Harvard

Twelve Things You Need to Know About the Third Person of the Trinity

In the fall semester, Fady Ghobrial, a Christian Union ministry fellow at Harvard University, challenged students to go deeper in their faith when he delivered a message about the Holy Spirit during DOXA, Christian Union Gloria’s Leadership Lecture Series. Ghobrial’s lecture, “Twelve Things You Need to Know About the Holy Spirit,” covered thematic threads through scripture, church history, and systematic theology, and was followed by a question and answer session that unpacked even more teaching about the Holy Spirit. Below is a summary and highlights of the twelve points:

From New Releases to Classics

Everyone needs a good book on hand. To help you decide where to start in the new year, Christian Union ministry faculty and staff have put together a recommended booklist for 2022. Ranging from new releases to old classics, there is sure to be something that will bless and challenge you this year. Take a look! 

“The Feeling of Christian Community Is Palpable”

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

“Something is afoot at Harvard Law School. God is on the move.”

CU Gloria Reaches Out to Freshmen, Returning Students

By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer

It’s easy to recall March of 2020. The growing alarm about the COVID-19 pandemic, cases emerging in various parts of the country, the uncertainty of what might happen, the beginning of lockdowns, working from home, and some hospitals overflowing with patients. It was a traumatic time for everyone and the beginning of what would be many losses for individuals, families, businesses, and our nation. 

 ‘I Am Deeply Grateful for How God Uses Christian Union to Engage Students’

By Daniel Norton, Harvard ’14

I grew up attending Catholic mass most weekends with my family. When I enrolled at Harvard in 2010, my faith could best be described as moralistic deism–I felt compelled to attend mass, do my best to behave biblically, and label myself as a good Christian. Yet my faith was built on a weak foundation, rooted in a flawed belief system that I could somehow win God’s favor through church attendance or by occasionally behaving more biblically than my college peers. 

Christian Union Event Inspires Young Leaders

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

Students with Christian Union ministries at some of the nation’s most influential universities gathered virtually last spring for a Seeking God Lifestyle Seminar. For eight evenings, attendees heard inspiring teaching on topics ranging from repentance to revival, gathered in cohorts, and sought to draw closer to the Lord.
 

A New Season and A Great Commision for CU Gloria Law

By Kelly Parks, Staff Writer

As members of the student executive team of CU Gloria Law prayed about the vision for the current academic year, each sensed the Lord calling them to focus on evangelism and discipleship. CU Gloria Law is Christian Union’s leadership development ministry at Harvard Law School.

Online Study Is Fruitful for CU Gloria Students

By Kelly Parks, Staff Writer

A group of students with CU Gloria at Harvard University systematically studied the book of Exodus during the summer. 

Newlyweds Thankful for CU Community at Harvard

By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer

When it comes to marriage, our modern culture tends to focus on the couple. But for Joshua Walton ’21 and Jessica Edwards ’21 (now Walton), it is the power of living in Christian community that has brought them together, encouraged them, and forged a supportive foundation for their new marriage.

Harvard Alumna Thankful for Cornerstone Partners Bible Study

By Alexandra Tartaglia, Harvard ’17

It was January of 2021, and I had been living at my parents’ house in my hometown of Rye, New York. I was completing my final semester of law school virtually, as the Fordham University School of Law campus was closed because of the pandemic.

'Our Nation Needs Leaders Who Follow the Example of Christ' 

By Hope Arbery

In the book of Mark, there is a story about a paralytic man. After hearing about the powerful works of Jesus, his friends literally carried him to Jesus because they wanted him to be healed. They overcame every obstacle so that they might bring their friend to the only one who could save him. 

Greg Epstein Is 'Good Without God'

Harvard has appointed Greg Epstein as the new Chief Chaplain; he is an atheist. The hiring has elucidated ire from conservative institutions gawking at how someone who believes God does not exist could possibly be the president of such a spiritually-minded, albeit diverse, group of individuals. Meanwhile, others have congratulated Harvard for their willingness to represent their student body and acknowledge atheism as a valid spiritual pursuit. 

He Is Doing His Work One Student at a Time

By JUSTIN YIM

Henri Nouwen, who authored such books as The Wounded Healer, The Way of the Heart, and The Return of the Prodigal Son, resigned from Harvard’s Divinity School in 1985 citing that God was dead at Harvard—that it was a spiritual desert.

The Pilgrimage to a Holy City

By Caleb King, Harvard ’23

Editor’s note: The following article was reprinted with permission from theHarvard Ichthus, a journal of Christian thought and expression produced by undergraduates at Harvard University.

CU Gloria Law Leader Pursues Dual Degree

By Kelly Parks, Staff Writer

After serving in the Marines for seven years, Joel Malkin made a major career change and enrolled in the joint degree program at Harvard Law and Business Schools in 2020. One year into pursuing his Juris Doctorate and Masters of Business Administration, Malkin has been an active participant in Christian Union’s ministry at Harvard Law, CU Gloria Law. 

Donaldson ’23 Relies on Christ to Overcome Adversity 

By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer

2020 didn’t go as planned for anyone. But for the class of ’23, it was uniquely disappointing. The pandemic cut into the long-anticipated college experience of making new friends and living in the dorms as first-year students, and for Gabby Donaldson, it meant missing a whole season of playing on the Harvard women’s basketball team.

CU Gloria Helps Host Online Event at Harvard

By Kelly Parks, Staff Writer

After a year of  online classes,  most college students have become well-acquainted with Zoom-fatigue, loneliness, and stress. Some claim that college is the best time of one’s life, based on the available myriad of activities and frequent social gatherings. To the extent that this adage is true, COVID-19 restrictions have certainly turned this saying on its head. Rather than doing homework in coffee shops surrounded by friends, students are relegated to their dorms, apartments, or houses, dealing with the stress of academia in solitude.

HLS Alumnus Discusses the Implications of Genesis 2:5

By Paul Michalski

“When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground. (Genesis 2:5)”

CU Gloria Provides Vital Resources During Harvard Break

By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer

As Harvard transitioned from the fall semester into a long break, CU Gloria provided spiritual encouragement and community for students through “Winter Workshops” and book groups. Though winter break is a welcome change of pace after a semester of long days and intense studying, this time away from community that often lacks structure can also become a lonely time in which students struggle in their faith.

Adewuyi ’20 Thankful for Christian Union’s Influence

By Catherine Elvy

A recent Harvard Law School alumnus plans to use his skills and talents to advocate for housing access and affordability. Yemi Adewuyi ’20 wants to play a role in initiatives that empower the disadvantaged to become self-sufficient.

“Justice is making sure that a person experiencing homelessness can escape poverty,” said Adewuyi.