April 1, 2021
Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
“As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him…” Psalm 103.15-17
There are glimmers of hope. It is still winter in Philadelphia as I write this– and this week is particularly wintry– but there is the promise of renewal. It is in these almost-but-not-yet days of spring that a day of 32° and snow is followed by a day of 65° and sun. Maybe that is appropriate for Lent: it is a season of lament, but the hope of Easter morning is on the horizon. It is most definitely winter, but spring is coming! Praise God for His lovingkindness to us. We are incredibly creaturely, undeniably mortal, and yet His steadfast love is eternal, and He is leading us to dwell in His presence forever. That is the ultimate hope to which all other hopes point. As we press on to that day, please pray for:
“As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him…” Psalm 103.15-17
There are glimmers of hope. It is still winter in Philadelphia as I write this– and this week is particularly wintry– but there is the promise of renewal. It is in these almost-but-not-yet days of spring that a day of 32° and snow is followed by a day of 65° and sun. Maybe that is appropriate for Lent: it is a season of lament, but the hope of Easter morning is on the horizon. It is most definitely winter, but spring is coming! Praise God for His lovingkindness to us. We are incredibly creaturely, undeniably mortal, and yet His steadfast love is eternal, and He is leading us to dwell in His presence forever. That is the ultimate hope to which all other hopes point. As we press on to that day, please pray for:
April 1, 2021
Dear Cornerstone Partners and friends of CU Lux,
A student asked me two weeks ago, “How should I read the Bible?” “Read it as a story,” I said, “read it as the story of God becoming the story of God’s people.”
As Christians, the story of God changes everything. Jesus has a way of shifting our life-script and changing the way our story reads. Joy, hope, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and love act as subjects of newly formed sentences. Page after page, we find ourselves in paragraphs of new life. It is Jesus, the Author of Life, rewriting our story and empowering us to deal with the other subjects– sadness, anxiety, distress, and evil– that seek to override our script.
A student asked me two weeks ago, “How should I read the Bible?” “Read it as a story,” I said, “read it as the story of God becoming the story of God’s people.”
As Christians, the story of God changes everything. Jesus has a way of shifting our life-script and changing the way our story reads. Joy, hope, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and love act as subjects of newly formed sentences. Page after page, we find ourselves in paragraphs of new life. It is Jesus, the Author of Life, rewriting our story and empowering us to deal with the other subjects– sadness, anxiety, distress, and evil– that seek to override our script.
March 4, 2021
Dear CU Libertas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
There’s still snow on the ground here in Providence, but the days are getting a little longer and the temperatures creep higher with each passing day. Spring is right around the corner! During the month of February, CU Libertas has been busy welcoming freshmen to campus, hosting weekly Bible courses, and continuing the work of prayer and discipleship. God is up to big things and we have so much to be thankful for.
There’s still snow on the ground here in Providence, but the days are getting a little longer and the temperatures creep higher with each passing day. Spring is right around the corner! During the month of February, CU Libertas has been busy welcoming freshmen to campus, hosting weekly Bible courses, and continuing the work of prayer and discipleship. God is up to big things and we have so much to be thankful for.
March 4, 2021
Dear CU Lumine Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
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 will be gearing up for finals in a month. Due to the pandemic, this is a shorter semester with classes concluding mid-April.
We are encouraged by the students involved in CU Lumine Bible courses, Illumina (Leadership Lecture Series) events, outreach events, or times of prayer. We see God’s transforming hand at work in their lives as He grows them into His image.
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 will be gearing up for finals in a month. Due to the pandemic, this is a shorter semester with classes concluding mid-April.
We are encouraged by the students involved in CU Lumine Bible courses, Illumina (Leadership Lecture Series) events, outreach events, or times of prayer. We see God’s transforming hand at work in their lives as He grows them into His image.
March 4, 2021
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Greetings from Ithaca, NY! Thank you so much for your prayers and faithful support. We are happy to report that our students are thriving. Our Bible course groups are studying the Word each week. Most of our students are studying Acts and we have had rich discussions about mission and our Spirit-empowered witness for Jesus at Cornell. Our student-to-student discipleship program is up and running with students from every Bible course meeting in small groups of 2-4 each week to read the Bible, encourage one another and pray. A new weekly worship night is also happening at the Mott Center enabling students to seek the Lord together in praise and prayer, and in addition to this, a student-led prayer meeting is happening at Mott each week! Our students continue to work creatively during the pandemic to gather together for fellowship at Mott and virtually. Last weekend, one of our junior athletes on the Track and Field team hosted a Zoom trivia night. And we continue to add students to our Bible courses on a weekly basis. God is surely at work and we are grateful! Please continue to pray:
Greetings from Ithaca, NY! Thank you so much for your prayers and faithful support. We are happy to report that our students are thriving. Our Bible course groups are studying the Word each week. Most of our students are studying Acts and we have had rich discussions about mission and our Spirit-empowered witness for Jesus at Cornell. Our student-to-student discipleship program is up and running with students from every Bible course meeting in small groups of 2-4 each week to read the Bible, encourage one another and pray. A new weekly worship night is also happening at the Mott Center enabling students to seek the Lord together in praise and prayer, and in addition to this, a student-led prayer meeting is happening at Mott each week! Our students continue to work creatively during the pandemic to gather together for fellowship at Mott and virtually. Last weekend, one of our junior athletes on the Track and Field team hosted a Zoom trivia night. And we continue to add students to our Bible courses on a weekly basis. God is surely at work and we are grateful! Please continue to pray:
March 4, 2021
Dear CU Vox Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Hello from Hanover and Christian Union Vox. The ten-week sprint which is the winter term here at Dartmouth is nearing completion. It's hard to fathom that spring break is on the horizon and that we're finishing up our study of the book of Acts. It's been a full and busy term reconnecting with the sophomore class, preparing for the final term with the senior class, and continuing Zoom relationships with the freshman and junior classes. As always, we have much to praise God for and much to ask His help with.
Hello from Hanover and Christian Union Vox. The ten-week sprint which is the winter term here at Dartmouth is nearing completion. It's hard to fathom that spring break is on the horizon and that we're finishing up our study of the book of Acts. It's been a full and busy term reconnecting with the sophomore class, preparing for the final term with the senior class, and continuing Zoom relationships with the freshman and junior classes. As always, we have much to praise God for and much to ask His help with.
March 4, 2021
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
This spring semester, our sophomores and juniors have been walking through the book of Acts. Peter and the apostle’s example of boldness have continued to challenge believers for many generations. In Acts 5, after being arrested and told not to preach, Peter is freed by an angel then immediately gets back to preaching the gospel. Upon his consequent arrest, he responds to the council saying “We must obey God rather than men.” What great boldness! It is our hope and prayer that as we read and study these stories that they bring encouragement and hope to our hearts, moving the students to greater zeal for the name of Jesus and for advancing His gospel.
This spring semester, our sophomores and juniors have been walking through the book of Acts. Peter and the apostle’s example of boldness have continued to challenge believers for many generations. In Acts 5, after being arrested and told not to preach, Peter is freed by an angel then immediately gets back to preaching the gospel. Upon his consequent arrest, he responds to the council saying “We must obey God rather than men.” What great boldness! It is our hope and prayer that as we read and study these stories that they bring encouragement and hope to our hearts, moving the students to greater zeal for the name of Jesus and for advancing His gospel.
March 4, 2021
Dear CU Nova Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
This is the good news, a constant stabilizer amidst much change!
This month, we say farewell to our Ministry Director Christopher Heslep, who will be leaving Christian Union after 3 ½ years of faithful service. Pray that God will send us an exceptional leader to fill Christopher’s shoes. Meanwhile, pray that God sustains ministry fellow Cameron Garven and me as we take on additional responsibilities.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
This is the good news, a constant stabilizer amidst much change!
This month, we say farewell to our Ministry Director Christopher Heslep, who will be leaving Christian Union after 3 ½ years of faithful service. Pray that God will send us an exceptional leader to fill Christopher’s shoes. Meanwhile, pray that God sustains ministry fellow Cameron Garven and me as we take on additional responsibilities.
March 4, 2021
Hello CU Caritas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Last Thursday morning, a few of the fifth-year co-term men in Christian Union Caritas and I prayed through Psalm 25. The following verses, in particular, struck a chord in us:
Last Thursday morning, a few of the fifth-year co-term men in Christian Union Caritas and I prayed through Psalm 25. The following verses, in particular, struck a chord in us:
March 4, 2021
Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Psalm 95:1
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
There are always reasons to be thankful for God’s goodness, mercy, glory, and love. And there are seasons when His grace breaks through in such tangible ways that our hearts rejoice, where our voices sing out in praise. After a series of snowstorms, the sun broke through the clouds this past week. After a semester of isolation, there have been opportunities to meet freshmen face-to-face. After months of an eerily quiet campus, there are tentative steps taken on Locust Walk. Throughout this season of myriad challenges, God has been gracious to us! He is our hope and our salvation, and worthy of all our praise. Please pray for us as we enter a time of mid-terms, student leadership transition, and continued integration of freshmen into the CU Martus family. Particularly pray for:
Psalm 95:1
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
There are always reasons to be thankful for God’s goodness, mercy, glory, and love. And there are seasons when His grace breaks through in such tangible ways that our hearts rejoice, where our voices sing out in praise. After a series of snowstorms, the sun broke through the clouds this past week. After a semester of isolation, there have been opportunities to meet freshmen face-to-face. After months of an eerily quiet campus, there are tentative steps taken on Locust Walk. Throughout this season of myriad challenges, God has been gracious to us! He is our hope and our salvation, and worthy of all our praise. Please pray for us as we enter a time of mid-terms, student leadership transition, and continued integration of freshmen into the CU Martus family. Particularly pray for:
March 4, 2021
Dear Cornerstone Partners and friends of CU Lux,
Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). Life during COVID-19 becomes much easier, more meaningful, and beautiful when we bring the goodness of God to others. For this esteemed reason, our students at CU Lux selected Galatians 6:9 to guide all our endeavors this semester.
God has already told us what is good: to pursue justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). Doing good, of course, is the work of God in us and through us. We not only hold fast to what is good (Romans 12:9), we are also called to embody every perfect gift that comes from above in word and deed (James 1:17).
Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). Life during COVID-19 becomes much easier, more meaningful, and beautiful when we bring the goodness of God to others. For this esteemed reason, our students at CU Lux selected Galatians 6:9 to guide all our endeavors this semester.
God has already told us what is good: to pursue justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). Doing good, of course, is the work of God in us and through us. We not only hold fast to what is good (Romans 12:9), we are also called to embody every perfect gift that comes from above in word and deed (James 1:17).
February 4, 2021
Dear CU Libertas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
January has been a cold and snowy month here in Providence! Fortunately, students have returned to campus and the quiet, still winter days have been livened by the long-anticipated arrival of this year’s freshman class. CU Libertas has used the month of January to begin planning for the spring semester. We recall how good the Lord has been to the ministry over the years, and eagerly await the good works yet to come as students settle in and classes begin.
Your prayers continue to make a difference! Restrictions still remain relatively tight on campus, but smaller classes have begun meeting in person and staff eagerly hopes in-person Bible courses can begin meeting shortly. Until then, Zoom calls and socially distanced 1-on-1 meetings enable the ministry to make a difference in the lives of students who desire to seek the Lord with all their being.
January has been a cold and snowy month here in Providence! Fortunately, students have returned to campus and the quiet, still winter days have been livened by the long-anticipated arrival of this year’s freshman class. CU Libertas has used the month of January to begin planning for the spring semester. We recall how good the Lord has been to the ministry over the years, and eagerly await the good works yet to come as students settle in and classes begin.
Your prayers continue to make a difference! Restrictions still remain relatively tight on campus, but smaller classes have begun meeting in person and staff eagerly hopes in-person Bible courses can begin meeting shortly. Until then, Zoom calls and socially distanced 1-on-1 meetings enable the ministry to make a difference in the lives of students who desire to seek the Lord with all their being.
February 4, 2021
Dear CU Lumine Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Greetings in the matchless name of Jesus! I am thankful for your love and partnership with Christan Union Lumine at Columbia University. Because of your committed giving and prayers, we are seeing students’ lives transformed by the gospel.
After a very short break, the students started their spring semester on January 11th. You might be encouraged to know that some students have physically returned to campus. Though the majority of classes are still online, it was awesome to see students safely moving back to Wien, Wallach, EC, John Jay, and Hartley. It was so good to see students connecting and getting together on campus to fellowship, pray, and study God’s word all in the first week back!
Greetings in the matchless name of Jesus! I am thankful for your love and partnership with Christan Union Lumine at Columbia University. Because of your committed giving and prayers, we are seeing students’ lives transformed by the gospel.
After a very short break, the students started their spring semester on January 11th. You might be encouraged to know that some students have physically returned to campus. Though the majority of classes are still online, it was awesome to see students safely moving back to Wien, Wallach, EC, John Jay, and Hartley. It was so good to see students connecting and getting together on campus to fellowship, pray, and study God’s word all in the first week back!
February 4, 2021
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Thank you for your continued prayers for our faculty and students who are starting to return to campus! Classes resume the week of February 7 and we will launch our Bible courses the following week. We are excited to report that our students have continued to think creatively about how to do ministry and pursue Christian fellowship at Cornell during a pandemic. In addition to weekly Bible courses and prayer meetings, students have volunteered to lead social activities as well as a new student to student discipleship program during the spring semester.
With so many new students joining the ministry this year, discipleship groups of three to four meet weekly for Bible reading, mutual encouragement, and prayer as a great way for students to deepen their relationships with each other and the Lord. It is truly an answer to prayer to see our students, during this difficult year, think about others with a willingness to serve their friends and the Cornell community! The gospel is bearing fruit and we look forward to seeing God at work by his grace in the lives of our students again this semester. Thank you for all your support and prayers!
Thank you for your continued prayers for our faculty and students who are starting to return to campus! Classes resume the week of February 7 and we will launch our Bible courses the following week. We are excited to report that our students have continued to think creatively about how to do ministry and pursue Christian fellowship at Cornell during a pandemic. In addition to weekly Bible courses and prayer meetings, students have volunteered to lead social activities as well as a new student to student discipleship program during the spring semester.
With so many new students joining the ministry this year, discipleship groups of three to four meet weekly for Bible reading, mutual encouragement, and prayer as a great way for students to deepen their relationships with each other and the Lord. It is truly an answer to prayer to see our students, during this difficult year, think about others with a willingness to serve their friends and the Cornell community! The gospel is bearing fruit and we look forward to seeing God at work by his grace in the lives of our students again this semester. Thank you for all your support and prayers!
February 4, 2021
Dear CU Vox Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Hello from Hanover and CU Vox. Our winter term is well underway and the rhythms of classes and ministry have returned along with the snow and cold temperatures. It's a joy to have the sophomore and senior classes in residence this term as well as a few members of the freshman class who chose to remain on campus. While the constant changing of who is on campus and who is remote hurts continuity, it is a blessing to have concentrated in-person time with a smaller group of students. In spite of the continued pandemic challenges, the students remain joyful and participatory. I'm amazed by their resiliency and adaptiveness as they adjust to this new version of college life.
Hello from Hanover and CU Vox. Our winter term is well underway and the rhythms of classes and ministry have returned along with the snow and cold temperatures. It's a joy to have the sophomore and senior classes in residence this term as well as a few members of the freshman class who chose to remain on campus. While the constant changing of who is on campus and who is remote hurts continuity, it is a blessing to have concentrated in-person time with a smaller group of students. In spite of the continued pandemic challenges, the students remain joyful and participatory. I'm amazed by their resiliency and adaptiveness as they adjust to this new version of college life.
February 4, 2021
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
As we enter a new semester of ministry to students, we are reminded of Psalm 31:19 which says: “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!”
During winter break, CU Gloria was able to continue ministering to students in a number of ways, chiefly through a series of workshops about Hearing God’s Voice, Spiritual Warfare, and Leadership. There was also a wealth of student-to-student ministry taking place through discipleship groups and two student-led reading groups throughout the break.
On the precipice of this spring, many Harvard students are now celebrating their return to campus during the last two weeks of January. There are around 2,000 students back in campus housing by the river and in the Quad along with many more in the surrounding area who are living off-campus. The joy and high energy of starting this new semester were felt during the first Leadership Lecture Series (DOXA) where a number of students shared powerful testimonies about God’s work in their lives during winter break.
Thank you for your prayers and support in the ministry. Many students are growing in their faith because of your investment in CU Gloria.
As we enter a new semester of ministry to students, we are reminded of Psalm 31:19 which says: “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!”
During winter break, CU Gloria was able to continue ministering to students in a number of ways, chiefly through a series of workshops about Hearing God’s Voice, Spiritual Warfare, and Leadership. There was also a wealth of student-to-student ministry taking place through discipleship groups and two student-led reading groups throughout the break.
On the precipice of this spring, many Harvard students are now celebrating their return to campus during the last two weeks of January. There are around 2,000 students back in campus housing by the river and in the Quad along with many more in the surrounding area who are living off-campus. The joy and high energy of starting this new semester were felt during the first Leadership Lecture Series (DOXA) where a number of students shared powerful testimonies about God’s work in their lives during winter break.
Thank you for your prayers and support in the ministry. Many students are growing in their faith because of your investment in CU Gloria.
February 4, 2021
Dear CU Nova Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
They’re back!!! At least two-thirds of Princeton students will return to campus this spring, and we could not be more excited to see them return. While much of our ministry will remain the same as it pertains to zoom Bible courses and weekly meetings, the ability to reconnect with one another in person is a blessing that is almost indescribable. Our God made us for community and face-to-face fellowship and our students finally get to return to a semblance of that. Additionally, it means that ministry fellows can begin meeting 1-on-1 with students who are comfortable doing so. I can tell you that there is much rejoicing.
They’re back!!! At least two-thirds of Princeton students will return to campus this spring, and we could not be more excited to see them return. While much of our ministry will remain the same as it pertains to zoom Bible courses and weekly meetings, the ability to reconnect with one another in person is a blessing that is almost indescribable. Our God made us for community and face-to-face fellowship and our students finally get to return to a semblance of that. Additionally, it means that ministry fellows can begin meeting 1-on-1 with students who are comfortable doing so. I can tell you that there is much rejoicing.
February 4, 2021
Hello CU Caritas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; Jesus has overcome the world! (John 16:33)
As a ministry, we’ve been considering Jesus’s overcoming of the world through the perspective of Revelation in a four-week read-through of the book. For almost two thousand years, this apocalypse has helped readers look beyond their present tumults and see Jesus—unshaken, overcoming, and worthy beyond description. The book’s imagery can be so foreign to us and difficult to piece together, but the main message comes through loud and clear: Jesus saves and Jesus wins. We concur with the great multitude that cries out,
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; Jesus has overcome the world! (John 16:33)
As a ministry, we’ve been considering Jesus’s overcoming of the world through the perspective of Revelation in a four-week read-through of the book. For almost two thousand years, this apocalypse has helped readers look beyond their present tumults and see Jesus—unshaken, overcoming, and worthy beyond description. The book’s imagery can be so foreign to us and difficult to piece together, but the main message comes through loud and clear: Jesus saves and Jesus wins. We concur with the great multitude that cries out,
“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
...
Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory.” (19:1, 6-7).
February 4, 2021
Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
The theme at Christian Union Martus for this spring semester is Christian unity and perseverance. A personal theme has been summed up in a word: fight. Fight for unity, for hope, for joy, for the proclamation of the gospel, for that which is good and beautiful and true. Fight for each other. Mindful that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the enemy of our souls, we utilize the grace that God provides. Students are tentatively returning to campus. Freshmen, who have spent a semester attending Penn from their homes, are moving into the Quad. The commencement of the semester still comes softly, with many restrictions in place and many students deciding to study from home. But there is hope that a breeze will blow into the upper room and bring God’s reviving Spirit to Penn’s campus. To that end, please join us in praying:
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
The theme at Christian Union Martus for this spring semester is Christian unity and perseverance. A personal theme has been summed up in a word: fight. Fight for unity, for hope, for joy, for the proclamation of the gospel, for that which is good and beautiful and true. Fight for each other. Mindful that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the enemy of our souls, we utilize the grace that God provides. Students are tentatively returning to campus. Freshmen, who have spent a semester attending Penn from their homes, are moving into the Quad. The commencement of the semester still comes softly, with many restrictions in place and many students deciding to study from home. But there is hope that a breeze will blow into the upper room and bring God’s reviving Spirit to Penn’s campus. To that end, please join us in praying:
February 4, 2021
Dear Cornerstone Partners and friends of CU Lux,
Our Biblical faith is the affirmation that God’s presence changes our lives in transformative ways. Once we were no people, but now we are God’s people; once we had not received mercy, but we have now received mercy. Once we were nothing, now we are something (1 Peter 2:10).
With Yale University students back on campus for the spring semester, CU Lux organized a retreat that invited students to unite for conversations about God’s transformative power and presence in their lives. The virtual retreat began with icebreakers that warmed up the conversation and continued with a heart-opening time of worship. Students experienced the liveliness of God’s presence in small group Bible study, silent moments of reflection, one-on-one prayer, and large group testimony sharing.
Our Biblical faith is the affirmation that God’s presence changes our lives in transformative ways. Once we were no people, but now we are God’s people; once we had not received mercy, but we have now received mercy. Once we were nothing, now we are something (1 Peter 2:10).
With Yale University students back on campus for the spring semester, CU Lux organized a retreat that invited students to unite for conversations about God’s transformative power and presence in their lives. The virtual retreat began with icebreakers that warmed up the conversation and continued with a heart-opening time of worship. Students experienced the liveliness of God’s presence in small group Bible study, silent moments of reflection, one-on-one prayer, and large group testimony sharing.
