Christian Union Magazine: Spring 2019 by Christian Union

CORNELL

YALE

Revisiting The Sabbath

Baseball Captain Continues Legacy

Christian Union the magazine :: spring 2019

Christian Leadership Development page 12

Special Feature Section: Nexus Student Conference Christian Union Day & Night: God of the Subway The Spiritual Climate on Campus: News from some of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading universities

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www.CUCitiesConference.org The second annual Christian Union Cities Conference will welcome working professionals and graduate students to engage with peers and renowned speakers in search of redemptive cultural change in New York City, Washington DC and other key cities throughout the US. The tremendous lineup of speakers includes James K.A. Smith, Vince Vitale, and others. Learn more, or register today, at CUCitiesConference.org. FRIDAY JUNE 21, 2019

SATURDAY JUNE 22, 2019

The Union League Club 38 E 37th Street, NYC 6:00 – 10:30 pm

Nyack College 2 Washington Street, NYC 9:30 am – 6:00 pm

table of contents

volume xvii issue i

Christian Union

the maga zine :: spring 2019 7

in e ach issue Letter from the CEO / 3 Q and A / 10 Stewardship News / 32

4 Nexus Student Conference

spring 2 019 fe at ure sec t ion “Courageous in the Ways of the Lord” / 6 Calling, Courage, and Christ / 8 Q and A with Lisa Schultz / 10

12 From the University to the City

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This magazine is published by Christian Union, an independent Christian ministry.

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cover photo: Tomi Odukoya ’21 and Yale Ministry Director Clay Cromer Photo credit: Sara Beth Turner

36 The Spiritual Climate on Campus

updat e s fr om l e ading univer si t ie s Merton Lecture” “Views from Space” (Columbia) :: Night of Glorious Praise (Cornell) :: Honoring Elizabeth Anscombe (Harvard) :: Band of Brothers (Penn) :: Collegiate Day of Prayer (Princeton) :: News-in-Brief from each university, and more

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the maga zine

Penn / 24

2019

ChristianUnion.org Twitter.com/ChristianUnion Facebook.com/Christian.Union

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on the web

The Captain of Bulldog Baseball (Yale) / 14 Living, Loving at Brown / 16 Mission-Minded Service (Princeton) / 18 chris tian union univer sities Cornell / 20 Dartmouth / 21 Harvard / 23 Stanford / 26 Harvard Law / 27 Columbia / 28 chris tian union cities New York Christian Union / 30 c h r i s t i a n u n i o n d ay a n d n i g h t God of the Subway / 33

Christian Union T H E

M A G A Z I N E

volume xvii issue i spring 2019 editor-in-chief

executive editor

managing editor

staff writer

field reporters

Matthew Bennett

Patrick Dennis Tom Campisi Catherine Elvy Jon Garaffa

Grace Choi Zachary Lee Francine Barchett Kayla Bartsch Nathan Barlow Ayleen Sanchez

INVEST IN TOMORROW’S LEADERS.

Cassandra Jobman Cassandra Hsaio Meagan Peters

photo editor

contributing editor

proofreader

Rachel Mari

art director

Michelle Taylor

production

Sarah Camp

Bethany Wakeley

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©2019 Christian Union. All rights reserved. Christian Union: The Magazine is published quarterly. Its goal is to encourage and inform Christian alumni, students, parents, staff, faculty, and friends about Christian Union’s work—and about other spiritual activity—at eight of this country’s most influential colleges, and in key cities. Our desire is that this publication would inspire readers to seek God, to use their influence for the cause of Christ, to pray, and to give financially to Christian initiatives that are bringing about culture change for God’s glory. To request an advertising rate card, please e-mail Tom. Campisi@ChristianUnion.org. postmaster: Send address changes to: Christian Union, 19 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542

letter from the founder and ceo

Investing in Future Leaders “Change the university and you change the world.”

in their faith than ever, ready to be used of God as transformative Christian leaders to positively impact the world. The goal should not be merely to survive their four years with a faith still present, but to accelerate their love and devotion to God. Together, through financial generosity, prayers, direct ministry work, and by the power of God, lives can be radically changed and universities shifted in their promotion of the good in larger society. May God bring a wonderful future to the nation’s universities as Christians band together for the good of our beloved country. Sincerely in Christ,

Matthew W. Bennett

2019 :: christianunion.org

is the founder and CEO of Christian Union. He earned undergraduate and MBA degrees from Cornell, and launched Christian Union in 2002 in Princeton, New Jersey. matt bennett

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r. Charles Malik, former president of the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council, declared, “The university is a clear-cut fulcrum with which to move the world. Change the university and you change the world.” This reality is understood by the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-20), which is why so much pathology of the nation is sourced in the universities. Years are spent shaping the thinking of the nation’s future leaders, and if these imparted ways of looking at the world are not infused with the glorious truths of the living God, students can be launched on a trajectory that can bring devastation. Decades after graduation, one Princeton alumnus told me that the religion department and chapel office “ruined his life for twenty years” before he finally found God. My strong urging to Christian alumni is to invest financially in Gospel ministry at their alma maters. Christian agencies like Christian Union complement the teaching of the universities with life-giving doctrines of the new covenant of Jesus Christ. Students receive teaching, encouragement, love, friendship, healing, and sometimes deliverance from evil spirits, too. They have the potential to emerge from four years of university training stronger

feature section :: spring 2019 Nexus 2019 Overview / 6 Vocational Panels / 8 Q and A with Lisa Schultz / 10

The Nexus of Faith & Work Jehoshaphat’s heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord... – 2nd

chronicles

17 : 6 spring

2019 :: christianunion.org

On February 22-24, Christian Union hosted its annual Nexus Conference for students from some of the nation's most influential colleges. At Nexus, these students were challenged by plenary speakers and marketplace professionals to seek the Lord wholeheartedly and courageously put their faith info action.

5 photo credit: rocksteady images,

dartmouth alumni jordan kunzika ’16

feature section | nexus

‘Courageous in the Ways of the Lord’ Nexus Conference Inspires Students to Put Faith into Action by catherine elvy, staff writer

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me that God has a track record of using he devotion and courage of King sessions emphasized biblical worldviews broken people for great things, small and Jehoshaphat was remarkable. Aland thought-provoking topics related to large, and that He can use broken me, too.” though he had his flaws, the anfaith and work. Larissa Oliveira, Princeton ’21, also cient leader worshipped God, readily Likewise, undergraduates appreciated appreciated “hearing from people in the obeyed spiritual commands, and boldly myriad insights on ways to navigate career real world talk about their relationship with compelled the nation of Judah to seek the and life challenges, and some took advanGod.” The psychology major “loved the Lord. tage of opportunities to receive prayer and practicality and eternal validity of this year’s Such practices dovetail with some of counseling. Nexus.” the key missions of Christian Union, a “The conference gave me an opportuleadership development organization that encourages college students to honor the Lord, step out in faith, and change the world. In February, Christian Union Founder and Chief Executive Officer Matt Bennett kicked off the ministry’s 2019 Nexus Conference by asking students to consider the dedication and leadership of Jehoshaphat, a descendent of King David. “There are incredible benefits to being courageous in the Lord,” said Bennett, Cornell ’88, MBA ’89. “We want to Credit: Rocksteady Images maximize our lives and not live fruitless lives. Worship the Dr. Jimmy Lin, founder and president of the Rare Genomics Institute, was a keynote speaker at Nexus. Lord and Him alone.” More than 400 people, including 248 In addition to serving as a plenary nity to hear from professionals who were students, attended Nexus February 22-24 speaker, Eric Metaxas received the organiliving out their faith walks in their jobs, at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, zation’s Christian Leader of the Year award. which was very cool,” said Jadyn BroomNew Jersey. This year’s theme centered The Yale alumnus of 1984 is the host of a field (Harvard ’21), a native of Detroit who upon 2 Chronicles 17:6, which highlights nationally syndicated daily radio program is concentrating in the history of science. how Jehoshaphat’s “heart was courageous and a bestselling author. Ben Dormus (Yale ’21), a political sciin the ways of the Lord.” Metaxas implored students to reflect ence major from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Students from Brown, Columbia, Corthe love and compassion of Christ as they echoed those comments. “The best part of nell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princedisplay courage. “The Lord is always the Nexus was hearing the real struggles of real ton, Stanford, and Yale participated in the advocate of the ones who have no voice,” people, whether that was from my peers weekend of dynamic worship, prayer, and said Metaxas in a nod to two of his celeor from the speakers, who spoke candidly scriptural teaching. Plenary and breakout brated works: Amazing Grace: William and pointedly,” he said. “It affirmed for

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2019 :: christianunion.org

as deputy speaker of the House of Lords Among other speakers, Baroness CarWilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End from 1985 to 2005. oline Cox described her work as president Slavery; and Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, In addition to the teaching in the pleof Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust. The Prophet, Spy. nary and breakout sessions, the drama and Englishwoman founded the organization Still, the ultimate example of courage fun of the annual Spoken Word Bible Memin 2004 to provide aid and advocacy for comes from the Risen Lord. “Jesus, on the orization Contest, and the united, powerful some of the beneficiaries of her previous cross, was the most courageous man ever worship, undergraduate atto live. He suffered for mantendees also appreciated opkind,” said Metaxas. “He did portunities to network with it because He loves us.” other student believers. “I Among other speakers, came to Nexus because I have physician and scientist Jimnever missed one,” said Elijah my Lin, Yale ’01, discussed Schultz, Columbia ’19. his unconventional journey This year’s conference to become a cancer genomics provided a “gathering of my pioneer and rare disease sofamily in Christ,” said Schulcial entrepreneur. tz, a mechanical engineering Given the plot twists in major from Hurricane, West his career path, Lin encourVirginia. aged undergraduates to seek Credit: Rocksteady Images A feature of the conferGod for direction and to be Students from nine of the nation's leading universities attended Nexus. ence was a 24/7 prayer room, faithful stewards of their talwhere students and ministry ents. “God has given us infellows from various Christellectual abilities,” Lin said. tian Union ministries took Today, Lin serves as a turns interceding throughout chief scientific officer for onthe weekend. cology at Natera Inc., where In his message on the he leads the development of opening night, Christian diagnostic technologies for Union’s founder drove home cancer. Lin also is a 2016 the paramount nature of Senior TED Fellow and abundant prayer and repenfounder and president of tance, especially as part of the Rare Genomics Institute, the strategic groundwork to carworld’s first platform to enCredit: Rocksteady Images ry out courageous spiritual able a community to leverage acts, on campus and in the cutting-edge biotechnology Linnette Pilar, a Christian Union staff member, worships the Lord at Nexus. future. to advance understanding of The Lord “wants you to listen and then missionary endeavors and to reach out to a rare disease. move out in strong faith,” said Bennett. oppressed individuals in other nations. Lin encouraged students to tithe their “He will guide you and do extraordinary Notably, Cox’s aid work has taken her time to serve others, especially with budand wonderful things.” | cu into conflict zones, where she has witnessed ding spiritual and professional talents. “The humanitarian needs and gathered evidence habits you establish in college are what lay of human rights violations. She also served the foundation for your entire life,” he said.

feature section | nexus

Calling, Courage, and Christ

Nexus Attendees Challenged to Be Salt and Light in Marketplace by tom campisi, managing editor

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ave the courage to say yes—even when you are unsure of where it may lead. That was one word of advice given to students by television and film producer D.T. Slouffman during the media and communications vocational panel at Christian Union’s Nexus Conference in February. The theme of the conference was “Courageous in the Ways of the Lord.” Slouffman, who has won six Sports Emmy Awards, recently created six digital sub-brands for Sports Illustrated and was executive producer for the magazine’s digital series SI NOW. Other credits include work on CNN, Lifetime, and Discovery Channel. At Nexus, he recalled how his career accelerated after accepting a last-minute assignment to cover figure skating in Switzerland. Taking advantage of that opportunity led to work with the Winter Olympics and other jobs until he was requested as stage manager by legendary sports commentator Brent Musberger. “Say yes until God says no,” he advised the students. “Don’t be afraid to say yes and believe that God is sovereign. You won’t be sorry that you did. One thing leads to another, which leads to another. When you say yes, it is courageous.” Another member of the media and communications panel, Christina Crook told the students to “have the courage to be curious.” Crook is an award-winning author of The Joy of Missing Out: Finding Balance in a Wired World. She talked about her Letters from a Luddite project, which chronicled her thirty-one-day internet fast and fueled her passion for exploring the intersection of technology, relationships, and joy.

One of the highlights from the Arts vocational panel came from Sally LloydJones, a New York Times bestselling writer and author of several popular children’s books, including How to Be a Baby, The Jesus Storybook Bible, and Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing. Jones told the students at Nexus that her writing doesn’t target Christians, but

Policy and Education at First Liberty Institute, focused his remarks on conflicts in the life of a litigator. “You want your faith to impact your law practice—you don’t want the legal profession to shape you,” he told attendees. Lisa Schultz, Chief of Staff for United States Senate Chaplain Barry Black, talked about having courage on Capitol Hill,

Credit: Rocksteady Images

Penelists Morgan Lee, D.T. Slouffman, and Christina Crook at the media and communications vocational panel

instead focuses on beauty and excellence. “I don’t write Christian books or non-Christian books,” she said. “Christ made beauty. Beauty speaks to us. If everything we do is done with excellence, beauty will reach everyone. My calling is to bring joy to children.” In the law and government vocational panel, attorney Andrew Graham spoke about being salt and light in the legal profession. Graham, the executive director for

where status is an idol and politicians are separated by deep ideological divides. “I try to be courageous and not look at people through a political lens and party affiliation,” she said. “We focus on the image of God in people.” Schultz encouraged the students to pursue careers in government and to trust in God. “We need believers who love the Lord and walk with the Lord in Washington,

Students Respond To Vocational Panels Below is a sample of student feedback from Nexus 2019: • “The law and government panel showed me how the type of work I am considering can magnify Jesus’ name.” • “The medicine breakout panel inspired me towards more discipline in my studies, as well as my investment in campus ministry.” • “The finance and economics panel was eye-opening because we got to hear professionals talk about how they can excel at work, but also stay focused on God’s purposes.” • “The social science panel was amazing!”

:: christianunion.org

• “The panels and plenary sessions motivated me to not bury what I have, but, instead, allow God to multiply all that he’s given me and accomplish His purposes in the world through me.”

2019

Integrous LLC, admitted he had absolutely no idea about calling or the connection of faith and work when he achieved his lifelong dream job as a partner in a Wall Street law firm. An alumnus of Harvard College (’83) and Harvard Law School (’86), Michalski and his wife appeared to have it all with two children and a house in the suburbs. But once he reached the pinnacle of success, work no longer provided satisfaction. Michalski recalled thinking, “Is this it?” “It felt disturbingly empty,” he said. At home, his marriage was “in a slow death spiral.” The crisis, however, led him to cry out to the Lord. And he also started to attend meetings of the original chapter of the New Canaan Society, “a group of men who gather together to encourage each other in friendship and faith and to support each other to be better husbands, fathers, — and better men — in the marketplace and in our communities.” “Men came around me and taught me about Jesus,” he said. “The Lord miraculously restored my marriage.” In 2009, he left his firm to provide national leadership to the New Canaan Society and became involved in the faith and work movement. Today, as general counsel of Integrous, his personal mission statement is: “to serve by redeeming work through the impartation of wisdom to leaders, spotlighting God’s truth and connecting its meaning to organizational cultures and practices.” “Our life is our faith,” he told the students at Nexus. “We need to bring our work into our faith, not bring our faith into our work.” | cu

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DC,” she said. “Be confident in Christ, not in status or power. It’s ok to be weak and depend on God.” Panelist J. Daryl Charles, PhD, also encouraged students not to be afraid to work in government, despite the distrust many millennials may have for those institutions. Charles, an author, editor, and Acton Institute affiliated scholar in Theology and Ethics, challenged attendees to have a public faith, not a private faith. “God resists evil and preserves morality through sound ordinances,” he said. “Law and government play a significant role and are crucial to a civil society.” “We must not forsake these institutions…we are cultural stewards. We need to love people and let the chips fall where they may. Despite living in a pagan cultural climate, we must stand for moral truth and a virtuous culture…” “We need to have a robust, public faith and stand up in the marketplace.” In the business ventures breakout session, students were similarly challenged. “Do you have the courage to make a difference in the marketplace?” said Peter Cline, the founder and chief executive officer of Auxano Advisors. “Your work in the marketplace is your ministry. It’s your pulpit. It’s your calling.” Cline talked about his company’s biblical approach to stewardship and wealth management. “We believe money is simply a tool to do the will of God. Nothing more…We do not create wealth on our own. God creates wealth through us,” said Cline, quoting Deuteronomy 8:18. “God provides you with capital to fulfill your calling.” Attorney Paul Michalski, founder of

feature section | nexus

Senate Chaplain Chief of Staff Q and A with Lisa Schultz

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should be to renew this broken world and isa Schultz is the Chief of Staff bring His kingdom to earth, here and now! for United States Senate Chaplain Working in government allows Christians Barry C. Black. She directs all of to impact our world for good in beautiful Chaplain Black’s programs and outreach ways and to restore what has been broken. to Senators, their families, and hundreds of Senate staff. Schultz has spent 15 years overseeing Capitol Hill-focused ministries, first as Director of Outreach for the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship and the last 11 years for the Senate Chaplain. Prior to her time serving on Capitol Hill, she lived as a missionary in Schladming, Austria, for seven years under the umbrella of Torchbearers International. At Christian Union’s Nexus Lisa Schultz Student Conference in February, Schultz was a member of the law and govIt would be such a joy to see more people ernment panel during the vocational breakwho love and walk with Jesus play a vital out sessions. role in shaping the way our country is governed and impacting the laws we make. CU MAGAZINE: How did you like inCU: What are some of the unique chalteracting with students at Nexus? lenges your office faces and how does your faith play a role? LISA SCHULTZ: I was incredibly encouraged in my faith during the Nexus ConLS: Thankfully, we have been viewed as ference. It was refreshing to see so many making a positive impact on Capitol Hill students [from leading universities] praisby Senators and staff alike. One unique ing the Lord in worship. During the meal and ongoing challenge for me at work is times I spoke to a number of the particito see everyone through the lens of Christ, pants and it was evident that everyone I not simply as a Republican or Democrat, encountered had a strong desire to pursue or as someone who works for [a certain God. Senator]. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord reminds us that men look at the outside of CU: At Nexus, you encouraged students a person, but the Lord looks at the heart. to pursue a career in government. Why do I know that God loves the whole world you feel strongly about this? and calls us to do the same. LS: As Christians we look forward to the CU: Did previously working as a misday when God will create a new heaven sionary help prepare you for this role? and a new earth. Until that time, our work

LS: Overseas missionary work taught me

countless lessons about how to trust God and how to rely on Him in situations where I have been uncomfortable, weak, or felt insecure. Somehow, at age 21, I found myself living in a small ski town in the Austrian Alps teaching people about Jesus. I was a girl from Oklahoma who spent entire summers playing in my backyard pool. I learned to trust God to do things that I could not do on my own. Fast forward to today and I still fight the same fears that I had back in Austria, only I’m in Washington, D.C. I never studied politics, I was terrible in school, I definitely did not graduate from an Ivy League university—so working on Capitol Hill was “slightly” out of my comfort zone. Thankfully, the Lord has taught me to trust in Him in areas where I am weak. This has been a pattern God has used in my life, and I find Him faithful every time. Where I am weak, He is strong. CU: What are the programs and out-

reaches to Senators, their families, and their staffs? LS: The Senate Chaplain’s office mission

is to support the 7,000 plus Senate staff and Senators in their spiritual lives. Because I am a Christian, I can minister to Christians, including teaching a small group Bible study every week. I also host ladies’ tea events and men’s breakfasts in the Capitol to encourage Senate staff. Besides opening up the Senate every day in prayer, Chaplain Black leads four Bible studies every week; two for Senate staff, one for Senators only, and one for Chiefs of Staff/ Directors. We have spiritual mentoring

programs, a guest chaplain program, and host Jewish events. Our staff is available for personal counseling and our office door is always open. CU: How has working for the Senate

Chaplain changed you? LS: Working for Chaplain Black has, I

hope, made me a more thoughtful, kind-

LS: I really believe that Jesus operated out

of love—love that broke down barriers. This love captured the hearts and lives of His followers. His radical love for all people was astounding. I pray our office can do the same thing, that, through our being filled with the Holy Spirit, we can love people into the kingdom. Every day, before my boss prays before the opening of the Senate, our office says a

Senate. We pray together and read the Bible together. Once these friendships are formed, barriers break down, and people can begin to see each other through the lens of Christ. CU: How does your faith sustain you? LS: I have a difficult time understanding

how people can survive without having faith. Faith brings me peace in the midst of chaos on Capitol Hill. For eight hours a day, five days a week, I see press and media groups frantically running around, chasing Senators, because every day we have breaking news. The world seems to be falling apart and lest I forget for a few waking hours, I work in the center of the Capitol building. I have participated in a number of lockdowns and cannot walk but a few feet in the hallway before encountering Capitol Police...for a reason. My hope has to be in an unshakeable God. He is the answer to a world that lives in great fear. CU: What Bible verses relate to your job

Credit: iStock

The mission of the Senate Chaplain's office is to support the 7,000 plus Senate staff and Senators in their spiritual lives.

:: christianunion.org

myself quoting Romans 8:28 often. The Lord does cause “all things to work together for good to those who love him and are called according to His purpose.” This truth doesn’t change after an election. God is always working for the good of His people and He is for us. Another verse that has resonated for me is Daniel 2:21, “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” This verse helps me to remember that, indeed, it is God who is in control over our rulers and those who govern. | cu

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CU: How does your office try to bring people together in a very partisan city?

prayer for his prayer. I always ask the Lord to fill Chaplain Black with wisdom and the Holy Spirit. I know that this makes a difference. If we stay closely connected to the vine, Jesus will bring people together through us. To answer this question in a more practical way, all of our staff events are attended by both Democrats and Republicans. Our events bring people together both physically and, more importantly, spiritually. Currently, in my Bible study group, I have staff from the Sergeant at Arms, Capitol Police, and the Secretary of the

LS: While it sounds a bit redundant, I find spring

er, more empathetic Christian. Becoming friends and studying Scripture with people of all backgrounds, with different political convictions, I have found myself more open to listening than speaking. I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know and understand people who are very different than I.

and ministering to high-level leaders?

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from the university to the city

Transformative Leadership by god’s grace, culture will be transformed as the lives of our future

chris tian

leaders and the universities they attend are impacted by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

union

As students who are well-positioned to assume roles of influence learn to seek

universities

God, grow in their faith, and develop a thoughtful, Christ-centered worldview,

updat e

they will be prepared to engage culture in a powerful way. This is at the heart

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of Christian Union’s work at Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale. chris tian

as these students graduate, christian union’s ministry to its alumni and

and the Clapham Circle in the early 1800s. Pray that God will bring similar change to the U.S. as new networks of leaders emerge and engage today’s culture.

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used by the Lord to bring sweeping change to England through William Wilberforce

York City and Washington, D.C., their impact will be multiplied. This model was

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developing networks of young professionals in key cultural centers, starting in New

cities

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their peers—Christian Union Cities—will help them take the next step. By

union

13 Penn students Emily Solomon ’21 and Ethan Chaffee ’21 photo credit: cody min

christian union universities

The Captain of Bulldog Baseball Whiteman ’19 Has Draft Aspirations

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by catherine elvy, staff writer

the star athlete as a faithful participant in Bible As captain of Yale University’s baseball courses and expressed appreciation for his role as an team, Simon Whiteman is grateful for assistant Bible course leader during fall 2018. the opportunities his position has afford“Simon is widely reed him to add new chapters spected, and just a few minto the team’s rich history. utes with him will show you Especially memorable why. He is a ‘tender warhave been the recent events rior.’ He exhibits oththat contributed to a “realers-centeredness and deep ly big fall for our program,” humility, combined with said Whiteman ’19. personal intensity and rugIn late November, the ged assurance in Christ,” team was in the spotlight said Cromer. as the nation mourned the In addition, Whiteman death of one of its former has reached out to his Bullcaptains, President George dog teammates with Bible H.W. Bush, ’48. Weeks course opportunities since earlier, Yale baseball alumhis freshman year. After nus Mike Elias ’06 was arriving at Yale, “I really named as the executive vice took ownership of my president and general manfaith,” Whiteman said. “My ager of the Baltimore OriCredit: Steve Musco, courtesy of Yale University faith has really shaped my oles. As captain of Yale University’s baseball team, character, who I am as a As his team’s renown Simon Whiteman ’19 is grateful for opportunities to person.” continues to increase, share in his team’s amazing legacy. Now, as graduation apWhiteman paused to credproaches, the Connecticut it the mentorship he renative’s focus is on reflecting his faith on the field ceives from Christian Union’s ministry at Yale for and wherever baseball may take him. Stepping up strengthening his leadership skills and spirituality. to the plate allows Whiteman to combine his twin The ministry has offered the infielder Christian passions for spirituality and sportsmanship. “We are all given a bunch of talents and means to give God “Simon is a ‘tender warrior.’ He exhibits glory,” he said. others-centeredness and deep humility, Not surprisingly, Whiteman is grateful for recent collegiate opportunities that may pave the way for combined with personal intensity and a look from Major League Baseball teams. rugged assurance in Christ.” During summer 2018, the chemical engineering —Ministry Director Clay Cromer major helped propel the Valley Blue Sox to a 19-6 victory over the formidable Ocean State Waves in the decisive game two of the New England Collegiate leadership training via its Bible courses, weekly lecBaseball League Championship Series, clinching a tures series, and other resources. “It has become an second-straight title. The Massachusetts team also invaluable source of grace,” said Whiteman. enjoyed a league-best 30-12 regular season record. In turn, Ministry Director Clay Cromer described

During a series of media interviews, Whiteman stressed how Bush’s wisdom and character, plus his love of all things Yale stood out. “He was eager to hear about our season,” said Whiteman. In another key Yale baseball development, the Baltimore Orioles announced their selection of alumnus Elias as general manager in November. The hiring came as Elias completed his thirteenth season in Major League Baseball. Among his cre-

Credit: Steve Musco, courtesy of Yale University

2019 :: christianunion.org

dentials, Elias served as manager of amateur scouting for the St. Louis Cardinals and director of amateur scouting for the Houston Astros. In 2016, the Astros expanded his role to include player development and minor league operations. In addition to these recent boosts to Yale’s already impressive national profile, Whiteman is setting his sights on the next level. Regardless of how that plays out, he also is keeping his focus on Jesus Christ. “I know he has his eyes set on big goals ahead, but his eyes are set on Christ above all,” said Cromer. “He’s inspiring to be around.” | cu

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The exciting summer helped to fuel Whiteman’s aspirations for a career in professional baseball. “It’s a good step in the right direction,” Whiteman said. “I’ve generated some interest.” As well, Whiteman returned to New Haven with fresh enthusiasm for serving as a Bulldogs captain in 2019. The shortstop was named to the Academic All-District Team, batting 337 as Yale finished third in the Ivy League with a 12-9 conference record. Whiteman collected 213 hits in his career and finished tied for second place on the school's alltime list. In the fall, Whiteman was honored to pay tribute to one especially memorable Bulldog baseball player, George H.W. Bush. The student-athlete participated in a series of media interviews after the death of Bush on Nov. 30 at age 94. In addition to helping Yale advance to the College World Series in 1947 and 1948, Bush played a role in an extraordinary piece of baseball history. As Yale’s captain, he was the team’s representative for a ceremony on the field as an ailing Babe Ruth presented a copy of his biography to the Yale library. The statesman retained his keen interest in Yale’s baseball team into his twilight years. Indeed, after the team’s record-breaking 34-win season in 2017, George and Barbara Bush hosted players at their oceanfront compound in Maine. The couple seemed genuinely interested in hearing about the team’s seasons and the players’ campus endeavors. Whiteman described the former president as an incredible man. “He was such a warm person to be around,” Whiteman said. “He was a very welcoming host.”

christian union universities

Living, Loving at Brown Christian Union Events Examine Art and Philosophy

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by tom campisi, managing editor

response to the ‘Good Life’ question cannot be sepChristian Union at Brown helped orgaarated from having a loving relationship with God nize two key events that made inroads and living a life obedient to His will,” she said. “There and friendships in the arts and philosophy were powerful testimonies that sparked conversations communities. and questions amongst the viewers.” In February, Christian Union co-hosted an art Ma also noted how the topic caused one artist exhibit entitled “How Do We Live a Good Life?” to admit that she “grappled” with the question in a The event, held at the Leung Family Gallery at way she never had before and how the question also Brown, was co-sponsored by the Veritas Forum, prompted reflection among othEthical Inquiry, the Office of ers in attendance. the Chaplains and Religious “The exhibit opened up a Life, and Cornerstone Magazine. space where people can use creApproximately 70 students ative tools to communicate what and guests from Brown and is important to them, which nearby Rhode Island School of helped normalize the discussion Design (RISD) attended the art about spirituality and truth,” said exhibit, which included a recepMa, a psychology major. “It apttion and brief talks from each ly showed that meaningful conartist. versations like this can occur “The art exhibit was a fantasmore often, and really anytic outreach and was done with where.” excellence,” said Justin Doyle. In March, Christian Union, “The students from Christian Ethical Inquiry, the Philosophy Union, The Branch (Chi Alpha), Institute at Brown, the Office of BCF (Brown Christian Fellow- Christian Union at Brown co-hosted an art exhibit with several campus the Chaplains and Religious Life, ship, a ministry of IV), RUF, ministries and organizations. and various ministries co-hosted BCM (Black Christian Minisa Veritas Forum with the theme tries), and BRCC (Brown and “Why You Should Love Absolutely Everyone: A PhilRISD Catholic Community) formed an inter-fellowosophical Defense of the Love Imperative.” ship student leadership team and took the reins early Approximately 150 students and staff from the on. They found space on campus, gathered artists/ Brown community attended the philosophy forum, artwork, and planned the evening. It was incredible which also included a Q and A session. The speakwatching them passionately organizing this event with ers were Dr. Meghan Sullivan, the Rev. John A. a heart for reaching fellow students at Brown and RISD O’Brien Collegiate Chair and Professor of Philosowho are far from God.” phy at Notre Dame University, and Dr. Nomy ArEmily Ma ’21, a leader with Christian Union paly, Professor of Philosophy at Brown University. who helped plan the event, said one of the highlights Dr. Sullivan unpacked the Christian love imperwas how students with a Christian worldview and ative, defended it from some difficult objections, those with no religious belief were open to share and indicated how it might serve as the basis for a what influenced their artwork. mainstream philosophical approach to ethics. Sul“The way in which the Christian artists shared livan argued that there is a “moral and rational obtheir pieces with the audience demonstrated thoughtligation to love absolutely anyone… with dignity, fully how God has shaped their lives and how their

indiscriminately, but in a way that’s appropriate to how their dignity is manifest,” according to the Brown Daily Herald. Dr. Arpaly presented a response to Sullivan’s position, arguing that the idea of loving everyone “renders love meaningless.”

Ma said. “The relationship we established with Ethical Inquiry opened up the opportunity to continue these partnerships in future forums and speaker events, to continue with the dialogue on what it means to live a ‘good life.’” Judging by the outcome and feedback afterwards,

Artists Lydia Haile ’19 and Jennifer Jeon ’21 present their work to attendees of the “How Do We Live a Good Life?” art exhibit.

Ma was certainly glad she made the connection. “Meghan Sullivan’s talk was engaging,” said Ma. “It was impressive to see her tackle the topic of impartial love. It wasn’t until that evening that I was struck with how controversial and ‘irrational’ this

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concept is within the philosophical discipline. [Dr. Sullivan] provided persuasive arguments for how impartial love is plausible. This challenges secular belief and reminds Christians how ‘worldly’ love can be—but also [shows] how God makes the ultimate expression of impartial love. Frankly, it is impossible to love impartially without believing in a God who empowers and calls us to this way of life.” | cu

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Dr. Sullivan unpacked the Christian love imperative, defended it from some difficult objections, and indicated how it might serve as the basis for a mainstream philosophical approach to ethics.

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“If you love someone for their humanity, it’s humanity you love,” said Arpaly, according to the Brown Daily Herald. “Dr. Sullivan did an amazing job presenting the Gospel in an academically rigorous manner,” said Doyle. “Later, 30 of us attended a dinner with her to continue the conversation. That gave us plenty of opportunities to engage with students and professors from the philosophy department, which, I’m sure, will prove to be invaluable in the semesters ahead.” Like the art exhibit, the students involved with Christian Union and other ministries again displayed leadership in planning and publicizing. The ministry originally sought to host its own philosophy-centered event, but when the speaker fell through, Ma was encouraged by Doyle to reach out to philosophy professor Dr. Bernard Reginster and see if Christian Union could be part of the forum with Dr. Sullivan. “Because of this academic partnership, we were able to reach a lot of philosophy undergraduate and graduate students and more faculty than in prior events, and therefore a more diverse demography,”

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Mission-Minded Service Richards ’19 Is Poised for a Medical Career by catherine elvy, staff writer

pable desire to invest in the lives of others. The ministry has provided the “community and family that I have always wanted,” said Richards. “It’s been such a blessing and honor.” Richards thanked Christian Union Ministry Fellow Qwynn Gross for providing enriching spiritual and leadership materials during Bible courses, plus support during difficult personal chapters. “Qwynn is everything to me,” said Richards. “She is like a mother to me.” In turn, Gross noted how Richards has advanced in her engagement with the Bible and pursuit of the Lord. “Throughout the semesters, and with various hurdles to overcome, Denay has always welcomed conversations that would challenge her ability to love God sincerely, love people, and forgive,” said Gross. “From the first day of meeting Denay until now, I can say, it has been my honor to witness the saving grace of our Father in her life.” Moreover, Richards is grateful for the space that Christian Union provides to allow undergraduates to probe their faith. Though she grew up in a Christian household, she walked away from Christianity during high school after a painful experience at church and even labeled herself Credit: Tasha Brown as an atheist. While at Princeton, Denay Richards ’19 has developed a passion for public Later, as a freshman at Princeton, service. Richards battled depression and anxiety. “It’s a very serious feeling to feel like your identity is lost,” she said. The Caribbean native also is majoring in molecDuring a subsequent visit from her parents, ular biology in preparation for a medical career, most Richards agreed to attend a Princeton church. “I likely in cardiothoracic surgery. Richards envisions stepped in the church, and I felt loved,” said Richherself participating in regular medical missions, ards of Trinity Church. “I felt like I belonged. I especially to her native St. Lucia and other underturned back to God.” served countries. During her sophomore year, Richards gradually With graduation on the horizon, Richards paused became involved with Christian Union as she worked to credit the mentorship she has received from Christhrough a series of spiritual and personal challenges. tian Union’s Princeton ministry for encouraging her Richards, who spent her formative years in Pennto take ownership of her faith and cultivating a pal-

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A Princeton University senior is jumpstarting a career centered around public service. After arriving at Princeton, Denay Richards ’19 discovered a passion for volunteer initiatives, especially those on behalf of disadvantaged youngsters. “Community service is a key part of who I am and part of my mission as a Christian,” she said.

sylvania, especially embraced the ministry’s TruThursday activities for students of the African diaspora. Ministry Fellow Gross termed Richards’ spiritual rebirth as extraordinary. “In reflection, I can only say that her transformation was happening before my eyes as she welcomed prayer, remained connected in Bible course along with several other [Christian Union] outlets, and she actually applied the Scriptures highlighted for her,” said Gross. Such a revitalization also helped to energize Richards’ fervor for community service. During her freshman year, Richards began volunteering at Loaves and Fishes, a soup kitchen in Trenton, New Jersey. As well, she began serving as

bean Connection, and the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students. In the fall, Richards will begin pursuing a dual doctoral degree for physician–scientists at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. As a Christian entering the medical field, Richards noted her awe for the intersection of faith and science. “It’s so beautiful how the world works and how the body works,” said Richards. “Science, for me, reminds me of the mysteries of God.” The intricacies of both the body and the universe point to the handiwork of a divine creator. “God is in control of minute things,” she said. Wherever her career leads, Richards also plans to

With graduation on the horizon, Richards paused to credit the mentorship she has received from Christian Union’s Princeton ministry for encouraging her to take ownership of her faith and cultivating a palpable desire to invest in the lives of others. devote a portion of her time to mentoring and other volunteer efforts. She also plans to spend part of her career treating patients in low-income regions. “The Bible talks about being a servant,” she said. “Community service just reminds me to stay humble and just to see that I am in service to others.” | cu

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a mentor with Academic Success Today, a Princeton program that provides mentors for John Witherspoon Middle School students. As a sophomore, Richards began serving as a volunteer at Princeton Medical Center’s emergency department. Some of her interest in the medical field dates back to her early childhood when her mother received an emergency kidney transplant. “I was constantly in a medical environment,” she said. Hospital personnel were “really nice to me. I just really loved that environment.” Of key importance, Richards founded Empower during her sophomore year. The Princeton-based organization provides self-esteem and leadership training to elementary and middle-school girls in Trenton. Richards especially wants to bolster their self image and help them to develop as leaders in their community. In addition to her community service, Richards has participated in Princeton Highsteppers, Carib-

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Revisiting the Sabbath, One Sunday at a Time Students Step out to Lead Prayer Meetings by francine barchett, cornell

’20

ble desire to understand His Word and share its love-infused message. Staffin, a leader with Christian Union’s ministry, is a graduating dairy science major. In the spring semester, the women formed Christian Union’s Sabbath initiative. On Sunday afternoons, students met in the Christian Union ministry center, Mott House, to pray and study the Sabbath. “I asked Alanna if she wanted to lead prayer with me this semester, and she told me about her idea to explore the Sabbath,” Kokoszka recalled. Geoff Sackett, Christian Union’s ministry director at Cornell, was thrilled about the initiative: “I think the very idea of praying and resting on Sundays is great, in particular for our community which needs to understand more deeply the joy of resting.” He adds that now is the time for students to set good spiritual habits. After all, “life will likely get busier once Klaudia Kokoszka ’20 and Alanna Staffin ‘19 co-led a Sunday prayer gathering that they leave college.” focused on observing the Sabbath. During their Sabbath gatherings, Kokoszka and Staffin urged Christian Union students to grapple with questions like: What engaged in fellowship with other believers, and is the Sabbath and how should it be interpreted by busy spearheaded an initiative to untangle what biblical Cornell students? Is it okay to do homework or particrest and the Sabbath really mean. ipate in social events on the day of rest? And most Meet Klaudia Kokoszka and Alanna Staffin.

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God entrusts His precious seconds, minutes, and hours to each of us. But how can we best use them? This semester two Cornellians who are active in Christian Union prioritized one day each week as God’s day. In those twenty-four hours, they rested from their studies,

During their Sabbath gatherings, Kokoszka and Staffin urged Christian Union students to grapple with questions like: What is the Sabbath and how should it be interpreted by busy Cornell students? Is it okay to do homework or participate in social events on the day of rest? Kokoszka is a junior economics and government transfer from Rutgers University and a relatively new Christian. In one short year, she has undergone a transformation; the Lord has given her an insatia-

importantly, How can the Sabbath give God the most glory? To help answer such questions, students read and reflected on Old and New Testament passages

related to rest and the Sabbath. Sharper than a twoedged sword, the Scripture speaks truth and inspires conviction. Kokoszka and Staffin and other students were often compelled to share their struggles connected to living out God’s vision for rest and their uncertainties about juggling the Sabbath with other responsibilities. Despite the pressures for Staffin’s senior thesis and a packed semester on Kokoszka’s plate, the two women have made their own Sabbaths and the initiative they lead a weekly priority. The results have been nothing short of spectacular. “Setting apart an entire day from schoolwork was not easy,” Staffin admitted. “But it was life-giving and taught me why God rested on the seventh day. As a God with infinite strength,

He did not need to rest. He did so to lead by example and show us how we can find life in Him.” The Sabbath initiative has also strengthened their prayer lives. “Since we started Sabbath prayer, we’ve been praying over our friends and family who are not Christians,” Kokoszka revealed. “Since then, Alanna and I have had seven of our friends show interest in Christianity and Christian Union events.” To Staffin, the Sabbath meetings renewed her belief in prayer’s effectiveness. “I often struggle with truly believing in the power of prayer, but the Lord continued to answer my prayers during our time on Sundays,” she said. “This built my faith that He not only hears our prayers, but that His hand is moved when we ask in His name!” | cu

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The Intersection of Faith and Work Dartmouth Students Attend Nexus, Wheelock Conferences by tom campisi, managing editor

2019 :: christianunion.org

fellowship opportunities, a highlight was vocational breakout sessions with Christians in fields such as government, law, business, arts, and media. A team from Dartmouth also competed in the annual Spoken Word Bible memorization event. “It’s always a great time riding down in vans and preparing for a weekend to bond with Christian Union students from different schools and being nourished by the Scriptures and by speakers and panelists,” said Zachary Albanese, Christian Union’s ministry director at Dartmouth. “The students really enjoy retreating away from Dartmouth to focus on their faith lives. The time to break away and pray and engage with the Lord is crucial for these students.” The annual Wheelock Conference was held on April 20 at the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for

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During the winter and spring terms, students with Christian Union at Dartmouth participated in conferences that examined how believers can be agents of societal transformation through faith and work. In February, 20 Dartmouth students and Christian Union faculty drove to New Brunswick, New Jersey, for Nexus: The Christian Union Conference on Faith and Action. The theme was “Courageous in the Ways of the Lord.” Nexus’ plenary speakers included: Christian Union Founder and CEO Matt Bennett; Dr. Jimmy Lin, Chief Scientific Officer-Oncology at Natera; Eric Metaxas, national radio host and best-selling author; and Baroness Caroline Cox, founder and president of Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART). In addition to dynamic worship, prayer times, and

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the opportunity to teach and mentor students, played college baseball at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he earned a degree in Classical Studies. He has coached baseball at the high school and collegiate levels and also founded and ran two different summer collegiate baseball teams over the last decade. Crane and his wife Alyssa have three children. He has enjoyed the opportunity to teach Bible courses and Credit: Rocksteady Images get to know the students. Dartmouth student Leah Johnson ’22 at Christian Union’s 2019 Nexus conference “I’m grateful for the warm welcome I received from the students,” he said. “We are blessed to have ministry offices that double Public Policy and the Social Sciences at Dartmouth. as a student hangout, so I’ve been able to meet many The theme was “Crossing the Divide: How Can We people in a short span of time. It’s been encouraging Seek Reconciliation and Personal Peace?” Each year, to experience our students’ passion and energy for the Wheelock Conference “brings together Dartlearning, discussion, and relationships.” | cu mouth alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community members to explore important questions at the intersection of faith, reason, and purpose.” The keynote speaker was Dr. Christena Cleveland, Dartmouth ’03, a social psychologist, public theologian, author, and professor at Duke University’s Divinity School. Her message was entitled “What Does the Cross Mean in an Unequal World.” The Wheelock Conference is organized by the Christian Union’s eNewsletter. Eleazar Wheelock Society, the Association of ChrisDelivered to your e-mail tian Tuck Students, and The Dartmouth Apologia. “This conference is a hallmark of the spring term inbox every other week. each year as students and alumni gather to network Enjoy thoughtful articles from and enjoy engaging talks and panels,” Albanese said. “It is a great place for Christians at Dartmouth to around the web, plus updates prepare their hearts and minds for the workplace as from Christian Union. they are challenged to think about their careers with substance. I always enjoy meeting the fantastic speakers and engaging with the legacy of Dartmouth Subscribe today: Christian alumni.” In related news, Noah Crane joined Christian ChristianUnion.org/Subscribe Union at Dartmouth as a ministry fellow this winter. Crane, who was drawn to Christian Union for

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Pressing toward the Finish Line Pinson ’19 Aspires to Medical Career by catherine elvy, staff writer

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2019 :: christianunion.org

teammates and classmates. “Claire has always had A student-athlete, Claire Pinson relishes a bold faith. She’s the student who is talking about opportunities to support her teammates. God with her teammates on day one and isn’t Helping others to be their best is also a ashamed to identify herself as a Christian,” said practice the Harvard College senior hopes to take Kerhoulas. “I love that about her.” into the medical field. In addition, Pinson is thankful for the support “I was put on the team to touch the people of Aletheia Church and Athletes in Action (harvardaround me,” said Pinson, a member of the women’s ci.com/athletes-in-action). swimming and diving team. In addition to helping As a longtime athlete, Pinthe Crimson make a splash at son takes joy in encouraging collegiate meets, Pinson ’19 also Harvard’s female swimmers has a passion to express her and divers. The Sacramento faith, in and out of the pool. native, who specializes in the The pre-med student, who butterfly and freestyle, began grew up in a Christian houseswimming competitively at age hold, has flourished in her faith 4. Along the way, she learned walk since enrolling in Harvard, that being a teammate is not especially via the mentorship about winning every race. she has received from Christian Rather, “it’s helping everyUnion’s ministry. one around you to be their Pinson appreciated the opbest,” said Pinson. portunity to attend Bible coursPinson is proud of the spires and also serve in ministry. itual commitment and growth She described students involved among many of the team’s with Christian Union as “a younger athletes. community of people who are Student-athlete Claire Pinson ’19 plans to “I prayed for the team to all striving to reach the same funnel the practical and spiritual training she has received at Harvard to launch a be a beacon of light,” she said. goal.” career in the medical field. Among the highlights of the With that, Pinson has taken remarkable 2019 season, the ownership of her faith since Crimson finished 7-2 overall arriving on campus. She is and 6-1 in Ivy League action. The team then headed thankful that, through Christian Union, a lot of her to the 2019 Ivy League Championships, which was questions about Christianity can be answered. held in February at Princeton University and aired “At Harvard, you have to approach it as almost on ESPN. an academic [discipline] to study,” she said. During and after medical school, Pinson plans “Christian Union gives me an opportunity to ask to stay active in the sport by participating in masters questions without [fearing] judgment, and has helped swim programs. Still, Pinson is candid about the me to develop answers to hard questions,” she said. ways she navigated the emotional journey of acceptPinson, who serves as a team leader for the mining Olympic prospects as beyond reach. istry’s weekly leadership lecture series, also appreci“For me, it was a journey of realization that God ates the mentorship she has received. had a way to use me other than the way I wanted,” Christian Union Ministry Fellow Anne Kerhousaid Pinson. “I had to be OK with that. The lifestyle las noted how Pinson shares her faith openly with

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of a professional athlete is just so tough.” After a gap year, Pinson plans to follow in the lead of her father, an anesthesiologist, and commence medical college. She is majoring in cognitive neuroscience and evolutionary psychology to pave the way for a medical career that focuses upon mental health. Pinson, who is minoring in East Asian studies and speaks conversational Japanese, is pursuing plans to spend a gap year studying eating disorders or other mental health issues at the University of Tokyo. Pinson developed interests in eating disorders and self-injury during a clinical psychology lab in

her junior year. She especially is compassionate about helping individuals dealing with anorexia. “There is a part of suffering that some people find an identity in,” she said. “It’s very difficult to let go of that type of suffering.” Moved by such needs, Pinson envisions a career at the intersection of clinical and psychiatric care, partially focused upon patients and families dealing with traumatic or terminal cases. Just as she was committed to being a faithful teammate inside the pool, Pinson is looking forward to serving the Lord boldly and serving people in the near future. | cu

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Minister of Music Thomas ’20 Leads with A Cappella Group, Christian Union by julie mcwilliams

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The following article was reprinted with permission from Penn Today (https://penntoday.upenn.edu).

A few years ago, back in his hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Wharton junior Evan Thomas was inspired by the hit movie Pitch Perfect to start the a cappella group All Tied Up at Manheim Township High School. “All of a sudden, a cappella was the coolest thing. So, in all the hype, I gathered my singing friends together to start a group,” he says. “I taught myself how to arrange the music. “But, the group fell apart as interest waned, and it ended altogether when one member told me publicly that I would never have a real a cappella group, no one would ever want to learn my arrangements, and nobody wants to do this with me. I was so crushed.” That Thomas has moved so far beyond that devastating experience is a testament to his character and faith—in God and in himself. “I knew I had an unfulfilled dream,” he says. “My faith is very important to me,” says Thomas, a worship leader and assistant Bible course leader with Christian Union at the University of Pennsylvania.

“All Jesus has called us to do is to love, but sometimes we get lost in other things—selfishness, pride, and ritual that doesn’t mean very much.” Faith informs all parts of Thomas’ life and propelled him on a two-year spiritual journey to Mexico after graduating from high school. Faith empowered him to pursue his lifelong love of music in college, and, perhaps most importantly, encouraged him to, as he says, step out of his comfort zone and care. Before coming to Penn, Thomas took a gap year serving in Mexico with Youth With a Mission Mazatlán, which ultimately led to two years serving in various other parts of the country, including Mexico City, Guadalajara, Morelia, and even less urban, indigenous parts of the country. “Besides Mazatlán, my favorite place in all of Mexico is Zapotlán del Rey in the state of Jalisco,” he says. “After a three-month trip serving and teaching in rural Mexico, I saw I really loved the rural area and wanted to stay longer. The last pastor we worked with invited me to do so and sort of adopted me.” Thomas returned to the United States to start his freshman year at Penn. Bolstered by his personal growth from his years in Mexico, he was inspired to join the a capella group Dischord in 2016.

Credit: Eric Sucar

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Thomas quickly became the 15-member group’s true. On top of that, he is incredibly vulnerable in musical director, earning the respect and support of how he presents himself.” former Dischord president CeCe Sambuco ’18. “He is a Christian with strong convictions and “Evan constantly thinks about how we can iman incredibly gifted singer, yet completely open about prove and pushes us to be our best selves,” says his own weaknesses and failures. He has incredibly Sambuco. “He has led us to new levels of musical high standards, but a heart of mercy. He has used talent and friendship, and as music director, he has his gifts in music to serve in the ministry and offers arranged some of the most interesting and fun songs leadership in our Bible courses.” that I performed in all my four years in Dischord.” Thomas’ fellow Dischord singer, Mancene, echoes Thomas served as president last year and is now Else’s comments: “Evan believes in his faith. I admire the group’s assistant music director. When he took that because not everyone is so forthcoming, so over the reins from Sambuco, she knew they were in good hands. “Although I am older in terms of my year in school, Evan has been a mentor to me. I’m convinced he will be the next big songwriter, producer, and performer,” says the Penn senior. “He’s an amazing friend, and Dischord is so grateful to have him.” “It’s amazing that he has all this talent, yet he is such a genuine and kind human being. He just exudes happiness, even if it’s a rough day, and likes to see people smile,” said member Isabella Mancene ’21. Says Thomas, “Dischord has not only made me a better singer, but a better person. I have had to learn how to be friends with and lead people who are very different from me, who value different things, and Evan Thomas ’20 is an integral member of Penn Dischord. see the world in a different way. “But that’s the beauty of Dischord and why we all stay.” committed. Just being around him makes me a betDischord, which performs a show twice a year, ter person.” is not just music and friendship, though; the group As Else sums up, “Evan cares about Penn. He has its challenges. Thomas explains that Dischord cares about students here—Not just those in Chrisis not a member of the university’s A Cappella Countian Union, but those with whom he lives and works cil, meaning it gets no funding, rehearsal space, or and leads.” show venue space. Thomas still isn’t sure what his future holds. He “We’re a group of underdogs with a lot of unhasn’t yet chosen a concentration, although marketrecognized talent,” he says. ing, public policy, and real estate are all in the runBesides Dischord, Thomas is involved in Chrisning. And, of course, music continues to be an tian Union at Penn where his singing and his huimportant part of his life. mility caught the attention of Tucker Else, Christian “I write a lot of my own music,” he says. “I feel Union’s ministry director. pulled—almost against my will—to that industry, “Evan is a guy in whom there seems to be no both the business and the performing sides.” deceit,” Else says. “He is honorable–a young man Or he might return to Mexico where he says, who pursues the good and the beautiful and the “I’d be happy raising a family.” | cu

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Seeking Christ at Stanford Muni ’20 Is a Bold Christian Leader for Caritas

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by eileen scott, contributing writer

knowing God’s Word and see his transparency, auCaritas, Christian Union’s leadership thenticity, and honesty, especially when he shares develop ministry to Stanford students, about the challenges he experienced from Kenya to has a new president. While the Kenyan California.” is known for his bright smile and humility, he has Muni grew up in a country where 38 percent of a bold vision and exudes confidence when it comes the population lives below to sharing his faith and enthe international poverty couraging his peers to seek line of $1.90 per day. It is a God wholeheartedly. land that has experienced Ask Robert Muni ’20 violence and death due to what makes him a good fit poverty and disease, such as for the leadership role, and HIV/AIDS. Muni’s father he emphatically will reply, passed away while he was “Jesus.” still in high school, yet, he “He strengthens me daipersevered and graduated ly and puts love in my heart from Starehe Boy’s Centre, to serve others without tira charitable high school that ing.” fully sponsors bright, but That’s exactly the kind of underprivileged students. strength and grace that is Robert Muni ’20 leads his peers at Stanford with Muni was raised in the needed when you are a a strong desire for revival and an earnest culture church by his mother and Christian leader, especially of prayer. accepted Jesus Christ as his at a campus like Stanford. Savior as a young boy. DeAs student president, Muni spite being rooted in faith, Muni experienced doubt will oversee the executive team and all of its activiand struggled with justifying his beliefs while atties and outreaches. tending Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. The “Times get very hard in an intellectually demandschool served as a bridge between high school and ing environment. Knowing that God is the ever-prescollege. ent help is a source of great assurance,” said Muni. “During my time at Deerfield, I questioned my “My primary project this year will be fostering faith and the intellectual aspects of the Bible,” said Muni. He took a political philosophy course there a culture of earnest prayer. The strongest and was suddenly without answers to justify his weapon we have at our disposal is calling out belief in Jesus Christ. However, after getting accepted to Stanford, to God and seeking Him for guidance. We Muni met Christian Union Ministry Fellow Justin cannot rely on our own wit and strength to Woyak, who told him about newly-forming Caritas and Christian Union Bible Courses. He was so imcarry God’s mission of evangelism.” pressed with the depth and richness of the Bible courses, that he became one of the ministry’s found“Robert is a natural fit for a leadership role at ing members. Caritas because students recognize his character,” “I was ready for a guided, in-depth study of the said Garrett Brown, Christian Union’s ministry diWord that would not only empower me to justify rector at Stanford. “They witness his dedication to

my faith to others, but would solidify my understanding of God’s unending wealth of wisdom,” said Muni. “Looking closely at His word continues to reveal how much He means to me and the joy of having a relationship with Him.” Woyak, Princeton ’09, commented that “it has been exciting to see how God was at work in Muni’s life before [college] and how He has blessed him and blessed others through him during his time at Stanford…the trajectory God has set him on is a marvel to watch.” One of Muni’s roles as president is to direct prayer and fasting initiatives with Caritas. “My primary project this year will be fostering

a culture of earnest prayer,” he said. “The strongest weapon we have at our disposal is calling out to God and seeking Him for guidance. We cannot rely on our own wit and strength to carry God’s mission of evangelism.” Muni has experienced the strength of God through adversity and knows what the Holy Spirit can do individually and throughout communities. Therefore, he is not lukewarm about seeking God. Rather, he is bold in faith and carries the hope of redemption and salvation to his peers. “We pray that God, through the Holy Spirit, may touch the minds and hearts of thousands at Stanford to bring them into His kingdom,” he said. | cu

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Principles of Christian Leadership Harvard Law, Kennedy School Students Study Nehemiah by catherine elvy, staff writer

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Julian Nunally, Harvard ’17, Harvard Law ’20, is among a group of Harvard Law students who are participating in a Christian Union Bible Course on the leadership lessons of Nehemiah.

Christian leadership,” said Yi He, Columbia ’16, Harvard Law ’21. “We have learned a lot about God’s work and grace in the Old Testament and how it can be applied in our daily lives, whether it

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The account of Nehemiah offers timeless lessons in spiritual and practical leadership. God raised up the Jewish official for a strategic mission, pointing to the role of providence in the form of human managers. Those were some of the themes that emerged during a recent series from Christian Union’s ministry at Harvard Law School. During the spring term, the ministry offered an in-depth study on the book of Nehemiah to students from Harvard Law School (HLS) and the John F. Kennedy School of Government. “These young adults are in a position to become our leaders in the next generation,” said Justin Yim, Christian Union’s ministry director at Harvard Law School. The account of Nehemiah reflects how God elevates individuals for specific assignments and moves in the hearts of kings, insights that resonated with law students. “Nehemiah is a great study of the principles of

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is as students at the law school, in our personal relationships, or in our future careers.” The students gathered on Wednesday nights in February for the Bible course, which also featured time for dinner and prayer. The experience left Yim excited about watching God transform the lives of some of the nation’s sharpest legal minds and making inroads among graduate students in the prestigious Kennedy School of Government. Given the transformative leadership themes woven throughout Nehemiah, Yim asked the law and graduate students to think about how bold faith and the Gospel can impact some of their future initiatives. Likewise, the first chapter of Nehemiah prompted a discussion on the heart of a leader and the power of the favor of God. “We see how Nehemiah makes the big ‘asks’ at the right time,” said Yim. The second chapter showcased Nehemiah’s grateful heart for divine intervention. The Old Testament figure “constantly gives God the glory,” said Yim. Nehemiah was also well familiar with the sacred texts of his faith. “What he asked was aligned with God’s Word,” said Yim. As such, Yim told law and government students to embrace the instructions and themes of both the Old and New Testaments throughout their personal and professional endeavors. “Our job is to be obedient and to be in the Word,” he said.

Faithfulness paid off for Nehemiah, who overcame opposition and led his people into their mission of rebuilding the wall that protected Jerusalem in just 52 days. Such messages resonated with Julian Nunally, Harvard ’17, Harvard Law ’20. “Staying engaged in a deep study of the Word in community is vital,” said Nunally, who was also involved with Christian Union’s ministry to undergraduates at Harvard. The Tennessee native expressed gratitude for Yim’s discipleship. “Justin is fantastic, and he is a huge blessing to the HLS community,” said Nunally. Yi He echoed those comments, describing Yim as a mentor who is “always rooted in the Word of God” and readily provides historical and exegetical background. “What I appreciate the most is that he takes time weekly to meet up, pray with me, and check in with my spiritual walk with Christ,” said He. Yim is looking forward to overseeing additional intellectually rigorous Bible courses, arranging guest speakers, and hosting fellowship opportunities. As he works with law and graduate students, he is reminded of the powerful lessons of favor throughout the Old Testament, including the book of Nehemiah. “It’s totally a God thing,” he said. “I have students who are passionate. We want to be all about studying the Word and discipleship.” | cu

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Thanks for the Memories

Seniors Show Appreciation for Christian Union at Dinner by tom campisi, managing editor

In April, students with Christian Union at Columbia hosted a senior dinner at the organization’s new ministry center. It was a sweet time of reflection, prayer, and even a few tears, as seniors looked back with gratitude on four years of spiritual growth and Christian community. “Student after student commented on how the ministry has made a difference in their lives and how they have made lifelong friends,” said Yolanda

Solomon, a Christian Union ministry fellow at Columbia. “They talked about connecting and staying in touch and how they will miss Christian Union.” The senior dinners never get old for Solomon and Christian Union faculty. “It’s a beautiful part of ministry and this job—to see the students come here at 17 and 18 years old and to see them grow,” she said. “They minister to one another and pray for each other.” Senior Gabrielle Lewis, who served as co-presi-

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dation scholarship in mathematics. dent of Christian Union at Columbia this past ac“Yujin is an incredibly talented young man,” said ademic year, said the dinner was filled with “joyful Lane Young, Christian Union’s ministry director at reminiscing.” Columbia. “He really poured into the ministry and “We laughed about many memories that had loved this ministry. God has used his gifts.” been [shared] over the years. From remembering Kim was appreciative of the influence of Chriswatching the stars on the pier as a freshman class at tian Union, especially “learning how to incorporate our first fall retreat, to hosting a senior movie and God in every area of my life.” dumplings night this year; we could not help but Lewis is looking to carry out Christian Union’s smile at the time we have had together and be hopevision, which is “to seek a spiritually vibrant nation ful for what the future holds,” she said. “We were all thankful for the home that Christian Union has been throughout our four years. We were thankful for the memories shared, lessons learned, and times to come.” Lewis gave thanks for ministry fellows and peers who helped guide her through “this labyrinth of life.” “They challenged me to press further into the Word of God and grow into the woman that God has called me to be,” she said. “Christian Union has made my time at Columbia someDuring their senior dinner, students expressed gratitude for spiritual growth, shared memories, and thing that I will cherish lifelong friends made during their time with Christian Union at Columbia. forever.” The future certainly marked by Christian values permeating every corner looks bright for Lewis, a native of New Orleans. of society.” The political science and business management ma“I have learned that no matter the role or indusjor will work as a sales and trading analyst at Morgan try, we can use our God-given gifts to serve Him Stanley. through our work,” she said. “There is room to be Senior Yujin Kim served with Lewis as a co-presa beacon of light and make an impact in any indusident. The math major from Oakland, California, try.” | cu said a common theme of the dinner was gratitude for the ministry fellows and the support the students received, through good times and bad times. “Christian Union has been a place where I could develop my faith and be challenged in ways I never imagined,” he said. Future plans for Kim include the pursuit of a PhD at New York University’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. He was one of only 98 students nationwide to win a National Science Foun-

christian union cities

Fasting as a Way of Life Theologian Offers Pragmatic Instruction at New York Salon by catherine elvy, staff writer

n February, Christian Union New York hosted a salon with seminary professor Amy Davis Abdallah, who explored the biblical underpinnings of fasting. In the Christian communities of the New Testament, Abdallah said, fasting was a habitual practice, often occurring twice a week. For the early church, it was “a way of life.” Abdallah is an associate professor of theology at Nyack College and adjunct professor of worship at Alliance Theological Seminary. She holds a Ph.D. from Drew University and an M.Div. from Alliance Theological Seminary. The salon was entitled Fasting: Personal Torture or Connection to God? Both the Old and New Testaments include poignant passages on fasting. In Isaiah 58, the Lord used the prophet to correct pious zealots who pub-

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”

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—Isaiah 58:6.

licly observed spiritual disciplines for selfish reasons, while willfully ignoring the plight of the needy. “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” reads Isaiah 58:6. As such, modern believers should embrace the need to align themselves with “God’s purposes for humanity” and follow through on earnest prayer during fasts, Abdallah said. Such pragmatic instruction on fasting dovetails with the mission of Christian Union Cities, which offers an enriching slate of leadership development

opportunities and other resources to professionals in New York City and Washington, D.C. As core components, the ministry provides emerging leaders with a steady offering of forums, lectures, and conferences on key Christian topics. “Fasting is not a discipline for discipline’s sake, but is a critical component in our spiritual vibrancy,” said Scott Crosby, ministry director of Christian Union New York. As part of missional endeavors, believers need to develop solid spiritual habits. This especially is critical for professionals who want to serve as “salt and light” within influential cities. Unfortunately, “the discipline simply is not practiced very often or particularly thoughtfully in the western church,” Crosby said. As part of her talk, Abdallah explained how much of the fasting of the Old Testament resulted from grief, repentance, and the like. In the New Testament, fasting shifted to focusing on strength and preparation. “I was very interested to learn about how the practice of fasting changed throughout the writing of the Bible,” said Matt Allen, an intern with Christian Union Cities. The Princeton University alumnus of 2018 said he plans to highlight the habitual nature of fasting among early believers when discussing the topic of fasting with his peers. In a nod to the Lenten season, Abdallah also probed the connection of fasting to the Easter season. In the early church, believers often fasted as acts of preparedness, including for baptisms. Such efforts reflected the way Christ fasted for 40 days in the Judean Desert in readiness for His earthly ministry. Significantly, Jesus affirmed the paramount nature of spiritual nourishment when He shunned Satan’s urging that the famished messiah transform stones into bread. In Matthew 4:4, Jesus responded, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every

Theologian Amy Davis Abdallah discussed the transformative power of fasting during an appearance in February on behalf of New York Christian Union.

spiritual disciplines remains a favorite topic of Abdallah. After all, the hunger associated with fasting serves to remind believers of their ultimate source of refreshment and vitalization. Bodily sacrifices declare dependency on “God alone,” she said. | cu

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word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Years later, Easter served as the ancient church’s primary occasion for baptisms. Established believers often fasted alongside those who were consecrating themselves in anticipation of baptism, which usually occurred during the Easter Vigil. Over time, some churches lengthened the fasting period to 40 days. Abdallah considers fasting, especially Lenten fasting, to be part of the rhythm of her worship. “Your fast is not just about not eating food,” she said. “We receive our life from God and not from food.” In addition to her duties at Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary, Abdallah, author of The Book of Womanhood, speaks at churches and conferences in the United States and abroad. Although she teaches on a number of subjects,

stewardship news

A Harvest of Righteousness Susan Stover and Arthur Stella

e who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. - 2 Corinthians 9:10 Early in Susan Stover’s life, her parents, Bob and Joan Stover, sowed the seeds of generosity. “My parents’ faith journey had a tremendous impact on me,” Susan noted. “My father became a Christian as a young man after serving in the Navy during World War II. His life reflected his personal belief that he needed to

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Arthur Stella and Susan Stover

use his talents and resources in the Lord’s service.” After the war, Bob Stover began a temporary employment agency in San Francisco. Susan recalled how the business plan he submitted to the bank for a loan was initially denied, because it included a 10 percent built-in expense for tithing. He stuck to his principles: “When asked to remove the expense, he refused and argued with the bank that it was a necessity that the Lord required.” Eventually, Bob and Joan established the Stover Foundation “as a means to continue to support Christian ministries and schools into the future.” Susan became acquainted with Christian Union (CU) through her father, who played a foundation-

al role in the birth of Christian Union’s ministries at Penn and Stanford. “As I became more aware of the impact CU was having, I wanted to continue to stay involved,” she said. Over the years, Susan and her husband, Art, have seen the ministry firsthand on several campuses. “With each visit, I have increasingly come to see the blessing and impact that CU has on these communities,” she shared. Through the Stover Foundation’s stewardship, Christian Union has been richly blessed with the resources to increase its work with students. In addition to supporting several of the campus ministries, the foundation has played a pivotal role in the acquisition of two of the ministry’s newest buildings at Princeton and Columbia. The impact of Christian Union on the lives of students compelled the foundation to support the mission. “We are all working toward building the kingdom of God. The seeds planted in these young people will be a part of accomplishing this great goal!” The ministries the Stover Foundation supports and Christian Union share common missional themes. “The Stover Foundation supports Christian organizations that provide educational, evangelical, and compassionate programs that encourage others to live a life for Christ,” Susan explained. “Like Christian Union, our foundation hopes to support the opportunity for future leaders to grow in faith and to use those Christian truths and principles as guideposts in their endeavors. Christian Union provides a place for students to learn about the Word of God and encourage each other in their faith journeys.” The transformative work of the Holy Spirit through this ministry simply isn’t possible without our financial partners. The ministry is deeply grateful to the Stover Foundation. To learn more about the many ways to support Christian Union, please visit www.christianunion.org/ways-to-give. | cu

christian union day and night

God of the Subway The Great Experiment in the Big Apple by whit hazelton

Christian Union Day & Night and pastor of the newly birthed Bethesda Grace Church in Manhattan. He shared: “I never thought I would have preached to a crowded subway car, but I’m so glad I did. We all did, at separate times, and it was thrilling...We sowed the seed; may God give the growth! And may God embolden all of us to be Spirit-empowered witnesses for Jesus in America.”

Credit: istock

:: christianunion.org

whit hazelton is the marketing director of Day and Night, Christian Union’s online ministry promoting spiritual strengthening across America through prayer, fasting, repentance, evangelism, and dedication to seeking God.

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By the end of their time together, all who participated remarked that they were glad to have done it. Bennett called it an invigorating, faith-stretching experience. “All of us pledged to do it again sometime soon, and other friends in New York, after hearing about it, said they want to come next time,” he said. Dr. Hetzler was inspired to think up other ways to bring the Gospel to the city. “It was a pleasant surprise,” he said, “to see positive reactions, ranging from applause, to nodding along in agreement, to sustained eye contact, to openness to receive prayer.” Encouraging signs in a city that’s in need of a Heaven-sent, wide-scale revival. | cu

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n Thursday, March 7, a small group of Christians took on a “Joshua Faith Challenge” that would stretch their faith and inject new energy into their walk with Jesus. As part of The Great Experiment, a ten-day spiritual challenge to seek God for revival, participants were asked to pray and ask God to show them something they could do to put their faith into works. It was to be something specific, concrete, bold, and out of the ordinary—something that would require courageous faith in God (Joshua 1:8, 9). In response to the challenge, a number of the five thousand Great Experiment participants came up with creative evangelism plans for their faith challenge. For his Joshua Faith Challenge, Christian Union Founder and CEO Matt Bennett met up with six friends to take the Gospel to the New York City subway! Asking for prayer in advance of the big day, Matt wrote: “I’ve never done such a thing and am a little nervous, but also excited to see what God will do!” Before heading underground, the courage-filled crew met at a coffee shop, where they received guidance from experienced subway evangelist Dimas Salaberrios, author of the book Street God and co-pastor of Infinity Church in the Bronx River Community. Dimas knew which subway segments would give the right amount of time between stops to deliver the Gospel message in a meaningful, substantive way. Then, descending into the subway system, they spent time hopping on and off subway cars, taking turns preaching the good news of Jesus a number of times. While one person was preaching to the traveling public, the others in the group prayed and sought other ways to minister. One of the friends joining in this courage-testing exercise was Chuck Hetzler, Senior Associate with

Signs and Wonders?

Attendees Experience Gold Dust at Gospel of the Kingdom Conference

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n February, Christian Union hosted the Gospel of the Kingdom Winter Conference in Manhattan with guest speaker Ken Fish. The theme of the conference was “Personal Evangelism: Rediscovering the Fun and Joy of Leading People to Christ through Signs and Wonders.” Fish, Princeton ’82, is the founder of Kingdom Fire Ministries, which seeks “to train and equip Christian leaders to engage substantively with culture in order to transform it according to the values and practices of the Kingdom of God.” The Gospel of the Kingdom is a ministry of Christian Union dedicated to assisting those who would like to learn more and explore the supernatural dimension of the Christian life. According to attendees, signs and wonders were prevalent at the Gospel of the Kingdom Conference. Some reported witnessing healings and numerous instances of deliverance; others said they had gold flakes and gold dust appear on their hands and clothes during prayer times. “[The gold dust] appeared to happen out of nowhere,” said Dr. Chuck Hetzler, the pastor of Bethesda Grace Church in New York. “The people were in a prayer line and it happened sporadically to some of them.” Mobile phone images and videos taken at the conference show tiny, triangular-shaped, flakes of various tones on a man’s hand. Whit Hazelton, marketing director for Christian Union Day and Night, said tiny sparkles and an oil-like substance appeared on his hands and also on the hands of five other people. “You had to move your hand around to get them to catch the light and shine,”

he said. “My skeptical thought at the time was, ‘Could this simply be sweat on my hands that is shining in the light (there was pretty bright overhead lighting), but it seemed too sparkly to be that. Also, why would so many people have such sweaty hands?” A professor at a New York City college who holds a PhD from an Ivy League university said she was “covered from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet with gold dust.” The professor appreciated how Fish challenged attendees to share their faith more openly and to combat the fear of judgement and rejection. When she came forward for prayer, the gold dust appeared, she recalled. “I was on the floor under the power of the Holy Spirit and I was not much aware of what was happening around me. I have had gold dust appear on my hands before and after the conference, but since then it has been much more often,” she said. The gold dust claim was supported by another professor from a liberal arts college who is a 2007 Yale alumnus. “Many of us saw it,” he said. A woman who was being prayed for by Ken Fish had “oil on her fingertips and gold dust on her palm.” “Then it started to spread to others— and I don’t mean because she was touching people. At one point, another woman’s face was covered.” “It’s certainly possible that there is some alternative explanation, but I didn’t see any evidence for an alternative. So, yeah, it did seem like it was God.” He also spoke about a similar anecdote that was unrelated to the conference, but also involved gold dust. “One of the students from my church

here in New England, who was not at the event and who did not know about what had happened there, came up to me at church and (rather distressed) told me that earlier in the week he saw what looked like gold dust on another student’s neck while they were praying,” he recalled. “So...that’s pretty incredible to me.” Over the last 20-25 years, there have been sporadic reports of gold dust appearances at churches and conferences, but there is extensive debate about whether these events are truly miracles of God. Many believe that there are insufficient theological perspectives available to “test the spirits (1 John 4: 1-3).” Thus, many Christians are skeptical of any gold dust claims. One of those skeptics is Warren Smith, former Associate Publisher of WORLD Magazine. Smith, who once sent a reporter to cover gold dust sightings at a church conference, said people in attendance at these events may truly believe that “they saw what they are saying they saw,” but, “the gold dust did not appear when there were independent observers present. My reporter concluded that those who saw gold dust were either mistaken or caught up in the emotions of the moment. It is also possible they were the victims of a complete fraud.” Apologist Justin Peters echoed those comments after doing research on a church in Florida. El rey Jesus Church in Miami claimed to have gold dust falling during a service multiple times. “I don’t deny that people are having some kind of experience,” Peters said in an interview with Todd Friel. “What I question is the source of those experiences… It’s an absolute show.” A 2009 video posted by The Embassy of the Kingdom of God in Fort Lauderdale, Florida includes still shots of people wor-

shipping and praying that are set to worship music. Scrolling text tells viewers that oil, gold dust, and diamonds have appeared on the hands of worshippers following a message by Guillermo Maldonado, the pastor of El rey Jesus Church. Another gold dust video on YouTube is from Bethel Church in Redding, California. In the video, the people in attendance react with wonder to a cloud at the top of the sanctuary that church leaders say was gold dust. In a 2016 blog post, “Raising the Dead, Gold Dust, and Feathers,” Kris Vallotton, a senior associate leader with Bethel

Church, defends not only gold dust sightings, but also talks about feathers falling during some meetings. “I don’t think we have taken more ridicule for anything than gold dust and feathers,” Vallotton wrote. “It all began one day while someone was preaching, and these tiny white feathers started falling from the ceiling in the sanctuary. It wasn’t raining feathers or anything like that (people tell tales), but they were very obviously there and easily seen…” Vallotton said he has witnessed the appearance of gold dust “hundreds of times,” at Bethel and other places.

“For some reason, the gold dust usually only appears on people’s hands and faces. Sometimes it will just appear on a few people, and other times it will show up on hundreds of people all at once,” he wrote. | cu

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Please consider joining Christian Union for a week in the Adirondacks this summer.

Join Christian Union Founder and CEO Matt Bennett, members of the Christian Union Executive Leadership Team, ministry faculty and alumni, and like-minded friends this summer for a week of inspiring worship, and of great teaching by Colin S. Smith (pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Illinois) and special guest Eric Metaxas. We will participate in the encouraging chapel service each morning and then spend time together in the afternoons, taking part in CAMP-OF-THE-WOODS’ wide range of activities in the spectacular Adirondacks.

learn more at: CUSummerGetaway.org

the spiritual climate on campus

brown 37 columbia 41 cornell 4 4 dar tmouth 47 harvard 49

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prince ton 56 s tanford 59 ya l e 61

Rebka Ephrem Brown â&#x20AC;&#x2122;21 photo credit: sara beth turner

reports from some of america’s most influential universities

The Spiritual Climate on Campus The following articles were written to keep readers informed about the spiritual atmosphere at some of America’s leading universities. Some stories will encourage you by highlighting ways God is working through other (non-Christian Union) ministries and alumni. Other articles— on news, trends, and events—are included to help motivate you to pray for these institutions, their students, faculty, and staff, and for all of the Christian ministries that work at these schools. ...................................................................................... BROW N | On Campus

Second Chances

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seven and grew up living and working in someone’s house as a maid. She never went to school. But once she came here, she got a GED, enrolled in Brooklyn College, graduated cum laude, and became a teacher. The issue of poverty has always been close to my heart.” After graduating from Brown with a Latin American studies concentration, Calderon-Payne joined Urban Youth Alliance International (UYAI),

s executive director of BronxConnect, a New York City– based nonprofit that helps at-risk teens, Rev. Wendy Calderon-Payne ’89 has a simple mantra: “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food,

let him do likewise.” The quote is from the Gospel of Luke, and when she came across the verse one day during her freshman year at Brown, it struck a deep chord. “Jesus’ solution to poverty just made sense to me,” she says. “We have to act when we see injustice or need.” The struggle against adversity, she adds, is part of her own family narrative. “My mother, who is Colombian, was orphaned when she was

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Editor’s note: The following story was reprinted with permission from Brown Alumni Magazine (www.brownalumnimagazine.com).

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CALDERON-PAYNE ’89 DIRECTS BRONXCONNECT By Paula Chin

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a cross-denominational ministry located in the Bronx. Approached by the national Faith-Based Initiative, which gives federal funds to religious

ects and helps them prepare résumés. Calderon-Payne oversees a staff of thirty, including ex-offenders and socalled “violence interrupters” trained

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Rev. Wendy Calderon-Payne ’89 and the staff at BronxConnect

institutions that provide social services, UYAI launched BronxConnect in 1999. It pairs mentors from community churches with young boys and girls between twelve and eighteen who have entered the Bronx juvenile or criminal justice system, including teens who have been released from Rikers Island, the city’s main—and notoriously brutal—jail complex. (New York and North Carolina are the only states that prosecute as adults all children who are sixteen and older and charged with a crime.) BronxConnect casts a wide safety net to prevent recidivism. In addition to mentors who provide case-by-case management of at-risk teens for up to a year, the organization offers everything from tutoring and after-school activities to an employment readiness program that matches participants to community service proj-

to intervene in conflicts before guns are fired. “It’s our belief that people who have been through the system are best able to speak to youth who are still in the system,” she says.

rate is 76 percent in the detention facilities where BronxConnect is active, the rate among the 2,000 young people active in BronxConnect programs is just 17 percent. Calderon-Payne has been an advocate for closing Rikers, which she calls a “torture island and a destroyer of black and Latino men and women.” She would also like to see the Bronxbased Horizon Complex juvenile holding center turned into a secure campus that would be modeled after the Scandinavian open prison concept, where prisoners can keep their jobs on the outside while serving time, commuting to the facility daily. “It’s a project that could really change the lives and circumstances of Bronx juveniles and their community,” she says. As for transforming lives, Calderon-Payne cherishes one success story in particular. “My fondest memory is of a young man who came back to say thank you and check in on us,” she says. “He was living in Providence and wanted us to know he had a job as a mechan-

“Jesus’ solution to poverty just made sense to me. We have to act when we see injustice or need.” —Rev. Wendy Calderon-Payne ’89 Calderon-Payne also believes in tough love. “We’ve got to be firm with these kids,” she insists, “demanding excellence and reminding them that they can do anything they put their minds to. At the same time, I’m somewhat of a mother bear. BronxConnect fights for these kids in court as if they were our flesh and blood.” The results have been impressive. While the twelve-month recidivism

ic and was doing okay. What’s especially meaningful is that he was one of our hardest kids, who cursed out and physically threatened the staffer he worked with. Our job is to help them realize the greatness within them.” | cu

BROW N | On Campus

Estudio Bíblico S PA N I S H L A N G U A G E M I N I S T R Y D E B U T S AT B R O W N By Ayleen Sanchez, Brown ’20

or many Christian students, their faith is deeply rooted in culture and language; a sudden transition away from their ethnic community can become an additional challenge in maintaining their faith while in college. With this in mind, the Brown Rhode Island School of Design Catholic Community (BRCC) has launched

my language skills as a missionary. I hoped to connect and reach Hispanic students whose Catholicism was grounded in Hispanic culture and the Spanish language.” Menendez, however, was unaware of how many Hispanic students there were on campus and whether or not there would be any interest. Since her

(From left to right) Giovanna Milano, '22, Maria Cortinez, '22, Cecilia Menendez, firstyear FOCUS missionary, Alejandra Roca, '19, Ingrid Mader, '20, Vanesa Mora, '21, and Ayleen Sanchez, '19

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Cecilia Menendez, missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, started a spanish language Bible study at Brown last semester.

believes that for non-native Spanish speakers, pursuing a relationship with God in Spanish provides them with a new lens to approach Scripture. For all these reasons, she feels very blessed to be able to use her native language to draw the Hispanic community at Brown towards God. Giovanna Milano ’22, a regular

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Spanish Bible study attendee, decided to take on the role of Hispanic Chair in the BRCC beginning in spring 2019. The freshman was anonymously recommended for the position, and, though she felt unprepared for the role, after a few days of prayer, she decided to apply. Milano said the Mexican culture of her youth helped her faith flourish.

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arrival, she has found that students have responded positively to her efforts, and she now has over 15 students interested in Spanish Bible study. She strongly believes that, for many students, faith is intrinsically grounded in the Spanish language. It is at the root of “how they pray, what they pray, and how they relate to Jesus,” she says. Additionally, Menendez

a Spanish ministry on campus to reach out to Hispanic students. In fall 2018, Cecilia Menendez, a new missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students and native Spanish speaker, arrived on Brown’s campus and started the first Spanish Bible study at Brown. When asked about what led her to do this, she said, “I prayed to be able to use

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“I’m sure more Latin American and Hispanic students have a faith that is linked to their culture,” she said. This was particularly evident in the fall when a Spanish Mass was held

since moving to Brown and decided to attend because it was in their native language. The Mass was followed by dinner where students gathered over Mexican tamales and hot chocolate;

“I prayed to be able to use my language skills as a missionary. I hoped to connect and reach Hispanic students whose Catholicism was grounded in Hispanic culture and the Spanish language.” —Cecilia Menendez on campus to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe, an important Catholic figure in Mexican culture. The Mass was attended by over 40 students, many of whom had not been to Mass

those without a prior connection to the BRCC were invited into community. “I hope that students feel comfortable with their faith on campus

and that I can help bring them closer to God by organizing Mass and events that will encourage students to participate in their faith,” Milano said. Her ultimate goal as Hispanic Chair is to have Sunday Mass in Spanish every week and to have a group dedicated to studying and striving to emulate the lives of Latino/Hispanic Saints. When considering what Spanish ministry can accomplish on campus, Menendez says, “The language of prayer is that of a heart-to-heart dialogue with our Lord; the more we can remove obstacles, such as language, from our response to His gentle and unceasing invitation, the better we can give God our unreserved, total, and fearless ‘yes’ to follow Him.” | cu

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Former Brown Professor Commends Senate Chaplain

U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black was the keynote speaker at the 2019 Darrell West Lecture Series on Religion and Politics in February at Central Congregational Church in Providence, Rhode Island. Black spoke on integrating citizenship and faith. Darrell West, a former Brown University professor of political science and a current vice president at the Brookings Institution, praised Black for being

able to model grace in a time of ideological divides, according to the Providence Journal. “I cannot imagine what his job is like,” West said. “I know that he manages to be meaningful and neutral at the same time, which is quite important in his position.”

Bamberg ’65 Writes about Rhode Island Co-Founder Cherry Fletcher Bamberg, Brown ’65, has written a book about one of the founders of Rhode Island. John Clarke’s World, co-authored with Judith Crandall

Harbold, was released in 2018 by the Rhode Island Genealogical Society. Clarke, a Baptist minister, was known as an advocate for religious freedom in the American colonies. That fact was noted in a review of Bamberg’s book at www.whatsupnewp.com, an online publication that covers her hometown of Newport, Rhode Island: “Against the passionate opposition of Rhode Island’s neighbors, John Clarke’s championship of toleration of religion helped to make it one of America’s core principles.”

COLU M B I A | On Campus

Thomas Merton Lecture: “Views from Space” F O R M E R A S T R O N AU T WA S S TA R S T R U C K B Y G O D ’ S C R E AT I O N By Nathan Barlow, Columbia ’20

n March 7, Columbia’s Catholic Ministry hosted engineering professor and former astronaut Mike Massimino at the 41st annual Thomas Merton Lecture. Dr. Massimino

in this country. The movie The Right Stuff especially reinvigorated his interest in space when he was a senior at Columbia University. After college, he applied to the astronaut program

Columbia’s Catholic Ministry hosted former astronaut Mike Massimino to speak on what his journeys into outer space taught him about God.

each time that NASA issued a call. After being summarily rejected several times, NASA finally hired him as a research engineer. He applied and was rejected from the astronaut pro-

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flag on his sleeve were crisp and vivid, due to the unobstructed brightness of the sun. Beauty and majesty surrounded him in every direction. “This

gram once more, this time for his vision. Massimino described this rejection as particularly disappointing because his vision was out of his con-

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The unparalleled illumination from the sun, the beauty of earth, and the sharpness of everything around him caused Massimino to reflect on the cosmic environment God built for His creatures.

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spoke about his journey, outer space, and what his adventures taught him about faith. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, gave a brief prayer and prefaced Massimino’s remarks by reminding the audience of the psalmist’s words, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8).” From a young age, Massimino, Columbia ’84, could not shake the feeling that “the space program was the most important thing going on”

trol. But he had faith in God’s plan for his journey, and, in Houston, he found an optometrist willing to teach him an experimental form of vision training. From this he drew a particular lesson for the audience: always reach out when you need help. Finally, NASA admitted him to the exclusive astronaut program once he increased his vision score by a few points. In his address, Massimino offered a vivid and humorous description of the astronauts’ training exercises before getting to the heart of his address: the spacewalks. Massimino worked on several missions to repair and replace components of the Hubble telescope. He described his first spacewalk with awe. As he first looked down on planet Earth, he thought, “This is a secret; this is too beautiful for humans to see.” Coming face-toface with the overwhelming glory of God’s creation, Massimino described his initial instinct: to turn his head away from the view. But as he did so, he noticed the colors on the American

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must be the view from heaven; this is what God sees,” he thought. The unparalleled illumination from the sun, the beauty of earth, and the sharpness of everything around him caused Massimino to reflect on the cosmic environment God built for His creatures. Around the time of his first spacewalk in the early 2000s, Massimino and his wife were building

a family and trying to ensure that their children lived in a good house. Thus, by analogy, his view of the heavens inspired him to marvel “how much God loves us, to have given us this house.” The reminder that God made this universe for His creatures removed his initial sense of unworthiness for the beauty that surrounded him.

During the question-and-answer period, Massimino addressed how his faith shaped his career as an astronaut. As he put it, “I never knew exactly where this journey would lead me, but faith guided me through the process.” Through his many rejections, it was faith in God that sustained him along the way and staved off discouragement. | cu

....................................................................................... COLU M B I A | On Campus

P.S. We All Deserve a Second Chance TA M S M I T H ’ 0 9 I S H E L P I N G T O B R E A K T H E C YC L E O F P OV E R T Y By Lauren Curiotto, Contributing Writer

feel as valued as they are in God's sight. P.S. Kitchen seeks to address that by donating 100% of their profits to charity; hiring people who need a second chance; and serving delicious food options that are kind to the body and the earth. Radical generosity has been at the core of Smith’s beliefs since she was a kid growing up in Hong Kong. But it wasn’t until her first missions trip to South Africa in her mid-twenties that her Christian faith moved to the forefront of her vision for the future. Her volunteer work with HIV positive children in an orphanage made her realize that feelings and ideas are empty without action to match. “We pray a lot of prayers of gratitude, but imagine if the disciples were grateful for the fish and loaves, but then just held onto them. That wouldn’t have Columbia alumna April Tam Smith’s restaurant, P.S. Kitchen, aims to leverage the power of been a miracle,” said Smith, good, sustainable food to create jobs for marginalized people; all while donating 100% of Columbia MBA ’09. “God reprofits to charity. ally honors it when you take the

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Columbia University alumna is proving that a business model that uplifts those who feel unworthy and overlooked can operate sustainably at the intersection of compassion, good food, and God’s love. “Think of the worst thing you’ve ever done in your life and being forev-

er known for that,” says April Tam Smith, as she explains why P.S. Kitchen, the restaurant she founded in Manhattan, gives those marginalized by their past a new beginning. The people whom Smith has chosen to serve and rehabilitate are often treated like afterthoughts, but P.S. Kitchen wants to make them

leap of faith and obey Him.” Navigating the unique calling God has placed on her life wasn’t easy. Smith was finding her footing at a New York City top-tier investment firm when she felt the pull towards something more. She struggled with whether she should leave her career in finance to focus on ministry full time until a friend challenged her to consider, what if the trading floor is your calling? On a return trip to Haiti, while wrestling with how to integrate her skill and training in finance with her heart for people, Smith was struck with how, in that very moment outside the orphanage in Creve, she was being intentional with all of her resources. She realized she was, “giving on purpose,” and she had a vivid image of how her day job could be leveraged to provide the resources to launch a business that would make a difference in the lives of many—the idea that would one day become P.S. Kitchen. “[Work] became a nurturing cycle instead of a vicious cycle,” she said.

God aligned many seemingly insignificant moments to prepare Smith for her role as co-founder of P.S. Kitchen. A year before Smith even had the idea for P.S. Kitchen, she was in the market for a temporary roommate. And that person turned out to be a restaurant owner who was looking for ways to find more fulfillment in his work. There was no sudden light bulb or voice from the heavens explaining that this connection would be important down the line, but that roommate was instrumental in helping her start the restaurant. After two years of perseverance and trusting that God would make a way to manifest the vision He had planted in her, the restaurant became reality, opening its doors in August of 2017. The vegan establishment is located on West 48th Street in the “Hell’s Kitchen” section of Manhattan. Since the launch of P.S. Kitchen, Smith has had a lot of opportunities to share her view of generosity and

that we're all called to live in ways that are others-centered, as co-workers cannot help but notice that she strives for a standard of giving, not a standard of living. “When we live authentic lives in and out of the office,” Smith explains, “it’s impossible for our faith not to come up in conversations.” A quote from a sermon at a Generous Giving conference that has sharpened her understanding of how her faith should operate in her daily life: “Christians ought to live in such a way that is so confusing that it demands an explanation and the only explanation is the Gospel.” When this is the goal, it makes sense to dedicate your life to loving “the least of these” as Jesus calls us to do in Matthew 25. Smith’s hope for P.S. Kitchen is that diners will be moved by the restaurant’s unique approach, and that they will consider how they might also shift gears and find their own way to make the world’s “afterthoughts” a priority and experience the joy of living others-centered lives. | cu

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The Love and Fidelity Network’s annual intercollegiate Valentine’s Day poster campaign

A Vision for Long-Term Love

was held at Columbia University and other universities in February. The posters featured the tagline “Be somebody to somebody… for the long run” and featured inspiring images of couples who have stayed together from youth through old age. With its poster campaign, Love and Fidelity Network aimed to cast a vision for students about what happy, healthy, long-term relationships can look like. A Christian Union grant helped underwrite the outreach.

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Readers across the world are learning of the fascinating account of noted author Joy Davidman, Columbia ’35. Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis shares the unlikely friendship and eventual marriage of Davidman and the celebrated

English author. The 2018 book explains how Davidman, who once aligned with Communism and atheism, wrote to Lewis in search of spiritual guidance; Becoming Mrs. Lewis also details her intellectual prowess, literary accomplishments, and embrace of Christianity.

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The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis

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COR N E LL | On Campus

Truth and Tolerance

V E R I TA S F O R U M F E AT U R E S V O L F, D E A N O F S T U D E N T S By Zachary Lee, Cornell ’20

lived under oppressive governments and systems that tried to silence Christianity, Volf recounted how “the first victim of war is truth. I want to speak of truth that is not defined internally by what a particular group says.” Pendakur shared how “a lack of internal truth caused a lot of confusion” in his youth. “The truth that shaped me was alienation,” he said. Though he lived in Chicago, Pendakur would go back to India to visit family. Experiencing various cultures simultaneously and having two different “homes” made him never belong to one place. “From an early age, I began to muse over dislocaDr. Miroslav Volf, director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture tion, relocation, (right), and Vijay Pendakur, Cornell Dean of Students, tackled the otherness, and bequestion of whether truth and tolerance can co-exist. longing. Now as the dean of students at Department of Biological and Envi- Cornell, I’m concerned with making ronmental Engineering, facilitated the Cornell a viable home for the student body’s heterogeneity.” discussion. Dr. Aristilde asked the men about Volf and Pendakur first spoke about their respective childhoods and the relation between truth and social/ how these experiences shaped their cultural interactions. Both speakers interests in the intersection of truth affirmed the integral nature of and tolerance. Volf grew up as a Pen- truth-forming relationships. Volf tecostal preacher’s kid in Yugoslavia. claimed we are “truth-seeking creaIn high school, he made his faith his tures” and that “every lack of truthown, but was the only professing fulness is a form of injustice. Thus, Christian in a class of 3,500. His justice and truth are not on opposite classmates’ skepticism drove him to sides. A commitment to truth is comexamine his faith critically. Having mitment to just relationships.”

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n March, the Veritas Forum at Cornell University posed the question Can Truth and Tolerance Co-Exist? Dr. Miroslav Volf, director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, and Dr. Vijay Pendakur, Dean of Students at Cornell, addressed that imposing inquiry, while Dr. Ludmilla Aristilde, an associate professor in the

Pendakur spoke on the tensions of letting students pursue truth in a university setting, claiming that, in today’s world, conceptual truths are often linked to broader social and political structures. “When the conversation is no longer about ideas, it is hard to keep things to the level of civility that we aspire,” he said. “This is especially true when someone feels that ‘you’re holding a position that might eradicate my ability to be me.’ And if you feel unsafe, it becomes difficult to flourish.” Pendakur added that there needs to be a differentiation between safety and comfort and how “reasonable amounts of discomfort, as well as being safe, are critical parts of learning.” In a university setting, the question then becomes how to create a greater tolerance for discomfort as one pursues truth, while making safety, both physical and emotional, a priority. He added, “This is critical if we want to be a university that not only admits diversity, but empowers diversity to flourish.” Volf spoke about the relationship between truth, his faith, and the process of articulation. “Truth is something that takes us into freedom; it moves us further into itself, rather than making us possessors of it,” he said. It is his identity as a Christian that enables him to be a pluralistic thinker because he sees the innate value of every person apart from the ideas they may hold. Volf then shared the importance of respect within discourse, stating, “You should not

distort the other’s position. You should be able to say, despite the differences, ‘I honor you and your position.’” Veritas Forum attendee Joseph Reigle ’20 was “inspired to think about the way the Christian worldview encourages us to express differing perspectives with accuracy and

care as we all pursue a common truth.” Ji-Won Choi ’19 noted the event’s reconciliatory nature, saying, “To see that even those who are not religious long to seek fundamental truth was encouraging to witness as a Christian. The forum also reiterated the idea that Christianity is not necessarily intol-

erant of ideas outside of itself in order to maintain exclusion, but rather requires serious contemplation on what truth is. I hope to see these meaningful conversations continue across Cornell’s campus so that people can confront challenging questions of truth and purpose.” | cu

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A Night of Glorious Praise LO C AL MIN I S TR IE S , M U S I C I AN S U N ITE F O R WO R TH Y ’19 By Grace Choi, Cornell ’22

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2019 :: christianunion.org

oud echoes of worship could be Cornell Department of Music and to recreate, to the best of our ability, the heard from Barnes Hall on Satur- was well attended by students. image of all God’s people worshipping,” day, March 9, as a crowd gathered for Worthy ’19 traced the timeline of said Nancy Ren ’19. “We were worWorthy ’19, a campus and shipping not only through community-wide effort that music, but through dance, drew musicians, singers, poetry, plays, and of course, artists, and performers from readings of the Word.” Cornell University, Ithaca It was a night of powerCollege, local churches, and ful, heartfelt worship and community organizations prayer that brought many during the Lent season. together to celebrate the Lord This year’s event, titled and all that He has done. “Song of Salvation,” feaSophomore Olivia Simoni tured a mini-orchestra, a stated, “The Holy Spirit was brass ensemble, members in the room. There was dancof Christian Union and ing, weeping, awe, and Cru’s worship teams, and surrender. This wasn’t a perJazz musician and visiting lecturer Joe Salzano organized two of Cornell’s a cappella formance for an audience. groups: Measureless A Cap- the unique, multimedia worship night. This was a choir of praise for pella and Baraka Kwa Wimthe King of Kings.” bo Gospel Ensemble. The event was Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, Geoff Sackett, Christian Union’s sponsored by Campus On A Hill, ascension, and second coming. ministry director at Cornell, said, “It Cornell Worship Workshop, and the “The whole point [of Worthy] was was wonderful to gather with a wide

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swath of students and other members of the Christian community to worship the Righteous One who saves and reigns. The name of our great God was lifted high in Scripture, song, music, banners, and dance. I suspect our community was strengthened in mission and witness because of it.” Worthy ’19 was organized by Joe Salzano, a music teacher and jazz sax-

and release worshippers to serve in local campus ministry and in churches. Sophomore Kaitlyn Blake stated, “Working with Joe and learning how to welcome the Holy Spirit—and fully allowing Him to work—is the epitome of Worship Workshop.” Salzano stated, “I believe the Worthy Worship concerts were born in God’s heart. It branched out of Worship

“The Holy Spirit was in the room. There was dancing, weeping, awe, and surrender. This wasn’t a performance for an audience. This was a choir of praise for the King of Kings.” —Olivia Simoni ’21 ophonist for the university who runs a Worship Workshop for students. The workshop helps students foster a deeper connection with God through music and helps equip, train,

Workshop into an annual celebration, bringing together campus ministries. My desire was to create a unique, multimedia expression of orchestra, worship band, choir, rap, dance, drama, Scrip-

ture, and visual arts.” Iyaniwura Olepaju ’20, a member of the a cappella group Baraka Kwa Wimbo Gospel Ensemble, stated, “I had a lot of fun watching the skits and solos from the back corner of the stage, but I also had an awesome view of the audience. People were laughing, dancing, crying—all of it really touched me and gave me a clear reminder of why God calls us to unite as a body. I left filled with peace, joy, and appreciation for God and His people.” Sophia Jeon ’21 was thankful for the individual and corporate blessing of Worthy ’19. “God moved so mightily in His people’s hearts that night,” she said. “There was a sense of unity amongst believers of all ages and backgrounds. I felt so grateful to have witnessed heaven come down on this campus in such a special way during this Lent season.” | cu

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Easter on the Quad

Campus on a Hill sponsored Easter on the Quad in April. One of the highlights was a 48hour prayer tent where students from various ministries signed up for shifts to intercede for a manifestation of God’s presence on campus. Beginning on the morning of Good Friday, organizers sought to have at least three people in the tent at all times. On Easter Sunday, April 21, Easter on the Slope (behind Morrill Hall) was held in the early evening.

Outreach’s (ccojubilee.org) Jubilee Conference. The Cornellians joined A group of students involved thousands of college students for with Chesterton House travelled the annual event. One theme of to Pittsburgh in February for the conference centered upon the Coalition for Christian encouraging student believers to consider faith-work integration. Speakers asked students to think about the public implications of their personal spiritual transformations. The conference also featured the music of Sho Baraka, Photo by Andrew Tucciarone a hip-hop artist and Sho Baraka writer.

Cornellians Trek to Jubilee Conference

D A R T M OU T H | On Campus

Celebrating Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood

ESTEEMED TV HOST GAVE ’02 COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer

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or nearly 35 years, Fred Rogers assigned to profile Rogers, also an The television host sought to show invited young viewers to be part ordained Presbyterian minister. youngsters how to navigate life’s chalThe movie is part of a series of lenges and deal with emotions. In his of his neighborhood. An upcoming film from Sony efforts to spotlight the remarkable life role as the soft-spoken host and pupPictures will take a closer look at the of Rogers in conjunction with the 50th peteer, he actively took on challenging kindness behind the life topics, including racism, of the beloved children’s divorce, and even some television host who atnational tragedies. tended Dartmouth ColThe film portrait lege for two years before also features fresh intransferring to Rollins sights from Rogers’ widCollege. Dartmouth ow, sons, and sister. awarded Rogers an honDocumentary producer orary degree in 2002 Nicholas Ma, Harvard when he gave the com’05, played a pivotal role mencement address. in involving the star’s Academy Awardrelatives, thanks to his winner Tom Hanks will relationship with the portray Rogers in A Rogers family via his Beautiful Day in the own famous father. Neighborhood, a movie As a youth, Ma apnamed after the theme peared twice on Mister song to PBS’ Mister RogRogers’ Neighborhood ers’ Neighborhood. alongside acclaimed celCredit: Fred Rogers Productions The production is an list Yo-Yo Ma, Harvard An upcoming film from Sony Pictures will highlight the life of Fred adaptation of Tom Ju’76. In exchange for her Rogers, the iconic children’s television host. nod’s 1998 article, Can participation in the docYou Say…Hero?, which umentary, Joanne Rogchronicled how the cynical journalist anniversary of Mister Rogers’ Neigh- ers only asked the production team was touched by his exposure to Rogers’ borhood. not to characterize her late husband good nature. The essay also detailed Among other highlights, a Uni- as a saint. the prayer and benevolence at the core versity of Pennsylvania alumnus was Among the takeaways from the of the country’s cherished neighbor. the force behind Won’t You Be My production, director Neville learned “This is a man who loves the sim- Neighbor? In June 2018, director Mor- that Rogers received astonishing piles plifying force of definitions, and yet gan Neville ’89 released a documen- of mail—4,000-plus per year by one all he knows of grace is how he gets tary highlighting Rogers’ pioneering count—and the television icon atit; all he knows is that he gets it from work in television, especially on behalf tempted to answer nearly every piece God, through man,” Junod wrote for of preschoolers. Rogers was his show’s of correspondence. Esquire. Acclaimed actor Matthew creator, composer, producer, head Fittingly, the US Postal Service Rhys will depict the jaded magazine writer, showrunner, and of course, its jumped in with its own tribute and writer who is transformed after being cardigan-clad host. commemorated the broadcaster’s rich

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legacy with a Mister Rogers Forever Stamp. In conjunction with the unveiling of the stamp in spring 2018, the Pittsburgh International Airport also honored Rogers with a slate of activities inside the terminal. For its part, PBS aired a one-hour tribute in March 2018. As for Neville’s documentary, the Penn graduate explained to Film Journal International how the original idea for his production came from the influence of Rogers upon Nicholas Ma. Rogers specifically emphasized the importance of using fame as a positive force. Likewise, Neville was fascinated by the profound insights that Rogers shared during commencement addresses, including one at Dartmouth. “Here’s this voice saying things that I don’t hear anymore,” Neville told Film Journal International. “He was an empathetic adult with no other agenda. It’s a voice we’re missing today.” During his talk to the Class of 2002, Rogers reflected upon valuable

life lessons plus the imprint of Dartmouth upon his life, including an appreciation for astronomy. “Our world hangs like a magnificent jewel in the vastness of space,” he said. A year before his passing, Rogers encouraged newly minted graduates to inspire goodness in others. “Because deep down, we know that what matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What really matters is helping others win, too.” Ever the role model, Rogers stressed the importance of investing in human lives to the Dartmouth Class of 2002. “What choices encourage heroism in the midst of chaos?” he asked, rhetorically. With that, Rogers urged graduates to “make goodness attractive again.” Rogers attended Dartmouth in the late 1940s before transferring to Rollins College, where he graduated in 1951 with a degree in music composition. After studying divinity at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, he went on to a long and storied career, much

of it tied to his eponymous show that ran from 1968 to 2001. Among notable achievements, Rogers was appointed the chair of the Forum on Mass Media and Child Development of the White House Conference on Youth in 1968, and he won the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. The Pittsburgh native also picked up two George Foster Peabody Awards and four Emmys. Plus, the Television Hall of Fame inducted Rogers in 1999. Throughout his broadcasting career, Rogers reflected a Christian worldview that emphasized the importance of treating individuals as image-bearers of God. The man behind one of television’s longest-running programs taught generations of kids that they were indeed special. In his trademark sweater and sneakers, Rogers told children to make each day special. “There’s nobody else in the whole world who’s exactly like you, and people can like you exactly as you are,” Rogers often said. | cu

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Faith and Mental Health

In May, the Breaking Bread at Dartmouth dinner discussion focused on “Faith and Mental Health.” The guest speaker was Alasdair Groves ’04, a mental health counselor. The dinner also featured X.ado, a Christian a cappella group. Breaking Bread, a collaborative effort between students and the Eleazar Wheelock Society, “welcomes Dartmouth students and

community members of all faith backgrounds and none to engage in Christian intellectual inquiry.” Core values include intellectual curiosity, inclusiveness, honoring God, and connecting students to positive rolemodels of faith.

Professor Currier ’79 Discusses A.I. and Robotics Integrare at Dartmouth hosted its winter term roundtable dinner with John Currier, Dartmouth ’79,

research professor at Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering. Currier launched table discussions on “Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in a Brave New World: How will rapidly advancing technology reshape our lives, work, and culture?” The outreachoriented dinner, held in the fall, winter, and spring terms, is geared towards Dartmouth professors, administrative leaders, professionals, pastors from the community, and undergraduate student leaders.

H A RVA RD | On Campus

Honoring Elizabeth Anscombe

S Y M P O S I U M E X P L O R E S A R G U M E N T S F O R V I R T U E , C H A S T I T Y, A N D SE XUAL ETHIC S By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer

losophy. As such, “it was really cool to see students from all backgrounds engaged with Anscombe’s philosophy,” said Say, a project manager in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “She was also an inspirational Christian who truly stood up for what she believed in, often in very public,

Virtue, Happiness, and Meaning of Life project. Among other speakers, Oxford and Cambridge educated Peter Wicks is a scholar-in-residence at the Elm Institute in New Haven, Connecticut. The philosopher, author, and editor served as a visiting fellow at Princeton

In March, the Harvard Anscombe Society celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of its namesake.

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University before pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Notre Dame. As for Anscombe, the gifted, Oxford-educated scholar married notable philosopher Peter Geach in 1941, and became a professor of philosophy at Cambridge in 1970. The controversial and colorful figure and mother of seven served until her retirement in 1986. On the historic campus, asso-

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but still incredibly thoughtful ways.” Conference presenters included Harvard lecturer and philosopher James Doyle, who has been on the faculties of major U.S. and U.K. universities, and Father Jeffrey Langan, Columbia M.A. ’94, philosopher and priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei. The event also featured University of Chicago philosopher Candace Vogler, a principal investigator on the

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he Harvard Anscombe Society recently paid tribute to the the remarkable contributions of its namesake while celebrating the 100th anniversary of her birth. In March, about 50 students, alumni, and other associates attended the 2019 Harvard Anscombe Symposium to honor the life of British intellect Gertrude Elizabeth Anscombe. At the gathering on March 16 in Adams House, participants explored Anscombe’s writings on the philosophy of mind, action, and intention, plus her modern arguments on behalf of virtue, chastity, and sexual ethics. When she died at 81, Anscombe was considered by some to be the greatest English philosopher of her generation. “She is a huge, towering figure,” said Will Long ’19, co-president of Harvard Anscombe Society (harvardcollegeanscombesociety.wordpress. com). “She is an example to be followed. She was not afraid to be incredibly principled.” Symposium participants received a hefty packet of some of Anscombe’s marquee materials, including Modern Moral Philosophy and Intention, prompting a series of stimulating discussions with world-class faculty. Conference participants included a dozen-plus students and alumni from top universities. Among them, Christian Say, Princeton ’17, called Anscombe a “real giant” in the world of analytic phi-

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ciates remembered Anscombe for sometimes smoking cigars and wearing a monocle. In addition to her extensive credentials, Anscombe is known for her

stature, Long and his Harvard colleagues wanted to give students involved in Anscombe organizations better insights into the ethicist’s writings, values, and life. “It was a really

tor of the Love and Fidelity Network, Alain Oliver, was thrilled to help Harvard students organize the weekend conference. Attendees were especially grateful

When she died at 81, Anscombe was considered by some to be the greatest English philosopher of her generation. conservative views on sexual ethics and opposition to abortion. In a nod to the 20th century philosopher’s moral passions, student organizations

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British intellect and philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe was known for her conservative views on sexual ethics and opposition to abortion.

bearing her name promote traditional marriage, sexual integrity, and the significance of the family. At their core, the student organizations honoring Anscombe’s legacy use reason and decorum to defend traditional family values. Anscombe, a prolific author, wrote that casual sex dishonors the body. Given Anscombe’s intellectual

good opportunity for a lot of people to get together, learn about Anscombe, and build friendships,” said Long. An obituary in Philosophy Now: A Magazine of Ideas wrote that Anscombe “saw no reason to shut up about moral matters.” The 2001 article also noted the devout figure’s “unfashionable views” on ethics reflected her Christian faith. “She boldly and brilliantly defended unfashionable and unpopular beliefs,” the journal noted. “Despite her efforts, most of those beliefs remain unpopular, but her impact on the history of philosophy is undeniable.” In 2005, Princeton University undergraduate Cassandra Hough launched the Anscombe Society (anscombe.princeton.edu) in response to the widespread hookup culture on campus. The student organization believes that sex, when properly understood, is beautiful. It provides a couple with intimacy, unity, and opportunities for procreation, but such purposes can only be fully realized within marriage. After graduation, Hough ’07 founded the Love and Fidelity Network to aid college students seeking resources for similar initiatives on their college campuses. Given Anscombe’s inspiration to modern students, the executive direc-

for opportunities to meet like-minded students from other campuses. “That’s always rewarding,” said Oliver, also the chief executive officer of the Collegiate Cultural Foundation. “Sharing bread together is just invaluable.” Long, a computer science and government concentrator from Oklahoma, echoed those comments. “People really got to build a lot of camaraderie,” he said of the symposium’s social events. Given the feedback surrounding the centennial celebration, Love and Fidelity is considering options to stage an annual event around Anscombe’s birthday. “All of the students requested to do it again,” Oliver said. | cu

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H A RVA RD | On Campus

Shepard Found the Truth at Harvard

K E N N E DY S C H O O L PR O F E S S O R R E C ALL S B E IN G S U R PR I S E D BY G R AC E By Mark Shepard, Harvard ’08, PhD ’15 Editor’s note: The following story was reprinted with permission from The Veritas Forum (www.veritas.org).

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Into this state, God broke in. My first surprise was meeting Christians who actually believed their faith – and in a thoughtful, intelligent

2019

My first surprise was meeting Christians who actually believed their faith – and in a thoughtful, intelligent way.

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arvard University is special for me because it is where I first came to know Jesus Christ. Perhaps this should not be surprising. Harvard is a place that reveres truth (Veritas), and Jesus says He is the truth. But most people when they hear this about me are surprised, since they see the university as a secular place. Let me share my story and a few of the surprises it has entailed. I grew up in a Jewish home and was raised in Hebrew school and Jewish observance. But by the time I entered Harvard College as a freshman, I had rebelled and become an atheist. Like many atheists, I had strong beliefs. I believed that faith was the opposite of reason – and therefore to be avoided. I believed that science was the only real way of knowing truth. And I believed that life should be lived based on logical optimization and rationality, free from the softness of emotional thinking. (Perhaps you can see why I became an economist.)

way. I got to know a resident tutor, fact that my worldview gave me little who also happened to be a minister grounding even to believe in moral for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. truth? In long conversations in the dining My third surprise – which still halls, we explored the deep questions: surprises and challenges me to this Is there a God? Is there purpose behind the universe? Is there such a thing as moral truth? And what does the Bible have to say about all this? Amazingly to me, my tutor had faith, but also welcomed questioning of that faith and consideration of evidence for and against Christianity. Here was a faith not opposed to reason, but deeply involved with it. My second surprise was in the power of the Mark Shepard, professor at the Harvard Kennedy School of Bible, and particularly Government Jesus, to make sense of the world, and to move and inspire me. As I read Jesus’ Ser- day – was finding out that I am a mon on the Mount for the first time, sinner. This merits explanation. Sin, I was blown away. Here was the most in common usage, is a joke. It’s a word beautiful, powerful expression of mor- used for pleasurable things that prudal truth I had ever encountered. But ish people label as bad. This is not what I mean by sin. Sin, in my experience, is rooted in an overwhelming pride. When I enter the world, I want to be better than people around me – to be more impressive and more accomplished, and to be recognized as such. When mixed with an acawho did this come from? Could this demic environment like Harvard, this really be the work of a poor Jewish sinful tendency is toxic. Collectively, carpenter and his uneducated follow- it leads to bottom-line thinking, with ers? And how could I deal with the a culture of celebrity for people who

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succeed and worthlessness for those who do not. It turns Harvard’s greatest strength – its brilliant people – into a source of envy and anxiety. In my life, I have seen this way of thinking lead to depression, unfruitfulness, and a desire to quit academics and even life itself. Sin is self-destructive. While my old worldview gave me few resources to understand or deal with sin, Christianity confronts it head on. God’s answer is the Gospel: the good news that Jesus came into the world to live, die, and be raised

for sinners. The Gospel reminds me, first, that because God is central, life is not about me, but about Him. I don’t have to achieve, to impress, to justify myself. I am accepted in Him. Second, the Gospel frees me from the misdeeds of my past, since Jesus has paid for them. Finally, the Gospel gives me – and the whole university – a new purpose. By learning, teaching, and relating to each other in humility and love, we participate in renewing the world. This is a purpose in which everyone in the university can partic-

ipate, regardless of rank or status. God’s vision for the university now animates my heart and gives me continual resources to renew my life and to beat back sin. I encourage you to consider this truth that has changed my life and promises to do the same for you. | cu mark shepard (Harvard ’08, PhD ’15) is an assistant professor at Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

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A Lenten Retreat on Redemption

The Harvard Catholic Student Association hosted a retreat in March at the Franciscan Guest House in Kennebunkport, Maine. The theme of the three-day gathering was “The Beauty of the Cross: A Lenten Retreat on Redemption.” The guest speaker was Fr. Martin Bearis, who serves as pastor of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church and is vocation director at The Province of St. Mary of the Capuchin Order in Boston. A Christian Union grant helped underwrite the retreat. The motto of the Catholic Student Association is Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae - “Truth for Christ and the Church.” The organization works closely with the Harvard Catholic chaplains to host a variety of spiritual, social, and service opportunities throughout the year.

Harvard Community Holds Vigil for New Zealand Mosque Victims On March 15, approximately 50 students and other affiliates of Harvard University gathered outside Memorial Church to stand in vigil for the victims of the New Zealand mosque attacks.

Harvard Memorial Church

Students, faculty, staff, and clergy gathered on the steps of Memorial Church in the aftermath of shootings inside two mosques in Christchurch that claimed 50-plus lives. In response to the violence, Harvard Professor Rev. Jonathan Walton called upon congregants of Memorial Church to display solidarity publicly for the lives lost in places of worship. Patrick J. Fiorillo—a Catholic chaplain at Harvard—spoke at the vigil, and Khalil AbdurRashid—the University's Muslim chaplain—offered support to student organizers after the gathering, according to The Harvard Crimson. In a letter, Walton said the congregants of Memorial Church were sorrowful for the victims of the vicious attack. Walton encouraged congregants to pray and show tangible acts of love. “Nevertheless, pray, we must. Love, we must,” he wrote.

P E N N | On Campus

Partnering with Pastors C R O S T O N ’ 8 1 I S A N AT I O N A L D I R E C T O R F O R L I F E WAY R E S O U R C E S By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer

was president of both the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Virginia Baptist State Convention Inc., which describes itself as Virginia’s oldest African-American Baptist organization. Though Croston misses the deep friendships he formed at East End

Through his executive position with LifeWay Christian Resources, Mark Croston, Penn ’81, helps support and resource African-American churches throughout the United States.

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Baptist, he finds fulfillment in supporting pastors. African-American churches have long served as the backbone of their communities and as veritable wellsprings of inspiration, healing, and restoration to churchgoers. Croston’s position at LifeWay also allows him to enjoy abundant speak-

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“Pastors are hungry for new ideas and tools to help them to be successful at pushing people to become deeper disciples of Jesus Christ.” As such, Croston spends hours perusing data generated by LifeWay’s research division to glean information and concepts to help pastors to engage with teens and young adults better. Croston is the editor of LifeWay’s YOU curriculum, which focuses on offering biblical training to urban and multicultural believers, and the author of Big Results: Sunday School & Black Church Life. Previously, the Philadelphia native served as a senior pastor at East End Baptist Church in Virginia’s Hampton Roads region. After sensing a strong spiritual calling to LifeWay, Croston left his beloved church of 26 years and relocated to Tennessee. Such a move was bittersweet as the congregation was readily pursuing a building project for its growing body of 900plus members. At LifeWay, Croston helps African-American churches assess their goals and determine how the organization can help meet their needs, especially in terms of discipleship materials and church supplies. LifeWay, which dates back to 1891, originally operated as the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Croston holds a doctor of ministry degree from Virginia Union University with a concentration in Christian education in the African-American church. In 2012, he

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University of Pennsylvania alumnus is using his dynamic ministerial skills to help pastors thrive as they meet the needs of African-American congregants. Mark Croston ’81 serves as national director for Black and Western Church Partnerships of LifeWay Christian Resources. The Tennessee-based organization ranks among the world’s top Christian resource providers, though it recently announced plans to shift from brick and mortar stores to online operations. LifeWay, the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, continues to stock major retailers with inspirational materials. In 2013, Croston left a lengthy pastoral career to join the LifeWay team, where he heads efforts to support and resource African-American churches. LifeWay’s Black Church Life division offers a variety of training, conferences, and study materials. In addition to supporting AfricanAmerican pastors, Croston also serves churches in the western portion of the United States. Given his duties, the father of four and grandfather of two is on the road about 120 days per year. Many pastors welcome strategies for growing their congregations, and they want resources and information on trends shaping the lives of parishioners, especially among the younger generations. “They want to know what’s happening in the world of faith,” he said.

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ing and teaching opportunities. His career has taken him to nearly 40 countries for preaching and missions endeavors. Interestingly enough, the computer science engineering major felt called to ministry during a campus revival at Penn, where he served as president of the University of Pennsylvania Gospel Choir. The group was a forerunner to New Spirit of Penn Gospel Choir (facebook.com/newspiritofpenn). Croston went on to work as a systems engineer for IBM until 1984 when he began graduate studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky. An annual highlight for Croston

is overseeing LifeWay’s Black Church Leadership and Family Conference, described as the largest gathering of African Americans in the Southern Baptist Convention. This year’s event, slated for July 22 to 26 at Ridgecrest Conference Center in Western North Carolina, will mark the twenty-sixth such conference for LifeWay. The 2019 theme will center upon ministry to all generations. More than 300 churches regularly attend, bringing 1,000-plus participants. During the conference, Croston will try to build upon a cultural tradition of devotion to Scriptures. Indeed, a recent survey showed that African Americans have higher

levels of engagement with the Bible than the general U.S. population, according to the American Bible Society’s 2018 State of the Bible. As such, Croston hopes to expand upon a community legacy of biblical faithfulness. “Part of that lineage is passing stories down and holding onto the stories by reading them, over and over again,” he said. More importantly, Croston is committed to pointing people of all backgrounds to the good news of the Gospel message. “His blood was shed, and we are saved by grace,” Croston said. | cu

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Jesus Week

On April 14-20, Penn for Jesus hosted Jesus Week with various outreaches and events, including a prayer tent, “Pizza and God,” an open mic, and an open air, all-campus worship time that featured a message from Pastor Jeff Boettcher of Christ Church in South Philadelphia. Through Jesus Week, Penn for Jesus seeks to: encourage Christian students at the University of Pennsylvania to dedicate more time to prayer and intercession; foster new relationships and unity among Christians on campus; and provide opportunities for evangelism. A Christian Union grant helped underwrite Jesus Week. Penn for Jesus is a gathering place for Christians on campus who desire Christian unity and revival through intercessory prayer, united events, and communication within the body of Christ.

Newman Celebrates Founder’s Night Students involved with the University of Pennsylvania’s Newman Center gathered for the organization’s annual Founder’s Night this winter. In February, the students celebrated the first Newman Club meeting in the United States with a candlelight dinner, program, and a memorable cigar session. Penn Medical student Timothy Harrington organized the inaugural

gathering in winter 1893. He named the club after Cardinal John Henry Newman, the Catholic intellectual of the 19th century. Throughout 2019, the ministry (newman.upenn.edu) plans a series of commemorations of its 125th year, including a major celebration in the fall. The activities also will recognize the spread of the Newman mission throughout the United States.

Early members of the Penn Newman Club

P E N N | On Campus

Band of Brothers

STUDENTS GLORIFY GOD IN OFF- CAMPUS COMMUNIT Y By Cassandra Jobman, Penn ’21

here are certainly plenty of groups of college men who choose to live together. But the men of the “ManS1on” at the 20 South 39th Street apartments in Philadelphia are not bonded by a love of FIFA or beer, or even a major or club they

house spends at least an hour together each week, praying, singing, and sharing. Food is purchased communally, and each week a community dinner is served by rotating members of the house. Guests are encouraged, and allowed to share in the commu-

Members of Penn’s ManS1on are committed to live in community, serve one another, and challenge each other to faithfully follow Christ.

nal food in the spirit of hospitality. ManS1on alumnus Mark Hoover, now a third-year student at Princeton

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knit, intentional community that is not as evident on Penn’s campus.” “My relationship with the guys at the house does not merely constitute being acquaintances, but being brothers.” | cu

Theological Seminary, explains that the founders of the house laid out a theological framework: “glorifying God by living in community, challenging its members to follow Christ faithfully, and supporting their service to God in other

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The mission is Based on 1 John 4:19-21, emphasizing that “Christian community is not transactional. Everything given is a sacrifice and everything received is a gift.”

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have in common. They are bonded by a commitment to serve God in community—and by a constitution. In 2010, six University of Pennsylvania students involved with Penn Cru founded an off-campus community specifically for Christian men. Since then, the group has doubled in size and now includes Penn students who are involved in various ministries on campus and churches. And the ManS1on—which incorporates its S1 apartment number into its name to suggest the word mansion—is something of a ministry in itself. Each “ManS1onite” is part of a small accountability group from among his housemates; the entire

communities, all under the authority of Christ, the Scriptures, and the Church.” Talking with members and reviewing their governing documents, it becomes clear that the ManS1on is something closer to a monastic community than a fraternity or bachelor pad. The mission is based on 1 John 4:1921, emphasizing that “Christian community is not transactional. Everything given is a sacrifice and everything received is a gift. We serve each other, not because we hope for service in return, but because Christ served us.” Among their fellow students and within campus culture, this is nothing short of a radical stance. Penn can be an incredibly transactional place, where a curricular focus on profit and individual achievement can bleed down into all aspects of life. Here, though, is a group of men for whom “sacrifice” does not mean “sacrifice for my own future,” but “sacrifice for one another.” Current ManS1on member Chris Jackson ’20 appreciates “the close-

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PR I N C E T O N | On Campus

A Collegiate Day of Prayer

PRINCETON CHRIS TIANS INTERCEDE WITH S TUDENTS ACROSS T H E N AT I O N By Jon Garaffa, Princeton ’20

genuine, unified prayer, our hopes and dreams for this generation may never be realized.” At Princeton, students and staff welcomed the opportunity to set aside time to intercede in unity. “Prayer keeps our minds focused on the kingdom and our true purpose,” stated Brian Foster ’21, a leader among the Christian community at Princeton. “Sometimes, the stresses of the university life get in the way and take our minds off what’s important. In this way, prayer helps us reorient ourselves onto the right path.” In addition to regular prayer times directed by ministries, a residential college has also been hosting prayer meetings. Forbes College, located farther away from central campus than other residential colleges, is known for Credit: Courtesy of Clarke Caton Hintz Architects and Michael Slack Photography having a particularly tight-knit Regular prayer meetings are a priority for the tight-knit community of Forbes Residential College. community. “Prayer is the central discigeneration spiritually, encouraging all er.org), 4,944 campuses were “adopt- pline for Christian life,” stated Foster. to pray for the students at our nation’s ed,” or prayed for, by 2,754 campus “As Christians, we seek to have a reministries, churches, and individuals lationship with the Father, and to do campuses. Participating ministries at Princ- who signed up. The organization’s that, we need to communicate with eton included: Princeton Christian statement on the Power and Potential Him. Prayer is the primary way.” As believers at Princeton continue Fellowship, Worship House, Manna of United Prayer states, “As the stuChristian Fellowship, and Christian dents go, so goes our nation! If we to pray—on a regular basis and Union. Each ministry adopted a res- win the spiritual battles across our through events like Collegiate Day of idential college, which is Princeton’s nation, but neglect our college cam- Prayer—it is their hope that the unisystem for housing and dining for puses, all our progress will be undone versity will experience transformation underclassmen. Then, they prayed for in a generation. Therefore, students for the glory of God. | cu the students of that college. This mod- today need our support and earnest el of praying for specific institutions prayers…Without a greater degree of

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n February 28, students from Princeton University participated in the Collegiate Day of Prayer. Held annually on the last Thursday of February, the Collegiate Day of Prayer organization seeks to impact the next

also mirrors the overall model of the nationwide initiative, where entire campuses are adopted by organizations and individuals. According to the Collegiate Day of Prayer (https://collegiatedayofpray-

PR I N C E T O N | On Campus

Taking Steps to Protect the Unborn

P R I N C E T O N S T U D E N T S L E A D N AT I O N A L M A R C H F O R L I F E By Jon Garaffa, Princeton ’20

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n Friday, January 18, students grew in my own acceptance of my “Princeton Pro-Life has an academic from Princeton University were physical self, because during my and apologetic focus,” stated Cavazos. at the forefront of the March for Life speech, I talked about my genetic bone “We bring in a lot of speakers to enin Washington, D.C., an annual ral- disease, osteogenesis imperfecta. That gage with the Princeton community ly aiming to protest peacefully the was the first time I’d spoken publicly intellectually. Students and [other] people on our campus appreciate our practice and legality of abortion in about it, and it took courage...” the United States. The rally started in In her speech, Cavazos opened up approach.” 1974 and takes places annually near the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the decision of the Supreme Court to decriminalize abortion. This year, students from Princeton Pro-Life led the march, chanting in the front row as they proceeded through the city. Many Princeton students had come to the march in previous years. “It was really different to be able to march in the front and see all the people we were leading,” stated Allie Burton ’17, who served as past vice president of Princeton ProLife and made her third trip Credit: Emily Green back to D.C. this year. “Person- Princeton Pro-Life President Ally Cavazos ’19 spoke to the March for Life crowd, telling her ally, it was a very special mo- personal story in support of how abortion can never be considered an “act of generosity” towards ment for me when we marched the unborn. past the Supreme Court.” Ally Cavazos ’19, the president emerita of Princeton Pro-Life, about her struggle with the condition Students participated in faith-relatgave a speech to the crowd to fit the and used her experience to support a ed events over the course of their time pro-science theme of the March for biological case for life’s start at concep- in Washington, DC. Services relating 2019: “Unique from Day One.” tion. Her conviction, shared by those to the march included Catholic Mass“I didn’t realize I was going to be at the march, is that an abortion can es at the Verizon Center and at the a personal influence in the lives of never be considered an “act of gener- Basilica of the National Shrine of the other young adults, and it’s really cool osity” towards the unborn, even if great Immaculate Conception. The march’s to know that I have been, even if it’s hardships may occur in their future. schedule also started off with a musical just in a small way,” declared Cavazos, Princeton Pro-Life takes a unique introduction by Christian band Sidewho was encouraged to see such a approach to activism on campus, of- walk Prophets. “Much of the pro-life positive response to her speech. “I also ten appealing to students’ reason. movement is guided by devout Chris-

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Credit: Emily Green

The 2019 March for Life in Washington, DC

tians who very much see this as living out God’s vision for how we are to take care of others and ourselves,” explained Cavazos. Advocating for the sanctity of human life from conception to natural

death is an increasingly important part of many young people’s faith, especially in a culture that celebrates the contrary. “I was in Sunday school classes when I learned about [abortion] for the first time. I was appalled at the

thought that we were intentionally killing the most innocent and vulnerable among us: the unborn,” stated Cavazos. “That’s when I realized that this was important to me.” | cu

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Rodriguez ’08 Returns to America’s Got Talent

A Princeton University alumnus and his group, Sons of Serendip, returned to the set of America’s Got Talent, a reality television competition. In February, Cordaro Rodriguez ’08 and bandmates competed on America’s Got Talent: The Champions, where they faced a field of 50 past winners. During the 2014 season, the program vaulted Sons of Serendip to celebrity status.

The group recently kicked off a tour and released a new single, Love You Still. Sons of Serendip offers a mixture of rhythm and blues, soul, and more, all showcased via vocals, cello, harp, and piano. While at Princeton, Rodriguez played piano for the Princeton University Gospel Ensemble.

Dance Company Performs “Seasons” In the spring semester, the Six14 Christian Dance Company held two performances of

“Seasons” at Frist Theater at Princeton University. Six14 is “dedicated to glorifying God and sharing the gospel through various forms of dance, including hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and praise dance.” Phillip Yoon ’20, a member of the dance company, said Six14 “seeks to provide the rest of the campus with a powerful and impactful view of Christianity through a unique and visually immersive medium.” A Christian Union grant helped underwrite the event.

S TA N FORD | On Campus

Forgiveness in the Pursuit of Justice S T U D E N T S C O N S I D E R T H E G O S P E L’ S R O L E I N T H E # M E T O O M O V E M E N T By Lauren Curiotto, Contributing Writer

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tudents involved in the Stanford that the event was intended to explore ford’s Sexual Assault and Relationship chapter of the Veritas Forum are the dichotomy between retributive Abuse Office, as well as the Wellness boldly confronting and dissecting justice and restorative justice, and Community Center to provide parsome of life’s toughest questions. challenge the concept of punishment ticipants with adequate support during and after the event. As expectTheir events provide an opportunity as true, healing justice. for students to slow down, step away from a rigorous schedule, and seek truth about topics that might feel too awkward or complex to face alone. In February, 300 students gathered to hear from guest speaker Rachael Denhollander for a Veritas Forum entitled “Justice and Forgiveness: A Conversation on Sexual Assault.” Denhollander, the former gymnast widely known as the first woman publicly to accuse USA Gymnastics national team doctor Larry Credit: Mingming Li Nassar of sexual assault, Sexual assault survivor and activist Rachael Denhollander (right) spoke to Stanford students on delivered a thought-provok- how the Christian worldview offers a unique perspective on justice and forgiveness. ing speech that sparked dialogue about how the The decision to invite Denhol- ed, the conversation did prove to be Christian worldview uniquely reconciles justice and forgiveness in the lander as the keynote speaker was a somewhat polarizing. Many respondunanimous one. “We were incredibly ed positively and appreciated how perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through polls conducted on cam- amazed at her grace and composure, Denhollander transparently shared pus, the Stanford community had and the way she addressed the jury at her journey in navigating the seemclearly demonstrated an interest in the final hearing of Larry Nassar,” said ingly contradictory roles of forgiveness the topic of justice. Coupled with Kim. “She spoke out about what it and punishment within justice. Othincreasing media attention on the means to find ultimate forgiveness in er participants felt uncomfortable #metoo movement and sexual assault Christ and really highlighted how she with the idea of Jesus Christ as the cases across the country, the intersec- can forgive because she has been for- perfect judge and felt that Denhollander’s opinion should not be seen tion of these complex subjects seemed given.” The organizers anticipated that as the universal outlook of sexual like the perfect place for the Veritas Forum to intervene. Samuel Kim, one this forum would be a sensitive one assault survivors. Opposing arguments like this are of the student organizers, explained and proactively partnered with Stan-

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routinely welcomed by the Veritas Forum. As Kim explained, “We want the best of both sides to be represented. We’re not afraid to put different worldviews on the Veritas stage be-

gage in this Veritas Forum was extremely personal. Kim recalls speaking with one undergraduate student who had attended the same gymnastics camp as Denhollander. Since the de-

Denhollander, the former gymnast widely known as the first woman publicly to accuse USA Gymnastics national team doctor Larry Nassar of sexual assault, delivered a thought-provoking speech that sparked dialogue about how the Christian worldview uniquely reconciles justice and forgiveness in the perfect judge and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. cause we believe that the truth of Christ will prevail and, no matter what, that truth will resonate with people’s hearts.” For some, the opportunity to en-

tails of the Larry Nassar case had gone public, he had carried a burden of guilt knowing that his experience had been far more positive than some of his female counterparts. Talking to

Denhollander in the context that the Veritas Forum provided was a cathartic and productive way to grapple with his own confusing emotions. Despite being a very busy medical student, Kim remains dedicated to challenging the faith walk of Christians like himself and bringing the truth of Christ to others through the Veritas Forum. The best parts of college, he recalled, were the late nights spent talking in the freshman dorms with people from so many different backgrounds. He realized that this unique time in his life would be difficult to replicate organically. “People want to have these conversations, but the opportunities are so rare. The Veritas Forum reignites that initial spirit of exploratory conversation that often gets overshadowed by day to day life,” he said. | cu

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For the Love of the Game

Stanford running back Bryce Love was drafted in the fourth round by the Washington Redskins at the NFL Draft in April. Love, a Heisman finalist in 2017, rushed for 3,866 yards at Stanford. In a Tweat at the end of last season, Love, a Christian, said, “God has blessed me with an incredible opportunity to play the sport I love at the highest level…I am completely devoted to this next chapter of my career, and will always keep the Stanford community, my family, and my faith by my side throughout.”

Tippett Joins Distinguished Visitor Program Award-winning broadcaster Krista Tippett (Brown ’83 and Yale Divinity School ’94) is participating in the Distinguished Visitor program at Stanford University’s Haas Center for Public Service. Tippett is the host of National Public Radio’s On Being program.

During the spring semester, the National Humanities Medalist is taking part in a 10-week residency program that gathers prominent individuals who have impacted the nation through public service. While at Stanford, Tippett will tape discussions with leaders on emerging issues touching the lives of younger generations, including technology and artificial intelligence. In 2003, Tippett launched Speaking of Faith, a forerunner to On Being, as a weekly radio program. In March, Tippett spoke as a guest on the topic of Leading a Meaningful Life on behalf of Stanford’s Office for Religious Life discussion series.

YA L E | On Campus

Yale’s Living Water A C APPELL A GROUP MINIS TERS ON SPRING TOUR By Cassandra Hsaio, Yale ’21

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ty to grow together as a community. “It’s always incredibly insightful visiting the friends, family, and hometowns of our other members. It allows us to have a glimpse into their lives before coming to Yale. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to get to know them even better!” said Joshua Yue ’20, who is the rush chair and publicity chair. “Through the tour, I gained a deeper understanding of how much God really is in the nitty gritty details of our lives. He has such a wonderful way of weaving people’s stories together in a way you could never expect,” added Fomby. The fellowship continues beyond the tour. The members, who call themselves “Droplets,” hold a weekly Bible study called “Puddle.” Through studying together, taking study breaks, playing board games, and cooking meals, Living Water fosters tight-knit, supportive relationships. The group dynamics also offer members a safe, open space to engage with each other candidly about their relationships with God. “Through Living Water, I’ve learned how to love better those around me. Living Water has also challenged me to continue pursuing my faith,” said Yue. “People here are unafraid of asking difficult questions and holding each other accountable.

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As is tradition, during spring break or Ariel Hsieh ’21, singing used to be a passion confined to the Living Water embarks on a multi-city secrecy of the car or the shower. But tour to various members’ hometowns. when Hsieh arrived on Yale’s campus This year, Tiffany Fomby ’19 and as a wide-eyed frosh, she decided to Emma Ruohoniemi ’21 proposed a rush a few different a capella groups, spring break tour focusing on their determined to step out of her comfort zone. She was tapped by a group called Living Water. At the time, she knew only that they sang Christian music. Since then, Hsieh has realized that Living Water is so much more. “I have been blessed with great friends and challenging conversations about faith,” said Hsieh. Living Water began in 1979 when two members of Yale’s famous Whiffen- Ariel Hsieh ’21 and Emma Ruohoniemi ’21 poofs a cappella group shared the Gospel with fellow members while on tour and hometowns of Atlanta, Georgia, and three students came to Christ. Upon Clemson, South Carolina. Challengtheir return to campus, they founded es leading up to the tour included: Living Water. Over four decades, fundraising, transportation, and findmembers have ministered not only ing appropriate performance venues. “All of those things ended up on Yale’s campus, but across the country, in schools, prisons, nursing working out, as God faithfully prohomes, shelters, churches, and on vided in ways we couldn’t have dreamed would happen,” said Fomby, street corners. Part of Living Water’s mission is who currently serves as tour manager to create space for people to worship and has previously served as music God. One of Hsieh’s favorite memo- director. The tour deepens the friendships ries was from last year, during Living Water’s spring concert, when she saw that have formed throughout the year. someone from the audience step into The experience of traveling and singa side room, then bow down on his ing with 14 other Yalies, off campus, provides an unparalleled opportuniknees to pray.

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Through worshiping, studying Scripture, and touring together, Living Water fosters spiritual growth and rich Christian community among its 14 members.

We all come from different backgrounds and are at different points in our journeys, but we ultimately grow

together and support each other. Being a part of this group has allowed me to witness some spectacular ways

in which God can work in our lives and [those] around us.” | cu

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“Abortion Isn’t Mercy”

In April, Julian Assele ’20 wrote an emotional op-ed in the Yale Daily News entitled “Abortion Isn’t Mercy.” “People often justify abortion by saying that it stops unwanted children bound for terrible lives from suffering; that it is merciful,” noted Assele, who grew up in the foster care system. Despite feeling unwanted and suffering much pain and abuse, many of his “brothers and sisters” love life and were not sorry they were born, he contended.

“It’s easy for us, the living, to say that aborting children is an act of mercy. But it’s not. It is society’s justification for the erasure of the most vulnerable,” Assele wrote. “My foster brothers and sisters…have brought joy to others’ lives; many of them are now ministers, teachers, mechanics, and artists. But even for those who do not lead materially successful lives, the worth of their lives isn’t defined by what they do. Their lives are valuable, rather, because each of them has an innate worth. Life is a gift in and of itself, regardless of the circumstances into which it is born…”

“A just society does not solve poverty through a cleansing of the voiceless. Rather, it puts them first.”

MLK Honored The Black Church at Yale joined forces with University Church to honor the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. On January 27, participants of the Black Church at Yale (bcay. org) gathered with congregants of University Church at Battell Chapel to pay tribute to the life of the slain civil-rights leader.

YA L E | On Campus

The Yale Logos PUBLICATION PROVIDES A TESTIMONY, A CHRISTIAN VOICE By Cassandra Hsaio, Yale ’21

tian students a chance to engage academically, but it also seeks to reach non-Christian students. Much like any other literary magazine on campus, Logos holds a publishing party and distributes magazines to each residential college, allowing anyone to pick it up for free. Sarah Geach ’20, the creative director, said the publication seeks to inspire dialogue on campus. “We want to provide a platform

talks and helpful tips, where we are able to meet faith-focused students from other universities who are on the same mission.” Even though Bartsch is abroad this semester, studying in Oxford, she still helps shape the content as editor-in-chief from across the pond. Bartsch has grown in her appreciation of the power of personal stories in influencing our faith. “Editing Logos these past few semesters has shown

The Yale Logos team uses the magazine to demonstrate how logic and Christian faith intersect. (Left to right) Raquel Sequeira ’21, Josh Purtell ’21, Bradley Yam ’21, Sarah Geach ’20, Vienna Scott ’21, and Kayla Bartsch ’20

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me how important it is that individual voices are not left out of the equation,” said Bartsch. Ultimately, Logos creates a space for both its staff and readers to engage with all aspects of their faith and their journey with God. “[Logos] is part of our testimony to the rest of the campus, a demonstrable fruit of Christian living,” said Yam. | cu

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from which Yale students can explore their Christianity, and which will prove interesting and exciting even to those who don’t necessarily agree with them,” she said. Editor-in-chief Kayla Bartsch ’20 enjoys not only working with the Logos staff at Yale, but also staff from other Augustine Collective journals. Every year, the team heads to Boston for the Augustine Collective Conference for what Bartsch describes as “a wonderful weekend full of fascinating

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yrical poetry. A reflection on country music. Personal anecdotes about identity. Crack open The Yale Logos magazine and you can find various forms of writing and art—all of which share one thing in common: Christ. Founded in 2009, Logos aims to highlight articles by Christian students that grapple with topics relevant to living a Christ-filled life. Logos is part of the Augustine Collective (http://augustinecollective.org), a student-led initiative of Christian journals across several college campuses. Student writers and Logos staff represent a diversity of Christian backgrounds. Feature stories range from anecdotes about finding authenticity on Yale’s campus to think pieces interrogating the purpose of suffering. Logos publishes every semester. One of the magazine’s goals is to demonstrate that rationality and logic are not antithetical to Christian faith and spirituality. Rather, students have a space to demonstrate that the intensity and rigor of academia can extend to the exploration of spiritual matters, as well. “I see Logos, in general, as an opportunity for Christian students on campus to seriously apply their scholarship and intellect toward matters of the faith, and show how faith intersects with issues like social justice, economics, politics, and the like,” said Bradley Yam ’21, who acts as the online publications manager. Not only does Logos offer Chris-

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Cornell || Photo credit: Phil Anema

Thank you! Through your generous giving, Christian leaders are being developed to change culture.

Dan Tokarz

lass of 2020

yale university, c

o chesis Math Hometown: Chicag alytics Group; Cate ering and Applied ne An gi ts En or l Sp ca te ni ua ha ec ad Major: M le Undergr oose Life at Yale; Ya Ch : es iti tiv Ac s pu Cam nion It’s somet Party; Christian U ve this, it’s a big deal! tical lie be u yo If . ge sta Instructor; Federalis y at ever ok prac

otecting Yale, I to t of Choose Life at man person worth pr en hu id e es th pr in me. in st e pa lu va As . is to e yourself “ Ther other students to jo g d tin te ui ca cr di re de d d an an r er fo nt g rence. cal pregnancy ce thing worth fightin have to make a diffe I volunteered at a lo e, we nc at sta th r in r we Fo po . e ps th ste e pro-life showed m riety of tasks, really ence. We hosted Serving there, in a va Yale’s annual confer at fe Li e os ho C r fo of fields, from rector ders from a variety communications di lea of d le te ro en e es th pr re on rs ok ke ea goal was to Last fall, I to 75 students. Our sp the event, my main of ng s di ct clu pe in as l le, ca op sti gi pe lo more than 130 ganizational and ics. As I handled or th oe bi to y ph so ilo g pro-life. ph el supported for bein fe s nt t the de stu ge lle co help sations we have abou er nv co e th d an on me the imporugh Christian Uni s also impressed upon reliance on ip I’ve received thro ha rsh ry to ist en in m m e e th e Th . iat us I apprec God gives developed a deeper ake with the talents od. As a result, I’ve G th brighter place.” wi p hi difference we can m ns io lat to make the world a out my re e, ab l m na ve io ga nt e te H in ts g in len tance of be , using the ta e has called me to do God as I do what H

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