Seeking God

Prayer, Revival, and Societal Transformations

At Christian Union’s Cities Conference in Manhattan in 2018, George Otis, Jr. talked about the first Great Awakenings in the United States and the ensuing socioeconomical impact that followed in various cities and communities that were “overwhelmed by the grace and presence of God.”

Riley ’22 Leads Communal Scripture Reading Initiative

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

Spring had finally arrived in Hanover, New Hampshire. On a warm May afternoon, amidst the golden sunshine, a group of students from CU Vox were spread out on blankets, reading the Bible out loud on the Dartmouth Green.

Pilar Is Christian Union’s Minister of Music

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

Linnette Pilar has a heart for worship and a prayerful passion for New York City.

Pilar, executive assistant to Christian Union Founder and CEO Matt Bennett, is a member of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, a six-time Grammy-winning group of singers who minister in their home church and around the world.    

Students Organize Worship Meetings, Easter Celebration

By Kelly Parks, Staff Writer

As COVID-19 regulations slowly lifted for churches and campus events this spring, a group of students with Christian Union’s ministry at Cornell hosted an in-person Easter sunrise service at the John R. Mott Center with a limited number of attendees.

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.

Santavicca ’73 Serves with Other Alumni on CU Vita Board

By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer

The year of 1969 might call to mind images of anti-war protests, Woodstock, or landing on the moon, but for Ed Santavicca it was the year he experienced a revival on Cornell’s campus. Arriving as a freshman in Ithaca, New York, Santavicca’s world was saturated with the cultural upheaval of the Vietnam war, rigorous academics, and a very limited understanding of God.

CU Lumine Hosts Evangelism Workshops

Kelly Parks, Staff Writer

At its core, evangelism is the act of sharing the good news of Christ with others so that they might come to have new life and have it to the fullest. As society has become increasingly secular, however, evangelism has become a less comfortable topic for many Christians. Although evangelism is sometimes synonymous with preaching on a street corner, we should certainly not overlook the equally powerful act of sharing Christ through personal witness.

Christian Union Manual Satisfies Hungry Souls

By Dr. Chuck Hetzler

Marc Minella, of Kingston, Massachusetts, was searching for a discipleship course that could feed his hunger for the Lord. When Marc downloaded the Seeking God Lifestyle manual from Christian Union Day and Night’s website, God met him in remarkable ways.

Carving Out Space to Hear God's Voice 

Loneliness may be more prevalent than ever after a year of isolating and deliberately distancing ourselves from others. It was already on the rise in younger generations in ways never seen before due to social media and a trend toward relationships existing virtually more than face-to-face. But in the midst of our loneliness, we must be willing to carve out a space for the spiritual practice, discipline even, of solitude; regular and intentional aloneness, writes Ben Self in his article at Mockingbird. 

Revival Fire Past and Present

By Dr. Michael L. Brown

In a certain sense, God’s presence fills the universe. Yet there are times in history when He manifests His presence in a particular place or in a particular way that is unique and distinct and powerful and transformative. We call those times “revival.”

Despite COVID Restrictions, CU Lux Digs Deep into Scripture

By Kelly Parks, Staff Writer

Community has looked very different on college campuses these past few months than it has in years past. However, these changes have not stopped Christian Union Universities from ministering to students across the United States, in person and also through virtual connections.

CU New York Hosts Retreat for Young Professionals

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

A group of ten young professionals recently attended a Christian Union Fire retreat in New York City. Based on their feedback and ensuing testimonies, the event fueled a greater depth of seeking God and a passion for seeking revival.

CU Conference Inspired Students to Put Faith into Action

by catherine elvy, staff writer

The devotion and courage of King Jehoshaphat was remarkable. Although he had his flaws, the ancient leader worshipped God, readily obeyed spiritual commands, and boldly compelled the nation of Judah to seek the Lord.

Such practices dovetail with some of the key missions of Christian Union, a leadership development organization that encourages college students to honor the Lord, step out in faith, and change the world.

1820 Revival Transformed Providence, Brown University

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor 

Missing the Most Important One

By Dr. Chuck Hetzler

The revelations of Ravi Zacharias’ failures have invited a host of questions to discern how such destructive  sins could have occurred. Seeking answers, Christians have primarily probed RZIM from an organizational perspective.

Sternklar ’22 Has a Passion For Prayer, International Justice  

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

Athena Sternklar wants to change the world through a career focused on international policy and humanitarian aid.

The political science major, who transferred to Columbia University in the fall, took a hiatus from college a few years back to travel abroad and volunteer in refugee camps in Greece, Serbia, and Jordan. She came to Columbia via Montgomery Community College in her hometown of Rockville, Maryland.

Digital Publication Continues Ministry's Long History of Reporting

Welcome to The Magazine, Christian Union's online publication of feature stories, ministry updates, commentary, and news.

Christian Union's 2019 Fact-Finding Trip

Three Biblical Reasons to Fast 

By Dr. Chuck Hetzler, vice president of biblical theology

Twenty-first century American Christianity is not known for self-denial. Most of the American church’s marketing mirrors the world’s. The church sells good-looks, fashion, and personal happiness. No doubt, following Jesus makes your life better, but true discipleship promises hardship and absolute surrender along the way. 

And He said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” – Luke 9:23

Yale Alumna Recalls Seeking God Lifestyle Course    

By Alisha Reginal, Yale ’15

Christian Union whet my appetite for fasting. Nine years ago, I participated in Christian Union’s Seeking God Lifestyle Bible course at Yale. The course discussed seven principles to intentionally draw near to God. The first was “humility with fasting.”