, but it ushers in the return of the full student body and the arrival of the Class of 2025. The bustle of a full campus will soon be a reality again and it will be wonderful to all be in person after a year and a half of discontinuity. Preparations are underway for both a welcome back for the upperclassmen and a welcome to the 2025’s. I am immensely grateful for God’s care and provision for the students and for me over the past year. I am delighted to see what He has in store for the CU Vox community in this new academic year. As always there is much prayer needed and I would ask that you join with me in praying for:
The end of summer in Hanover is bittersweet. The summer term is over and with it go the warm temperatures and slower pace of life, but it ushers in the return of the full student body and the arrival of the Class of 2025. The bustle of a full campus will soon be a reality again and it will be wonderful to all be in person after a year and a half of discontinuity. Preparations are underway for both a welcome back for the upperclassmen and a welcome to the 2025’s. I am immensely grateful for God’s care and provision for the students and for me over the past year. I am delighted to see what He has in store for the CU Vox community in this new academic year. As always there is much prayer needed and I would ask that you join with me in praying for:
August 5, 2021
Dear CU Libertas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Thank you so much for your support and partnership with us in advancing the gospel here at Brown. This has been an incredibly difficult year for the students, but we are filled with joyful anticipation for the fall. We expect campus to be fully open, with minimal restrictions, and are eager to greet incoming freshmen with our welcoming campaign in September.
Thank you so much for your support and partnership with us in advancing the gospel here at Brown. This has been an incredibly difficult year for the students, but we are filled with joyful anticipation for the fall. We expect campus to be fully open, with minimal restrictions, and are eager to greet incoming freshmen with our welcoming campaign in September.
August 5, 2021
Dear CU Lumine Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
“This felt like I was back home.”
Those words were spoken by one of the football players after our CU Lumine Grilling/BBQ event at the ministry center on the last Sunday of July. We had over 30 students gather for one final summer event to celebrate what God did during our summer Bible courses as we studied the Gospel of John.
“This felt like I was back home.”
Those words were spoken by one of the football players after our CU Lumine Grilling/BBQ event at the ministry center on the last Sunday of July. We had over 30 students gather for one final summer event to celebrate what God did during our summer Bible courses as we studied the Gospel of John.
August 5, 2021
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
As I write this, I pray with joy and thankfulness for you and your partnership with us in the gospel at Cornell. We are expecting great things in the year ahead, for the Lord to work according to His good pleasure and His covenant promises. His steadfast love endures, even to this day, in each of your lives and communities, and on the campus of Cornell University, where we and our student leaders are endeavoring to follow Jesus for the sake of His saving and sanctifying work.
As I write this, I pray with joy and thankfulness for you and your partnership with us in the gospel at Cornell. We are expecting great things in the year ahead, for the Lord to work according to His good pleasure and His covenant promises. His steadfast love endures, even to this day, in each of your lives and communities, and on the campus of Cornell University, where we and our student leaders are endeavoring to follow Jesus for the sake of His saving and sanctifying work.
August 5, 2021
Dear CU Vox Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
It’s been a rainy summer in Hanover, but it’s still been summer in Hanover. The summer term is always a memorable one for Dartmouth students. Typically it’s just the sophomore class on campus, but this summer the juniors, whose sophomore summer was canceled, are here as well. In addition to these two classes, there are several students here working and doing research, including the entire student executive team.
It’s been a rainy summer in Hanover, but it’s still been summer in Hanover. The summer term is always a memorable one for Dartmouth students. Typically it’s just the sophomore class on campus, but this summer the juniors, whose sophomore summer was canceled, are here as well. In addition to these two classes, there are several students here working and doing research, including the entire student executive team.
August 5, 2021
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” - Philippians 1:21-26 - Psalms 85:4-7 (ESV)
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Thank you for staying connected by praying for the ministry through the summer. We have enjoyed a very fruitful summer season at Harvard, marked by the weekly Exodus Bible study, as well as the nightly student-led Prayer Corps. We are very excited for the fall semester, which will begin shortly in a few weeks. As we start to turn our attention to the fall semester, when the entire ministry will be studying together the Epistle to the Philippians, we ask you to join us in thanking God and in praying for the following:
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Thank you for staying connected by praying for the ministry through the summer. We have enjoyed a very fruitful summer season at Harvard, marked by the weekly Exodus Bible study, as well as the nightly student-led Prayer Corps. We are very excited for the fall semester, which will begin shortly in a few weeks. As we start to turn our attention to the fall semester, when the entire ministry will be studying together the Epistle to the Philippians, we ask you to join us in thanking God and in praying for the following:
August 5, 2021
Dear CU Nova Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Thank you so much for your commitment to Christian Union Nova!
Though the Princeton campus is tranquil, these summer months have energized much thought amongst our CU Nova students in preparation for the 2021-22 academic school year.
Thank you so much for your commitment to Christian Union Nova!
Though the Princeton campus is tranquil, these summer months have energized much thought amongst our CU Nova students in preparation for the 2021-22 academic school year.
August 5, 2021
Hello CU Caritas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
We’ve been reading Exodus this summer and just finished the ten plagues, God’s deliverance of Israel through the Red Sea, and the beginnings of Israel’s journey to Mt Sinai. The students on our most recent Zoom call were dumbstruck at both the Egyptians and the Israelites. Which makes less sense: that Pharaoh and the Egyptians, who had ten times experienced firsthand the awesome power of the Lord, were foolish enough to follow the Israelites into the Red Sea? Or that the Israelites, who had seen the same and had been delivered from Egypt by the hand of the Lord, time and time again doubted the Lord's goodness and power and thought he was leading them to their death in the wilderness?
We’ve been reading Exodus this summer and just finished the ten plagues, God’s deliverance of Israel through the Red Sea, and the beginnings of Israel’s journey to Mt Sinai. The students on our most recent Zoom call were dumbstruck at both the Egyptians and the Israelites. Which makes less sense: that Pharaoh and the Egyptians, who had ten times experienced firsthand the awesome power of the Lord, were foolish enough to follow the Israelites into the Red Sea? Or that the Israelites, who had seen the same and had been delivered from Egypt by the hand of the Lord, time and time again doubted the Lord's goodness and power and thought he was leading them to their death in the wilderness?
August 5, 2021
Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
This feels like a season of anticipation. Even in normal times, when you work in a college ministry, as July turns to August you begin to get excited about waiting for the return of the students. There is something amazing about the promise of new lives that God can begin to change. And this year the promise feels even greater. For some of these students, it has been more than a year since they were on campus. At Stanford, for example, the class of 2022 left as sophomores in March 2020 and will return as seniors next month after a full 18 months away. That is a lot of time to dream about what God can do in the midst of faithful people gathered together in person!
This makes me think about the most powerful story of anticipation — the promised coming of the Messiah. The people of Israel had to wait a much longer time than we do — generations passed from the promise in Isaiah until the birth of Jesus. Imagine gathering your children around a campfire and repeating that familiar promise year after year while you waited: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."
This feels like a season of anticipation. Even in normal times, when you work in a college ministry, as July turns to August you begin to get excited about waiting for the return of the students. There is something amazing about the promise of new lives that God can begin to change. And this year the promise feels even greater. For some of these students, it has been more than a year since they were on campus. At Stanford, for example, the class of 2022 left as sophomores in March 2020 and will return as seniors next month after a full 18 months away. That is a lot of time to dream about what God can do in the midst of faithful people gathered together in person!
This makes me think about the most powerful story of anticipation — the promised coming of the Messiah. The people of Israel had to wait a much longer time than we do — generations passed from the promise in Isaiah until the birth of Jesus. Imagine gathering your children around a campfire and repeating that familiar promise year after year while you waited: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."
August 5, 2021
Dear Cornerstone Partners and friends of CU Lux,
We are blessed by the opportunity to update you on our ministry at Yale. God has been blessing and continues to bless our faith community through a new initiative started a few weeks ago. While diving deep into our summer Bible study of John’s Gospel, we encountered the glorious signs that Jesus performed to manifest God’s glory before and in the lives of his contemporaries. We were in awe of Jesus, amazed at how he embodied the truth and grace of God and inspired us to “do the works” that he did (John 14:12).
With Jesus as a foundation and guide, each member of our community committed to prayerfully memorize one passage of Scripture per week, internalize it every evening, use the morning devotional time to find practical ways to externalize it, and be a living testimony of that passage in every human interaction throughout the day.
We are blessed by the opportunity to update you on our ministry at Yale. God has been blessing and continues to bless our faith community through a new initiative started a few weeks ago. While diving deep into our summer Bible study of John’s Gospel, we encountered the glorious signs that Jesus performed to manifest God’s glory before and in the lives of his contemporaries. We were in awe of Jesus, amazed at how he embodied the truth and grace of God and inspired us to “do the works” that he did (John 14:12).
With Jesus as a foundation and guide, each member of our community committed to prayerfully memorize one passage of Scripture per week, internalize it every evening, use the morning devotional time to find practical ways to externalize it, and be a living testimony of that passage in every human interaction throughout the day.
August 5, 2021
Dear Christian Union New York Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Does Jesus still perform signs, wonders, healings, miracles, and deliverance today as He did when He walked the Earth?
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” — John 14:12
If these words of Jesus were not recorded in the authoritative and inerrant Scriptures, preceded by a “truly, truly” from Jesus, we might otherwise call this idea of mere mortals doing even greater works than Jesus absolutely heretical. Stated as such, without crediting the power of the Holy Spirit, it would be heretical. Jesus promised just two verses later to give us another Helper, the Spirit of the Living God! So, in the grand scheme of things, it is the Helper, the Spirit of God Himself, doing these mighty works through his servants like you and me. Unfathomable!
Does Jesus still perform signs, wonders, healings, miracles, and deliverance today as He did when He walked the Earth?
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” — John 14:12
If these words of Jesus were not recorded in the authoritative and inerrant Scriptures, preceded by a “truly, truly” from Jesus, we might otherwise call this idea of mere mortals doing even greater works than Jesus absolutely heretical. Stated as such, without crediting the power of the Holy Spirit, it would be heretical. Jesus promised just two verses later to give us another Helper, the Spirit of the Living God! So, in the grand scheme of things, it is the Helper, the Spirit of God Himself, doing these mighty works through his servants like you and me. Unfathomable!
July 1, 2021
Dear CU Libertas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
It’s summer here in Rhode Island, which means late afternoons at the local beaches and eating far too many lobster rolls! Normally, campus is far too quiet this time of year as most students return home or spend their days as interns or working in labs. This year is a bit different, as we’re excited to have freshmen on campus for their second semester. We continue preparations for the fall and eagerly await transitioning to normal programming in the fall. Thankfully, it appears that Brown will be fully vaccinated and campus activities can resume with few, if any, restrictions!
It’s summer here in Rhode Island, which means late afternoons at the local beaches and eating far too many lobster rolls! Normally, campus is far too quiet this time of year as most students return home or spend their days as interns or working in labs. This year is a bit different, as we’re excited to have freshmen on campus for their second semester. We continue preparations for the fall and eagerly await transitioning to normal programming in the fall. Thankfully, it appears that Brown will be fully vaccinated and campus activities can resume with few, if any, restrictions!
July 1, 2021
Dear Cornerstone Partners and friends of CU Lux,
His resurrection power is alive in our CU Lux community as our students are using the summer months to strengthen their relationship to God and each other. God is to be praised. Our summer Bible study on the gospel of John has been well attended, the students’ new initiative to memorize Scripture is catching on, and our student executive team is faithfully invested in planning for the 2021-2022 academic year.
His resurrection power is alive in our CU Lux community as our students are using the summer months to strengthen their relationship to God and each other. God is to be praised. Our summer Bible study on the gospel of John has been well attended, the students’ new initiative to memorize Scripture is catching on, and our student executive team is faithfully invested in planning for the 2021-2022 academic year.
July 1, 2021
Dear CU Lumine Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
And when they had eaten their fill, he [Jesus] told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. (John 6:12-13)
We’ve been studying the Gospel of John for Bible course during the Summer A session. A few weeks ago we touched on Jesus’ miracle of feeding the 5,000. We examined how the gospel combats a scarcity mentality — “I’m not smart enough. Not good looking enough. Not wealthy enough. I just don’t have enough!” Jesus used a little boy's lunch to not just feed thousands, but after they all loosened their belts from eating more than they should have, there were 12 baskets leftover. Jesus lovingly shows us how God has come to do more than we possibly could ever dream or imagine. Only Christ can make slaves into sons/daughters, sinners into saints, debtors into heirs.
And when they had eaten their fill, he [Jesus] told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. (John 6:12-13)
We’ve been studying the Gospel of John for Bible course during the Summer A session. A few weeks ago we touched on Jesus’ miracle of feeding the 5,000. We examined how the gospel combats a scarcity mentality — “I’m not smart enough. Not good looking enough. Not wealthy enough. I just don’t have enough!” Jesus used a little boy's lunch to not just feed thousands, but after they all loosened their belts from eating more than they should have, there were 12 baskets leftover. Jesus lovingly shows us how God has come to do more than we possibly could ever dream or imagine. Only Christ can make slaves into sons/daughters, sinners into saints, debtors into heirs.
July 1, 2021
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
As we look forward to next year, we are praying that God will continue his good work at Cornell. We are so happy to report that we have already connected with many incoming freshmen, and we would love to meet more. Please pray that our efforts would be fruitful and that many incoming students would find Christian community at Cornell. Our leaders are eager to introduce new students to our community and many of the new freshmen are spreading the word about CU Vita with their class as well. It is such a big life transition for these new Cornell students and we long to be used by God to extend his love and grace and friendship to them during this challenging time. Pray that we would have wisdom and that God would open many doors for the gospel with this incoming group.
As we look forward to next year, we are praying that God will continue his good work at Cornell. We are so happy to report that we have already connected with many incoming freshmen, and we would love to meet more. Please pray that our efforts would be fruitful and that many incoming students would find Christian community at Cornell. Our leaders are eager to introduce new students to our community and many of the new freshmen are spreading the word about CU Vita with their class as well. It is such a big life transition for these new Cornell students and we long to be used by God to extend his love and grace and friendship to them during this challenging time. Pray that we would have wisdom and that God would open many doors for the gospel with this incoming group.
July 1, 2021
Dear CU Vox Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Summer in Hanover, the payoff for nine months of winter! Classes for the summer term begin on June 24th and this year the junior class will join the sophomore class on campus. Normality is swiftly returning to campus and it’s wonderful to see students gathering on the Green again. Summer is very much a time of transition and preparation. The class of 2025 will be here in two months and I am excited to meet them and graft them into the ministry. This summer will provide opportunities to reconnect with students who chose remote learning as well as forge new relationships.
Summer in Hanover, the payoff for nine months of winter! Classes for the summer term begin on June 24th and this year the junior class will join the sophomore class on campus. Normality is swiftly returning to campus and it’s wonderful to see students gathering on the Green again. Summer is very much a time of transition and preparation. The class of 2025 will be here in two months and I am excited to meet them and graft them into the ministry. This summer will provide opportunities to reconnect with students who chose remote learning as well as forge new relationships.
July 1, 2021
“4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.” - Psalms 85:4-7 (ESV)
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Thank you for your continued support and prayer as we minister to the students at Harvard. This summer we have been walking through the book of Exodus. You can watch some of the Exodus teachings on our student ministry’s YouTube channel here. It has been a blessing to all the students who have been attending, as well as a place of weekly gathering as a community to study the Bible.
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.” - Psalms 85:4-7 (ESV)
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Thank you for your continued support and prayer as we minister to the students at Harvard. This summer we have been walking through the book of Exodus. You can watch some of the Exodus teachings on our student ministry’s YouTube channel here. It has been a blessing to all the students who have been attending, as well as a place of weekly gathering as a community to study the Bible.
July 1, 2021
Dear CU Nova Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
I am a firm believer that things don’t just happen but they must be planned! And, while this is not a Scriptural quote, there are passages that affirm the same, principally. For instance, God gave Israel a plan of action to possess Jericho! Proverbs 6 presents the wisdom of an ant, as they plan for harvest by gathering in the summer. Proverbs 21:5 admonishes how “the plans of the diligent lead to abundance.” And, we can all be encouraged by the words spoken to Jeremiah—because if God had plans for him, before birth, then God most certainly has a plan for each one of our lives, including each incoming or returning Princeton student.
I am a firm believer that things don’t just happen but they must be planned! And, while this is not a Scriptural quote, there are passages that affirm the same, principally. For instance, God gave Israel a plan of action to possess Jericho! Proverbs 6 presents the wisdom of an ant, as they plan for harvest by gathering in the summer. Proverbs 21:5 admonishes how “the plans of the diligent lead to abundance.” And, we can all be encouraged by the words spoken to Jeremiah—because if God had plans for him, before birth, then God most certainly has a plan for each one of our lives, including each incoming or returning Princeton student.
