Humble Hearts and Hands Lead at Penn

At one of our recent Philia meetings, the weekly Christian leadership lecture series we hold for Penn students, we discussed the significance of leadership and servitude from John 13:3-5 (ESV), “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him (emphasis added).” The phrase “all things” is also used in Ephesians 1:22, “God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.” 

Paul is almost mirroring John’s writing in the gospel. The main point discussed, and later modeled at our Philia was what Jesus did once everything was given to Him–He served. He used His authority, His influence, His power to serve. 

King Jesus modeled Christian leadership for us when he took off his robe, then put on a towel and began washing his disciples feet. Jesus’ charge to his disciples was, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (vv.13-15). 

Christian Union Martus, fall 2024 

As an application of this Scripture, I washed each person's hands in the room. If Jesus was to model leadership in this way, then it was my desire to do the same. The kingdom of God surely moves in power, but that power moves through the hands of humble servants that are willing to wash. 

Jesus, God in the flesh, postured Himself such that He took on the form of a servant. If we are to develop Chrsitian leaders, I believe it will happen through a modeling of Jesus as we, “do just as I have done to you” (John 13:15).

Christian Union Martus students are doing what God has modeled for us by thinking of others as higher themselves. For example, students such as Alexis Kissiedu, '27, come early and leave late, doing the behind the scenes work to ensure that students have a place to come to find peace, comfort, and joy.

Sarah Hickenbothem, the women's ministry fellow at Christian Union Martus, shared, "The daily tasks that need to be done to run a ministry that serves others well are equally important to the bigger ones such as praying for strangers on campus. Making plans to ensure that students have an opportunity to study together, to study Scripture together each week and to be enriched by weekly leadership lectures by doing all the behind the scenes work to ensure that their peers have an opportunity to encounter Christ shouldn't be underestimated. It changes lives." 


Christian Union campaign "Jesus Disrupts" in spring 2024 at Penn

As one student, Brianna Garcia, '27, shared, "This is a supportive community that I didn't even know I needed, but God blessed me with upon entering college." 

God is changing lives at Penn through the hands and hearts of humble students willing to place King Jesus above it all. 

Learn more about making Christ known at Penn through Christian Union Martus' ministry.