September 3, 2020
Isaiah 43:19 “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and other friends of the ministry,
It is a new season and the weather is getting cooler and cooler as the fall is beginning to engulf New England. First year students are all moved in on Harvard’s campus, which looks very different from the campus freshmen have been arriving to for years. The students are quarantining for their first week, and following that, they will be adhering to strict guidelines within the Harvard bubble. Needless to say, what these new students are facing is unique, and our prayers for them to find community, thrive, and adjust to this new reality are all the more important.
Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and other friends of the ministry,
It is a new season and the weather is getting cooler and cooler as the fall is beginning to engulf New England. First year students are all moved in on Harvard’s campus, which looks very different from the campus freshmen have been arriving to for years. The students are quarantining for their first week, and following that, they will be adhering to strict guidelines within the Harvard bubble. Needless to say, what these new students are facing is unique, and our prayers for them to find community, thrive, and adjust to this new reality are all the more important.
July 30, 2020
1 My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; 2 keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; 3 bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 7:1-3
Hey friends,
I hope this update finds you well, especially amidst a summer that no-one could have expected. Thankfully, ministry at Harvard has continued to take place over the summer, primarily through the summer Bible study of the book of Proverbs. These words from Proverbs 7 remind us of the central importance of the Word of God in our lives. The exhortation here is that as we treasure God’s words in our heart, then we can truly live. God’s desire for us is that we experience the abundant life he has for us, one full of joy, peace and contentment in Christ. That is also our prayer for our students during this season, as many of them will be studying remotely, taking a gap-year, or coming back to a completely different campus.
May 1, 2020
“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God…
— Romans 8:22-27
Greetings from Cambridge!
At a time when our individual and collective fate could not be more uncertain, our good instinct is to pray, but this is only half of the battle. What should we even pray for? Most of us have more questions than we have answers. When a pea soup fog descends, even familiar streets may fail us. Enter the eighth chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Romans. The verses quoted above are stunning. If the best prayer we can muster in our weakness is a groan of anguish, we might be content simply knowing that God hears us. But these verses say so much more. God not only hears our cries but he enters into our grief. No wonder Paul tells us in chapter 12 to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn”, thereby mirroring the Spirit’s response to us! Our faith-filled groan—akin to “Thy will be done”—is being answered accordingly because the Holy Spirit is already interceding on our behalf.
— Romans 8:22-27
Greetings from Cambridge!
At a time when our individual and collective fate could not be more uncertain, our good instinct is to pray, but this is only half of the battle. What should we even pray for? Most of us have more questions than we have answers. When a pea soup fog descends, even familiar streets may fail us. Enter the eighth chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Romans. The verses quoted above are stunning. If the best prayer we can muster in our weakness is a groan of anguish, we might be content simply knowing that God hears us. But these verses say so much more. God not only hears our cries but he enters into our grief. No wonder Paul tells us in chapter 12 to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn”, thereby mirroring the Spirit’s response to us! Our faith-filled groan—akin to “Thy will be done”—is being answered accordingly because the Holy Spirit is already interceding on our behalf.
April 27, 2020
May 23, 2020
Thanks for joining Christian Union Gloria (Harvard College) at 2:00 PM EST for a virtual reunion.
Christian Union Gloria invited participants from all classes, all denominations, and all Christian ministries to this annual event. We enjoyed connecting with other Christian alumni, current students, and the Christian Union ministry faculty and staff.
Learn More
For questions about the Christian Union Gloria alumni opportunities, contact Christian Union's VP of Alumni Engagement Christine Foster: christine.foster@christianunion.org.
March 26, 2020
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
— James 4:13-15
Greetings from Cambridge!
Having logged some serious miles in life, my appreciation for James’s rather harsh warning has increased at a pace commensurate with the erosion of any illusion I have ever had of earthly security and self-sufficiency. When the calendar turns at the first of the year I no longer ask, “what do I need to work on?”—as if the question of resolutions doesn’t always haunt my life(!)— but instead I wonder, “what in the world will 2020 bring?” Then and now I am praying that we will be faithful, faith-filled and take Jesus up on his invitation to pray (John 15:7-11).
— James 4:13-15
Greetings from Cambridge!
Having logged some serious miles in life, my appreciation for James’s rather harsh warning has increased at a pace commensurate with the erosion of any illusion I have ever had of earthly security and self-sufficiency. When the calendar turns at the first of the year I no longer ask, “what do I need to work on?”—as if the question of resolutions doesn’t always haunt my life(!)— but instead I wonder, “what in the world will 2020 bring?” Then and now I am praying that we will be faithful, faith-filled and take Jesus up on his invitation to pray (John 15:7-11).
February 27, 2020
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
—Romans 5:1
Greetings from cold Cambridge!
We are about a third of the way through the semester and our students are looking forward to Spring break, which is just a couple of weeks away. This week in our Romans study with the Juniors and Sophomores we were in chapter 5. What a wonderful reminder to all of us of the reality of our new standing before God. We have been justified by faith. We were made right with God by trusting in Jesus. And as a result, we can now have peace with God. A peace that cannot be quenched or conquered by anything life throws our way.
—Romans 5:1
Greetings from cold Cambridge!
We are about a third of the way through the semester and our students are looking forward to Spring break, which is just a couple of weeks away. This week in our Romans study with the Juniors and Sophomores we were in chapter 5. What a wonderful reminder to all of us of the reality of our new standing before God. We have been justified by faith. We were made right with God by trusting in Jesus. And as a result, we can now have peace with God. A peace that cannot be quenched or conquered by anything life throws our way.
January 30, 2020
“Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” -Nehemiah 6:2-3
Greetings from Cambridge!
As I was recently reading Nehemiah, I was struck by how single-minded and focused he was on the task the Lord had called him to do, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. In Nehemiah chapter 6 some of his opponents try to distract him away from his mission, but his response is quite remarkable: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” There was no taking Nehemiah away from what God had called him to do.
Greetings from Cambridge!
As I was recently reading Nehemiah, I was struck by how single-minded and focused he was on the task the Lord had called him to do, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. In Nehemiah chapter 6 some of his opponents try to distract him away from his mission, but his response is quite remarkable: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” There was no taking Nehemiah away from what God had called him to do.
December 19, 2019
Greetings from Cambridge!
"The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:6-7
"The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:6-7
October 31, 2019
Greetings from Cambridge!
"Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-5
"Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-5
August 29, 2019
“The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.”
― Carl F.H. Henry
If there is a unique challenge in welcoming Harvard freshmen to pursue faith in Christ and immerse themselves into community, it is the issue of time. More specifically, it is a matter of timing. The clock begins ticking (next week) and all but expires within days. Countless decisions will rather quickly be made by members of 2023 regarding friend groups, classes and extracurricular activities. For a few weeks in September they will live in the happy illusion that they can do it all. This dream-like state, more often than not, evaporates in the chilly air of October.
― Carl F.H. Henry
If there is a unique challenge in welcoming Harvard freshmen to pursue faith in Christ and immerse themselves into community, it is the issue of time. More specifically, it is a matter of timing. The clock begins ticking (next week) and all but expires within days. Countless decisions will rather quickly be made by members of 2023 regarding friend groups, classes and extracurricular activities. For a few weeks in September they will live in the happy illusion that they can do it all. This dream-like state, more often than not, evaporates in the chilly air of October.
July 25, 2019
As long as serving God fit into Jonah’s goals for Israel, he was fine with God. As soon as he had to choose between the true God and the god he actually worshiped, he turned on the true God in anger. Jonah’s particular national identity was more foundational to his self-worth than his role as a servant of the God of all nations. The real God had been just a means to an end. He was using God to serve his real god.
-Tim Keller, The Prodigal Prophet
Greetings from Cambridge,
-Tim Keller, The Prodigal Prophet
Greetings from Cambridge,
Jonah is a fascinating read to say the least. This summer, over twenty students have immersed themselves in a Wednesday night bible study as staff and alumni have passed the teaching baton and led some interesting and challenging discussions. The prophet’s identity and idolatry issues at first seemed foreign and obtuse to us; but as we have lingered over the text we have begun to see ourselves and recognize our own distorted proclivities. Thankfully, the true protagonist emerges, and God’s very person and character takes center stage.
May 30, 2019
Greetings from Cambridge,
Two receptions mark the formal end to an academic years’ worth of ministry. This week, we will meet the families, many for the first time, of our seniors at a reception we happily host in HCFA’s office/library. On Saturday, we hope to see some of you at our Reunion Gathering (same venue).
April 25, 2019
“I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.” - Mother Teresa
Greetings from Cambridge,
There are few asks that better capture our challenge to become more like Jesus than the prayer that we would begin to mirror his faithfulness. The word faithful (πιστός) is rich in meaning and embodies obedience, reliability —and for our spiritual purposes— covenant relationship. Most helpfully, this exhortation reminds us that we are mere servants who possess the agency to complete assignments, but often have little control over outcomes. Yelp. "...and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation (e.g. unbelief) will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." [1 Cor. 10:13]
Greetings from Cambridge,
There are few asks that better capture our challenge to become more like Jesus than the prayer that we would begin to mirror his faithfulness. The word faithful (πιστός) is rich in meaning and embodies obedience, reliability —and for our spiritual purposes— covenant relationship. Most helpfully, this exhortation reminds us that we are mere servants who possess the agency to complete assignments, but often have little control over outcomes. Yelp. "...and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation (e.g. unbelief) will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." [1 Cor. 10:13]
March 28, 2019
“Indignation and compassion form a powerful combination. They are indispensable to vision, and therefore to leadership. The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example, not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve.” -John R. Stott
Greetings from Cambridge,
For nearly eleven-years students have led HCFA with a prevailing desire to glorify God. For this we are profoundly thankful. Their measured determination to humble themselves (a truly foreign concept amongst us humans!) has resulted in effectual leadership that has steadied the ship whatever the conditions.
Greetings from Cambridge,
For nearly eleven-years students have led HCFA with a prevailing desire to glorify God. For this we are profoundly thankful. Their measured determination to humble themselves (a truly foreign concept amongst us humans!) has resulted in effectual leadership that has steadied the ship whatever the conditions.
February 28, 2019
Greetings from Cambridge,
"…this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ - Acts 2:16-21
January 31, 2019
Greetings from Harvard,
It feels like the new year has sprung upon us all too quickly, with students already returning to campus over the past few days and continuing into this weekend. While it has been mostly quiet, God has certainly been at work. Over Winter break many of our students were reading ‘Making Sense of God’ by Tim Keller, which we gave out at the end of last semester at our book giveaway outreach event. A group of our students even met over video chat during the break to discuss the book. In addition, our Seeking God ministry team lead “SkyPrayer Calls” during the break, where students were gathered virtually for times of devotion and prayer. We praise God for the stirring of his Spirit in our midst and for the initiative in prayer seen in our students and our student leaders.
It feels like the new year has sprung upon us all too quickly, with students already returning to campus over the past few days and continuing into this weekend. While it has been mostly quiet, God has certainly been at work. Over Winter break many of our students were reading ‘Making Sense of God’ by Tim Keller, which we gave out at the end of last semester at our book giveaway outreach event. A group of our students even met over video chat during the break to discuss the book. In addition, our Seeking God ministry team lead “SkyPrayer Calls” during the break, where students were gathered virtually for times of devotion and prayer. We praise God for the stirring of his Spirit in our midst and for the initiative in prayer seen in our students and our student leaders.
December 20, 2018
Greetings from Cambridge,
As we remember the birth of Jesus and celebrate the breathtaking global impact of the incarnation, I’ve been thinking of the extraordinary lengths that God went to so that we may know. John includes a remarkable number of things that we know in the end of his first letter; none more important than verse 20 (italics mine):
As we remember the birth of Jesus and celebrate the breathtaking global impact of the incarnation, I’ve been thinking of the extraordinary lengths that God went to so that we may know. John includes a remarkable number of things that we know in the end of his first letter; none more important than verse 20 (italics mine):
November 21, 2018
Greetings from Cambridge!
Blink and eleven weeks have come on gone. Seventy-seven days—give or take—of non-stop classes, sports, extracurricular activities, “psets”, exams, papers and interpersonal highs and lows. It’s no wonder that many students almost jog to the T or Uber to the airport as soon as they possibly can post Harvard-Yale festivities.
Blink and eleven weeks have come on gone. Seventy-seven days—give or take—of non-stop classes, sports, extracurricular activities, “psets”, exams, papers and interpersonal highs and lows. It’s no wonder that many students almost jog to the T or Uber to the airport as soon as they possibly can post Harvard-Yale festivities.
August 30, 2018
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” – John 15:5-11
Dear Friends and Family of HCFA,
This will be brief, but only because we stand on the threshold of what is arguably the most important week or two in the academic year. It’s an exciting time. Freshmen are moving in as we speak for orientation activities and forty students are returning to campus early to load a bus for Ottauquechee Farm in Bridgewater, VT. Our primary purpose? To prepare to welcome the class of 2022 with open arms.
Dear Friends and Family of HCFA,
This will be brief, but only because we stand on the threshold of what is arguably the most important week or two in the academic year. It’s an exciting time. Freshmen are moving in as we speak for orientation activities and forty students are returning to campus early to load a bus for Ottauquechee Farm in Bridgewater, VT. Our primary purpose? To prepare to welcome the class of 2022 with open arms.
July 26, 2018
Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five/two talents came forward, bringing five/two talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five/two talents; here, I have made five/two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ – Matthew 25:19-23
Dear Friends and Family of HCFA,
Imbedded in the parables surrounding Jesus’ teaching concerning His return and the final judgment (Matthew 24 & 25) lies a verdict that far surpasses any report card, performance review or earthly accomplishment we could obtain or imagine: Well done, good and faithful servant.
