THE
Volume VIII • Issue III • Summer 2009
IVY LEAGUE
CHRISTIAN
OBSERVER
Harvard College Faith and Action Recognized As Student Organization Page 5
Chi Alpha at Cornell Exonerated Following ‘Homophobia’ Accusation
RUF Reaches, Equips Yale Students
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Chris West Passes the Torch at Dartmouth
Princeton Hosts Former George W. Bush Speechwriter
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Undercover Student from Brown Surprised at Liberty U. Page 28
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Epic Staffer Ministers to Asian-American Community at Columbia Page 34
Penn Gospel Choir Reunites Page 40
Brown • Columbia • Cornell • Dartmouth Harvard • Penn • Princeton • Yale
Advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in the Ivy League The Ivy League Christian Observer is published by the Christian Union, an independent Christian ministry.
“John Jay was one of the great architects of American liberty.... I have no doubt that the John Jay Institute will help many of our most gifted young people more fully to understand and appreciate ‘the blessings of liberty’ bequeathed to us by America’s founding fathers.” Robert P. George, J.D., D.Phil. Princeton University
THE JOHN JAY INSTITUTE FOR FAITH, SOCIETY AND LAW
announces its
2010 Fellowships The John Jay Institute for Faith, Society and Law is committed to developing the next generation of principled public leaders. Explore a graduate-level theological, political, and legal curriculum designed for law, government, and divinity students with world-class faculty and visiting lecturers. Fellowships begin with a semester in residence in Colorado Springs, followed by a 12-week placement in a public policy related field in Washington, D.C., various state capitals, or international political centers. Commissioned Fellows join an elite professional fraternity already serving the nation.
We encourage applications from college graduates who seek to pursue their respective callings in the public square.
Application deadline for the Spring 2010 term: October 16, 2009 For more information, visit www.johnjayinstitute.org or call (719) 471-8900.
2 North Cascade Avenue, Suite 1100 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 ZZZ MRKQMD\LQVWLWXWH RUJ
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INSIDE
ILCOEditor@Christian-Union.org
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Please help us get this magazine into the hands of those who want it. E-mail or write us in order to: • pass along the names of fellow Christian alumni, parents, staff, faculty, or friends who would enjoy this quarterly update from the Ivy League universities. • update us on any address change you have. • be removed from the mailing list. Editor-in-Chief Matt Bennett, Cornell BS ’88, MBA ’89 Managing Editor Tom Campisi, College of New Jersey ’88 Senior Writer Eileen Scott, Mount St. Mary ’87 Field Reporters Nkem Okafor, Yale Graduate School ’09 Jin Wang, Columbia ’10 Elyse Lee, Cornell ’08 Layne Zhao, Dartmouth ’09 Charity Hung, Cornell ’09 Naadu Blankson Seck, Columbia ’10 Sara Woo, Cornell ’00
It’s Official Harvard College Faith and Action Recognized As Student Organization By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Ahead of Their Class Cornell Seniors Recognized for Commitment to Ministry, Campus By Elyse Lee, Cornell ’08 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 ‘Who Is My Neighbor?’ Missionary to Mozambique Exhorts Princeton Students By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Chi Alpha Exonerated after Investigation Ministry Had Been Accused of Discrimination, ‘Homophobia’ By Tom Campisi and Elyse Lee, Cornell ’08 . . . . . . 8
Photo Editor Pam Traeger
Plugged In RUF ‘Reaches Students for Christ, Equips Students to Serve’ By Nkem Okafor, Yale Graduate School ’09. . . . . . 10
Letters to the Editor Please send us your feedback regarding events and topics described in this magazine at the e-mail or regular mail address listed above.
Unclassified Ads Campaign Shares Christ through Campus Newspaper By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Brown Student Helps Build Hope City Megan Smith Is Advocate for the Homeless . . . . . . 12 INTELLECTUAL ENGAGEMENT
By God’s power and the help of other ministries, the mission of Christian Union is to change the world by bringing sweeping spiritual transformation to the Ivy League universities, thereby developing and mobilizing godly Christian leadership for all sectors of society. Matt Bennett (Cornell BS ’88, MBA ’89) founded the ministry with friends in 2002 in Princeton, New Jersey. To learn more about the ministry, please visit www.Christian-Union.org. The purpose of The Ivy League Christian Observer (this free quarterly magazine) is to inform Christian alumni, students, parents, staff, faculty, and friends of the Ivy League universities about the spiritual activity on the campuses. Our desire is that you would be encouraged to pray for these universities, give financially to Christian initiatives on the campuses, and use your influence for the cause of Christ.
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Searching for Evidence Panelists Lead Discussion on Co-Existence of Faith, Science By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Learning to ‘Maximize the Joy’ Harvard Students Meet One-on-One with John Piper By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Curious Case of Galileo Galilei Article by Cornell Alumnus Debunks Imprisonment Myth By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 The Ivy League Christian Observer
Ministering ‘In Due Season’ Author Paul Wilkes Seeks to Serve in Word and Deed By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Northeast Losing Its Religion Reaching the Ivy League Takes on Greater Urgency By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Objectivisim Versus Christianity Penn Conference Looks at Atlas Shrugged By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
REUNIONS
Doing Good Through Public Service Former George W. Bush Aide Encourages Princeton Students By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 PRAYER POW ER Availing Much Prayer for the Ivy League Celebrates Completion of First Year By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Turning up the Spiritual Temperature Corporate Prayer Time Solidifies Ministry’s Focus, Effectiveness By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 ABOUT MINISTRY Passing the Torch Chris West Served Faithfully for 25 Years By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Following the Playbook Former Brown Linebacker Coaches Others to Follow Christ By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Christian Union Inaugurates Ministry Chapter in Nation’s Capital DC Ministry Update and Benefit Draws 100 By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Putting First Things First Epic Movement Staffer Ministers to Asian-American Students By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Mission Milan Dartmouth Students Survey Italian Campuses By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 The Future of the Congregation Yale Divinity School Poses Questions at Conference for Pastors By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Summer 2009
Gospel Choir Alumni Fondly Look Back Penn Reunion Hits a High Note By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Princeton Reunions Have High Approval Rating George Gallup, Jr. Among Speakers at Christian Events By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
IN PERSON Capturing the Soul of the City Photography Exhibit Intimately Portrays New Yorkers in Worship By Brandon Michael Duck, Columbia SEAS, ’10 . . 23 Passionate for ‘Social Service’ Columbia Alumna Gives ‘Maximum Glory’ to the Lord By Rachel Mari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Orthodontist/Fireman Shares His ‘Talents’ ‘We Are All in the Mission Field’ By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Mega-Church Pastor Seeks to Dispel the ‘Myths’ Greg Boyd Called a Revolutionary… and a Heretic By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Brown Student Is ‘Unlikely Disciple’ Journalist Goes Undercover at Liberty University By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 ‘I Will Fear No Evil’ Moka Leads Movement in Democratic Republic of the Congo By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . 29
DEPARTMENTS News-in-Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 The Mission and Vision of Christian Union . . 50 Ivy League Prayer Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
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O TH F ON W E PR A E M E 20 Y I D 08 ER LL I -2 L IO D 00 O N I 9 GG M T! AC E IN A D D D UT EM U ES IC RIN YE G AR
It is God alone who directs the course of the world.
It is only by His power that the 8 Ivy League campuses can be dramatically transformed to increasingly reflect
His presence and lordship. Prayer for the Ivy League is launching a new year-long initiative called
“1,000,000 Minutes of Prayer” mobilizing family,
alumni, and friends of the Ivy League to pray 1,000,000 cumulative minutes for the Ivy League.
In 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) the Lord says, “if my people,
1,000,000 Minutes of Prayer Initiative
who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” With the Lord’s encouragement in mind, please join together to pray daily for sweeping spiritual transformation across the Ivy League.
To receive a weekly compilation of prayer requests, devotionals, and updates gathered by us from campus ministries, you may signup online at www.christian-union.org/prayer, send an email to prayer@christian-union.org, or write to: Prayer for the Ivy League, Christian Union, 240 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542. BROWN • COLUMBIA • CORNELL • DARTMOUTH • HARVARD • PENN • PRINCETON • YALE
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IT’S OFFICIAL Harvard College Faith and Action Recognized As Student Organization In 2005, Princeton Faith and Action (P.F.A.) was recogHarvard College Faith and Action achieved a nized after three years of being arbitrarily denied status and major victory in May when the university HARVARD after finally enlisting the support of a national civil-rights granted the leadership development ministry group. status as a recognized student organization. Earlier, when student leaders of P.F.A. approached the Student leaders were thrilled to learn that Harvard Colstudent government for recognition, they were told they lege Faith and Action (H.C.F.A.), which is associated with needed approval from the dean of the Office of Religious Christian Union, was recognized within its first year. Life because their organization was religious in nature. Nathan Nakatsuka ’12 said he was “ecstatic and blown away P.F.A. leaders were given that hurdle, even though no such by God’s grace when H.C.F.A. was recognized. My zeal for requirement existed for secular stuChrist further increased because the dent organizations. recognition really showed God’s Then, at a meeting to discuss the hand in this whole process.” possibility of recognition, Tom BreiA particular challenge in the apdenthal, the former dean, denied plication was documenting how P.F.A. the opportunity to apply beH.C.F.A. differs from existing unicause he did not want to recognize an versity-recognized ministries. In their organization associated with the application, the students wrote that Christian Union, according to docuby “serving as a Christian student ments. leadership development ministry, When the students expressed conwe uniquely train students for future cerns about discrimination in the apleadership roles in every sector of proval process, the dean explained society.” Harvard College Faith and Action, this was the “way things are done” at Ronnye Rutledge ’12 agreed. “I Christian Union’s leadership development Princeton. was reminded, yet again, of how ministry at Harvard, received official However, after the Foundation for faithful God is to those who serve recognition from the college this spring. Individual Rights in Education and diligently seek after Him,” he (F.I.R.E), a campus-rights organization, wrote to the unisaid. versity reminding it of its stated commitments to freedom of When he heard the news, Rutledge said, “I nearly fell religion and association, P.F.A. received recognition. Also, out of my chair with excitement. It was a very memorable Princeton pledged to re-examine its policy, which appeared point in my life.” to unfairly single out religious student organizations for adEarly in the spring semester, the students began preparditional and exceptional scrutiny. ing to submit their 21-page application, which asked deAs for H.C.F.A., the leadership development ministry tailed questions about H.C.F.A.’s vision, goals, and attracted about 15 regular students, including four student distinguishing features. leaders, during its first year. A weekly Bible course was As a result of being a student organization, H.C.F.A. launched and a retreat was held in Vermont. By spring, will receive more than a dozen benefits, including the abilH.C.F.A expanded to holding three weekly Bible courses ity to participate in Harvard’s annual activities fair. As well, and executing retreats to Vermont and Connecticut. the ministry can reserve space on campus and draw from In the coming academic year, the leadership team seeks university funds. Indeed, the recognition was especially celebratory in to offer three or more weekly Bible courses and explore a light of the lengthy battle Princeton Faith and Action faced regular weekly meeting for all members. to achieve status as a student organization at Princeton UniIndeed, Carl Malm ’12, prayer and revival catalyst with versity. the ministry, called H.C.F.A.’s first year “quite fruitful, see-
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ON • CAMPUS ing as we established ourselves on campus and gained recognition on the first try… I’m hoping the coming year will provide us many more opportunities to share the ‘Word’ and our faith with others on campus.” Leaders are preparing for the fall semester by participating in weekly conference calls and contacting incoming
freshmen via Facebook.com. Ultimately, “God is raising up strong leaders,” said Don Weiss, Christian Union’s director of ministry at Harvard. “The recognition gave us an extra boost, and we’re running with it.” By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer
AHEAD OF THEIR CLASS Cornell Seniors Recognized for Commitment to Ministry, Campus The Ivy League Christian Observer presents three short articles on Cornell seniors who were CORNELL cited by campus ministry staff workers and their churches for outstanding service to the university, their dedication to student outreach, and their commitment to future work in ministry.
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campus responsibilities included working as a campus campaign coordinator for Teach for America, and serving as student art coordinator at the Carol Tatkon Center and as an officer for Campus On a Hill—an umbrella ministry that “seeks to make Christ known across Cornell.” In the fall of 2006, Longoria helped organize the firstever Christian Fellowships Fair, an event to introduce new students to numerous Christian ministries at one time. Longoria will work with Teach for America in Houston, Texas, teaching pre-school. She also plans to pursue her master’s degree in education.
JESSICA LONGORIA What was the greatest lesson from Jessica Longoria’s time at Cornell? Love, she said. Over the past four years, God has shown Longoria his love for her, his love for others, the love He desires us to have for one another, and how she can love MICHAEL LIN Him well. Her parting words to Chi Alpha were “never miss With humility and awe, Lin recognized all of his activities an opportunity to let those around you know how deeply you and experiences at Cornell as an outpouring of God’s grace. love them; and no matter how difficult the situation, no mat“Each of the experiences I’ve had with these groups has ter the circumstances, always choose joy.” shown me a little more of God’s heart for campus renewal Longoria majored in sociology with a concentration in and evangelism amidst the inequality studies. In her sophhustle and bustle of being a omore year, she worked as a full-time student. It was a resident’s assistant at her resigreat opportunity to see God dence hall, the Holland Interwork through my own enginational Living Center. During neering discipline as a comher junior and senior years, she puter science major.” worked at the Carol Tatkon Lin is a computer science Center on North Campus Cornell graduating seniors Sindri Kinnier, Jessica major, concentrating in comwhere she helped first-year stuLongoria, and Michael Lin. puter graphics. He completed dents transition smoothly into his undergraduate studies in three years, allowing him to Cornell. receive his master’s degree in engineering in May 2009. His Originally from Round Rock, Texas, Longoria was a involvement on campus shows a dedication to the Asian and member of Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship since her freshAsian-American community at Cornell. Lin is a member of man year. She served as the president of Chi Alpha her junior year, participated in missions trips to New Orleans and Grace Christian Fellowship (a pan-Asian branch of InterHonduras, served on the ministry leadership team and worVarsity Christian Fellowship), a youth worker at First Ithaca ship team, and led a small group Bible study. Her other Chinese Christian Church, and a member of the Chinese Page 6
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ON • CAMPUS Students Association. He was an executive board member of B-Aware (a club committed to the prevention and awareness of Hepatitis B) for three years and of the Cornell Taiwanese American Society for one year. He was also the team leader for the computing infrastructure sub-team of the Cornell Solar Decathlon from 2006-2007. Lin, originally from Montville, New Jersey, will be working in Maryland after he graduates. He will spend the summer participating in a cultural exchange program with Chinese university students. SINDRI KINNIER With studying and extensive extracurricular activities on her plate during her time at Cornell, Kinnier said, “The biggest lesson I have learned at Cornell is to trust God in all things. I have tried (and still try) to accomplish a lot on my own, and God has used many obstacles and difficulties to remind me to depend on Him.” Kinnier is a psychology major from Portland, Oregon. She has over a 4.0 GPA and was on the dean’s list for seven of her semesters at Cornell. She was part of the Cornell
chapter of Campus Crusade for Christ’s shepherding team and served as a Bible study leader. Kinnier was a member of Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH); the International Living Center Activity Committee; and Empathy Assistance and Referral Services (EARS), a free, volunteer-based counseling service for students. In addition to her active life on campus, she was involved in the Ithaca community, working at the Family & Children’s Services of Ithaca and assisting in Fingerlakes ReUse, an initiative that distributes used furniture to families in need. Kinnier plans to intern with World Vision for the summer. She then intends to join Serving In Mission (SIM), an international Christian missions organization committed to evangelizing the unreached, ministering to human need, discipling believers into churches, and equipping churches to fulfill Christ’s commission. She hopes to earn a master’s degree in public administration, focusing in either nonprofit management or international development. And through it all, she says, she is remembering to trust God every day. By Elyse Lee, Cornell ’08
‘WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?’ Missionary to Mozambique Exhorts Princeton Students About 25 students joined hundreds of community members at the University Chapel in PrincePRINCETON ton to hear international missionary Heidi Baker highlight the need for “radical love” among believers. Baker, who oversees orphanages in Mozambique, stressed the biblical directive to “love your neighbor” during an appearance at Princeton University in April. “God wants to open our eyes,” said Baker. “He wants us to see that our neighbor is every man, every woman, and every child that He puts in front of us every day.” Baker’s compelling message stirred much of the audience, and she delivered an altar call for individuals to see and respond to the needs around them and abroad. “Your destiny is to love without limit, to love without considering the cost,” said Baker, who grew up in the upscale, artistic, resort community of Laguna Beach, California. With a heart to sacrificially serve the needy, Baker and husband Rolland took over a dilapidated orphanage in 1995 in Mozambique, one of the poorest countries in the world. Today, Iris Ministries cares for almost 7,000 children.
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The Bakers, who each possess doctorate degrees in systematic theology from King’s College at the University of London, have crisscrossed the globe in missionary service since 1980. Heidi Baker is also a well-travelled speaker at renewal conferences around the world. While at Princeton, Baker highlighted the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37. Christ gave the parable in response to a question from an expert in the law who asked what he needed to do to gain eternal life. The man acknowledged the Old Testament directive to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Then, wanting to justify himself, the man asked the famous question, “Who is my neighbor, teacher?” In reply, Jesus told a parable of a man who was robbed, stripped, beaten, and left for dead as he traveled from Jerusalem to Jericho. Both a priest and a Levite passed to the other side of the road when they came upon the man. “But, a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Page 7
ON • CAMPUS Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” and took care of him.” As for the girl, “my heart would not let her go. I deChrist concluded the parable by telling the legal expert clared, ‘She will live and not die.’ She was healed, and she to “go and do likewise.” shines. She was married in our yard.” Along those lines, Baker urged her audience to return Baker encouraged her listeners to consider the needy to the simplicity of Christ’s Gospel and focus on acts of and hurting around them. “We’ve devalued humans. We’ve compassion—not rhetoric. She devalued people. We’ve devalued especially encouraged listeners children,” she said. “Every human to feel the pain of the people being has value, incredible around them, get to know them, value.” and embrace them. Indeed, that message res“You can jabber, jabber, jabonated with Margaret Harris, ber. You can get it right with Princeton ’11. your words and totally miss it “What I walked away with with your heart,” she said. was an overwhelming feeling of a As well, Baker warned that a network of love on Princeton Uni“neighbor isn’t always nice.” versity’s campus and a life-appliMembers of the Princeton community come Nonetheless, “my neighbor is cable plan for furthering my forward to pray during a presentation by my neighbor,” and “I will feel Christian walk promoting the international missionary Heidi Baker. what he feels.” Gospel on campus,” Harris said. That passion resonated with Baker as she cared for a Other participants were touched by Baker’s dedication dying girl whom she rescued off the streets of Mozambique. to praying for individuals. “The level of energy she devoted A doctor offered no hope for the impoverished child who to everyone was incredible,” said Win Green (Yale ’79, was a rape victim and possessed bloodshot eyes, worms, MDiv. ’83), campus pastor at Nassau Christian Center. and a bloated belly. As well, Silas Esch, who traveled from Lancaster “She was truly ‘the least of these.’ I just looked at her, County, Pennsylvania, echoed those comments. “We came and Jesus just looked back at me. I had always wanted to from that far because Heidi is an awesome instrument for see Him. I was shocked,” Baker said. God’s power and glory,” said Esch. Then, Baker reminded her audience of Christ’s words in By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer Matthew 25:40. “…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for
CHI ALPHA EXONERATED AFTER WITCH HUNT Ministry Had Been Accused of Discrimination, ‘Homophobia’ A former leader in the Chi Alpha chapter at Cornell—who believes that his homosexuality is CORNELL not sinful—looked to hold the ministry “accountable” after being dismissed from a leadership position. In the spring semester, Chi Alpha (www.xacornell. com) was exonerated following an investigation of alleged bias, but the repercussions of the controversy could be felt in the near future for Bible-based ministries. In November of 2008, Matt and Tracy Herman, the pastors of Chi Alpha, asked Christopher Donohoe ’09 to step down after finding out he was in a relationship with a male student.
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Donohoe, who was still allowed to be a member of Chi Alpha, filed a bias report with the Dean of Students, Kent Hubbell ’67, and Rev. Kenneth Clarke, the director of Cornell United Religious Works. And the university—like many in today’s culture who equate disagreement with intolerance when it comes to the homosexual agenda—temporarily suspended Chi Alpha as an investigation was conducted by the Student Activity Finance Committee (SAFC). In an open letter to The Cornell Daily Sun, Matt Herman detailed the process that lead to Chi Alpha’s decision and called Donohoe’s behavior inappropriate for a Christian The Ivy League Christian Observer
ON • CAMPUS “On the other hand, what makes this complex is the fact leader: “Before last summer, [the student] sat down with that according to the CURW covenant, organizations may Tracy, another student leader, and myself to discuss some be able to make decisions based on doctrinal convictions.” interpersonal issues, his changing view toward the Bible At Cornell, membership in organizations “must be open concerning homosexuality, and his newly developing relato all persons without regard to race, color, creed, religion, tionship with another male on campus…The issue is not national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual preference, age, marthat [the student] feels same-sex attraction. The issue is that ital status, citizenship, or handicap.” But those specificahe now celebrates what the Bible calls sin.” tions do not apply to leadership. In a series of articles in The Sun, varOn May 1, the Student Activity Fiious students and a columnist accused Chi nance Committee (SAFC) re-instated Chi Alpha of discrimination and “homophoAlpha, but left the door open to further bia.” For example, Noah Grynberg ’09 persecution of organizations who view wrote, “At a Student Assembly meeting, homosexuality from a biblical perspeceveryone from Chris Basil ’10 to Dean of tive: “The Executive Committee acStudents Kent Hubbell ’67 spoke out knowledges that in a case where religious against the Christian group, claiming that pursuits conflict with sexual orientation, rights had been violated and homophobia it is not clear which of the two categories essentially [was] endorsed by an SAFCshould take priority over the other.” sponsored organization.” As a result, the SAFC has assembled Taking things further, another student, Matt and Tracy Herman, pastors a new policy regarding student organizawrote an editorial which listed statistics of Chi Alpha at Cornell, have led the ministry through the sotions that have overly similar mission compiled by CNN and the FBI about discalled controversy that occurred statements. A task force has examined the crimination against the “LGBT” commuafter a “homosexual” student mission statements and those organizanities and crimes against them. He went was asked to step down from leadership. tions have been asked to either merge or on to accuse “fundamentalist religious work together due to lack of funding and groups that decry homosexuality as sinful space. Newly forming student groups will face greater and immoral” as fueling prejudice and that “The recent acscrutiny and more restrictive guidelines. This new policy tions by Chi Alpha demonstrate that this discrimination is may affect the many Christian ministries and other faithfound even here at our beloved Cornell.” based student organizations on campus. The controversy also caught attention off campus as Sadly, Donohoe, who had joined Chi Alpha in 2005, well. One respondent to an article oin the Advocate.com thought he could remain in leadership despite practicing Web site wrote, “I am happy that Donohoe is no longer a what the Bible calls detestable behavior. member of this hateful group. They do a lot of damage to a “I thought it would be an awesome opportunity to be an lot of people. The only problem I see is that they should not openly gay man in a Christian organization,” he told The be supported by the student fees of gay students and their alSun. “I’m 100 percent OK with my sexuality… I wanted lies. Otherwise, if anyone is stupid enough to join Chi the opportunity to show them I love God and I’m gay and Alpha, welcome to the cult.” it’s OK.” On campus, a group of about 200 students gathered outChi Alpha President Danielle D’Ambrosio ’10 agreed side McGraw Hall for a vigil in support of Donohoe while with the decision to have Donohoe step down, explaining to Chi Alpha was meeting inside. The Sun that he no longer believed his sexuality was a sin. But as members of Cornell United Religious Works “His behavior is what pushed [us] over the edge,” she (CURW), Chi Alpha holds to a covenant that allows it to said. “He signed an agreement to uphold certain beliefs, and make decisions based on doctrinal convictions. Additionally, the covenant also prohibits organizations from excludhe understood [the group’s stance]…Where do you draw ing members based on their sexual orientation. the line?” “Certainly we do not support…discrimination of any By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor, sort,” said Rev. Dr. Kenneth I. Clarke, director of CURW. and Elyse Lee, Cornell ’08
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PLUGGED IN RUF ‘Reaches Students for Christ, Equips Students to Serve’ the answers, and we don’t have it all together, but we beReformed University Fellowship (www.yale. lieve in One who does.” ruf.org ) is not the typical campus ministry. Led YALE The 25 student members of RUF seek to discover the by an ordained minister who is seminary trained significance of Jesus Christ for their lives and for the world. and licensed, the organization holds weekly Bible studies, The students’ commitment to grow, serve, and share the social events, monthly large group meetings, and service news of Christ allows the group to be a treasure to the Yale projects—making it easy for students to become plugged in. community. Simply, Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) is a group This year, RUF freshmen discovered “Who is Jesus?” in of students who love God and love God’s call on their lives. their Bible studies, while upperclassmen explored the Book “As a college student, I have seen many fellow believers of 1 Corinthians. “We want to bring the thoughtfulness and drift away from their faith as they left campus,” says Kevin study that is necessary in the classroom to our faith, studyNelson, RUF-Yale campus minister. “Many were never ing the Bible with heart and trained on how to continue to grow mind,” states RUF’s website. and serve Christ beyond college. I Outside of studying the Word, knew students needed to center the “fellowship” part of Reformed their faith in a church context to University Fellowship is not igdevelop a lifelong, enduring faith. nored. This academic year, stuBecause RUF campus ministers dents had both a fall and winter are ordained pastors, we bring the retreat—joining RUF peers from church to the campus in a unique Harvard, Brown, Boston Univerway. I believe RUF students are sity, University of Connecticut, well-prepared to grow in grace beTrinity College, and University of yond Yale.” Members of Reformed University Fellowship at New Haven to worship, rest, and RUF, supported by Christ Yale enjoyed camaraderie and fellowship during rejuvenate. RUF had a barbeque to Presbyterian Church, was created their winter retreat. kick-off the school year, a coffee out of a desire not to abandon the break to find solace during exam time, and a life-sized Mocampus, nor to be lost in it. The group aims to be a ministry nopoly game night. In addition, the group met once a month for Yale, strengthened by its belief that the Gospel can change for Crossroads, a gathering that drew together college stuany person and any place. Instead of asking, “what kind of dents for fellowship and biblical study. ministry can we be?” RUF asks, “what kind of university can Before RUF wrapped up its year, the group’s student presthis be?” ident, David Flinner, who graduated in May, passed the baton “I [want] to see students experience the transforming to RUF’s new student president, Alan Wesson ’11. With the grace of the Gospel in all areas of life,” says Nelson, who goal of “Reaching Students for Christ, Equipping Students to holds graduate degrees from Reformed Theological SemiServe,” RUF looks forward to the upcoming academic year. nary in Orlando (M.Div.) and Duke University (Th.M.). “I “These students developed into a strong, supportive [want] students to love God’s call for them as students, community that cared about each other and the campus roommates, and members of the Yale community.” around them,” said Nelson. “[For next year], I hope we can “There are many questions and assumptions about the become a group where students feel free to invite their Christian faith that often go unanswered or ignored,” the RUF website states. “Non-Christians are frustrated that no friends, and newcomers find that RUF is a place where one answers them, and Christians are often afraid to raise Christ may be found. I want RUF to become a place where them. We think these are valid challenges to our faith and all are welcome.” want to give thoughtful responses…We don’t have all of By Nkem Okafor, Yale Graduate School ’09
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UNCLASSIFIED ADS Campaign Shares Christ through Campus Newspaper Throughout the centuries, thinking Christians Many students reject Christianity because of false have interpreted Genesis 1 in a variety of ways as notions and misconceptions. To help spread the they have tried to understand the intent of the Bible truth on the Princeton University campus, Chrisand looked to the creation around them. Moreover, tian Union has launched an ad campaign that takes, dissects, many of the most famous scientists in history beand refutes ten of the most common misconceptions. lieved in the existence of a personal God including For ten consecutive weeks in the spring semester, the Galileo, Newton, and Faraday. ministry placed full-page advertisements in The Daily And the piece bluntly tells its readers, “If you choose to Princetonian in an effort to engage students regarding popignore or reject Christianity, that is your choice, but don’t do ular myths about Christianity. Funding for the ads—which it on the false presumption that science supposedly contrawere actually essays—was provided by a Christian Union dicts it.” donor excited by the prospect of reaching students on camCandice Chow ’09, a member of pus, according to Carol Fausnaught Princeton Faith and Action (www. (Princeton ’94), vice president for pfanda.com), Christian Union’s leadCity Christian Unions and director ership development ministry on camof public affairs. pus, wrote one of the essays after The ten essays, each addressing acknowledging her classmates’ ignoa specific misconception, include rance of the Gospel. “Evolution Discredits Christianity,” “Some of my friends don’t know “Jesus Was Just a Moral Teacher,” who Jesus is and what to believe,” and “Christianity Is a Bore.” The she said. “I ultimately realized this articles are written either by a message needs to be presented to Princeton student or Christian everyone who graduates here.” Union’s Teaching Fellow Dr. Christian Union ran ten full-page advertisements in The Daily Princetonian Part of that realization came durChuck Hetzler. to help dispel misconceptions about ing a conversation Chow had with According to Hetzler, the titles Christianity. Christian Union Founder and Presiare designed to be provocative; and dent Matt Bennett (Cornell ’88, MBA ’89), who said, althe content is written to prompt the reader to say, “Yeah, though the Gospel is most important message in history, I’ve thought that before.” one can go through Princeton and never hear it once. That However, while the themes for the essays might be uniresonated with Chow, who says she would like to see that versal, the content specifically targets the Princeton camchange so graduates will leave the university having heard pus. “You wouldn’t print this at any university because of the message of salvation. the level of academic discussion of the New Testament [at “This has the potential to reach the whole campus,” said Princeton] due to popular professors’ slants,” said Hetzler. Chow. For example, he said, religion professor Elaine Pagels is “It’s a starting point,” says Justin Woyak ’09, former known for being an advocate of the Gnostic “gospels” and president of Princeton Faith and Action and another essay “alternate Christianities.” “That, in particular, is indicative writer. “We wouldn’t view it as the only means of sharing of Princeton,” he said. the Gospel but as a way of softening the ground and generThe notion that science trumps faith is also a common ating a climate to make people aware of the Gospel within misconception at the university. “Evolution Discredits the public.” Christianity” outlines the different positions Christians hold According to Hetzler, that softening has already begun. about creation, from young-earth creationism to theistic He recounts a situation where he was meeting with a nonevolution. The ad quite squarely takes on the assumedChristian student who was talking about his background and superiority of science: Summer 2009
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ON • CAMPUS religious practices. The student brought up the “Christianity is Different” ad he had seen and asked Hetzler some questions. “It provided a great point of discussion,” Hetzler said. Dan Knapke, director of undergraduate ministry at Princeton Faith and Action, met an international graduate student who was particularly excited about the ad that addressed the New Testament. So much so, in fact, that he picked up a half dozen additional copies to share with his friends. Additionally, Knapke received feedback from students commenting on how they were discussing the ads over breakfast in eating clubs. And if the past is any indicator of the future, the seeds
planted through these ads will continue to bear fruit well into the future. Several years ago, Bennett initiated a similar campaign while a staffer with Campus Crusade for Christ at Princeton. Through that campaign, several people started looking into the Christian faith; and later, Bennett received an email from a former student who told him those ads aided in his conversion. So far, response to the Princeton ad campaign has been favorable, especially among Christians. “Christian students think it’s great,” said Woyak. “They are excited about it and hope it will have impact.” By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
BROWN STUDENT HELPS BUILD HOPE CITY Megan Smith Is Advocate for the Homeless after meetings, but there was no action,” Joyce said. “There Editor’s note: The following article was was nothing getting done; there was no change.” adapted with permission from a story by Ralph BROWN Davis in The Good News Today, a Christian Recognizing the scarcity of case managers and outreach newspaper in Providence, Rhode Island. workers in the overburdened shelter system, Joyce began Megan Smith ’10, an urban studies and public policy unilaterally to advocate for the homeless. Not only did he major at Brown University, has become quite an advocate for provide direction and support, he also the homeless. Since her freshman year, she studied the regulations governing the shelhas devoted time to learning first-hand ters and other agencies so that he could efabout the plights of scores of destitute peofectively intervene and advocate for those ple in Providence, Rhode Island. facing abuses of their rights. During her stints with the homeless At one meeting, Joyce met Smith, a in the jewelry district, Smith was struck member of Brown’s public service organby the stark contrast of Providence’s ization, Housing Opportunities for People luxury office buildings and hotels and Everywhere (HOPE). the misery of those who live in the shadTogether the duo began to perform ows of bridges and overpasses. She also outreach on the streets. As they did, they was moved by a cross composed of were appalled at the lack of case manrocks that served as a memorial to mark agers, even in one of the state’s largest the spot where a homeless man died in homeless organizations. People sleeping January—one of many to succumb in rein the streets are “seldom seen and largely cent memory. ignored,” said Joyce. Conditions are unDuring much of her interaction with Megan Smith, Brown ’10, is an safe both on the streets and in shelters. Providence’s homeless community, advocate for the homeless in the Providence area. “Something needed to be done; the Smith was guided by John Joyce, a forcity and the state are not stepping up,” merly homeless man. He shared with Smith said. “There needed to be a safe place, where people Smith about the injustices that plague the homeless. “Everything comes down to the almighty dollar,” Joyce told Smith. could sleep together in the same area and watch out for each Determined to help change things, Joyce began to atother; a sense of community was necessary.” tend meetings and join committees. “There were meetings As such, Joyce and Smith began setting up the tents in
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ON • CAMPUS January that now form the so-called Hope City community. About 15 residents now live in a dozen tents on state property in the historic jewelry district. In April, word spread and other homeless advocates started a second tent city. To aid efforts with the original tent city, a church provided a portable toilet, volunteers haul away trash every few days and church groups offer food, clothing, and supplies. As well, Joyce noted that he has witnessed answers to prayers. When the group was short of water, residents prayed and a church group donated ten cases of water a day later. Likewise, a variety of groups supply charcoal to keep the group warm on cold nights. Aside from being a friend and advocate, Joyce provides scriptural wisdom to his peers. Joyce likes to quote Matthew 6:34. In the passage, Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Joyce and Smith say Hope City is not the ultimate solution to Providence’s homeless crisis. What is needed is af-
fordable housing, more case managers and efforts to ensure safety in shelters. There is a need for outreach case managers to visit people who cannot or will not use the shelter system. As for Smith, she points out that many of the issues have to do with “bad public policy.” “Current policies are designed for the rich,” she said. “They have cut affordable housing models, welfare, cash assistance, rental assistance and foreclosure prevention programs, and more,” Smith said. “It is so easy to disassociate oneself and view the problem in an analytical ivory tower than to actually engage in the situation.” Talking to the homeless is central to understanding their problems. Likewise, Smith advocates involvement in organizations that serve and involve the homeless. “We, as human beings, have a responsibility to care for one another,” Smith said. “We have a mutual obligation.” Along those lines, next winter, she hopes to see homeless people staying in homes, not tents.
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SEARCHING FOR EVIDENCE Panelists Lead Discussion on Co-Existence of Faith, Science Eyewitness testimonies to the resurrection of Christ offer proof of God’s existence. That was ALL IVY one of the points made during a recent panel discussion at Princeton University probing the compatibility of science and faith. The eyewitness accounts “plus the predictions concerning Christ from centuries beforehand show that the Bible’s claims are true and, thereby, testify that there is a God,” said Dr. Vern Poythress, professor of New Testament interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Poythress, Harvard Ph.D. ’70, made his comments during a session of the Westerly Series on Art & Faith which explored whether science and faith can co-exist. Westerly Road Church co-sponsored the event on April 21 in McCormick Hall with Princeton Evangelical Fellowship (www.princeton.edu/~pef/) and Princeton Faith and Action (www.pfanda.com), a leadership development ministry directed by Christian Union. Jonathan Mitchell, a member of the Institute for Ad-
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vance Study, and Tina Master, a physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, also served as panelists. Mitchell holds a doctorate in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of Chicago. Master, who earned a degree in molecular biology from Princeton, completed a medical degree at State University of New York at Buffalo. Poythress holds a doctorate in mathematics. During the event, panelists were asked how their faith influences their work and, likewise, how their work impacts their faith. As well, they were asked for the strongest evidence from their respective fields for the existence of God. Among the answers, Poythress said God’s character is displayed in the character of scientific law. As well, the “real law—as opposed to scientists’ approximation to it— is God speaking to create the world and to govern it,” said Poythress. Matt Ristuccia, pastor of Westerly Road Church, said the event reflected some of the challenges of interfacing faith with science; but he was encouraged by the interacPage 13
INTELLECTUAL • ENGAGEMENT tion that surfaced between the scholars increased dialogue happening on campus and audience members. “Different people and that I have had several conversations are at different places,” said Ristuccia, as a result of this session,” said Bobby Princeton ’75. Krause ’10. Likewise, Karen Hetzler, co-chair of Ian Flaniken ’10 said he especially the Westerly Series on Art & Faith, said was inspired by the discussion involving she was pleased with the interest in the evidence from Christ’s resurrection. “The event and noted the room was nearly at resurrection is much more convincing beits capacity of 130. As well, she was gratcause it gets to the heart of what we beified the event featured “highly esteemed lieve as Christians,” said Flaniken, who experts in their various fields of study uphelped organize the event. “So many peoholding the idea that, not only can science ple were witness to the resurrection and and faith co-exist, they are complemeneager to make such a bold claim, one that tary.” Karen Hetzler’s husband Chuck, is flies against the natural order of things. It a teaching fellow with Christian Union. was no different for those early Christians Rev. Matt Ristuccia, Princeton Jerry McMahan, also co-chair of the than it is for us in this scientific, techno’75, is the pastor of Westerly Road Church, which coevent, said he was “struck at the passion” logical age.” sponsored the Westerly Series of the speakers for Christ’s Gospel and As well, Flaniken said he was moved on Art and Faith. their honesty in admitting they do not by the discussion of creation. “Dr. possess all of the answers to some of the complex questions Poythress pointed out that everything that exists is a prodinvolving their individual fields. “Although some of their uct of the Word of God because God spoke to bring about responses sounded quite different, they all had love for creation,” he said. “Thus, His Word—Jesus, according to Christ that sustained them,” McMahan said. John 1—is the foundation upon which we build everyStudents who attended the discussion said they apprecithing.” ated the respectful, open dialogue. “I am encouraged by the By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer
LEARNING TO ‘MAXIMIZE THE JOY’ Harvard Students Meet One-on-One with John Piper
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sire for praise is “a huge obstacle for thoughtful people,” even those like C.S. Lewis. “When [Lewis] read the psalms, he said it sounded like an old woman needing compliments,” Piper said. He then went on to explain that “the reason God’s relentless pursuit of His own glory in creating us and redeeming us through Jesus isn’t megalomania is because God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him…Every moment of your life you should be pursuing the maximizing of your joy.” However, he cautioned that doesn’t mean maximizing human pleasure, which would lead to the misconception of selfishness. Piper put the emphasis on maximizing joy in God and said by doing so, one is then empowered by God’s grace to love others and live selflessly. “The pursuit of joy in God has the power to make you
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Author John Piper visited Boston this April to speak to congregants at Park Street Church as HARVARD part of its Bicentennial Speakers Series. After the evening presentation, Piper had dinner with students from Harvard College Faith and Action, Christian Union’s leadership development ministry. Piper’s topic at Park Street Church was “Jesus Christ and the Rescue of Joy.” “John Piper immediately captured my attention with his provocative sermon,” said Nathan Nakatsuka ’12, who attended the presentation during which Piper sought to dispel two obstacles to the Christian faith. One, Piper said, is the notion that a God who desires praise is a megalomaniac; and the second is that if Christians are to maximize their joy in the Lord, then they are self-centered. From the outset, Piper acknowledged that the Lord’s de-
INTELLECTUAL • ENGAGEMENT poignant was how Piper remains fervent in his faith after do things that make you look very unhappy,” he said. For many years of hearing doubts pertaining to Christianity and example, he said it enables people to serve others, stay marthe Bible. ried to difficult people, etc. “He said the answer to this question revolved around As Nakatsuka summed it up, “As individuals created in our attitude towards the authority of the Bible,” said Malm. God’s image, it is for our greatest good that we glorify God “According to [Piper], if one approaches such questions of in all that we say and do. By constantly looking to please uncertainty towards the Bible with the attitude that it is auGod, we will be the most loving people possible, rather than thoritative in all it said and that our misunderstanding arose useless individuals with thoughts ‘stuck on God.’” from an inadequate knowlCarl Malm ’12 was imedge and or clarity with repressed with Piper’s maxigards to the text, [it] opens mized joy. doors for a deeper more “What struck me most fruitful understanding… In about John Piper, throughevery doubt was a way to out his sermon at Park learn more about the Street and our discussion faith.” afterwards, was the treWhat impacted Nakatmendous enthusiasm he suka were Piper’s views seemed to exude at every on unity within the church single moment,” he said. despite differences. “He Nick Nowalk, ministry stressed that secondary isfellow with Harvard Colsues should not cause us to lege Faith and Action, was break fellowship; but we instrumental in arranging Evangelist and author John Piper met with Harvard College must remain tough and the post-presentation dinFaith and Action students during a visit to the campus this firm on the central issues, ner discussion with the stuspring. though always responddents. Nowalk studied ing (or) rebuking in love.” under Piper for two years as a pastoral apprentice at The According to Nowalk, Piper’s comprehensive underBethlehem Institute and also taught there for more than standing of Christianity and faith made him an invaluable three years. resource for the students. The dinner with Piper is just one example of Harvard “I think it was important for the students to meet [Piper] College Faith and Action’s commitment to impacting the because of his unique understanding of and emphasis on the next generation of Christian leaders. radically God-centered nature of genuine faith,” he said. “I think it is crucial for our students to be introduced to “His grasp of how seeking to glorify God and pursuing joy men like Piper, who are world-class intellectuals and in God are one and the same reality in the Christian life— thinkers and yet strong and sturdy in their faith even in the and, indeed, the very reason God freely chose to create the midst of so much of the academic opposition to the Gospel universe—is virtually impossible to overstate in value or in our society,” Nowalk said. practical application.” Both Malm and Nakatsuka were impressed by the Nakatsuka agrees. “Having dinner with him was a breadth and depth of topics Piper discussed during the dinner. Piper spent time answering questions that spanned the touching experience because he continually inspires me to spectrum from academic biblical scholarship to questions of pursue a deeper, more intimate relationship with God such practical importance to one’s daily Christian walk. that He will be all we desire,” he said. One of the questions that Malm considered most By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
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THE CURIOUS CASE OF GALILEO GALILEI Article by Cornell Alumnus Debunks Imprisonment Myth tortured for advocating Copernicanism—the theory that the A University of Chicago publication recently Earth rotates on an axis and around the sun. featured an article by Cornell alumnus Karl CORNELL According to Galileo Goes to Jail: And Other Myths Johnson, exploring some of the myths surroundAbout Science and Religion, Galileo’s research was read ing the imprisonment of Galileo Galilei, who is considered and approved by Catholic censors. the father of modern observational astronomy and physics. Likewise, Pope Urban VIII, who presided over the trial, Sightings, an online newsletter from the divinity school, was Galileo’s “friend and admirer,” Johnson wrote for the published The Curious Case of Galileo Galilei (in which he Sightings newsletter. As well, prior to the trial, Galileo does not go to jail). Johnson, director of the Chesterton stayed in the Tuscan embassy, and, during House (www.chestertonhouse.org), wrote the trial, he was housed in a six-room the piece on the heels of a visit to Cornell apartment, complete with a servant, JohnUniversity from Guy Consolmagno, an son noted from highlights of research from astronomer with the Vatican Observatory. multiple scholarly sources. Consolmagno’s presentations in As well, after the trial, Galileo’s March helped debunk the view that sci“house arrest” included stints of being enence and religion are incompatible, said tertained at the palaces of the Grand Duke Johnson (Cornell ’89), who recently of Tuscany and the Archbishop of Siena, completed a doctorate in Cornell’s DeJohnson wrote. partment of Natural Resources. Pulling from key findings from noted While Catholicism and astronomy are historians, Johnson suggests that the conoften seen at odds, that is not the case. In tradictions between Galileo’s reported imfact, the Vatican began employing asprisonment and actual treatment show the tronomers in the 19th century to “show the scientist’s trial and house arrest were world that the Catholic Church supports “largely symbolic gestures.” science,” Consolmagno told Cornell stuIn a recent article, Karl Johnson, Cornell ’89, explores Rather, the gestures were a means for dents. the faulty, but widely held, belief Pope Urban VIII to demonstrate his The Chesterton House, a Christianthat Galileo spent his final days Catholic credentials to an audience that studies center affiliated with Cornell, coin prison. was suspicious of his backing from French sponsored Consolmagno’s appearances cardinals and their country’s opposition to the Holy Roman in Ithaca. Among his credentials, Consolmagno, who earned Empire in the Thirty Years War, Johnson wrote. a doctorate from the University of Arizona, taught at HarIn short, Johnson said the conflicts involving Galileo vard College Observatory while he conducted postdoctoral were over political power and cultural authority, rather than research. science and religion. Galileo amounted to a pawn in a poIn his piece for Sightings, Johnson explored the faulty, litical tussle, Johnson noted. but widely held, belief that Galileo bravely stood up to the Along those lines, Johnson pointed out that ConsolRoman Catholic Church by championing Copernicanism magno, who delights in his research of meteorites, is proof and paid by spending his final days in prison. However, Johnson pointed to a 2009 book from Harthe term “Catholic astronomer” is not an oxymoron. vard University Press that attempts to set straight the historBy Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer ical record on the myth that Galileo was imprisoned and
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MINISTERING ‘IN DUE SEASON’ Author Paul Wilkes Seeks to Serve in Word and Deed was trying to retreat into silence and service, God seemed Paul Wilkes is a journalist who doesn’t like reto be calling him to engage society through his writing. porting the news. He’d rather write about peoCOLUMBIA Wilkes has written numerous articles for a variety of pubple and religion. And, he’s a Catholic not lications including: The New Yorker, New York Times Magdefined by the church, but by the faith he has in Jesus Christ azine, and Atlantic Monthly. He’s also authored several books and his desire to live like Jesus. including: The Good Enough Catholic: A Guide for the Per“I don’t think I’m a devout Catholic,” says Wilkes, Coplexed and Mysterious Ways: The Death and Life of a Parish lumbia M.A. ’67. “I hope I am an honest practicing father, Priest, which won a Christopher Award. Wilkes also wrote Catholic, and husband. Devotion is not the marker. I am tryand hosted the television series Six American Families, which ing to live the life of Christ, that’s the kind of Catholic I am. won a duPont-Columbia award for documentary excellence Christ is my role model.” and he wrote and directed the PBS documentary Merton: A However, in his recently released biography, In Due Film Biography, which National Catholic Reporter called Season, Wilkes shares how he often fell well short of that “an extraordinary, warm, and intimate close-up.” model, and subsequently led a life that was, what some Looking back today, Wilkes can see the value of his might consider, the pinnacle of this world. writing. “I came to realize Of the designer clothes, that [God] wanted me to upscale New York apartbe who I was, not who I ment, and hob knobbing wasn’t,” he said. And in alwith the likes of Andy lowing God to work through Warhol, Truman Capote, and him in His way, Wilkes now Kurt Vonnegut, Wilkes says, serves the Church and soci“Ultimately, it added up to ety in ways he otherwise nothing, like smoke in the would not have experienced. air.” It seemed like somePaul Wilkes, Columbia ’67, writes about following God’s For example, Wilkes did thing at the time, he said, but true will for our lives in his autobiography, In Due Season. a nationwide study of in the end, only left him with roughly 600 vibrant Catholic and Protestant churches and a bad taste in his mouth and a “hangover”—literally. wrote the books Excellent Protestant Congregations and Sometimes eloquent, sometimes base and gritty in its Excellent Catholic Parishes. From that, in conjunction with descriptions of the lower levels of morality to which he dethe Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre scended, Wilkes didn’t “pull any punches” in the book Dame and the Lilly Endowment, Wilkes and his research when describing his life as a writer in New York City. team created the Pastoral Summit, which was held in 2001 “I’ve read too many books where people pulled and was attended by 700 leaders from Catholic and Protespunches, and you get to a certain point and say, ‘this isn’t tant churches. the way life goes.’ [they] are not honest about conflict and At 70, Wilkes still travels the country talking with their own demons.” churches of various denominations about what to do with Yet, in the midst of Wilkes’ own conflict and demons their faith. “Sunday morning is the easy morning,” Wilkes was a desire for wholeness with the Lord; but his faith jourshares with them. It’s the weekday mornings that he says ney often caused him the greatest conflict. are harder. “I want to hear about the poor being fed, the hunAlthough a talented writer, Wilkes didn’t think that a gry eating. That’s the Christ that I know. He is walking the lofty enough vocation. To him, closeness to God could only come in the quiet of a monastery, or in selling everything he streets asking, ‘what do you need?’” had to live among and serve the poor by co-founding ChrisRecently, while walking the streets of India with his tian Help in Park Slope, a center in Brooklyn that has served wife, Wilkes looked into the face of a little girl who was the poor for over 35 years. The problem was, while Wilkes blind and saw what she and others in a local orphanage
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INTELLECTUAL • ENGAGEMENT needed—help and hope. So, Wilkes founded Home of Hope India-US to aid the Home of Hope orphanage. And so, by genuinely giving his life for the Lord, Wilkes was given a life bigger than he could have imagined. As he writes in In Due Season, “God was good enough to give me
life itself. Christ kept His promise and stayed with me. The wind of the Holy Spirit ruffled my conscience and cooled my brow, filled my sails, sent me in directions I didn’t seek, and at other times, calmed the seas just when I was about to drown.” By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
OBJECTIVISM VERSUS CHRISTIANITY Penn Conference Looks at Atlas Shrugged As for Henderson, Rand’s philosophies were a central A tumultuous economic climate and move part of his upbringing and even played out in “loud lectures toward heightened government regulation is fuPENN and violent questions” around the kitchen table. eling a resurgence of interest in iconic philoso“Ayn Rand was a heroic figure in our household...,” pher Ayn Rand’s influential 1957 novel, Atlas Shrugged. Henderson wrote on his blog, www.soulofatlas.com. “We Mark Henderson also is captivated by Rand’s magnum did everything short of displaying her picture above our opus, but the Ivy-League-educated investor is probing mantle. And we may have, if we’d had a fireplace.” Rand’s views on power, sex, and money from a Christian In 1992, Aglialoro was so influenced by Rand’s philosoworldview. The results will be published in the book he is phies that he bought the film rights to penning, entitled The Soul of Atlas. Atlas Shrugged, and he is negotiating In April, more than 50 students with studios to bring the novel to the from the University of Pennsylvania big screen. Aglialoro is chief executive gathered to hear Henderson offer a officer and chairman of Cybex InterChristian perspective on Rand’s muchnational, Inc., a manufacturer of hightouted objectivist views. end exercise equipment. Penn Students for Christ (www. More than half a century after it was pennstudentsforchrist.org) and Penn Inpublished, Rand’s polarizing novel mainterVarsity Christian Fellowship (www. tains a devout following, especially pennivcf.org) hosted the talk during among business leaders. A screen proJesus Week. Henderson brings an exduction is relevant to modern ceptional dialogue to the objectivism audiences because of Rand’s pronounced versus Christianity conversation as he devotion to a free market and vehement received degrees in Victorian literature opposition to government intervention. and neuroscience from Brown UniverMark Henderson views Atlas Likewise, Henderson told students sity in 1987 and a master of business Shrugged from a Christian in Penn’s Claudia Cohen Hall that administration from Columbia Univerperspective during an event at Penn. Rand’s 1,200-page novel recently sity in 1998. ranked at No. 28 on the bestseller list at Amazon.com. As well, the subject is especially timely because HenAnd, The New York Times went so far as to describe the derson’s stepfather John Aglialoro, a devout objectivist, work as “one of the most influential business books ever owns the screen rights to Atlas Shrugged, and the long-geswritten.” The book highlights the “glorification of the right tating film is moving closer to production, according to of individuals to live entirely for their own interest” and news reports. promotes “pure laissez-faire capitalism.” Furthermore, industry sources recently reported that acSurprisingly, however, a contemplation of Rand’s overtresses including Charlize Theron, Julia Roberts, and Anne Hathaway could be candidates to portray Dagny Taggert, a all views—as well as an ultimate search for truth—played railroad heiress who fights to keep her family’s business a pivotal role in Henderson’s decision to follow Christ. alive in the midst of calamity and government corruption. Rand’s logical approach “really formed my investigation of
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INTELLECTUAL • ENGAGEMENT Christianity,” Henderson said. “Her whole philosophy is based on Aristotelian logic. That provided the infrastructure for my search.” Ultimately, he embraced faith after perusing the pages of C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity. Henderson is capturing his contemplation of objectivism and Christianity in the blog he launched in July 2008. More importantly, Henderson recently completed a sixmonth sabbatical to draft a manuscript, and it reflects some of the influence of Tim Keller, senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan and a best-selling author. Henderson, a derivatives expert with Chatham Financial in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, served as an elder at Redeemer when he resided in Manhattan. During much of his visit to Penn, Henderson focused on offering a Christian perspective to Rand’s individualistic and atheistic views. Rand rejects faith as “not a source of knowledge,” said Henderson. “Reason is the only valid source of knowledge.” However, a Christian “values God above everything else,” Henderson said. “We can understand Truth with God through Jesus Christ.”
In addition, Rand espoused that the moral purpose of an individual is rational self-interest. But, Christ’s Gospel “breaks the paradigm,” Henderson said. Despite human failings, “God values us immensely,” Henderson said. “God puts us in the place of approval and inclusion and takes on Himself a place of exclusion.” Henderson warned students that objectivism “can lead to a worldview that is very exclusive. In order to be a person of value, I need to achieve something.” Achievement-oriented individuals could “look down on those who don’t succeed” and, in turn, possess “tremendous confidence, bordering on arrogance.” The Gospel, however, offers acceptance based on Christ’s sacrifice and it offers a means to be humble and inclusive. “He brings us all into the same standing with Him,” Henderson said. Ultimately, “the Gospel is that I’m more sinful than I ever dared believe, but through Jesus Christ, I’m more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope,” Henderson said. By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer
DOING GOOD THROUGH PUBLIC SERVICE Former George W. Bush Aide Encourages Princeton Students was also passionate about the global health crisis and the Michael Gerson has seen politics from the outneed for U.S. leadership. “No society can long survive in side as well as the inside—first as a journalist PRINCETON the shadow of death,” he said when describing with US News and World Report, the far-reaching impact of preventable diseases and then as a speechwriter and senior aide to like HIV/AIDS. President George W. Bush, Yale ’68. Gerson Gerson also championed the Bush adminisrecently shared his perspectives of the former tration’s contribution to promoting global health president and the global health crisis with initiatives—specifically the President’s EmerPrinceton students during a speech at the gency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). “I sat in Woodrow Wilson Center. Later, he spoke perthe Oval Office and saw President Bush approve sonally with a smaller group of Christian stuthe emergency plan—the largest to treat a single dents about faith and public policy. disease,” he said, sharing that his own college The Roger Hertog Senior Fellow at the roommate died of AIDs in the late 1980s. Council on Foreign Relations, Gerson spoke Former presidential He credits the Bush administration with to the Woodrow Wilson Center audience speechwriter Michael being able to help build a bipartisan alliance to about “Global Health and Development: Gerson spoke with address global health issues. However, he also Prospects in a New Administration.” While members of Princeton Faith and Action expressed concern about the possible dissoluself-effacing—“Speechwriters are supposed about faith and to be anonymous, and at this task I’ve suction of that alliance due to the increasing influpolitics. ceeded beyond my wildest dreams”—Gerson ence of organizations and politicians who are
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INTELLECTUAL • ENGAGEMENT pro-abortion. According to Gerson, the coalition that achieved the health bill consisted of the health care community as well as “the conservative religious community.” “We are seeing at the edges, the decay of the ideological coalition that produced PEPFAR,” Gerson said. “The firing of Mark Diebold, the PEPFAR coordinator, is a bad sign. Clearly, it was done at the insistence of some ideological reproductive rights groups that want PEPFAR to emphasize comprehensive planning more. Whatever your view on that particular issue, that kind of change would destroy the alliance that has sustained and expanded PEPFAR.” After the formal Wilson Center presentation, Gerson participated in an informal dinner with roughly 30 students from Princeton Faith and Action (www.pfanda.com), Christian Union’s leadership development ministry, and Princeton Evangelical Fellowship (www.princeton.edu/~pef). The students, who had a special interest in politics and public policy, filled all the slots that were available for the event. Gerson briefly spoke about why he became involved in public policy and why he believes it is a good place for Christians to be. Then he asked the students questions. In particular, he asked who their role models were.
One student mentioned Greg Mortenson as a hero. Mortenson is the center of the book Three Cups of Tea and has started many schools in rural Pakistan. Perhaps even more poignant, however, was that the majority of the students said they couldn’t think of any public heroes, and moreover, they don’t have much faith in accomplishing anything through the government. Gerson then spent quite a bit of time addressing the students’ cynicism. While he acknowledged the frustration associated with politics and even shared some of his own while working in the Bush White House, Gerson countered the cynicism by speaking of all the good that can be done through public service. As an example, he spoke again about the success of PEPFAR in reducing AIDS deaths in Africa. Further, he told the students that God calls some people to enter the public arena and care for people through good public policy. “I found it to be very relevant and inspiring,” said Christian Union Ministry Fellow Lorri Bentch, Princeton ’91. “So did the students. Afterward, I talked with a number of PFA girls who felt new motivation and hope to believe they really can make a difference in the world.” By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
IVY LEAGUE THE
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The Ivy League Christian Observer
P R AY E R • P O W E R
AVAILING MUCH Prayer for the Ivy League Celebrates Completion of Banner Year Movement (www.impactmovement.com) who attended In September 2008, Christian Union Ministry their annual conference in Georgia over winter break were Fellow Quincy Watkins launched the Prayer for ALL IVY greatly encouraged. The theme of the conference was “With the Ivy League “One Million Minutes of men this is impossible, but with God all things are possiPrayer” initiative. The purpose of the ambitious program ble.” Participants said they came away well-equipped and was to recruit partners to pray consistently for requests from challenged to make a difference on the campus, as well as the eight schools and for the advent of sweeping spiritual possessing the tools to strengthen their personal walks with transformation in the Ivy League. Today, the initiative has God. more than 300 prayer partners, and the Ivy campuses have Faith was ignited during the Believers in Business Conbeen blessed by answered prayer and ignited faith. ference in February where MBA students came together for Watkins, an alumnus of Wharton Business School (’95), the two-day event hosted by the Yale School of Manageand leaders of the initiative recently praised God for a sucment Christian Fellowship (www. cessful first year during which hunstudents.som.yale.edu/sigs/ dreds of needs were lifted up by christian). During the conference, praying saints. For example, back in students heard from Christian busithe fall semester, members of Agape ness leaders who shared how to inteChristian Fellowship at Dartmouth grate their faith and glorify God in (www.dartmouth.edu/~acf/fellow the workplace. According to the ship.htm) declared their ThanksChristian Union’s Prayer for the Ivy event coordinators, “The conference giving Banquet a “huge miracle and League initiative recently celebrated one million minutes of prayer. was a true encouragement to these amazing testament to God’s power MBA students to go out and do the and provision.” Roughly 120 stuwork of God in a way that causes people to praise Him.” dents attended the event. During the banquet, the Gospel In the spring semester, a huge answer to prayer was remessage was directly presented to many non-believers in alized when Harvard College Faith and Action, Christian attendance through prayer and a video clip illustrating 1 Union’s leadership ministry at Harvard, received full recogThessalonians 5:18. In preparation for the event, two to nition as a student organization less than one year after its three students per day prayed and fasted continuously. on-campus launch. During the 2008-09 school year, Princeton Faith and Also at Harvard, Dave Thom, director of the Leadership Action (www.pfanda.com), Christian Union’s leadership Connection, has expressed praise for “a huge answer to development ministry at Princeton, has witnessed lifeprayer,” the provision of free office space in Cambridge. changing accounts of students. Many Princeton students Inspired by these and other advances through prayer, grew in faith, while others came to the saving knowledge of Watkins has set the bar higher for the upcoming academic Jesus Christ through interaction with the ministry during year. He hopes to double the number of prayer partners to Bible courses and meetings. 600, keeping prayer for the Ivy League a priority among Meanwhile, Princeton athletes who attended the Fellowfriends and supporters of the campuses. ship of Christian Athletes’ Northeast College Retreat in “God is calling for his sons and daughters to return to February were greatly encouraged by the in-depth Bible their first love,” said Watkins. “This is the right season for studies and prayer, as well as fellowship with other Christian athletes. They reportedly returned to campus feeling a spiritual awakening for the Ivy League.” uplifted, strengthened in their walks with God, and inspired For more information about Prayer for the Ivy League to spread the Gospel to others on campus. or to sign up, visit www.Christian-Union.org/prayer . At the University of Pennsylvania, members of Impact By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
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TURNING UP THE SPIRITUAL TEMPERATURE Corporate Prayer Time Solidifies Ministry’s Focus, Effectiveness late to one another,” he says. “We have each had to humble In the 1990s, when Matt Bennett led the Campus ourselves as we confess sin and learn from our fellow facCrusade for Christ ministry at Princeton, he expeulty members. This process has ushered in a completely rienced the supernatural presence of the Lord in new level of unity among us.” corporate prayer. When he later founded Christian Union, In addition to the daily extended corporate prayer, memBennett (Cornell ’88, MBA, ’89) knew prayer would be a bers of Christian Union committed to a 40-day period of cornerstone of the ministry, using meeting times, training prayer and/or fasting in their personal lives this summer. In events, and conferences as opportunities to bring members addition to fasting, Bennett devoted that period to extended together to seek God’s face. Bible reading and personal prayer. Increasing devotional In March, however, Bennett felt led by the Lord to “turn time at home and corporately at work is “about mindset and up the spiritual temperature” at Christian Union and has a lifestyle of seeking God,” he said. subsequently devoted two hours a day for the faculty memAnd that lifestyle has renewed perbers to come together for extended corposonal lives as well. “I have been more disrate prayer. CU faculty consists of those in ciplined about my times of personal prayer direct ministry at Princeton and Harvard and Bible reading and have seen the fruit and includes directors, ministry fellows, of this in my ministry and personal and and teaching fellows. family life,” says Bentch. “It has been absolutely transformative,” However, making that deliberate says Scott Jones (Cornell ’04), ministry fellifestyle shift was challenging for the faclow at Princeton. “Through our time seekulty who already had busy schedules mining God, looking into the Scriptures and iStock istering to students, participating in events, discussing these themes, we have seen The Christian Union faculty is and hosting students at their homes in the God’s Spirit reveal many things that need seeking God through extended evenings. to change in our personal lives, the life of time in prayer each day. “It seemed a little overboard at first, and the ministry, and in the larger culture.” I wasn’t sure how I’d adapt my normal schedule,” Jones adAccording to Bennett, the faculty prays for a number of mits. However, he said, “It quickly became something I things. “We have our focus on God and ask Him to pour out looked forward to, and the two hours have seemingly gone by the Holy Spirit on us, the campuses, and America. We apolmore quickly with each passing week.” ogize for our sins and the sins of the American Church,” he Bentch was also a little unsure at first. “It seemed like a said. sacrifice when the students were still on campus. At the beAs a result, they have seen God respond to their ginning it felt like we were sacrificing important discipleprayer in ways such as the immediate healing of one ship time. But I also sensed that our effectiveness with member, an increased sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and students was increased when we spent two hours each day an increased boldness and courage in witnessing for anpraying.” other member. As the extended times of prayer continue, Bentch foreIn all, Bennett says, the extended prayer time has had a sees even greater impact upon the faculty as ministers to huge impact and shown the faculty team how “seeking God the students. needs to permeate all our activities and be at the center of “As we spend more time hearing from God, then we the ministry.” Lorri Bentch (Princeton ’91), a ministry fellow at will do ministry in ways that are increasingly in tune with Princeton, says the time of corporate prayer has “built unity, His will,” she said. “And that is always more effective than transparency, and relational depth” among the team. simply relying on our own wisdom or experience.” Jones agrees. “It has had a major impact on how we reBy Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
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The Ivy League Christian Observer
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CAPTURING THE SOUL OF THE CITY Photography Exhibit Intimately Portrays New Yorkers in Worship vard ’86) who helped McNulty reconsider Christianity. The great American photographer and environ“What changed my mind was a subtle but undeniable mentalist Ansel Adams once said, “A photoDARTMOUTH transformation I observed in Shannon when she became a graph is usually looked at—seldom looked Christian,” said McNulty. “She had this cerinto.” Adams’ passion to photograph came tainty.” from his longing to connect with nature and With encouragement from her sister-inbuild a bridge for humanity to see its inherent law, McNulty took a small step of faith and beauty. Like Adams, freelance photographer asked Jesus to show her the truth. According Lanie McNulty attempts to reveal an oftento McNulty, “He did, and there is now no overlooked beauty found in New York City: going back!” the worship of Christ. With Lifted Up in New York City, McIn New York today, many visit the Nulty tells a personal story of her search to Guggenheim Smithsonian or the Museum of better understand her own faith and “to recModern Art to “look at” good art, but few oncile two seemingly divergent identities— might have the opportunity to “look into” that of a Christian and that of a New Yorker.” photography that peers into the soul and the Compiled from photographs taken from heart of the Christian faith. That might all The inspirational and 2004 to 2008, the collection follows Mcchange with Lanie McNulty’s Lifted Up in poignant photography of Nulty’s personal account of God at work in New York City exhibit which was displayed Lanie McNulty, the hearts and lives of New Yorkers. Through at the Neighborhood Church in Greenwich Dartmouth ’86 and Harvard Business everyday settings—from a police precinct to Village this past May. School ’91, was recently an old rustic church—each photograph alMcNulty, who lives in Manhattan, had an featured in Manhattan. lows its viewers to peer into the heart of a interesting journey to faith in Christ. McNulty New York City worshipper. Included in the project are imholds an AB in government from Dartmouth (’86), an MBA ages from Harlem churches, a Queens dance ministry, a from Harvard Business School (’91), and a master’s in eduBronx prayer walk, and the 2005 National Day of Prayer at cation from Bank Street College. During her days in Ivy the College of Staten League halls, McNulty Island. The shots are admittedly was not set in photo-documenlooking for God and tary style; but, as Mcfelt Christianity was Nulty attests, they are out-of-touch with realreally about her search world issues and “deto better understand her cidedly unhip.” own faith. “I can say without The project began exaggeration that I did from a chance meeting not know one believing at Trinity Baptist Church Christian—or at least on the Upper East Side one who shared his of Manhattan. McNulty faith—while I was at was attending her first either Dartmouth or Harvard” she said. meeting at the church Later in life, it was when she noticed someher sister-in-law Shanone worshipping in free“Amen” “Come Unto Me” non Hardington (Hardom: “It was stunning—
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“The Stewardesses”
“Not My Might”
“Seraphim”
“Father and Son”
I saw a woman with one hand across her heart, one hand in the air, just singing with visceral joy to God.” The woman’s act of worship led to McNulty’s returning to photograph “joy” on various occasions at the church over the next several weeks. McNulty then took her camera and her love for people and began to photograph outside of Trinity at a range of churches representing diverse denominations and cultures throughout all five boroughs. To McNulty, the key to her project was relationships. “I tend to photograph people I know—some I know intimately, others I know only through shared experiences,” notes McNulty. “People let me and my camera into very personal and sacred places—their relationship with God—
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because they trust me.” McNulty believes that trust allows her to photograph individuals not as an outsider, but as an insider who cares to share in the experience and “to celebrate the peace and joy and hope that comes from a relationship with Jesus.” And with Lifted Up in New York City, viewers are invited to move from merely looking at Christianity to looking into the life-giving heart of Christian worship. View pictures from “Lifted Up in New York City” as well as McNulty’s other projects at her website:www.laniemcnulty.com. By Brandon Michael Duck, Columbia SEAS, ’10
The Ivy League Christian Observer
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PASSIONATE FOR ‘SOCIAL SERVICE’ Columbia Alumna Gives ‘Maximum Glory’ to the Lord and as a teacher at Bethel Bible College and Urban MinBeing an instrument in God’s hand to facilitate istry Training Center. change in the lives of people—that’s one of the COLUMBIA It is clear to see that Williams, or Elder Joan as she is joys that Joan Williams has experienced while called, has a deep well of compassion for those who are exserving the Body of Christ for the last two decades. periencing hardships. Perhaps it is because she has walked Williams, Columbia School of Social Work, MS ’90, a mile in their shoes. also holds a Master of Science in Education Counseling As a child, she grew up in a home with a father who, from SUNY Brockport (’85) and a Bachelor of Arts in Sothough a good provider, abused alcohol, was a strict disciciology (’84) from Colgate University. plinarian, and was emotionally detached from his family. Her Christian walk began while attending Columbia and She also was a victim of childhood molestation by a relaher conversion had a direct impact on her life goals. “My tive. Inevitably, these circumstances newfound relationship with Jesus had a negative effect on her. “I spent Christ enhanced my determination to a number of years seeking affirmalay hold of everything for which tion, validation, and self-worth in unChrist laid hold of me, and [to] ensure healthy relationships,” Williams that the way I live my life gives Christ explained. “I tended to accept poor the maximum glory due to Him,” treatment for fear of being rejected or Williams said. In addition, her school abandoned.” experience provided the “nuts and That all changed when she met bolts” with which she conducts her Jesus Christ. “In October 1988, while daily ministries. in the midst of another bad relation“My graduate education … has ship, a former co-worker invited me played a significant role in my minto attend a house church,” she said. istry life. I have the opportunity to use “After hearing the Gospel message most of the knowledge, principles, that Sunday, I gave my heart to the and theories that I have learned in my Joan Williams, Columbia School of Social Work ’90, has been serving the Lord and have been serving Him ever work with people on a daily basis,” Lord in New York City for the last 20 since that time.” she said. years. That service extended to helping Williams is passionate about misher father during the time of his illness and subsequent sions and about serving leaders in the Body of Christ. After death in 2006. “I had the opportunity to use my social work volunteering in ministry and participating in overseas missions skills to navigate the health care system on his behalf,” she trips for several years, she began vocational service in 1999. said. She also had the privilege of leading him to the Lord She currently holds several ministry roles: executive dibefore his passing. rector of Beth Hark Christian Counseling Center, Inc.; diAt every stage, Williams seems to have the ability to inrector of the Lion’s Whelp Kub Klub Summer Program at crease both her level of care for others and her hope for the fuher home church, Bethel Gospel Assembly, in Harlem, NY; ture. Currently, she is anticipating her wedding in September. coordinator for Angel Tree and Soul Release Prison Min“Preparing for marriage God’s way is an exciting, but istry, Inc. and founder of W.I.N.N. (Women Impacting serious undertaking,” she said. “I am believing God for the Neighborhoods and Nations), Inc. cultivation of a marital relationship which would be an exWilliams supports missions as executive director of Bethel’s annual Great Commission Conference and as a ample and serve to underscore what God will do in a marmember of its Missions Board. She has also worked as riage between a husband and wife who are in covenant Bethel’s assistant director for the Follow-Up Ministry, the relationship with Him and each other.” executive director of Evangelism and Outreach Ministry, Williams also hopes to see W.I.N.N. develop further, be-
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IN PERSON come more involved in civic leadership, and undertake more international ministry. She also plans to pursue doctoral studies. Above all, her plans include serving God in every area of life. “For too long, Christians have been content to keep our relationship with the Lord separate and distinct from the other areas of our lives. The Lord’s Prayer reveals God’s desire: ‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as
it is in heaven.’ (Matthew 6:10) For such to be realized, every sector of society must be permeated,” said Williams. “We are Christ’s ambassadors, charged with getting the job done. That means cultivating a biblical worldview that can be communicated secularly within the context of the arena in which the Lord has placed us, be it finance, politics, education, etc.” By Rachel Mari
ORTHODONTIST/FIREMAN SHARES HIS ‘TALENTS’ ‘We Are All in the Mission Field’ sleep with the thought of ‘what if it had been me?’” Cuozzo Patrick Cuozzo, Penn School of Dental Medisaid. “I was not a drug user or dealer. What I mean is ‘what if cine ’97, was a college student working a sumPENN I was to die tonight?’ It can happen at any time to any of us.” mer job when he was embarrassed to learn his Cuozzo says he couldn’t stop thinking about the parable mom was on the phone. “As a young man trying to find his of the talents. “I was the man with one talent. I had buried way in the world, the last thing you want to have happen to my Christian faith. I was ashamed to share it with my you is your mom to call you at work. I picked up the phone friends. I thought they would think I was weird,” he said. “I unprepared for the news I was about to hear,” he said. knew that night that Christ would not have been able to say She told him about a call from the Miami police departto me ‘well done my good and faithful servant.’ I made a ment stating they had found an unidentified body believed vow that night that I would live for Christ and His glory. to be Patrick’s older brother Gary, also known as “Chip.” This is real life and it only has meaning if He is in the cenCuozzo drove four hours home to New Jersey, but his mom ter of it.” and dad, former NFL Quarterback Gary Cuozzo, had alToday Cuozzo is a highly regarded orthodontist in Linready left for Miami to identify the body by the time he arcroft, N.J., and continues to keep the Lord at the center of rived. “The next morning I got up and read on the front page his life and his work. of the newspaper, ‘Quarterback’s Son Dies in a Drug Deal “I’m a firm believer that we are all in the mission field, in Miami,’” he said. no matter if we call ourselves missionaries or not. So I do News about the tragedy was reported before the family share my faith at work. I try to make myself available to spoke with police about the motive in the killing. So the God and honor Him through Cuozzos learned through the the artwork on our office walls, media that Chip was murdered the radio station we listen to, while buying cocaine. Accordthe information available for ing to Cuozzo, Chip was anyone to take in our reception robbed, shot, and pushed out of area, and most importantly, my a moving car and died on the personal accountability to the street. Lord to provide the best care But what was meant for evil for every patient because we would be used for good by God are ambassadors for Christ,” as the brutal reality of Chip’s he said. death caused Cuozzo to quesCuozzo “is the perfect extion the authenticity of his own life and faith. ample of Romans 1:16— Patrick Cuozzo is an orthodontist, volunteer “I found real hope one night someone who is an example in firefighter, and alumnus of Penn (GD ’97). when I woke up from a sound the marketplace and not
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IN PERSON ashamed of the Gospel,” according to Harry Flaherty, director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in New Jersey and New York City. Cuozzo credits his father with influencing his career choice and faith journey. Gary Cuozzo, who played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts, New Orleans Saints, and Minnesota Vikings, opened an orthodontics practice after his football career ended. He served as national chairman of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) from 1995 to 1998. “I watched my dad work as an orthodontist as a child and I really liked what he did,” said Patrick Cuozzo. “Yes, he was an NFL quarterback and an orthodontist, but he was more importantly a man of God, and I knew I wanted to be
just like him when I grew up.” Patrick Cuozzo now inspires others in their faith journey as a father, church member, and through FCA. “I’ve been in full-time ministry for 21 years and no one has been more of an encouragement to me than Patrick. He’s helped FCA with his time, talent, and treasure,” said Flaherty. Cuozzo also volunteers as a firefighter in his community. Initially, after responding to a call where a teenager died in a car accident, he was reminded of his brother’s death and nearly quit. “I made the decision to continue on,” he said, “but, once again, I realized how fragile life really is and how much we all need Christ in our lives.” By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
MEGA-CHURCH PASTOR SEEKS TO DISPEL THE ‘MYTHS’ Greg Boyd Called a Revolutionary…and a Heretic A few years back, during election season, Boyd delivIn his recent book, Myth of a Christian Religion, ered a sermon series, “The Cross and the Sword,” which Pastor Greg Boyd, Yale M.Div. ’82, says he lost YALE commented on various political issues. He said the church his religion and found a revolution for living as should not take political stands against moral issues like a radical Kingdom dweller on earth. But many orthodox abortion and questioned U.S. military engagements. “When Christians question his battle plan. the church wins the culture wars, it inDescribed by some Christians as a evitably loses,” he told his congregation. heretic, Boyd, a former atheist, describes For that, he lost about 1,000 members himself as a conservative evangelical. He of the 5,000-member Woodland Hills is against abortion, believes homosexualChurch in St. Paul, Minnesota. It also got ity is a sin, but also believes that engaging him front-page coverage in the New York politics or legislation about those issues Times article “Disowning Conservative is also wrong. It’s something that puts Politics, Evangelical Pastor Rattles him at odds with fellow evangelicals like Flock.” Chuck Colson who participated in a con“I knew it would ruffle feathers, but I versation with Boyd for a segment of underestimated how thoroughly people Speaking of Faith for NPR. are bought into a political paradigm and “There hasn’t been a human rights nationalism,” Boyd says. “We’re not campaign in history that Christians called to rally around the rightness of peohaven’t been on the vanguard of,” Colson ple’s opinions, but to rally around the said. “I don’t think that you can simply cross. We’re called to be citizens of a difforget the fact that we live in a kingdom ferent country. I think America is a great and a state. Our job is to make the state as country. I’m really glad I live here. But righteous and conformed to God’s stanControversial pastor Greg that can’t be my ultimate allegiance. I dards as possible. But you can love the Boyd, Yale M.Div. ’82, writes about faith over religion in his Lord your God with your heart, mind, and can’t believe America is closer to God latest book, Myth of a Christian soul and also love your country as a way than another nation. That’s why you don’t Religion. of loving your neighbor.” call it a Christian nation.”
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IN PERSON That’s also why Boyd doesn’t say the pledge of allegiance, something that is offensive to many patriots. And that’s why he wrote his previous book, Myth of a Christian Nation, which espouses that the American evangelical church “has allowed itself to be co-opted by the political right.” Others, however, see Boyd’s teaching as harmful, particularly his theology of open theism. In an essay, Boyd expresses his position this way: “I affirm (because Scripture teaches) that God is absolutely all knowing. There is no difference in my understanding of God’s omniscience and that of any other classical theologian, but I hold that part of the reality, which God perfectly knows, consists of possibilities, as well as actualities. The difference lies in our understanding of the nature of the future, not in our understanding of God’s omniscience.” Orthodox Christians disagree. “The downsized deity of open theism is a poor substitute for the real God of historic Christianity—as taught by Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox theologians through the centuries,” wrote Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School. Author John Piper also disagrees with Boyd’s rationale of open theism. “The stunning thing about open theism in American Christianity is how many leaders do not act as
though it is a departure from historic Christianity and therefore a dishonor to Christ and pastorally damaging,” he writes in the forward to Beyond The Bounds. “It’s a dangerous doctrine,” states Dr. Chuck Hetzler, Christian Union’s teaching fellow at Princeton. “God already knows the future,” he said, “and He knows that we are going to pray to Him about it, and He knows how He is going to respond.” Despite the disagreement over the doctrine, though, Hetzler said he doesn’t believe that Boyd’s views make him less of a Christian or that God does not bless him. In Boyd’s most recent book, Myth of a Christian Religion, he calls Christians to be “revolutionaries” for God’s Kingdom and to revolt against everything that is inconsistent with the “beauty of God’s character.” But for many fellow foot soldiers in the revolution that means taking a legislative stand to reform the immorality that dulls that beauty. As Colson wrote for BreakPoint, “Life issues, you see, go to the very heart of the Gospel, which is why the firstcentury Church cared so passionately. And we can do no less today. The Church does not just have the right to speak about it; it has the duty to do so.” By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
BROWN STUDENT IS ‘UNLIKELY DISCIPLE’ Journalist Goes Undercover at Liberty University
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Newsweek, Time, and Christianity Today. The idea for the book came to Roose while he was working as a writer’s assistant for fellow Brown alumnus A.J. Jacobs ’91, who was writing The Year of Living Biblically—a Jewish man’s humorous attempt to “follow every single rule in the Bible as literally as possible.” While visiting Liberty, Roose was taken aback when a student asked him if he knew Jesus Christ. Roose told the student that, no, he didn’t know Christ and he wasn’t interested in converting. “It’s just not my thing,” he said. But the question haunted him and the inability to engage the students in conversation about God and Jesus frustrated him. “My social circle at Brown included atheists, agnostics, lapsed Catholics, Buddhists, Wiccans, and more non-observant Jews than you can shake a shofar at, but exactly zero born-again Christians,” he writes. “The evangelical world, in my mind, was a cloistered, slightly frightening
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The Ivy League Christian Observer
When Kevin Roose entered Liberty University as a transfer student in his sophomore year, he BROWN appeared to be like any other student there. He wore conservative attire, had a good mix of humility and intelligence, sang in the Thomas Road choir on Sundays, and even conducted the last print interview with the legendary university chancellor and founder, Jerry Falwell. There was one difference between Roose and his Liberty contemporaries, however—he wasn’t a Christian. Roose entered Liberty on a mission. Not from God, but from a publisher. He was there to investigate what went on behind closed doors at one of the nation’s most renowned evangelical universities and to see for himself how students there differed from his contemporaries at Brown. And before he graduated from Brown this past May, he published his findings in his first book, The Unlikely Disciple, which received reviews and coverage in publications such as
IN PERSON community whose values and customs I And, as Roose, Stubbs, and the other wasn’t supposed to understand. So I igstudents lived together and prayed together, nored it.” Roose came to appreciate the positive effect But once Roose stopped looking the a sober, prayerful, non-promiscuous enviother way and began engaging evangelironment had upon him. But he still could cals at Liberty, he found not a frightening not avoid reinforcing certain stereotypes of community, but a passionate, loving, and evangelicalism, fundamentalism, the Bible dedicated campus where he made friends, Belt, and Christian higher education, acfound prayer, and was taken off guard by cording to Liberty Professor Karen Swallow the authenticity of his new peers. Prior, who reviewed the book in ChristianEarly on in the project, he writes, “I’m ity Today. still adjusting my mind to all the earnest “Nevertheless, Roose largely gets beGod talk I’m hearing at Liberty. From time yond the stereotypes and humanizes even to time, it still feels like I walked onto the those whose views he finds ‘reprehensiset of a Lifetime movie. But one thing has ble,’” writes Prior. become clear: these Liberty students have Roose is at least humbled by his expeKevin Roose, Brown ’09, wrote no ulterior motive. They simply can’t conriences at Liberty, and at best may be on Unlikely Disciple while tain their love for God. They’re happy to be the path to finding his own faith, although working “undercover” as a believers, and they’re telling the world.” he has resisted his friends’ attempts to contransfer student at Liberty University. Not surprisingly, Roose disagreed with vert him. But what perhaps influenced his peers’ beliefs regarding creation, hoRoose the most was the Christian response mosexuality, and salvation; and he found the politics of Falof forgiveness when he told his friends at Liberty about his well perhaps most distasteful. Then there was the ruse. bobble-head, a plastic likeness of Falwell proudly displayed According to Prior, one of Roose’s roommates conby his dormmate Stubbs. “It occurs to me that Stubbs and I founded the author upon learning of the deception. “How have lived vastly different lives,” Roose writes. could I not forgive you when I’ve been forgiven so much?” Yet it was in the juxtaposition of the “liberal” and the said the roommate, as Roose shook his head in disbelief. “conservative” peer groups that Roose found the similari“I never expected the people here to apply the princities—the humanness that is universal to young college stuples of their belief to their lives in such a real way,” said dents. He discovered that the Liberty students were not Roose. brainwashed Gospel-bots impervious to temptation or sin. And so, what Roose originally thought unlikely in his Instead he found very real, very human, young people who Christian peers, he has found is possible through their faith in grapple with the lures of this world, but who strive to rise Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Lord’s true disciples. above them through God’s grace. By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
‘I WILL FEAR NO EVIL’ Moka Leads Movement in Democratic Republic of the Congo The green pastures and quiet waters written about by King David in Psalm 23 are in stark HARVARD contrast to the impoverished, terror-filled villages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country described by TIME magazine as “one of the very worst places on earth.” Yet, Rev. Jean-Paul Moka, founder of the Psalm XXIII
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Movement, believes there is hope for his homeland. Moka, who attended Harvard in 1988 and 1989, plans on running for president in the next election, which is tentatively scheduled for July of 2011. His Psalm XXIII Movement is a peaceful, civil rights call to action in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Despite a ceasefire in 2003, the African country is still Page 29
IN PERSON “As I was laying on the ground,” recalled Moka, “I reeling in the aftermath of the Second Congo War. The Inheard them say, ‘put the pastor on top of the others.’” ternational Rescue Committee estimates that 3.9 million Moka believed he was dying, but took solace in Chrispeople have died from war-related causes since the contian songs, including CeCe Winans’ “I Surrender All.” But flict began in 1998. The “Holocaust of Shame,” which inhe did not die, and was able to escape to Angola. And the volves genocide, rape, and other sexual violence, has been movement continues. well documented by human rights organizations and media Moka knows the battle will not be an easy one, and acoutlets. knowledges intense spiritual warfare Despite living in a land rich in involving bondages of “slavery and beauty and natural resources, the poverty.” If elected, he would focus on people remain prisoners of corrupbasic needs like nutrition, health care, tion, brutality, and fear; the DRC has and education, and focus on rebuildan abundance of gold, diamonds, ing the economy. copper, uranium, and precious metals “I’d like to bring the people from used in the telecommunications inpoverty to prosperity,” he said. “Boys dustry. and girls need to be fed, and receive Moka, a banking official with EB health care and education.” It’s the Consulting Group, is looking to unseat same passion for social justice he had the current administration headed by back at Harvard when he founded a Joseph Kabila, who took office in Janstudent organization that sought to uary 2001, days after the assassination shed light on the education inequality of his father and DRC president Laufor blacks in South Africa. rent-Désiré Kabila. As far as the economy in the DRC, Although he is related to Kabila Moka said the nation would need a through marriage (his father-in-law is Jean-Paul Moka, who attended Harvard call to action similar to the Marshall an uncle to the president), Moka bein the 1980s, may run for president in Plan that rebuilt Europe following lieves radical change is expedient in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s World War II. the DRC. In 2003, he received a vinext election. Moka also draws hope and inspision of what that change might look ration from one of his Harvard classmates, Barack Obama, like during a time of prayer. As he read Psalm 23, he felt Columbia ’83 and Harvard Law ’91. Although the two did the spirit of the Lord saying to him that the people of the not meet back in Cambridge, they did connect in later years. DRC could be like well-fed sheep who say, “I shall not be Moka worked for the Obama campaign in Europe during in want.” the 2008 Presidential Election. “That is my hope for the Congolese people,” said Moka, On an Obama-Europe Facebook page, Moka wrote, 44. “When the proper shepherds are in the Congo, the peo“For the first time, the United States of America has a ple will be able to say this. And in a country with so many unique opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of the world natural resources, why should that be impossible?” that it has changed and moved forward, by electing … In 2004, the Psalm XXIII Movement began to gain mosomeone who symbolizes the dream of Dr. Martin Luther mentum, but after a large rally, Moka was kidnapped in King.” front of the American Embassy and became a political pris“Obama is important for the region,” Moka said. “Beoner. After being incarcerated for approximately 40 days, he was taken “to the forest with 11 other men,” who were fore he became president, the United States had a very protold to say their prayers after being forced to dig their own Rwanda policy. His victory shows that good things are graves. Moka says the men were fired upon and subsepossible to those who believe.” quently piled on top of one another. By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor
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PASSING THE TORCH Chris West Served Faithfully for 25 Years “I think campus ministry is vitally important because After nineteen years as director of Christian Imwe are talking with students, asking the biggest questions of pact at Dartmouth (www.dartmouthci.org), Chris DARTMOUTH life at a time they are most open to alternative views. There West is “passing the mantle.” West worked for are few credible voices to help them consider anything but 25 years in campus ministry at Cornell and Dartmouth. the secular narrative,” West said. Ryan Bouton ’01, a former student under West and a According to West, one of the greatest challenges he has current staffer with Campus Crusade for Christ encountered is “trying to turn the tide against a well-sup(www.ccci.org), is the new director of Christian Impact. ported current of secularism, postmodernism, and en“[West’s] passion for evangelism and humility in worktrenched philosophies everywhere in the American ing with others are what I want to carry on,” said Bouton. academy that make Christian world views seem implausi“He’s always positive and upbeat. He’s a great encourble. There is “systematic omission to keep ager,” said Tony Feiger, a fellow staffer at voices from being heard,” he explains. “It Christian Impact (CI). “I think he’ll be redoesn’t mean we aren’t allowed to be there, membered for those kinds of things, his but the college actively screens out people positive attitude, just a joy, a lot of joy.” who speak from our perspective. Changing Passionate, humble, and joyful are but that prevailing philosophy—that’s a mama few of the words that describe West. In moth job and it’s going to take a lot of work high school, he was labeled “class clown” and resources to change the tide on that.” and “most daring.” And while West says That’s the job West has been doing for he hasn’t thought of himself as daring, he the past quarter century. had the courage to embrace evangelical“I wasn’t the world’s most likely candiism while in college and to serve as direcdate for Ivy League ministry,” West contor of CI, meeting the challenges and fesses, citing his “class clown” notoriety obstacles of the secular university with and Jersey blue-collar roots. “I never confidence, humility, and unwavering After 19 years of ministry at thought they’d want to put me in the Ivy commitment. Dartmouth, Chris West is passing the mantle of League. I wondered if they were making West, who received his degree in psyleadership at Christian the right decision.” chology from the University of MassachuImpact. What surprised West about the Ivies setts and hails from Fairfield, New Jersey, was the fast-paced environment. “I wasn’t used to such a is from a strong mainline Christian family. Yet, despite his driven environment,” he said. “These people never rest.” family’s devotion to the faith, West himself was not fulAnd as a result, neither did he. filled. He and his wife Carolyn, his ministry partner since their Upon arrival at college, a student in his dorm introduced marriage in 1992, were involved in ministry events most him to Campus Crusade for Christ. There he experienced weeknights and weekends. On Friday nights, there was a the “aha!” moment when he heard that Jesus died as a subcasual weekly dinner gathering for Christian Impact, and stitute for us. “That clarified a lot of things for me,” said he brought his kids along. “I couldn’t think of a better enWest. “It was a wake up moment and was a revelation of the vironment for my kids to grow up in,” he said. “They minincredible relevance of God.” gled with college students who love God.” As a result, West became more interested in campus Still the time has come, West says, for him to be more ministry during college. “All the things I live for now—the principles by which I live—were set in college,” he said. available for his growing children—something that is hard And he has longed to share those principles with today’s to do when one parent is out of the house every night of the students so they, too, might have a life-changing college week. Not ready to leave ministry altogether, the Wests will conversion like the one he experienced. spend the next year looking at their long-term calling and
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A B O U T • M I N I S T RY their gifts and considering what’s next for this new season of their lives. The couple has applied for Campus Crusade’s Lake Hart Stint program in Orlando, Florida, which helps veteran ministers discern the next best steps for their lives in ministry.
But whatever those next steps might be, West looks fondly upon those he’s already climbed. He says he hopes to be remembered “as a shepherd who was deeply committed to the spiritual growth of the students…and as one who carried the torch of the Gospel for the years we’ve been here.” By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
FOLLOWING THE PLAYBOOK Former Brown Linebacker Coaches Others to Follow Christ an athlete. Things were going so well he even trained with When adversity came at Jason Pankau, Brown the Indianapolis Colts the summer before his senior year. ’92, the former linebacker tackled it head on, BROWN He was told by the Colts to have a great senior year and see making way for God to move through his life them after graduation. He never did. and empower him to inspire others. That fall, Pankau suffered a concussion which caused Pankau became a Christian while attending a Fellowan aneurysm that nearly killed him. His hopes of going pro ship of Christian Athletes event as a high school senior. The were gone. “It was the death of a dream,” he said. speaker was Mike Swider, now the head football coach at But being a team player, Pankau Wheaton College. At that meeting, sought out advisors and mentors to Swider asked the students how many help him deal with his loss and discern of them went to church. All hands went his future. “[It] let me get together with up. Then he asked how many of them wise people and let God move through read the Bible. The hands went down. them to give me discernment,” he said. “How can you go on the field without Before his injury, Pankau prayed reading the playbook?” Swider asked. that God would remove his pride. After “That connected with me,” Pankau the injury he says, “I came to believe said. “I gave my life to the Lord that in short order that God was saving me night.” from myself. If I had continued on that A native of Illinois, Pankau began path, it would have been self-glorificaattending Willow Creek Community tion, not God-glorification.” Church and was baptized by wellAnd so, Pankau began ministering known pastor Bill Hybels. Then he left at Brown through Campus Crusade and for Brown. Athletes in Action (www.aiaatbrown. “Brown was dark territory,” he com). After graduation, he continued said. “When I got there, it was sink-orFormer Brown linebacker Jason with campus ministry while embarking swim time.” Pankau ’92 has tackled adversity. on a career as a financial planner. Being the self-disciplined athlete But when Pankau was asked to speak at a church in he was, Pankau swam. He joined Campus Crusade for New England, he was subsequently encouraged by several Christ at Brown and likened the small group of Christians pastors to pray about a calling as a minister. During prayer there to a hard-core military unit. he heard God telling him, “Get ready.” So, Pankau began “We were being trained as Navy SEALS for God,” training again, this time at Southern Theological Seminary, Pankau said. “If you’re going to thrive in God and not be where he earned his Master of Divinity degree. trained, you’re deluded.” So, Pankau continued training—spiritually with CamPankau later planted a church in New England; and, pus Crusade and physically as a linebacker with the Brown through his “reproductive” approach to discipleship, the football team. He met his future wife, Jen ’93, who was also congregation grew to 150 people. Pankau also began devel-
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A B O U T • M I N I S T RY oping the Omega course, which trains people for discipleship and helps them order their lives around Christ. During that time, Pankau was also training to qualify for the United States Olympic Team in the discus. But after tearing the muscles in his back, his personal dream was gone again. But Pankau remained loyal to God’s plan for his life and focused on igniting discipleship. He was unexpectedly contacted by Stephen Paletta (Cornell ’87), the winner of Oprah’s Big Give. Paletta, a new Christian, asked Pankau to mentor him. Paletta then recommended Pankau to other New York business leaders and to the pastor of Stanwich Church in Greenwich, Connecticut. “We need you here,” the pastor told Pankau. And despite some initial reluctance, after a week of fasting and praying, Pankau heard the Lord telling him to go to Connecticut. Soon, Pankau’s Omega series and life coaching ministry
at Stanwich grew beyond the church’s walls. He founded Life Spring Network (www.lifespringnetwork.org), a Christian discipleship and leadership training ministry that focuses on building Christian mentoring networks. Recently Pankau launched his Omega Course and the Omega Experience nationwide to continue fulfilling the Great Commission. The Omega Experience is an 18- to 24month process designed to take churches “to the next level in disciple-making.” Pankau continues tackling the obstacles facing discipleship in the Northeast as he did all other adversity in his life—through training. “New England used to be the seedbed where [Christianity in America was ignited],” he said. “People need to remember that if we just go back to our roots, there’s power there. The variable is whether we’re willing to do what it takes to be trained in a new way of life.” By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
CHRISTIAN UNION INAUGURATES MINISTRY CHAPTER IN NATION’S CAPITAL DC Ministry Update and Benefit Draws 100 getting them out for this event.” This spring, the District of Columbia City ChrisThat was no small feat, considering the Christian nettian Union held its inaugural event, attracting a working and ministry organization was only established this greater-than-anticipated attendance and helping past September at the height of the presidential election. raise recognition of its mission within the Washington, D.C. “Our challenge and greatest opportunity is to continue metro area. to get the word out about Christian Union,” said Schoelen. Approximately 100 people came to the Army and Navy “We are a very young organization. People are excited to Club in Washington, D.C. on March 31 for the District of know that we have started a DC Christian Union. Nothing Columbia City Christian Union Ministry Update and Benlike it currently exists. We have our local Ivy League assoefit. ciations, for example, or church-related activities, but noth“The original expectations were that we might have fifty ing that brings together Christian Ivy alumni who have a attendees,” said Kimberly Ho Schoelen (Princeton ’81), diheart for developing the rector of public affairs next generation of for the mid-Atlantic reChristian leaders in gion. She attributes the these schools.” attendance to the efforts The speaker for the of event host team memMarch event was bers who invited their Roland Warren, Princefriends, family, colton ’83, president of The leagues, and neighbors. Roland Warren, Princeton ’83 and Penn MBA ’96, addressed the Fatherhood Initiative ”The DC event host crowd at the inaugural Washington, D.C. City Christian Union team did a fantastic job and a member of Chrisevent. Warren serves on Christian Union’s board of trustees. of inviting people and tian Union’s board of Summer 2009
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A B O U T • M I N I S T RY trustees. Warren spoke about the relationships made during college and about how one never knows what the future holds for fellow classmates. He cited how he became friends with a group of students that included Michelle Robinson, Princeton ’85 and Harvard Law ’88. Today she is known as Michelle Obama. One attendee wrote to Schoelen after the event expressing her gratitude: “The event was an encouragement to me, and I was very impressed by the work God is accomplishing through your organization. I can relate to the darkness and lack of spirituality at northeast schools and am glad to know hard workers are dedicated to spreading the Gospel.” The District of Columbia City Christian Union (DCCU) seeks to provide informal networking assistance such as helping new Christian alumni connect within the community and promoting Christian life choices and career-related mentoring. As a director of public affairs (DPA), Schoelen’s main focus is to reach out to Christian alumni and area supporters and to establish personal relationships. She regularly travels throughout the mid-Atlantic region to meet with ministry friends and donors. “The financial contributions we receive from our donors support Christian Union’s mission to develop Christian leaders for cultural change,” she said. “We also ask friends of our ministry to pray for the work that God has called each of us [within Christian Union] to do.” But the relationship between Schoelen and donors is
more than a financial relationship. “As DPAs we are building relationships with donors and many become our friends as well. We pray for them, celebrate milestones, and share in their joys and sorrows,” she said. Schoelen began her career with Christian Union in September 2008. For the past twenty-seven years she has pursued a career in marketing. At her twenty-fifth Princeton Reunion, she was part of the Princeton Alumni Service at the Nassau Christian Center where she gave her personal testimony for the first time. “That’s how I became aware of Christian Union,” Schoelen said. “Last summer, I received an e-mail about an opening for a Director of Public Affairs in the mid-Atlantic region. When I read about the position, there was no question in my mind that I should pursue the opportunity. This is what God has called me to do with my career and volunteer work experiences.” Despite its location in the nation’s political hot-belt, the DCCU remains unfettered by changing political climates while being surrounded by renowned cultural leaders who call the Ivy League universities their alma mater. “Christian Union is both non-denominational and nonpartisan,” said Schoelen. “In the metro DC area, however, with each new appointment by the new administration we are keenly aware of how many of our leaders come from the schools that Christian Union seeks to impact for Jesus Christ.” By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
PUTTING FIRST THINGS FIRST Epic Movement Staffer Ministers to Asian-American Students
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Shih, who majored in communications with the intent of becoming a broadcast journalist, said she is able to fulfill her spiritual and personal ambitions by serving as an Epic staffer on New York City campuses, including Columbia University. “I love what I do. At the end of the day, what people really need is Jesus,” Shih said. “I wanted to be in a job that encouraged evangelism and gave me lots and lots of opportunities to do that.” Shih, a second-generation Taiwanese, entered Cornell under the shadows of her brothers, alumni who practice medicine and law. As such, Shih, a Queens, New York na-
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Glennis Shih is well familiar with the pressures for Asian-American students to succeed. COLUMBIA But the Cornell alumna, who hails from a family of high achievers, is devoted to telling those students to put their emphasis on fulfilling God-given dreams and to use His markers of accomplishment and acceptance. “I lived my whole life to get through the Ivy League,” said Shih ’00, a staffer with the Epic Movement (www.epicmovement.com), Campus Crusade for Christ’s outreach to Asian-American students. “I want to help Asian-Americans live for God’s dream for their lives and not just their parents’ dream.”
A B O U T • M I N I S T RY Shih asked God for signs of confirmation and for her tive who attended the fiercely competitive Stuyvesant High, mother’s approval. To Shih’s amazement, her mother, who only applied to Cornell. originally was opposed to the missions trip, told her to “go “I always felt like I was on a success treadmill,” Shih and give God glory.” said. “It always left me feeling anxious, tired, and exWhile parental support is important, Shih tells students hausted. Basically, I would do anything to get good grades.” to put a priority on approval from God. “Our families are The pressure was so high that Shih even succumbed to blessed through our obedience,” she said. dishonesty. As a sophomore, “I actually got caught cheatShih ended up spending a second year in East Asia being. I was supposed to be kicked out of school,” Shih said. fore returning to work for two years in “It was a very shameful thing.” New York City in the non-profit sector. Immediately, Shih plunged into deIn 2004, Shih, who is fluent in Mandarin pression as her identity was wrapped up Chinese, ventured to Shanghai, China’s in her personal and familial status as a largest city, to teach business English. Cornell student. “My mom called me But she returned to New York City every night,” Shih said. in 2005 to join Epic and focus her efforts Then, Shih, who was expecting to on reaching students. This year, she orappear before an academic hearing ganized the ministry’s annual East Coast board, had a life-changing encounter. “I conference, and she plans to arrange the felt like God spoke to me. I saw myself 2010 event, also to be held in Philadelin a courtroom, and God was my judge. phia. He said, ‘You deserve to get kicked out Regina Pei Chan, an Epic teammate, of school and get kicked out of Heaven. described Shih as a “natural networker. Because I love you, I’m going to kick She connects all sorts of people with out my son, Jesus.’” each other and with Christ.” Shih described the experience as a This summer, Shih is serving as as“light bulb” moment. “Thankfully, the sociate director of Epic’s New York City professor didn’t press any charges. I TriBeCa project, a program that encourwas able to withdraw from the class ages students to launch or expand Epic without any consequences,” she said. Glennis Shih (right), Cornell ’00, is a staffer at Columbia University programs on their campuses. As a result of the episode, Shih comwith the Epic Movement, Campus Husband Sunny Shih, a student at mitted her life to Christ. “Since then, I’ve Crusade for Christ’s outreach to Alliance Theological Seminary, derealized that God is a holy God, and He Asian Americans. scribed his wife of two years as, “paswants us to be holy,” Shih said. sionate about sharing Christ with students… She sees every Later, Shih became involved with Cornell’s Chinese encounter on campus as an opportunity for ministry.” Bible Study (www.rso.cornell.edu/cbs) and attended conIndeed, Glennis Shih said she is motivated by opportuferences with Crusade. During her senior year, she contemnities to evangelize students. “They are at a point where plated taking a one-year missions trip to East Asia. “I felt like God was always telling me not to conform to they are deciding the most important things in their lives,” the patterns of the world,” she said. “All of my life, I had she said. “It’s such a greenhouse. I want to be part of that.” been conforming to the pattern of what society had set for By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer what was successful and valuable.”
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MISSION MILAN Dartmouth Students Survey Italian Campuses picture postcards best depicted their lives. They then asked “Helping to build spiritual movements everywhich three cards depicted the life they would like to have where so everyone knows someone who truly DARTMOUTH and which three described their life with God. follows Jesus Christ.” That is the vision stateAccording to Feiger, a religious background didn’t necment for Campus Crusade for Christ. And that vision reessarily equate to students with a deep Christian faith or recently focused on the European city of Milan. lationship with Jesus Christ. “We have heard from people who do missions work in “Almost every student had a Catholic background. They Europe saying Milan is an unreached group of people,” said were aware, they believed in God and believed in Jesus, but John Vampatella, campus director for Crusade at the Unithey didn’t feel good about the Church,” Feiger said. “I felt versity of Connecticut and one of the coordinators for the like there was a real need for a campus ministry to give stuMilan ministry. So this spring a small contingent of Dartdents a forum to discuss and investigate big ideas like this.” mouth Christians headed to Italy to survey college camAccording to both Feiger and Vampatella, the Milan puses with the goal of establishing a Campus Crusade campuses don’t have the same ministry there. student activity and organizaAmong the universities curtional structures as their Amerirently being considered are can counterparts. Therefore, Università degli Studi–Bicocca there are no ministries or organand Università Commerciale L. izations where Christians can Bocconi. come together to edify their own Tony Feiger, a staff member faith and share it with others. with Campus Crusade’s ChrisCampus Crusade—active on tian Impact ministry at Dart1,090 U.S. campuses and minismouth (www.dartmouthci.org), tering in 191 countries—wants accompanied the students on to help provide such an environthe trip. He spent a good bit of ment. time at Bocconi, which he Following the investigative likens to an Ivy League busiwork of the Dartmouth team, ness school such as Tuck. AlCampus Crusade will now look though the Dartmouth team Students with Dartmouth Christian Impact helped to into having mission teams comarrived at the Italian campus the set the groundwork for Campus Crusade for Christ’s ministry in Milan. mit to spending a year working week before exams and the stuwith the students in Milan. The dents were under a lot of presultimate goal is to establish an International Campus Staff sure, Feiger said they were “most gracious” and provided (ICS) there. the team with some great conversations. Having an ICS in place means Italians are saying “I The first day in Milan, the team went to the university want to reach my fellow Italians,” Vampatella explained. cafeteria. “We were so helpless,” Feiger said. “We didn’t “Ideally, we want to work ourselves out of a job,” he said. know how to get food.” But they were soon assisted by two “Our goal isn’t to have Americans everywhere. Our goal is students who helped them get settled and then spent two to raise up nationals.” hours talking to them. Vampatella hopes to have a yearlong “STINT” team in “It wasn’t hardcore preaching,” Feiger explained. Rather, he and the Dartmouth students used some engaging place by the fall of 2010. However, having the ministry up evangelism tools and a relational approach to discussing the and running with Italian leaders could take as long as ten Gospel with the Milan students. For example, the team years. asked the students which card from a set of roughly fifty By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
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THE FUTURE OF THE CONGREGATION Yale Divinity School Poses Questions at Conference for Pastors While many panelists agreed that now is the time to enHow do congregations currently understand gage a culture with many “seekers,” they also noted that their relationship to the culture? Why are some YALE Christians, particularly those in the mainline churches, are congregations thriving? Is Christendom over? not always adept at conveying their beliefs. These were some of the questions posed to both seaAccording to Scott Black Johnston, Yale ’89 M.Div., soned and new pastors during “The Future of the Congresenior minister at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in gation” conference held at Yale Divinity School this spring. Manhattan, “They’re coming, wondering, ‘Is it true?’ AtheAccording to Gus Spohn, director of communications ists are pretty clear in their answer, and we’re not.” and publications for the Divinity School, the conference Taylor, M.Div. went further, stating, “There are a lot of was held “at a time when membership in ‘mainline’ Protespeople who come [to church] who don’t know even what tant churches—historically the core denominational partthe ‘it’ is. What they do know is that they’re living lives ners of Yale Divinity School—is in steep decline in the that are somewhat shallow and flat.” United States, even as the relative percentages of Roman “If we are doing our job well, helpCatholics, Pentecostals, evangelical ing to bring people into the very presChristians, Muslims, and Hindus are ence of God, we are bringing them on the rise.” deep things connecting them with what The conference, he said, derived is...placing their lives in the context of from many discussions held at the Dieternity, and helping them to find vinity School during recent years, parmeaning in what might be pain, or ticularly among alumni. “It became grief, as well as finding hope and joy apparent that this is a time of great in places they might not otherwise have challenge and great opportunity as been able to recognize.” well in the life of American congregaPart of doing that job well is edutions as the religious landscape concating their congregations and engagtinues to shift in a culture defined by ing them through compelling messages upheaval and realignment,” he said. and the excitement of the Gospel. According to Spohn, the consen“I would propose that part of what sus of the discussions was that, “yes, needs to happen is that [the Church] indeed, it no longer makes sense to needs to be a place that is truly excit‘assume that the culture is Christian.’” The Rev. Dr. Nancy S. Taylor, M.Div. ing, in which people are being conYet, while panelists view current times ’82, was among the Yale Divinity School graduates who participated in nected with things that matter deeply,” as “post-Christian,” they also see this a recent pastors’ conference at the said Taylor. as a vital time to engage people in disschool. Panelists were all Yale Divinity cussion about the Gospel. School graduates, with one panel consisting of recent grad“I see this as an absolutely critical moment for the uates and the other more experienced pastors. “We sought Church to exercise her mission in a most meaningful, graduates whom we believed would do a good job of articprophetic, relevant way right now,” said Kerry Robinson ulating issues facing congregations, and we aimed at a var(Yale ’94 M.Div.), founding executive director of the Naied racial, gender, and denominational representation,” said tional Leadership Roundtable on Church Management. Spohn. Nancy Taylor (Yale ’82 M.Div.), senior minister of Old South Church in Boston, agrees. “This is too good a crisis However, one segment that was not openly represented to waste, because people are open, and we are at an evoluwas the evangelical churches. “I would hesitate to clastionary moment in the life of the Christian church in Amersify panelists one way or another when it comes to ica,” she said. whether they consider themselves evangelical,” said
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A B O U T • M I N I S T RY Spohn. “That said, it is true that the denominations represented—Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, United Methodist, etc., —on the whole, are representative of the ‘mainstream’ religious community.” “We believe the discussions at this conference were very productive and, while pointing to the need for reassessing traditional ideas and approaches, at the same time affirmed many strengths of the mainline traditions. We look forward to the continuing conversation about possible modes of ‘retraditioning’ and best practices that make for vital congregations.”
Spohn also pointed out that panelists cautioned against trying to be too “relevant” and underestimating the power of rich Christian traditions that on the surface might seem arcane or esoteric. For example, he said that Fifth Avenue Presbyterian’s Scott warned against “giving too much weight to ‘relevance,’ arguing that it represents ‘a certain idolatry’ and that it sometimes makes sense to talk about ‘some of the basic stuff’ that may not make sense to many 21st century Americans—like Baptism or the Eucharist.” By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
NORTHEAST LOSING ITS RELIGION Reaching the Ivy League Takes on Greater Urgency bleakness of the region first hand: “A couple of years ago, Four hundred years ago, the Pilgrims estabI asked my two daughters, ‘How many church goers do you lished the New England colonies to practice reALL IVY know at Hanover High School?’ They could think of 4 [out ligion without oppression. Shortly thereafter, of 800 students]. There might be 44; I don’t think there are the first schools, which would become the Ivy League, were 144.” established to educate ministers who would preach the Additionally, Parker points out that according to David Gospel throughout the growing nation. Today, according to Midwood, president of Vision New England, it’s estimated a recent religion survey, the once passionate heart of New that 2.7% of people in New Hampshire attend a BibleEngland has hardened like the rock upon which the colonies believing church. were initially founded. And how does that transfer to the college campuses? “The Northeast emerged in 2008 as the new stronghold Not well, if Dartmouth is any indication. “During my 19 of the religiously unidentified,” states the recently published years at Dartmouth, I don’t think we have 2008 American Religious Identification ever seen more than 200-250 total stuSurvey (ARIS). That means that New dents per year actively pursuing their England has overtaken the Pacific Northfaith as committed followers of Christ. west as the least religiously identified reThat’s out of a student population of gion of the country. 4,200,” said Parker. “I see a lot of people for whom According to the report, 29 percent of church is irrelevant,” says New Englan18- to 29-year-olds describe themselves as der George Taylor, Yale ’68, ’71 M.Div. having no religious preference. That’s Taylor, a former pastor and current northmore than any Christian religion and is east director of public affairs for Chrissurpassed only by the Muslim and Eastern tian Union (www.christian-union.org), religions. “The challenge to Christianity,” said students may have a hard time findthe report states, “does not come from ing vibrant religious faith outside of their other religions, but rather from a rejection school. “And that makes campus minGeorge Taylor (Yale ’68, ’71 of all forms of organized religion.” istry and leadership development even M.Div.), Christian Union’s What particularly concerns Parker more important,” he said. Director of Public Affairs for the Northeast Region, has seen a Craig Parker, northeast regional diabout the ARIS report, aside from the gedecline in spirituality in New rector for Navigators (www.navigators. ographical picture, are the gender impliEngland. org), has also experienced the spiritual cations. According to the report, 60
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A B O U T • M I N I S T RY percent of men identify themselves as having no religious as the 1981 firing of Ernest Gordon, Princeton’s dean of preference. “I think this presents a huge challenge for our religious life, for speaking openly about his Christian views ministries to minister meaningfully among men,” he said. with students. Additionally, the increasing secularism Yet, despite the combination of an and anti-Christian bias within the Ivy League anti-Christian bias in the academy and apposes a challenge to ministry in general. athy among the population in general, Christian Union’s recently published white there is still hope that a small revolutionary paper on the spiritual state of the Ivy League army of believers in the influential Ivy concludes, “[It] is the undeniable fact that League can spark change in New England the institutions themselves are now characand beyond. terized by a palpable suspicion of and oppoUniversity of Virginia Professor James sition to Christian faith.” Davison Hunter, in his paper entitled “To The paper cites many biases, including Change the World,” indicates that change the 1998 ban against Campus Crusade for can be achieved by reaching a certain minorChrist (www.dartmouth siteccci.org) for ity, not a huge majority: “Networks of infludistributing copies of Mere Christianity at ential individuals with sway over society’s Dartmouth, and the three-year battle earlier culturally powerful institutions determine this decade to establish Princeton Faith and the culture of a given community, not a maIn 1998, Dartmouth Action (www.pfanda.com), Christian jority of people in the community who may University stopped Union’s leadership development ministry at hold different values.” Campus Crusade for Christ from distributing the university. Additionally, in 2006, the Further, sociologist Peter L. Berger copies of Mere Christianity Reformed University Fellowship at Brown stated, “Ideas don’t succeed in history beto incoming freshman. The (www.ruf.org) was suspended by the Office cause of their inherent truthfulness, but ruling was later reversed but Campus Crusade did of the Chaplains and Religious Life withrather because of their connection to very not send the books after out explanation. powerful institutions and interest.” an outcry by religious Another factor impeding the spread of And the opportunity is not lost on Ivy leaders on campus. the Gospel throughout the Ivy League, League ministry leaders such as Parker. Christian Union concludes, is “the systematic exclusion “This is a fantastic time to represent the Gospel of of Christians from consideration in the Dean of Religious Christ in the Northeast,” he said. Life hiring process.” The ministry gives examples, such By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
“Networks of influential individuals with sway over society's culturally powerful institutions determine the culture of a given community, not a majority of people in the community who may hold different values.”
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REUNIONS
GOSPEL CHOIR ALUMNI FONDLY LOOK BACK Penn Reunion Hits a High Note economic struggles while in school,” she said. “People went More than two dozen University of Pennsylvathrough a lot. Choir was the thing that kept you sane.” nia alumni participated in a reunion of the Penn PENN Along those lines, the Penn Gospel Choir (www.dolGospel Choir this spring. In May, the alumni phin.upenn.edu/nspirit) served as a “galvanizer” for gathered to relive their memories and to perform a five-song African-American students, many of whom were splintered concert before a packed audience in the historic sanctuary into rival fraternities and sororities, Jackson said. “The choir of St. Mary’s Church on Locust Walk. was the one equalizer for the entire community.” The event coincided with Penn’s Alumni Weekend Likewise, “we had a lot of mainstream, non-Christian 2009, which targeted classes that graduated in years ending people come to our concerts because we were good with “four” or “nine,” and also served as one the highlights singers,” she added. for the 20th Reunion of the Class of ’89. Indeed, Jackson, who serves as the Manhattan director “It was wonderful to see everybody. It brought back a of New York City’s Community Affairs Unit, also is the lot of memories of what it was like spreading the Gospel lead singer in The Rummies, an acclaimed jazz quintet. In on campus,” said Morris Scott ’89, who served as keyboardist for the concert. “Apart from a few gray hairs on myself, I’m not sure that I felt much different. We all seem to love the Lord even more.” The performance featured a mixture of returning choir members and Penn alumni who devoted their lives to Christ after graduation. Many of the vocalists said a highlight of the concert occurred when their director allowed them to sing freeform lyrics to select audience members. “What touched me was the simple way God was able to minister through us through songs and the personal way we ministered to individuals,” said Scott, an associate pastor in Mount Airy Photo by Lisa Godfrey and attorney in King of Prussia, PennAlumni of the Penn Gospel Choir sing together during a recent reunion. sylvania. “It’s just like the Gospel. It’s addition, she serves as a member of the Christian Union’s very personal, like our relationship with God, through Jesus board of directors and as vice president of Penn’s Class of Christ.” 1989. Alumni, including Scott, said the support of the choir Overall, the concert “really struck a chord with a lot of helped many students survive the rigors of studies at Penn. people,” Jackson said. “A lot of people think differently “It was like church away from home,” said Scott, who about coming back. It’s not just coming back—it’s fellowserved as president in the 1987-1988 academic year. “It was shipping. Now as an adult and having gone through life for right smack in the middle of the week. It was right smack 20 years, we see exactly how powerful those songs are.” in the middle of a very stressful time in school. It gave us a Besides relishing the opportunity to see former classbreak from the difficulties of the week.” Lolita Jackson, who served as chair for the Class of mates, returning choir members said they were especially 1989’s reunion, agreed. “Some people had academic and pleased to welcome their former director, Carl Bright.
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The Ivy League Christian Observer
REUNIONS “I felt God’s presence was great on the concert,” said Bright, now pastor of Way of Life Fellowship Outreach in Charleston, South Carolina. “It blessed me that they remembered so many of the songs because I wrote or rearranged so many of them. You don’t really know what kind of an impact you have on people.” Indeed, returning alumni said they were touched by the opportunity to perform with Bright and the choir. “The reunion concert was a powerful experience,” said Lynch Hunt ’89, an investment adviser with PNC Bank. “Not only was the singing very good, it was heartfelt.” As well, Hunt, of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, said he experienced a “sense of camaraderie, love, and joy” during the reunion. Rasool Berry ’99, music director for The Impact Move-
ment (www.impactmovement.com), said he was impressed by how many members of the Class of 1989 remain devoted Christians. “The highlight for me was hearing the music,” he said. “It still sounded sweet after all those years being away from each other.” Christian Union, Campus Crusade for Christ’s Impact Movement, Penn’s Gregory College House, and the Class of 1989 Outreach/Planning Committee sponsored the concert and a related brunch. “Overall, the concert was a success,” said Rhonda Hibbler ’81, who helped host the events on behalf of Christian Union and who serves as production director for ESPN Radio. “I felt the spirit of the Lord at the concert.” By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer
PRINCETON REUNIONS HAVE HIGH APPROVAL RATING George Gallup, Jr. Among Speakers at Christian Events Though he first experienced God’s love in a profound way when he was just nine years old, PRINCETON George Gallup, Jr. considers his life to be a “work in progress.” Gallup described his Christian journey and how it especially was shaped during his studies at Princeton University during a May 31 worship service at Nassau Christian Center that featured testimonies from alumni. The service was just one of several activities sponsored by Christian Union to coincide with Princeton’s Reunions 2009, which targeted classes with graduation years ending in “four” or “nine.” During his appearance at Nassau Christian, Gallup ’53 described how, as an undergraduate in the religion department, he came to the striking realization that Christ is the Son of God. He said C.S. Lewis’ Mere ChristiGeorge Gallup ’53 spoke at a worship service at Nassau anity and Brother Christian Center during Princeton Lawrence’s The University’s reunion weekend. Practice of the Pres-
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ence of God also played dramatic roles in shaping the foundations of his faith when he was a college student. While he has now followed Christ for seven decades, Gallup said his “ongoing challenge is to seek continually to ‘yield territory’ to the Lord.” Likewise, the former chairman of the Gallup Poll remains keenly interested in spirituality and its impact on individual lives. Two or so years after attending Princeton, Gallup went to work for his father’s polling enterprise, which today is known as The Gallup Organization and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. under a new ownership structure. While with the firm, the younger Gallup developed a fascination with probing beneath the surface of issues and specifically with exploring the “spiritual undergirding” of opinions. Gallup, author of Surveying the Religious Landscape: Trends in U.S. Beliefs, now heads an Lide Paterno (left) and Duncan Sahner, both Class of ’06, advisory committee participated in reunion events assisting the Gallup hosted by Christian Union in May. organization with an Page 41
REUNIONS unprecedented interfaith, worldwide survey. Among its queries, the survey asks whether respondents believe God is interested in their personal circumstances and the affairs of the world. Polling data can often offer key insight into the effectiveness of Christian practices, Gallup said. For example, research shows couples that pray together rarely divorce, but half of modern marriages split. In addition to promoting corporate prayer, Gallup also encouraged Princeton alumni, students, and community members to participate in Bible study and home fellowships. He also noted Christians tend to be a “resilient, hopeful, and joyful lot,” and he shared that American volunteerism and attitudes toward work play key roles in maintaining the nation’s well-being. “There’s a very strong connection between persons with deep spiritual commitment and volunteerism,” Gallup said. “If it were not for volunteerism, the tax burden would be crushing. Likewise, there’s an urgency not to cut charitable giving but to increase it.” Other speakers during the worship service at Nassau Christian included Kristin Hansen ’94, vice president of communications for Care Net in Lansdowne, Virginia; Debbie Scott Williams ’84, an attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia; and Adrian Mullings ’04, executive coordinator for the National Fatherhood Initiative in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Among them, Hansen told the congregation about the pivotal role that staffers and participants in campus ministries played in introducing her to Christ as an underclassman. “God used them to pursue me at a time when I really needed Him and was hurting from participating in all the craziness of college partying and unhealthy dating relationships,” she said. “If it weren’t for Christian ministries at Princeton, I would not be where I am today—walking with the Lord, participating in Christian fellowship, and seeking to serve God with my time and talents.” Earlier in the weekend, more than 100 alumni, students, relatives, and friends attended Christian Union’s annual brunch and open house at the Wilson House. During the event, Christian Union Founder and President Matt Ben-
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nett, Cornell ’88, MBA ’89, shared his vision for reaching the Ivy League campuses with Christ’s Gospel message. “We must see these places change to the honor of Jesus Christ,” he said. Among participants, Rosa Marie Maiorella ’09 said the Saturday brunch provided a “wonderful opportunity to see some of my Christian friends and the [Princeton Faith and Action] staff members who made my time at Princeton so meaningful.” Maiorella called her time with Princeton Faith and Action’s Bible courses, the “most meaningful activity at Princeton.” As well, Christian Union’s campus ministry was “invaluable to guiding me in my relationship with God,” she said. Hansen echoed Maiorella’s comments and said her fifteenth reunion provided a vivid realization of how her faith was shaped by her time at Princeton. “I love going back to campus because I am reminded of all that God did in my life during my time there,” she said. Likewise, Williams said she is impressed by the array of Christian organizations for undergraduates. “It’s clear that a whole wave of wonderful things are happening,” she said. “There’s a soft place to fall when you need some support, over and above what the university offers.” Along those lines, a variety of evangelical organizations held reunions and prayer sessions through the weekend. Among them, Princeton Faith and Action held four sessions devoted to prayer for the university. As well, Manna Christian Fellowship (www.princeton.edu/~manna) held a special reunions version of their large group meeting for alumni; the Princeton Evangelical Fellowship (www.princeton.edu/~pef) held a luncheon and a reception for alumni; and Princeton Pro-Life (www.princeton.edu/~prolife) and The Anscombe Society (www.princton.edu/~anscombe) sponsored a joint pro-life, pro-family reunion. Overall, the reunion activities provided an energizing, memorable weekend for new and established alumni. Candice Chow ’09 said she was impressed by the “loyalty and excitement alumni have for Princeton… The highlight of the reunion was the P-rade since it was the first time I had seen it.” By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer
The Ivy League Christian Observer
NEWS-IN-BRIEF ALL IVY Einstein: Laws of Universe Point to Creator In a recent “Mysteries of Science” edition of U.S. News and World Report, author Walter Isaacson, Harvard ’74, says Albert Einstein “had a vague religious sensibility that came from being in awe of the beauty of nature.” Author Walter Isaacson, According to Isaacson, Harvard ’74, addresses author of Einstein: His Life Albert Einstein’s and Universe, the legendary thoughts on religion in a recent science edition Princeton professor, who was of U.S. News and World Jewish, believed there was a Report. spirit manifest in the laws of the universe: “For some people, miracles are evidence of God’s existence,” Einstein once said, “but for me, it’s the absence of miracles, the harmonies in the laws of the universe, that is evidence of God’s existence.” Scholars Participate in ‘Society for Spirituality, Theology & Health’ Dr. Stanley Hauerwas, Yale M.Div. ’65, Ph.D. ’68, was among three Ivy alumni who participated in the Second Annual Meeting of the Society for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University.
Stanley Hauerwas, Yale MDiv ’65, Ph.D. ’68; Wendy Cadge, Princeton MA *00, Ph.D *02; and Christian Smith, Harvard PhD ’90, were participants in the Second Annual Meeting of the Society for Spirituality, Theology & Health this spring. The event was hosted by the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University Medical Center. Hauerwas spoke of the importance of both medicine and religion through the life course. “Medicine deals with what is known as the brass tacks: birth, sex, and death. Interestingly enough, those are exactly the brass tacks that theology deals with,” he said.
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Graduation Celebrated by ‘Homosexual’ Campus Communities In a sign of the times in the Ivy League, several “homosexual communities” on campus held their own graduation celebrations events. Harvard’s Gay and Lesbian Caucus held its annual Commencement Day dinner on June 5, and presented Martin Duberman, Ph.D ’57, with the HGLC Founding Father Ivy campuses Award. Yale held its first LGBT rehosted union April 24-26. At Brown, graduatreunion events ing students from the “transgender, geared bisexual, and homosexual communitoward the ties” received a rainbow tassel during “homosexual community.” the annual commencement/Reunion Weekend Reception sponsored by the Transgender, Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Alumni Group at Brown and Brown Alumni Relations.
BROWN College Hill for Christ Students Support ‘Uganda Hope’ College Hill for Christ at Brown (www.collegehillforchrist.com) continues to support the Christian effort in Uganda this summer through participation in Uganda Hope 2009. The program is a summer enrichment opportunity for Brown students who are serving the war-torn communities in Northern Uganda and working alongside African leadership with Campus Crusade for Christ (www.ccci.org) and Child Voice International (www. childvoiceintl.org). According to College Hill for Christ, “The vision of Uganda Hope is to foster a transformational community of restoration and hope for students and the people of northern Uganda.” Christians from Brown will again participate in Uganda Hope this summer, aiming to ease the suffering of the children in the region.
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NEWS-IN-BRIEF Catholic Students Join Local Cleanup Effort
Members of the Brown Catholic Community participated in Olneyville Shines—A Global Youth Serve Day Event on April 25.
Members of the Brown-Rhode Island School of Design Catholic Community (www.catholic.brown.edu) participated in the “Olneyville Shines-A Global Youth Serve Day” event on April 25. City Year Rhode Island (www.cityyear.org) led approximately 500 volunteers in a cleanup project along the Woonasquatucket River Greenway in the Olneyville section of Providence. The students helped clear debris from the river, pick up litter, and plant flowers and trees, among other efforts. Athletes Take the ‘Ultimate Challenge’ Nine students from Brown University recently participated in Athletes in Action’s Ultimate Training Camps, where they were challenged both spiritually and physiA team of students cally. At the camps, athletes from Brown University are taught how to compete participated in the Athletes in Action from a biblical perspective. Ultimate Challenge Most of the Brown stuCamp this summer. dents participated in the second week of the camp, which ran from May 31 to June 7 at Colorado State University. The students spent much of the week learning major spiritual principles and applying them in competitions before facing the camp’s ultimate challenge, a 24-hour sports marathon.
CHRISTIAN UNION Wilson House Manager Glorifies God Through Music Mike King, manager of Christian Union’s Wilson House in Princeton, discussed the role music has played in his spiritual journey when he spoke during the Christian Union’s monthly luncheon for Princeton University staff in May. “Music is definitely a big way to glorify God,” said Page 44
King, who graduated from Westminster Choir College in 2008. “You see that all over the Bible.” During the luncheon, King sang “The Crucifixion” by Samuel Barber, “Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rage Together?” by George Frideric Handel, and “Give Me Jesus,” an African-American spiritual. King plans to pursue a degree in the fall from Westminster Theological Seminary.
Mike King, director of Wilson House in Princeton, sang an aria from Handel’s Messiah during Christian Union’s luncheon for Princeton University staff in May.
New Program Allows Donors To Sponsor Individual Students
Brochures outline Christian Union student sponsorship program to transform the culture through developing Christian leaders.
Christian Union recently launched a program to allow donors to sponsor individual Christian students at Princeton and Harvard or to help reach the un-churched on those campuses. Through “growth sponsorship,” individuals pray for a specific Christian student and give $100 per month to help provide the student with mentoring, Bible studies, and other resources. Likewise, through “outreach sponsorship,” individuals donate $20 per month to help staff members with Christian Union’s two leadership development ministries (Princeton Faith and Action and Harvard College Faith and Action) give un-churched students various opportunities to hear the Gospel message through individual contact, kindness outreach initiatives, and campus events. For more information, see www.christian-union.org/ sponsorship. Summer Missions Team Ventures to Australia Christian Union Ministry Fellow Scott Jones (Cornell ’04), his wife Sara Jones, and five Princeton University students ventured to Australia for a six-week summer project with Campus Crusade for Christ (www.ccci.org). The Ivy League Christian Observer
NEWS-IN-BRIEF
Ministry Fellow Scott Jones, Cornell ’04, led a team of students from Christian Union’s leadership development ministry, Princeton Faith and Action, on a missions trip to Australia this summer.
While in Australia, they partnered with other Crusade ministries from the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. to support recently established ministries on several campuses throughout the city of Melbourne. The Princeton team spent their time at Melbourne University, evangelizing and getting to know the students and introducing as many as possible to the growing campus ministry there.
COLUMBIA President Nominates Sotomayor to Supreme Court Columbia Law School lecturer and federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor, Princeton ’76 and Yale Law ’79, has been nominated to the Supreme Court by President Barack Obama, Columbia ’83 Pro-life and pro-abortion groups and Harvard Law ’91. Senate are both concerned Judiciary Confirmation Hearabout the abortion ings began July 13. views of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor’s little known Sotomayor, Princeton position on abortion has made ’76 and Yale Law ’79. both sides uneasy. Because she was nominated by a pro-abortion president, some assume she will fall in line with his position, while others point to her Catholic faith as an indication of a possible pro-life stance. Campus Paper Highlights Christian Senior Gabrielle Apollon was among several graduating seniors recently profiled by the Columbia Spectator, the campus newsGabrielle Apollon ’09, who has a passion for ministry in her native Haiti, was recently profiled in the Columbia Spectator.
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paper. Apollon was quoted as saying she relied on her faith to guide her through her time at Columbia. “Influenced by her faith and inspired by peers whom she described as ‘people who are world changers,’ Apollon made her own impact on campus,” said the article, which also cited Apollon’s contributions to the education of children in her native Haiti. Religion Fellow Will Speak at Counseling Conference Author Lauren Winner, Columbia ’97, will be one of several speakers this fall at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation Christian author Lauren National Conference. A visWinner, Columbia ’97, iting fellow at the Center for will speak at the Christian Counseling the Study of Religion at and Educational Princeton, Winner will parFoundation National ticipate in a General Session Conference this fall. discussion on “Redeeming Sex for Singles” and will conduct a workshop on “Lies the Church and Culture Tell Us about Sex.” Winner has penned such works as Girl Meets God, Mudhouse Sabbath, and Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity. The conference is scheduled for November 13-15 in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
CORNELL Leadership Series Addresses Christianity and Vocation Campus on a Hill at Cornell (rso.cornell.edu/campusonahill) held its second session of its Leadership Series this spring, addressing the topic “Christianity and Vocation.” The guest speaker was Matthew Perman, senior director of strategy for Desiring God, a resource ministry Members of Campus on based in Minneapolis. a Hill at Cornell meet to According to coordidiscuss “Christianity and Vocation” during the nators, the purpose of ministry’s Leadership the event was to “equip Series held this spring. Christians to think bibliPage 45
NEWS-IN-BRIEF cally and critically about the value of secular work and how to glorify God through it.” “Matt’s message was well organized and addressed more than I could have imagined,” said one attendee. “The point about all work being meaningful (and ministry not necessarily being more ‘holy’) was an important counterweight to the message many students generally perceive in campus ministries.” A Christian Union grant helped underwrite the event. Faith in Action Sunday Demonstrates Love of Jesus The third annual Faith In Action Sunday on October 11 will challenge churches to close their doors on that day and go out to serve their communities. The event was developed by World Vision, Zondervan, and Outreach, Richard Stearns, Cornell Inc. to encourage churches ’73 and Wharton School to meet the needs of their of Business ’75, is the local communities. Accordpresident of World Vision, the worldwide ing to World Vision Presihumanitarian ministry dent Richard Stearns, that developed Faith Cornell ’73 and Wharton and Action Sunday Business School ’75, “Faith in Action Sunday is a powerful way to demonstrate the love of Jesus to our neighbors. In the past, churches have organized food drives, assisted the elderly with home repairs, landscaped public areas, and more.” Ministries Host Reunion Brunch Christian alumni and family members met at the Chesterton House this June for a reunion brunch. The event was open to all Christian alumni and included those involved with campus ministries such as Campus Crusade for Christ (www.cornellcru.com), Chesterton House (www.chestertonhouse. org), Chi Alpha (www.xacornell.com), Chinese Bible Study (www.rso.cornell.edu/cbs), Cornell Christian Fellowship (www.ccfiv.org), and Navigators (www.cunavs.com). The Crossroads Life Center at Chesterton House was the location for a reunion brunch in June.
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DARTMOUTH Tuck School of Business Will Require Ethics Courses According to The Dartmouth, students at the College’s Tuck School of Business will be required to take courses in ethics and leadership this fall. Starting this September, While Tuck Dean students at the Tuck School of Business will be Paul Danos said the rerequired to take courses quirement is not a direct in ethics and leadership. response to the current global economic crisis, students will be required to take an “Ethics in Action” course and a leadership class as part of their graduation requirements. “We’re not creating a curriculum around this crisis, just as we didn’t create a curriculum around the Enron crisis,” he said. “Our approach is the right one: to prepare our students and create a long-run philosophical approach. We’re educating people fundamentally and correctly, and we keep evolving it with more sensitivity to society.” Dartmouth Political Union Hosts ‘Gay Marriage’ Debate Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson, recently argued for “gay marriage” during a debate held at Dartmouth.
The Dartmouth Political Union hosted a debate on “gay marriage” in April, with Eugene Robinson, Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, and Kevin Smith, executive director of Cornerstone Policy Research. Robinson raised controversy in 2003 when he was consecrated as bishop despite declaring himself homosexual after having been married for 13 years and fathering two children. Smith argued for biblical marriages, stating, “Men and women are not interchangeable,” according to the Valley News. “Redefining marriage could further destabilize families.”
The Ivy League Christian Observer
NEWS-IN-BRIEF Campus Ministries Host Annual Fellowship Dinner Christian Impact (www. dartmouthci.org) and Faculty Commons (www.facultycommons.com) hosted the 10th Annual Fellowship Dinner at Dartmouth on May 9. A Christian Union The Quechee Clubhouse grant helped fund the in Vermont was the site event, which included minof the 10th Annual Fellowship Dinner for istry updates and vision two of Dartmouth’s casting. The event also campus ministries. helped raise funds for the ministries. Speakers included Chris West, the outgoing director of Christian Impact, Kent and Denise Dahlberg, and Andrew Schuman ’10.
HARVARD Deaf Awareness Week Held at Harvard Deaf Awareness Week 2009 was held at Harvard April 13-17. The event was sponsored by the Harvard Committee on Deaf Awareness. Rev. Debbie J. Buchholz, co-founder and co-executive director of Deaf International (www.deafinternational.org), lectured on the history of deaf culture and education. Deaf International is a Christian non-profit ministry dedicated to serving deaf and hard of hearing communities around the world. Jacob Buchholz ’09, the son of Rev. Buchholz, is the organization’s executive development director. Jacob, currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Princeton Theological Seminary, has been to Romania and Moldova on Deaf International short-term mission trips. Deaf Awareness Week events at Harvard also included a simulation designed to help participants experience what it is like to function as a deaf person, and a performance of American Sign Language poetry and storytelling. Deaf International, a ministry dedicated to serving the deaf and hard of hearing, participated in Deaf Awareness Week 2009 at Harvard from April 12-17. iStock
Summer 2009
Law Professor Declines Award from Notre Dame Harvard Law Professor Mary Ann Glendon turned down the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame because of its intent to bestow an honorary degree upon President Obama, Columbia ’83 and Harvard Law ’91, who is proabortion.
Harvard Law Professor Mary Ann Glendon declined to receive the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame due to the college’s intention to bestow an honorary degree upon President Barack Obama (Columbia ’83, Harvard Law ’91) during commencement services. Glendon, a Catholic, also declined to participate in the graduation ceremony. According to a letter from Glendon to Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, she “could not help but be dismayed” at the honorary degree for Obama, who is proabortion. In her view, bestowing the degree would be in “disregard to the U.S. Bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions ‘should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.’” MBAs Pledge to Serve “Interests of the Greater Good” Hundreds of graduating Harvard MBAs pledged to serve society with their enterprise and to act with integrity as they voluntarily took the “MBA Oath” on Graduates of Harvard’s Harvard’s Class Day. The Business School are goal of the oath is to begin taking a stand for ethics in business by signing a “widespread movement an oath that will guide of MBAs who aim to lead their business practices. the interests of the greater good and who have committed to living out the principles articulated in the oath.” Those principles include acting with “utmost” integrity and pursuing work in an ethical manner upholding the letter and spirit of the laws, as well as being accountable to one’s peers. “There is the feeling that we want our lives to mean something more and to run organizations for the greater good,” said Max Anderson (Princeton ’01 and Harvard MBA ’09), one of the originators of the oath. Page 47
NEWS-IN-BRIEF PENN Penn Students Join Nationwide Prayer Event Students from Penn joined other Christian students from around the country for One Cry, a day of prayer where young people came together through a streaming webcast to repent, seek God, and pray for transformation.
On April 3, Penn Christians joined with students from campus ministries nationwide for “One Cry, A Solemn Assembly of Prayer.” The innovative web event, conducted via a live Internet streaming broadcast from New York City, enabled students from across the country to come together and seek God for revival and transformation. “We come together as a generation to repent and stand in the gap for our nation,” stated event coordinators. Campus Renewal Ministries (www.campusrenewal.org) sponsored the event, which included Campus Crusade (www.ccci.org), Navigators (www.navigators.org), Chi Alpha (www.chialpha.com), and other ministries.
roasted” seniors during the annual send-off, said Steve Baker, Philadelphia director for Campus Crusade for Christ (www.ccci.org). The underclassmen paid Penn Students for Christ honored and tribute to the ministry’s 15 thanked its graduating or so seniors with poems, seniors during Senior pictures, and even PowerSend-off festivities. Point presentations. The event “seems to draw out people who are on the periphery,” Baker said. “It’s something distinct from our regular meetings to honor seniors.” As well, the underclassmen gave seniors a variety of photos of ministry activities from the year.
PRINCETON Nassau Christian Center Moves Weekly Service to Sunday Nights In the spring semester Nassau Christian Center changed its Sunday service for Princeton University students to the evening in an effort to reach more young people.
Annual Prayer Tent Draws More Than 100 Penn for Jesus (www.pennforjesus.com), in conjunction with Campus Renewal Ministries (www.campusrenewal.org), hosted the annual prayer tent this spring at Pennsylvania UniverMore than 100 people visited the sity. More than 100 people visPenn for Jesus ited the prayer tent during the prayer tent this event, which also helped unite spring. the ministries on campus. According to coordinators, one student reported that he had received an e-mail after the first 24/7 prayer tent a few years back, detailing a testimony of how a potentially suicidal student came into the tent and was able to have his heart touched through prayer and love from believers.
Beginning with the spring semester, Nassau Christian Center moved its weekly on-campus service to Sunday evenings in an effort to attract more students from nearby Princeton University. The service, directed by Christian Union under the leadership and authority of Nassau Christian Center, features a contemporary format and traditional elements, including communion. In addition, leaders implemented an extensive dessert bar to replace the catered lunch that previously followed the 9:45 a.m. service. “The services have been outstanding,” said Rev. Win Green (Yale ’79, MDiv. ’83), campus pastor at Nassau Christian Center. “The service was moved to Sunday evening in a missional effort to reach students who haven’t been reached and for whom [attendance on] Sunday morning was almost impossible.”
Students for Christ ‘Toast and Roast’ Seniors
Conference Gives Faith Perspective on Art
Penn Students for Christ (www.pennstudentsforchrist. org) finished the academic year with one of the group’s favorite events. On April 30, underclassmen “toasted and
About 30 people attended a conference Manna Christian Fellowship (www.princeton.edu/~manna) held in April to view artistic works from a faith perspective.
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The Ivy League Christian Observer
NEWS-IN-BRIEF Manna Christian Fellowship at Princeton sponsored the public lecture series “Seeing Art Through the Eyes of Faith” in April.
Participants in the conference, entitled “Seeing Art Through the Eyes of Faith,” focused on a campus sculpture, Serra’s The Hedgehog and the Fox, and particular works at the Princeton Art Museum. “We wanted to help people see the implications of faith,” said David Kim (Penn ’94), executive director. “This is part of our mission to engage culturally.” Karelyn Siegler, a painter who has exhibited her work nationally, served as one of the key speakers, along with James Romaine, an art historian. Gospel Ensemble Closes Out Year in Style About 250 people attended the Princeton University Gospel Ensemble’s annual spring concert. During an altar call at the conclusion of the concert, three students prayed to accept Christ as Savior. The event, which was held May 3 at Nassau Christian Center, featured The Princeton University a variety of student and Gospel Ensemble held its annual spring concert in guest segments. May with roughly 250 “It was a genuine ocpeople in attendance. casion of worship, celebration, and evangelism,” said Rev. Win Green, campus pastor at Nassau Christian. As well, Green (Yale ’79, MDiv. ’83) said he was impressed with the commitment of the students despite their hectic academic schedules.
YALE Pastor Peter Marty is Hoskins Visitor Yale alumnus Pastor Peter W. Marty, host of the Lutheran radio show “Grace Matters,” was the 2009 Hoskins Visitor to the Yale campus this April. His visit included a Radio host Rev. Peter W. Marty, Yale MDiv. ’85, was the 2009 Hoskins Visitor to the Yale campus this spring Courtesy of ELCA News
Summer 2009
conversation in the Common Room, where he reflected on his ministry. Marty, Yale MDiv. ’85, is the author of more than 60 articles on leadership, preaching, and parish renewal, and the book, The Anatomy of Grace. The Divinity School hosts a Hoskins Visitor every other year to provide discussion among the guests, students, faculty, and staff regarding issues of reform and renewal of the church. Jonathan Edwards Center Goes International Thanks to a partnership between the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale and institutions in Poland, South Africa, and Australia, the theologian’s message will continue to resA Jonathan Edwards onate worldwide. Center was recently Jonathan Edwards Centers established at the Evangelical School of will be established in each of Theology in Wroclaw, the countries, serving as rePoland. gional research, education, and publication centers for the study of Edwards, Protestantism, and evangelical history, according to the Center. The inaugural center was established in Poland on May 29 at the Evangelical School of Theology in Wroclaw. The additional two centers are expected to be in place by summer 2010. Yale Community Hosts Inaugural Global ‘Day of Service’ The Yale community was called to “give back” on Saturday, May 16, during the first annual global Yale Day of Service. More than 3,500 community members worldwide volunteered in approximately 170 sites in 40 states and twelve countries. In a letter to fellow alumni, David R. Sanchez (’84 MA, ’84 MPhil), chairman of the Yale Day of Service, said, “Through you, Yale exists not only in New Haven, but also wherever Yale alumni, like our alumni live and work.” this group from Los Service included working in Angeles, participated soup kitchens, parks, homeless in numerous community service shelters, and schools. The 2010 projects around the Yale Day of Service is schedglobe as part of the uled for Saturday, May 15. Yale Day of Service.
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CHRISTIAN UNION
THE MISSION AND VISION OF THE CHRISTIAN UNION Christian Union Founder Matthew W. Bennett Shares the Vision and Purpose of the Ministry Following is the mission and vision of the Christian Union, which is printed in each issue of the Ivy League Christian Observer to keep new readers informed of the ministry's purpose and passion.
most 50 percent of Americans are in church, however, adding up the involvement of all students every week in all the para-church and local churches combined it would amount to less than 10 percent of the student body.
The mission of the Christian Union, by God’s power and with the help of other ministries, is to change the world by bringing sweeping spiritual transformation to the Ivy League universities, thereby developing and mobilizing godly leadership for all sectors of society.
You may ask, what can be done to bring these universities spiritually in-step with the rest of the country? The most important means to improve the spiritual dimension is to supply enough long-term, capable, godly campus Christian workers. The spiritual vibrancy of the campuses is most directly related to this reality. Yes, we also need It’s an ambitious vision, but it’s effective strategies, and, of what God has called us to give course, we need the Holy our lives to. We have a deep pasSpirit’s presence and power; sion to see Jesus Christ honored however, the Spirit works and exalted at the eight Ivy through people, and without League universities (Brown, campus Christian workers leadColumbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, ing the charge, there is little spirHarvard, Penn, Princeton, and itual life. Take Cornell, for Yale). As you may know, these example. It has 20,000 students, universities were established served by 3,000 faculty and many years ago to bring praise 7,000 staff. That makes a total of and honor to Jesus Christ, but 30,000 university people who have drifted far from their moorneed to be presented with the ings. For example, Yale was Gospel of Jesus Christ and founded in 1701 by the colonists taught the Scriptures. If you of Connecticut, and in 1726, were to count all the full-time Yale College laws, reflecting the Christian workers on campus, it students’ and university’s devoChristian Union Founder and President, Matthew W. would amount to fewer than five Bennett, Cornell BS ’88, MBA ’89. tion to Jesus Christ, ordained people. Even with the Herculean that: “Every student shall conefforts of volunteers and the local churches, there is no way for sider the main end of his study to know God in Jesus Christ the university to be significantly impacted. and answerably to lead a godly, sober life.” The contrast with today could hardly be more startling. The former assistant dean of Religious Life at Princeton stated of all the faculty on campus that he ministered to, evangelical Protestants were the most fearful of disclosing their religious beliefs to others out of fear of discrimination and ridicule. At Dartmouth, the administration tried to ban the distribution of the book Mere Christianity a few years ago until media attention forced them to back down. In spite of all the rhetoric on campus about the “free exchange of ideas,” there is in many quarters, an intense hostility to Jesus Christ. Reflect on the fact that on every Sunday, al-
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Moreover, the few campus Christian workers present are usually not there long enough to become excellent in what they do, nor are they able to establish an institutional memory for the ministry as they transition out. Every few years, most ministries start from scratch all over again through the work of ambitious recent college graduates. After a few years, these dedicated workers usually move and the cycle starts again. The workers move because they see the position as a stepping stone toward other ministry positions, such as the pastorate. What we need are people who see university ministry as a calling in and of itself and not as a step-
The Ivy League Christian Observer
CHRISTIAN UNION ping stone to other ministries. An even bigger reason that people move on is that they get married and have children, and are no longer able to raise the needed support. Living close to campus in these university towns is expensive, and it is difficult to raise the money that’s needed. To provide enough godly, capable, long-term Christian workers and to meet other challenges, the Christian Union was formed in 2002 to trust God for dramatic change on these campuses. A unique aspect of the ministry is our commitment to both help other Christian ministries on campus through fund raising and other means as well as implementing our own direct ministry programs. Our passion is to see these campuses changed, whether or not it happens through one of our particular programs. We only direct our ministry programs to the Ivy League schools because they are among the most hostile to the Gospel, but also among the most influential in our nation. Many of our country’s future leaders will graduate from these schools, and as the leaders go, so goes the country. Thousands of future leaders in business, media, law, government, journalism, medicine, ministry, academia, and the arts are currently enrolled at the Ivy League schools. And when they graduate, they will make an indelible mark on society. Ivy League alumni include the founder of Federal Express, the founder of Amazon.com, the CEO of eBay,
Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Martha Stewart, Warren Buffet, eight of the nine U.S. Supreme Court Justices, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, the head of the FBI, the head of the CIA, the head of the SEC, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, the National Intelligence Director, Donald Rumsfeld, the head of the World Bank, Madeline Albright, Janet Reno, Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Howard Dean, Joe Lieberman, former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and countless others. The names of those who serve in government are more recognizable than other names, but there is similar Ivy League representation in media, academia, journalism, medicine, and other fields. For the sake of the individual students, staff, and faculty on the campuses who need forgiveness and peace through Jesus Christ and for the sake of the future of our country because of the leadership these people will give, we must do whatever it takes to see these campuses transformed. I want to urge you to pray fervently for these campuses, to give generously to supply more campus Christian workers, and to use your influence in whatever capacity you have to make an impact. By God’s grace and by all of us working together, we can see significant spiritual transformation. Yours sincerely in Christ, Matthew W. Bennett
Advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in the Ivy League
Summer 2009
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P R AY E R R E Q U E S T S BROWN
HARVARD
• Pray that the Lord would place believers in the class of 2013 who will be faithful ambassadors for Christ throughout their time on campus.
• Pray for the Christian students as they renew their vision to advance God’s Kingdom at Harvard. Pray that the campus will be transformed as Jesus Christ changes lives.
• Pray for Jarrod Lynn, campus minister for Athletes in Action, as he participates in Campus Crusade for Christ’s Missional Team Leader Training this summer. Pray he returns with sharpened skills in shepherding and leading teams in proclaiming the Gospel on campus.
• Pray for all Christian campus ministries as they spread the Gospel by engaging students of all backgrounds. Pray that students who are most vulnerable will have a divine appointment with God and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
COLUMBIA
PENN
• Pray for Christian students seeking to improve relations with the Jewish community on campus. Pray that they might find loving, respectful inroads to reach them where they are.
• Pray for the ministry and staff on campus as they prepare for the class of 2013. Pray that God will use them in profound ways in the lives of many students as they share the Gospel.
• Pray for unity among the campus ministry leaders and staff workers at Columbia—that God will use them in the lives of many students as they share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Pray that God would raise up new campus ministry student leaders who walk closely with Him. Pray that they will be intentional about praying for the lost and encouraging each member of the Body of Christ on campus.
CORNELL
PRINCETON
• Pray that the students staying in Ithaca and on campus during the summer months will seek out the Summer Christian Fellowship and grow in their faith through Bible study, prayer, and worship.
• Pray that the summer would be a time of transformation and preparation for the upcoming year in the hearts and minds of the students, and that God would prepare them to closely follow Him.
• Pray for students and leaders with summer ministries, on mission trips, and at camps. Pray that they their faith will be challenged and rejuvenated during these special times.
• Pray that campus ministry leaders and students are faithful in their friendships with non-Christians curious about their lifestyles and examples. Pray that God opens the eyes of those who have not yet seen His glory.
DARTMOUTH
YALE
• Pray that God would raise up men and women who will commit their lives to following Jesus Christ and helping others follow Him, both on campus and beyond.
• Pray that seekers and Christians from other nations would find acceptance and a strong church family at the International Church at Yale, which continues to provide hospitality and help with the English Language. • Pray that students remaining in New Haven this summer will be impacting by Yale Summer Christian Fellowship. Pray that they will encourage one another and spend time deepening their faith through Bible Study and prayer.
• Pray for new President Jim Yong Kim, that God would guide his decision-making as he leads Dartmouth through these challenging financial times and into the future.
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The Ivy League Christian Observer
From the bottom of our hearts, “Thank You!” Through your generous giving, students’ lives are being changed across the Ivy League.
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