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.
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.
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
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!”
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.
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?
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?
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.
“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.
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).
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.
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 to deepen our relationship with the Lord and intercede 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 occasionally and in very exceptional circumstances does someone abstain from 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, join for as long as possible. The most essential part of fasting is the humbling of our hearts to seek after God.
Learn more about the next fast and how to join other Christians in seeking 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
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
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
CU Fire Retreat Typical Schedule
Friday :: 6-9pm Local Time
Friday Evening
| Welcome and Orientation |
| Group Sharing or Testimonies |
| Message (streamed) |
| Group Prayer |
Saturday :: 7am - 8pm Local Time
Saturday Morning
| Group Prayer |
| Bible Reading |
| Worship (Streamed or On-site) |
| Message and Q&A (Streamed) |
Saturday Midday
| Group Discussion |
| Group Prayer |
| Message and Q&A (Streamed) |
Saturday Evening
| Meal |
| Teaching (Streamed) |
| Group 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
