Summer 2011 the IVY LEAGUE CHRISTIAN OBSERVER

Volume X | Issue III | Summer 2011 the IVY LEAGUE CHRISTIAN OBSERVER

THE IVY LEAGUE CONGRESS ON FAITH AND ACTION Special section pages 12–20

Cornell’s Prayer Explosion Power Evangelism at Princeton Page 4 Page 31 Staying the Course at Brown Columbia InterVarsity Page 5 Page 34 The Spiritual State of Dartmouth Penn’s New Alumni Network Page 8 Page 36 Making a Joyful Noise at Harvard Building Catholic ‘Esteem’ at Yale Page 23 Page 37

Brown ■ Columbia ■ Cornell ■ Dartmouth Harvard ■ Penn ■ Princeton ■ Yale Developing Christian Leaders to Transform Culture The Ivy League Christian Observer is published by the Christian Union, an independent Christian ministry. SAVE THE DATE!

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God’s Faithfulness to Israel (Part One): 9:1-11:36 Through this course you’ll get your arms around all 16 9. God’s Faithfulness to Israel (Part Two): 9:1-11:36 chapters of Romans. Along with a macro-level knowl- 10. The New Life of Christians: 12:1-13:14 edge of the letter, you’ll wrestle with some of the most 11. The Weak and the Strong: 14:1-15:13 difficult passages in the Bible, like Romans 9-11. You’ll 12. The Spread of the Gospel: 15:14-16:27 be challenged by the call to live your everyday life in light of the glorious gospel that is on display in Romans. This course is produced by Lifelong Discipleship Media, a ministry of In addition to mastering the material of the book, you’ll the Christian Union. Lifelong Discipleship Media develops intellectually rich Christian education materials for use individually, in small groups, improve your ability to interpret the Bible by learning and Sunday School classes. Our aim is to strengthen Christians with observationally from the exegetical skill of one of the the finest scholarship available in order to engender a habit of lifelong best New Testament expositors. Christian learning for leadership development and cultural impact. $# !& ! !!! Course No. 1001 – 12 lectures (30 minutes/lecture) #95 1 $1 888 /.+*/21,).5(.3/*5-.3 (20 41 -.33.1,542(*55.1,5'1).+*6.0* '6.5+'(6.217'4'16** 7).295 1 $1 41 -.33.1,542(*55.1,5'1).+*6.0* '6.5+'(6.217'4'16** 7).2281/2')5 1 $1 .+*6.0* '6.5+'(6.217'4'16** A WORD FROM THE PUBLISHER 240 NASSAU STREET PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08542 [email protected] Faith, Action Please help us get this magazine into the hands of those who want it. E-mail or write us And Leadership in order to: • pass along the names of fellow Christian alumni, parents, staff, faculty, or friends who t our Ivy League Congress on Faith Action this would enjoy this quarterly update from the spring, student leaders from all eight campuses Ivy League universities. A • update us on any address change you have. heard compelling messages from powerful plenary • be removed from the mailing list. speakers and also engaged Christian professionals in breakout panels that showed how to make an impact for Christ in the fields of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF business, finance, law, media, and many others. Matt Bennett, Cornell BS ’88, MBA ’89 The Ivy League Congress is another way Christian Union is seeking to accomplish its mission of developing Christian leaders to transform culture. And judging by MANAGING EDITOR some of the feedback we received, I’d say the conference was a resounding success. Tom Campisi, College of New Jersey ’88 “The Ivy League Congress was thought provoking,” said one student. “The panels were encouraging and gave me hope for my future vocation,” said another. SENIOR WRITER On pages 12-21, we’ve prepared a special section that will give you an in-depth Eileen Scott, Mount St. Mary ’87 look at our third Ivy League Congress on Faith and Action (ILCFA). At the event, held down the road from Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, I posed this ques- FIELD REPORTERS Everett Aaron Benjamin, Penn ’11 tion to a gathering of Ivy League alumni, “If God can bring almost a whole nation to Samantha Bruno, Rutgers ’11 Christ like South Korea in the last 70 years, why can’t the same thing happen in the Elyse Lee, Cornell ’08 Ivy League?” Kevin Plybon, Columbia ’11 With such a large percentage of prominent leaders graduating from these eight schools, the repercussions of an awakening in the Ivy League would be felt for many PHOTO EDITOR generations. And that’s the kind of radical change we are seeking. Pam Traeger For some students from Brown University, the impact of the ILCFA was immediate and lasting. After being inspired to seek the Lord on a more consistent basis, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR leaders from various ministries returned to Providence with a plan to gather for reg- Please send us your feedback regarding events and topics described in this magazine at the e- ular campus-wide prayer meetings. In the On Campus section, you can read about mail or regular mail address listed above. this and similar prayer movements happening at Cornell and Dartmouth. In Reaching Out, you will see how ministries such as Campus on a Hill at Cornell, PennforJesus, and Princeton Faith and Action brought prayer, worship, and evangelism to the forefront of their campus communities during the spring semester. Fi- nally, In Person features profiles of two prominent Ivy League alumni, former Toro CEO Ken Melrose, Princeton ’62, and medical missionary Dr. Matt Megill, Dart- mouth ’00. It’s our pleasure to publish this magazine each quarter and keep you informed, en- By God’s power and with the help of other ministries, the mission of Christian Union is to couraged, and inspired about happenings on the Ivy League campuses. change the world by developing Christian leaders and networking them together to make an Yours in Christ, impact for Christ in the larger culture. Matt Bennett (Cornell BS ’88, MBA ’89) founded the ministry in 2002 in Princeton, New Jersey. To learn more about Christian Union, please visit www.Christian-Union.org. Matthew W. Bennett Founder and President, Cornell ’88, MBA ’89 The purpose of The Ivy League Christian Ob- server (this free quarterly magazine) is to in- form Christian alumni, students, parents, staff, P.S. The Ivy League Christian Observer reports on the programs and initiatives of faculty, and friends about the spiritual activity Christian Union and those of various other Christian organizations. While it is our at eight of the country’s most influential col- desire to foster unity, encouragement, and awareness among campus ministries, the leges, including Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton and Christian Union is not an umbrella organization. Yale. Our desire is that you would be encouraged to pray for these universities, give finan- cially to Christian initiatives on the campuses, and use your influence for the cause of Christ.

2 | The Ivy League Christian Observer TABLE OF CONTENTS

ON CAMPUS IVY LEAGUE CONGRESS ON FAITH AND ACTION 4 IGNITING CORNELL Students Faithfully Prayed During Spring 12 ‘CAN WE REALLY CHANGE THE WORLD?’ Semester Ivy League Congress on Faith and Action Draws 380 Students 5 STAYING THE COURSE 14 NO QUESTION ABOUT IT AT BROWN Students Are Challenged by Ivy League Congress Speakers Ministries Persevere in a Diverse, Secular Environment 15 DETERMINED LIKE DANIEL 6 ‘IN GOD WE HOPE’ Cornell Alumnus Exhorts Ivy League Students to Stand Fast Ivy League Congress Inspires Prayer Meetings at Brown 16 ‘MISSION’ ACCOMPLISHED 8 THE SPIRITUAL STATE Previous Ivy League Congresses OF DARTMOUTH Made a Lasting Impression Campus Begins to Emerge from the 17 POWER PANELS Shadows of ‘Samaria’ Guests Speak About Serving Christ 9 ‘NOW’ IS THE TIME FOR in Their Professions PRAISE AND WORSHIP 18 CHRIST IN EDUCATION, THE ACADEMY Event Unites Believers on Yale Campus 19 MINISTRY JOURNEYS Panel Members Share Their Stories and Insights 20 THE REALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ‘The Forgotten Factor in Campus Transformation’ 12

26 SALUTING SENIORS 32 PRAYING 24/7 Three from Class of 2011 Look Back, Tent Makes Christianity Visible Look Ahead and Accessible

FAITH AND MEDIA 33 CELEBRATING HOLY WEEK ON THE QUAD 28 FAITHFUL UNTIL THE END Outreach Proclaims ‘God’s 6 Book by Columbia Alumnus Is Unashamed and Bold Love’ Inspiration for Motion Picture ABOUT MINISTRY INTELLECTUAL ENGAGEMENT 29 SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON COMPASSION 34 BECOMING ‘A FORCE FOR LOVE’ 10 POLITICS ACCORDING Grad Student Features Relief IV Students Excited About Upcoming TO THE BIBLE Bus Ministry in Final Project Year after Retreat Harvard Alumnus Calls on Christians to Influence Government 30 GOD AND GAMING 35 ‘LIVING OUT MY Expert: There Is ‘Potential for CHRISTIAN FAITH’ 11 THE PRAYER FACTOR Spiritual Enrichment’ Alumni Panel Gives Testimonies Lecture Explores Link between at Reunion Weekend Intercession and Healing REACHING OUT 36 PENN’S NEW ALUMNI NETWORK IN PERSON 31 POWER EVANGELISM Ministry Seeks to Strengthen a United Guest Minister Helps Princeton Christian Movement 22 A MISSION OF MERCY Faith and Action ‘Go for It’ Medical Doctor Serves the Poor 37 BUILDING CATHOLIC in Western Africa 33 ‘ESTEEM’ AT YALE 23 FOR AN AUDIENCE OF ONE New Program Is Bridge between Campus Ministry, Parish Interaction Harvard Student Sings Hymn on Apollo Night DEPARTMENTS 24 HITTING A ‘KEYNOTE’ 39 News-in-Brief Student Uses Social Media to Promote Musical Ministry 44 The Mission and Vision of Christian Union 25 CREATING A ‘RIPPLE EFFECT’ Toro Company CEO Promotes 47 Prayer for the Ivy League Servant Leadership 48 Ivy League Prayer Needs

Summer 2011 | 3 ON CAMPUS By Larry Lin, Cornell ’12 IGNITING CORNELL Students Faithfully Prayed Each Week During Spring Semester

The Ignite Ivy Conference some students interceded for their non- Sciences who has been praying for revival C helped spark a prayer revival at Christian friends, while others would at Cornell for approximately forty years. CORNELL Cornell during the spring se- pray for specific academic buildings and “It was absolutely amazing to see how mester. dormitories. God’s will for Cornell united generations In January, approximately 40 students After that night, the students decided of believers to contend for his kingdom to from Ivy League schools and the Massa- to hold gatherings every Sunday night for be established on campus,” said Leslie chusetts Institute of Technology attended the whole semester. The Spirit took over Chi ’13. “Through [Dr. Fick] and other Ignite Ivy. On the last night, the handful from there. William Poon ’13, who even- mentors who sacrificed their time and en- of Cornell students who attended spent tually lead most of the prayer meetings, ergy to intercede for Cornell, I learned that revival does not belong solely to young college students.” The prayer meetings averaged about 60 people each week. As the leaders realized that there were too many people for the original format to be practical, Poon began introducing different focuses or topics every week. They prayed for individual campus ministries one at a time by gathering around the members and laying hands on them. They also prayed for global missions and the persecuted church. They took commun- ion. No two meetings were the same. At the last meeting, students prayed that they would not grow weary of pas- sionately following Christ over the summer, and that they would be intentional in maintaining their fellowship with other A large group of Cornell students spent the spring semester in prayer at Anabel Christians. Many students expressed Taylor Hall. their hope for what God would be doing at Cornell in the next few years. some time praying for their school. In- said, “Honestly, I think the first thing that Chi said, “Ultimately, I envision more spired by how prayer had brought about surprised me was the attendance. Every student leaders than ever before…leaders revival on college campuses in the past, week, I would just trust that the Lord who are willing to be the hands, feet, and the students decided to continue praying would provide the people and he always heart of revival on Cornell’s campus. In together when they returned to campus. did, and always more than I would hope particular, I hope that the incoming class On the evening of January 23, as word got around mostly through Even local pastors, laymen, and Cornell faculty text messaging, 17 people from different min- members started coming out in small numbers; istries and churches showed up at Anabel among them was Dr. Gary Fick, a professor in Taylor Hall, the inter- Crop and Soil Sciences who has been praying for faith center of the Cor- nell campus. There was revival at Cornell for approximately forty years. not much of an agenda besides praying for revival. During the first half of the meet- would come.” of 2015 will also catch this vision of re- ing, students chimed in by sharing Even local pastors, laymen, and Cornell vival and bring fresh revelation to the thoughts, stories, and Bible verses. The faculty members started coming out in larger Christian community on how to second half was devoted to corporate small numbers; among them was Dr. reach the darkest parts of campus and prayer for whatever was on their hearts: Gary Fick, a professor in Crop and Soil bring them to life.” ■

4 | The Ivy League Christian Observer By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer STAYING THE COURSE AT BROWN Ministries Persevere in a Diverse, Secular Environment

Jarrod Lynn, a staffer with Col- years later. Continue to trust Jesus. Keep higher priority on attending a local B lege Hill for Christ and Athletes your eyes fixed on him, and trust him that church; for discerning how to come BROWN in Action at Brown, discussed [that fruit] will grow when it’s time.” alongside the homosexual population and the ebb and flow of Christianity on cam- In the short term, there has pus during a breakout session of the Ivy been progress in reaching out to League Congress on Faith and Action in students. Sthefany Alviar ’12, a Cambridge, Massachusetts this spring. member of the Brown women’s Specifically, Lynn, Brown ’05, said he basketball team, reported that has recently sensed a greater sense of there has been “miraculous Christian unity at Brown. progress” that can only be at- “We started doing more things together tributed to God. and collaboratively the past few years,” he Specifically, she told atten- said, citing such events as Praise Nights dees that during her freshman and Veritas Forums. Additionally, Lynn year, the team only won three and leaders from the other ministries games and there was a lot of meet regularly to pray and keep in touch. negativity from upperclassmen. At the Ivy League Congress, Lynn She and the three other fresh- shared a story that underscored the men rejected that attitude, and value of campus ministry. In the early this year, the team won 10 1980s, a Brown freshman went to the games and placed fourth in the 14th floor of a campus building so he overall Ivy League standings. could jump off. However, when he got to “There’s no way that would the floor, the windows were locked. A have happened without God,” member of Campus Crusade happened she said. “It’s clear our team to be on that same floor and engaged the belonged to the Lord.” student in conversation and shared the Yet, there are entrenched ob- Gospel with him. The student rejected stacles that inherently slow the the message, but when he got back to his spread of the Gospel on the room, he was convicted by it. In surren- campus. Namely, “diversity” der, he told God, “If you’re real, I’m and “tolerance,” which Lynn ready.” Today, that student is a pastor in says are synonymous with ac- Providence, Rhode Island, speaks at ceptance, have given voice to Jarrod Lynn (Brown ’05), of College Hill for Christ Brown, and has seen many students be- the minority, “politically cor- and Athletes in Action, reported on the spiritual come Christians. rect” views and unfettered rela- state of his alma mater during the Ivy League That’s the impact of connecting with tivism. Congress on Faith in Action. others, and that’s the goal to which Lynn “[The Brown community] and the other campus ministers have does not believe that there can be right love them while pointing to Jesus; and dedicated their lives. Together, through and wrong,” said Lynn. “Things aren’t discerning how to speak with the signifi- inter-ministry prayer and relationship challenged. It’s just assumed everyone is cant Jewish population on campus. building, the leaders strive, through God’s right.” That is, it seems, unless the views Lynn also asked that the Christian com- grace, to impact Brown in the name of Je- are moral imperatives. munity pray for students to open their sus and to bring more students to Christ. For example, Lynn spoke of an incident hearts to the idea that there is a God. But Lynn warned against discourage- where a group came on campus with signs “People come to Brown with prior ide- ment due to the relatively low numbers of referring to God and biblical marriage of ologies and reasons for thinking the way conversions. In fact, he said there was one man and one woman. According to they do. [They] seem to be so set in their perhaps only a handful in the last year or Lynn, within minutes, hundreds of stu- ways, it’s hard to break in,” he said. so. Still, he said, “We’re doing a good job. dents came together to protest. “They Despite the challenges, Lynn remains Pointing people to Jesus is huge. Taking dropped everything to stand up for the hopeful in reaching the Brown commu- them from ‘I don’t want to think about homosexual community,” he said. “That nity for Christ and he remains inspired by God’ to ‘maybe there is a God’– that’s is a huge voice on campus.” his colleagues and the students who con- huge.” At the Congress, a student asked Lynn tinue to speak their faith amidst the di- “Don’t get discouraged,” Lynn ex- how to pray for Brown. He offered several verse and secular environment that horted, “You might not see fruit until 15 suggestions: that students would put a characterizes the university. ■

Summer 2011 | 5 ON CAMPUS By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer ‘IN GOD WE HOPE’ Ivy League Congress Inspires Corporate Prayer Meetings at Brown

The emphasis on seeking God, At the same time, “I realized I didn’t Gassel also told Shugarts that she read a B highlighted during the Ivy know what was going on with other Chris- book about revival over spring break and BROWN League Congress on Faith and tians on campus.” was anxious to help launch an awakening Action, has prompted some Brown Uni- As such, Shugarts decided to reach out on campus. versity students to take the next step. to a variety of ministries to gauge interest In response, Shugarts attended one of Upon returning to campus after the April in forming regular prayer gatherings, Gassel’s prayer gatherings, and students began actively spreading the word of the nightly meetings among Christian circles. The sessions became so popular, the undergraduates convened until the end of the spring semester. For most sessions, students gathered on Wednesday evenings in Smith-Buonanno Hall, but the students organized a prayer walk around campus one evening. Atten- dance averaged around 20 per night. Representatives attended from a wide range of campus ministries, including Athletes in Action, the Branch, College Hill for Christ, Brown Christian Fellowship, Inter- Varsity, Brown-RISD Catholic Community, Reformed University Fellowship, and United Christian Body. “One of the biggest changes oc- curred when Christians realized there were Christians from other Inspired by the emphasis on seeking God at the Ivy League Congress on Faith and ministries who were just as on fire Action, Christian students at Brown gathered for nightly prayer on campus. as they were,” said Alviar. “We could come together and not be separated, like many parts conference, the group began gathering for possibly once a month. forming one body. We finally realized we nightly prayer. One student, Sarah Gassel ’12, who par- could be one, and we are one on this cam- Since then, the intercessory meetings ticipates in the Branch Christian Ministry pus.” have “changed our walks,” said Sthefany Alviar ’12. “I’m going because I want to go and communicate with God. Other people “Nightly prayer gave birth to beautiful, have said praying every night has changed their prayer lives and how we Christ-centered friendships, weekly choose to worship God.” Alviar attended the Christian Union’s nights of worship, evangelistic efforts, triennial congress along with a dozen or and an inter-ministry Easter worship so students from Athletes in Action (www.aiaatbrown.com) and College Hill night.” for Christ (www.collegehillforchrist. Shelby Mack, Brown ’14 com), including Bree Shugarts ’13. “We really felt led to do more on campus,” said Shugarts, a student leader with (www.thebranchconnect.com), eagerly Eventually, the students began sharing Athletes in Action. “I really felt like I responded that she already was contem- regular updates on their prayer initiative wanted to bring an awakening to Brown.” plating holding nightly prayer meetings. via e-mail, Google Groups, and Facebook.

6 | The Ivy League Christian Observer Attendance peaked at about 50 The Brown Bears offensive lineman just before Easter. also noted that he attended the prayer The gatherings were a place meetings “in belief that God is changing of “sweet unity,” said Shelby Brown and will continue to make Brown Mack, who is involved with a place where His name is made fa- Brown Christian Fellowship. mous.” “The meetings were a place Landers expressed commitment to see where reconciliation and part- revival at Brown, something that he felt nership between different inspired to pursue during a session of the Christian ministries could de- Christian Union’s congress weekend in velop; they were also a forum nearby Cambridge, Massachusetts. The in which we could seek to Texas native serves on Athletes in Ac- glimpse and act upon God’s vi- tion’s leadership team. sion for Brown,” said Mack ’14. “The main takeaway from the seminar “Nightly prayer gave birth to was that we needed God to pour His Holy beautiful, Christ-centered Spirit out on our campus for revival to friendships, weekly nights of happen,” he said. “When we say revival, worship, evangelistic efforts, we mean a restoration and reawakening and an inter-ministry Easter of passion for Jesus at Brown.” worship night from 11 p.m. to 1 Ultimately, “we are praying for its re- a.m.” turn to its true self, a school whose motto Luke Landers ’12 serves on the Athletes in Action Luke Landers ’12 echoed truly is ‘in deo speramus’ – in God we leadership team at Brown. those comments. hope,” he said. ■

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Summer 2011 | 7 ON CAMPUS By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer THE SPIRITUAL STATE OF DARTMOUTH Campus Begins to Emerge from the Shadows of ‘Samaria’

Contemporary evangelists don’t prayer room has added a significant spir- Feiger also said Agape Fellowship, the D need to go to the ends of the itual component to the campus.” Asian ministry on campus, was a source of DARTMOUTH earth to witness to the un- Additionally, he said there is increased inspiration and encouragement. Agape churched. In fact, they hosts a well-attended Tuesday night need go no further than prayer gathering that is totally student led. New England, where “There seems to be a strong Christian cul- Christian Impact Advisor ture here of prayer and worship,” he said. Tony Feiger likens the In addition to students, campus min- campus climate at Dart- istry staffs are also spending time in cor- mouth to biblical Samaria. porate prayer. A core group of ministers Once founded upon Chris- and local pastors pray together on a tian values, Dartmouth, weekly basis. like Samaria, has buried “The staffs are praying together and its Christian roots beneath reading scripture,” said Feiger. the allure of the “gods” of Christianity is also gaining attention in academia and success and some classrooms thanks to bold students. has closed its intellectual “I’ve heard there are young men taking heart to the truth of the a class with a philosophy/religion profes- Gospel. sor who has been anti-faith and pro- But for Christians like Dawkins,” he said. As a result, these Feiger, the challenge of students are professing their faith in proclaiming the Gospel class, and are articulating it in meaning- in the wilderness of the ful and powerful ways. Feiger said that is academy is not insur- having an impact on the classes and the mountable with God. In instructors. “Who knows what can hap- fact, there are signs of pen?” he said. life amidst the spiritual “This instructor has to teach these bril- desolation. liant young men who are incredibly sharp “Christianity is getting and in opposition of her. I would dread some visibility on cam- going to that class if I were the instruc- pus,” said Feiger. During tor,” he said. the three-and-a-half years Tony and Kaylene Feiger of Christian Impact at Feiger said Dartmouth’s reputation he has been at the cam- Dartmouth. among college-bound high school stu- pus, Feiger has wit- dents may be another indicator of a nessed the launch of the Christian journal participation, particularly among fresh- warmer spiritual climate on campus. Apologia and the Eleazer Wheelock Soci- men, in coming together in prayer with “I’ve heard that a lot of Christian stu- ety for Intellectual Discourse, Service, other students from different ministries. dents are attracted to Dartmouth. They and Vocation. In addition to the increase in intellectual discussion and In addition to students, campus ministry apologetics on campus, Feiger spoke about the emergence and staffs are also spending time in corporate importance of an increased emphasis on prayer. The Gospel, he prayer. A core group of ministers and local said, cannot always be seen as pastors pray together on a weekly basis. rational. “Change is going to come through the Spirit of God moving hearts,” More and more, he said students are tak- come here to visit and see the Apologia said Feiger. ing some time away from their hectic Ivy and the Christian community and they “I think the [recently established] League schedule and seeking God. want to attend here,” he said. ■

8 | The Ivy League Christian Observer By Grace Chen, Cornell ’10 ‘NOW’ IS THE TIME FOR PRAISE AND WORSHIP Event Unites Believers on Yale Campus

Songs of rejoicing and worship The United Church of Westville helped Y filled the dining hall of Pierson to sponsor the event. However, attendees YALE College on Saturday, April 23. also came from other local churches and Andrew Kang, Yale ’13, who brought the campus ministries. As such, NOW not idea for a Night of Worship to Yale, only united believers across different helped to lead about 40 people in an parts of the Yale community, but also event described as a night of “exciting, served as an outreach to non-Christians. epic, and personal worship.” Kang described how the universal appeal Night of Worship (NOW) was envi- of music can speak to even those who may sioned and orchestrated by Kang, a double not know Christ as Savior. major in East Asian studies and econom- A similar event was held off campus ics. The inception for an event like this be- last semester. This semester, NOW was gan at Kang’s former church in Houston, moved to the Yale campus in the hopes of where he had previously teamed with his encouraging more students with the flex- pastor and a few friends to host a similar ibility to simply stop by. Paul Han ’14 and Brandon Wang ’14, members of Yale Col- lege Faith and Action: An Undergraduate Ministry, were encouraged by the unity and passion of the people. “The event was absolutely amazing,” said Han, who had a unique vantage point as the drummer in the worship band. “Being able to face the people in the crowd directly allowed me to witness God’s presence in the room. Nearly everybody was singing out at the top of their lungs, shame- lessly dancing to faster songs as if no one was The student initiated Night of Worship at Yale was watching. It was awe- described as “exciting and epic.” some to see normally reserved individuals night of song and worship. breaking free and just going all out for God.” The vision behind NOW, explained Wang said NOW was “effective in Kang, is to “worship and glorify our God bringing together people from various through music, dance, and song. Worship Christian backgrounds…to gather and is a lifestyle and encompasses everything worship Jesus wholeheartedly.” in your everyday life; praise through mu- In the future, Kang envisions seeing sic is one awesome form of worshipping. NOW continue each semester and grow to We want to come together and celebrate include even more members of the Yale the awesomeness of God by singing and community, worshipping together as a dancing with no shame.” body of believers. ■

Summer 2011 | 9 INTELLECTUAL ENGAGEMENT By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer POLITICS ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE Harvard Alumnus Calls on Christians to Influence Government

In his latest book, Politics Ac- are having an impact on Christians in this gets down to the micro level by discussing H cording to the Bible: A Com- country, particularly youth. earmarks, gender-based quotas, tariffs, HARVARD prehensive Resource for “I am concerned about the influence of and gambling. Understanding Modern Political Issues in Boyd’s position because his mistake is not While Grudem has specific views on Light of Scripture, scholar Wayne Grudem simply a harmless failure to distinguish these matters, he also realizes that on cer- writes in the same way the task of evangelism tain issues, Christians will disagree. And Christians are called from the task of govern- that, he says, is OK. Disagreements and to share the Gospel— ment,” Grudem writes. debates generate discussion on issues im- unashamedly. The book “There is a much more portant to the country and ultimately the is not for those inter- serious problem with world. They are issues Grudem believes ested in being politically his position, namely, Christians ought to be studying, dis- correct; rather it is that it tends to persuade cussing, and sharing with believers and geared toward Chris- Christians to oppose all non-believers. tians who are interested governmental power Grudem is also adamant about point- in the relationship be- over evil.” He adds that ing out that while he is a proponent of tween the Bible, faith, “at many places in the Christians influencing government based and government. Bible God approves the upon biblical interpretation, he is not Grudem, Harvard use of governmental condoning the disregard of people of ’70, calls out Christian power over evildoers.” other faiths. Nor is he advocating that authors, pastors, and And that is at the crux Christians only vote for Christian politi- laymen to seriously of Grudem’s view: God cians. He shares, at length, an endorse- consider how they are Wayne Grudem, Harvard ’70, is not separated from ment he had written on behalf of then representing the faith writes about engaging politics government, but rather, Republican presidential nominee Mitt in the public sector. He with a Christian worldview in He uses government for Romney, who is a Mormon. also corrects what he his latest book. the greater good. Gru- “I think Christians should support the believes are errors in dem also takes issue candidate who best represents moral and the way some noted Christians, such as with those who believe that Christians political values consistent with biblical fellow Ivy alumnus Greg Boyd (Yale, should do evangelism and not politics. He teaching, no matter what his or her reli- MDiv ’82), are influencing others re- asks, “What parts of the Bible have you gious background or convictions,” Gru- garding the Bible and politics. decided not to preach about because you dem writes. In the opening chapter, Five Wrong are ‘just going to preach the Gospel?’” That’s the kind of frank and sincere ac- Views about Christians and Government, Grudem seeks to undo concepts such as: Govern- “I think Christians should support the ment Should Compel Religion; Government Should Exclude candidate who best represents moral and Religion; All Government is Evil and Demonic; Do Evangel- political values consistent with biblical ism, Not Politics; and Do Poli- teaching, no matter what his or her religious tics, Not Evangelism. Grudem, Research Professor background or convictions.” of Theology and Biblical Studies at Phoenix Seminary in Phoenix, Arizona, warns readers of the harm being The book also covers a myriad of so- tion Grudem calls for in Politics Accord- done by pastors and writers such as Greg cial/political issues and discusses them ing to the Bible, and another example of Boyd, who wrote the book, The Myth of a from a biblical perspective, including how the author is calling believers to as- Christian Nation. Grudem states that marriage, the environment, national de- sert “a significant Christian influence on Boyd’s “all government is demonic” views fense, foreign policy, and others. He even government.” ■

10 | The Ivy League Christian Observer By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer THE PRAYER FACTOR Lecture Explores Link Between Intercession and Healing

Prayer for an individual’s Brown’s study, which focused on the ef- In the study, researchers used an au- Y healing can be especially bene- fects of prayer on individuals with auditory diometer and vision charts to evaluate 14 ru- YALE ficial if the person interceding and visual impairments in rural Mozam- ral Mozambican individuals who reported is physically near the infirmed individual. bique, measured surprising improvements impaired hearing and 11 who reported im- That was one of the messages from in economically disadvantaged areas paired vision. The study focused on hearing Candy Gunther Brown, Harvard Ph.D. where eyeglasses and hearing aids are not and vision because it is possible to measure ’00, when the scholar spoke at the Yale readily available. results with hearing Divinity School on April 7. Brown is The study investi- machines and vision widely considered to be one of the world’s gated close-up prayer charts, allowing a leading researchers on global healing because “that is how more direct indicator practices. The associate professor of reli- a lot of prayer for of progress. gious studies at Indiana University pre- healing is actually The subjects exhib- sented a lecture entitled, “Can Science practiced by Pente- ited improvements Prove the Healing Power of Prayer? Em- costal and charis- that were statistically pirical Perspectives on Modern Pente- matic Christians significant after re- costal-Charismatic Healing Networks and around the world,” ceiving close-up the Revival of Global Christianity.” Brown said. prayer. Two individu- A highlight of Brown’s visit to Yale in- “These constitute als with impaired volved a discussion of her research into the fastest-growing hearing reduced the the “proximal intercessory prayer” – Christian subgroups threshold at which close-up, personal intercession involving globally, with some they could detect an emotional touch. 500 million adher- sound by 50 decibels; Brown led an international investiga- ents, and they are likewise, three people tion of healing prayer that suggested among those most improved their scores close-up prayer is beneficial in statistically likely to pray expec- Courtesy of Indiana University on vision tests from significant ways. Data from the study was tantly for healing,” Candy Gunther Brown, Harvard 20/400 or worse to published in the September 2010 issue of she said. Ph.D. ’00, is a leading researcher on 20/80 or better. the Southern Medical Journal. The study was part global healing practices. Such augmenta- More importantly, the findings illus- of a larger research tions are greater trate contrasting results to a widely publi- effort, funded by the John Templeton than those typically found in suggestion cized study at Harvard in 2006 Foundation Flame of Love Project, on the and hypnosis studies, Brown noted. “You purporting that “distant intercessory cultural significance and experience of cannot fake thresholds,” she said. “These prayer” could make patients worse. spiritual healing practices. As editor of a were people with no education.” However, that study included only one new book entitled, Global Pentecostal and Brown recounted that one subject, an group of Protestant intercessors: Silent Charismatic Healing, Brown has made an elderly Mozambican woman named Unity, a “New Thought” group whose in-depth, seven-year study of how Pente- Maryam, initially reported that she could leaders reportedly reject prayers of peti- costals worldwide pray for healing. not see a person’s hand with two upraised tion as “useless,” Brown said. Of significance to her recent research, fingers, from a distance of one foot. A Nonetheless, Brown notes that, accord- Brown noted that many Pentecostals em- healing practitioner put her hand on ing to public opinion polls, most Ameri- phasize the importance of human touch in Maryam’s eyes, hugged her, and prayed cans believe illness and injury can be praying for healing. “When people feel that for less than a minute. After that, the per- impacted positively by intercessory they have a serious need for healing, they son held five fingers in front of Maryam, prayer. Such faith has helped to fuel the are willing to try almost anything,” Brown who was able to count them and read the explosive growth of charismatic Christi- said. “If they feel that a particular religious 20/125 line on a vision chart. anity in recent decades. or spiritual practice healed them, they are “More studies definitely need to be In a 1997 survey, executives with health much more likely to become an adherent. done,” she said. “The bottom line is that maintenance organizations expressed af- This phenomenon, more than any other, healing practices are incredibly important firmation that personal prayer can benefit accounts for the growth of these Christian in the human experience. Sickness and medical treatment. Furthermore, data subgroups globally.” suffering are common.” from 2004 suggests 73 percent of U.S. Brown and her colleagues studied the Ultimately, “one of the most common medical doctors believe that miraculous activities of Iris Ministries and Global practical needs is the need for healing and healings sometimes occur, according to Awakening, in part, because of their repu- help. That is why we see the growth of Pen- The Jewish Theological Seminary. tations for specializing in healing prayers. tecostal and charismatic Christianity.” ■

Summer 2011 | 11 IVY LEAGUE CONGRESS ON FAITH & ACTION By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer

CAN WE REALLY CHANGE THE WORLD? Ivy League Congress on Faith and Action Draws 380 Students

Hands raised, bodies swayed, voices lifted in song. At the Ivy League Congress on Faith and Action in Cambridge, Massachusetts, 380 students gathered to seek and praise the One who could not be seen, but whose presence was palpably felt. Held at the Cambridge Hyatt on April 1-3, the conference—one of the largest gatherings of Ivy League Christians in history—featured keynote speakers, ministry leaders, and panelists who challenged the students to serve God wholeheartedly in college and in their future vocations. Presented by Christian Union, the third Ivy League Congress on Faith and Action (ILCFA) was co-sponsored by Athletes in Action, Campus Crusade for Christ, Campus Renewal Ministries, Chesterton House, Dartmouth Chris- tian Grads, The Epic Movement, Grace Street Church, International Church at Cornell, Legacy, Manna Christian Fellowship, Navigators, Reformed Uni- versity Fellowship, and Wharton Christian Fellowship.

photo: Keren Rohe 12 | The Ivy League Christian Observer “Can we really change the world? Is it just a pious phrase or do you seriously expect there can be real change?” asked plenary speaker and author Os Guinness. “Are you committed to winning back the West again for our Lord?” “You are the so-called ‘crunch’ generation. Many of the world’s problems are coming together [in your generation]. Your generation must be wise enough to give the answers.” Helping to foster that wisdom, the conference featured the following panel discussions: Education, Medicine, Media, Busi- ness, Ministry, Law, Government, Finance, The Academy, and Arts/Entertainment. Students learned first-hand from Christian professionals the significance of living out their faith. “They have the access and the obligation to change the world for Christ,” said Stacy McMahan, an executive and a 1989 Har- vard Business School alumna. McMahan participated in the fi- Edgar Lei, Cornell ‘08 nance panel. At the Ivy League Congress on Faith and Action, Max Ministry seminars included: Seeking God, Understanding The Anderson, Harvard MBA ’09, asks students, “Why are you Pro-Life Position, Campus Revival, Christ as Creator, and Hear- here?” ing God’s Voice through Prophecy. Feedback of the ILCFA was overwhelmingly positive, ranging “Look at their lovely smiles,” Cox told the students while from “encouraged” and “challenged” to “blessed” and “spiritually showing them pictures of their persecuted brothers and sisters. rejuvenated.” “They could be dead tomorrow, but they smile.” “I was bolstered by seeing other Ivy Leaguers on fire for And as the humble voice of the oppressed told her stories of il- Christ,” said Aileen Daniels, Brown ’12. “It’s easy to feel like a mi- legally entering savage countries on the perilous wings of hired nority at Brown. But here, we all had the same objective – to planes and prayers to God, one couldn’t help but be struck by the make God known on our campus.” juxtaposition of adventure and heartache and hope and brutality. Some ILCFA speakers proclaimed that believers are the living The students and alumni were visibly moved by the words of Gospel to those who look to them for leadership and guidance; the Baroness as they continued to think through what their pur- how Christians respond during a crisis represents the Gospel to pose and God’s call for their lives would be. But that’s what the those who are watching. This was particularly true in the busi- Ivy League Congress is all about. ness and finance panels where alumni shared stories of ethically Plenary speaker and urban minister Rev. Eric Mason told the and morally challenging experiences where they chose to do the students, “Many of us want our lives built around us. God wants right thing, although it was not always easy. life built around Jesus, not built around us…before you can plant The importance of a commitment to ethical behavior was also the Gospel, the Gospel must have been planted in you.” brought home by Max Anderson, Harvard Business School ’09. Christian Union Founder and President Matt Bennett, Cornell Anderson is the co-author of the Harvard MBA Oath, which is a ’88, MBA ’89, reinforced that point in his closing remarks on commitment to conduct business in an ethical manner and is Sunday. He ended the weekend by bringing home the overall fo- similar to the Hippocratic Oath taken by doctors. cus of the Congress, which was to seek God in all things and An oath calls people to act upon values and not fear, he ex- above all things. Bennett acknowledged the busy schedules the plained. “It’s not enough to fear the bad. You’ve got to love the students carry, yet he reminded them that they are not alone in good.” their journey. Doing good in the midst of tragedy was the theme of Dr. Matt Megill, Dartmouth ’00, a medical missionary with Samaritan’s Purse in West Africa. Dr. Megill spoke of a land of suffering and needless death, a land where many people die without ever hear- OF OUR MOST ing or receiving the saving grace of Jesus Christ. “When I look at my Ivy peers, we downplay the Gospel too eas- % INFLUENTIAL ily. We shy away from speaking truth or being distinctively salty,” Megill said. “Millions are perishing without access to the LEADERS name by which we are saved…Christ calls our generation to pour 50 out our lives in seeking social justice for the have-nots.” graduate from just 8 of the nation's And representing the “have-nots” in a way that is uniquely her 2,474 four-year colleges. These own, Baroness Caroline Cox spoke to the students about the persecuted church in remote oppressed lands. A nurse and a member schools are Brown, Columbia, of the House of Lords, Cox spoke with the loving voice of a grand- Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, mother, but the stories she shared were no fairy tales—they were nightmares of oppressed Christians facing brutality and death. Princeton, and Yale.

Summer 2011 | 13 IVY LEAGUE CONGRESS ON FAITH & ACTION

“We’re all on the team together,” he said. “Encourage each “You felt it, didn’t you? God is moving in this place,” com- other…it doesn’t happen overnight. It will take some time, and mented Christian Union Ministry Fellow Scott Jones, Cornell that’s OK. God is with you and helping you.” ’04, as he spoke at the Saturday evening plenary session. His Bennett also said that seeking God consistently every day words represented what many felt throughout the weekend— would certainly require sacrifice: “Think of the lesser things you that the Lord was indeed with them, drawing near to them as spend time on—are they comparable to knowing the King of they drew nearer to Him. Kings and being used by Him? Are they comparable to having But Jones also cautioned the students against only going with His Spirit fall on this nation in an unprecedented way and bring what they feel. He reminded them that soon they would be back incredible revival?” on campus where their excitement for the Lord would bubble Praise and worship were also key elements of the ILCFA. Each over or quickly disappear. Jones challenged them to determine if plenary session included worship led by Christian Union Teach- they could really live out their faith and dreams and pursue ex- ing Fellow Dr. Chuck Hetzler and a band comprised of Ivy cellence and success while being devoted to the Lord. League students and alumni. The worship culminated with the His final questions caused the students to pause and reflect: voices of the All Ivy Gospel Choir, a student ensemble that came “Is it really possible to be in the world but not of it? Or have you together under the direction of Damaris Taylor, Harvard ’12. already sold out?” Among the faces singing in the choir—some with eyes closed and As they pondered tough questions like these and reflected on hands clasped over their hearts, others with wide smiles and hands pearls of wisdom from believers who have gone before them, the raised, jumping with excitement for the Lord—were the faces of fu- students headed back to their campuses with an invigorated ture business leaders, doctors, lawyers, and perhaps presidents, sense of purpose and the challenge to seek the Lord and to put united by the love of Jesus Christ and a desire to praise Him. their faith into action. ■

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT Students Are Challenged by Ivy League Congress Speakers

Students from the University of Pennsylvania may tion as they prayed until the early morning hours one night. P have come to the Ivy League Congress on Faith and “There was a bunch of us,” he said. “We realized that you need PENN Action looking for answers, but they left with some individual transformation before you can effect change.” compelling questions. What about the bigger picture? Did coming to the conference The plenary and inspirational speakers challenged the stu- help Pershe cast a vision for his purpose in life? “Definitely,” he dents to really seek God in understanding their purpose and mis- said. “Not just as a freshman, but also for being a leader on cam- sion as Christians, students, and future leaders. pus. This has been really challenging.” “What are you here for?” asked conference speaker Max An- Pershe was also positive in his response to the question asked derson, Princeton ’01 and Harvard M.B.A. ’09. The co-author of by author and keynote speaker Os Guinness, “Do you really think the Harvard MBA Oath, you can change the world?” Anderson challenged “I do think we can change the world,” Pershe said. “Part of that the students to reflect change starts with what we’re doing here (at the Ivy League Con- on their purpose in life gress)—training up Christians to be leaders and take leadership and why they attended roles in society so people can see someone who is positive and the conference. has hope in what God is doing.” “Everybody was just Leadership with a Christian worldview is particularly impor- really touched by the tant for Pershe, who has an interest in possibly pursuing a career Holy Spirit and saw in politics. He found fellow Penn alumna Lolita Jackson ’89, a what needed to happen speaker on the government panel, particularly interesting. Jack- in our lives so that com- son is the Manhattan Director of the New York City Community munity could be a lot Affairs Unit in the office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Harvard better back on cam- MBA ’66. pus,” said Penn fresh- Arianna Ahiagbe, Penn ’12, said the conference offered a time man Matthew Pershe. of refreshment.

Keren Rohe That prompted Per- “I was really at a point in the semester where I was getting Author Os Guinness was a plenary she and his Penn class- jaded. I was kind of in a dead zone,” she said. Attending the con- speaker at the Ivy League mates to immediately ference and listening to the alumni on the medicine panel helped Congress on Faith and Action. put their faith into ac- her realize that work, even her work as a student, is worship, and

14 | The Ivy League Christian Observer that helped to breathe new life into that dead zone. what [these other students] are doing that works.” Penn freshman Ariana Jones said the conference inspired her As the conference came to a close and the students thought to be a bolder witness for Christ. She came to the ILCFA to coun- about heading back to campus, they knew they would inevitably terbalance the lack of boldness on campus. be faced with another question from their peers, “What did you “I was pretty much shocked when I first got to Penn. The envi- do this weekend?” ronment is different from what I had at home,” she said. “People “All I can really say is that we met God here,” said Pershe. “We don’t want to encroach on each other’s beliefs or infringe on their had these great speakers who challenged our perceptions of the rights by speaking about God or talking about what you believe.” world and brought new light and perspective to the career paths Therefore, the prospect of being around fellow believers ex- we want to take—but, at the end of the day, all I can say is that cited her: “I just felt like I had to get here. I had to come to see God showed up.” ■

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer DETERMINED LIKE DANIEL Cornell Alumnus Exhorts Ivy League Students to Stand Fast

Believers at leading universities need to remember C that being faithful to God is far more important than CORNELL achieving prominence within worldly powerhouses. That was one of the messages from Scott Jones when the Christian Union (www.christian-union.org) ministry fellow served as one of the plenary speakers at the Ivy League Congress on Faith and Action in Cambridge, Massachusetts this spring. “Walking with God is better than dancing with the powers of the world,” Jones told students during his keynote address on April 2. As an example, Jones pointed to the account of the prophet Daniel, who was among the young Jewish nobility taken to Babylon. The four youths – chosen for their intellect and handsomeness – were trained to be advisors to the Babylonian court. Daniel entered public life after three years of education in royal schools. Despite being submissive to the other requirements of his cap- tivity and duties, Daniel drew the line at eating the king’s food and wine – something that would amount to gaining the accept- ance and approval of the ungodly. “To be in the world but not of the world, you must taste and sa- vor something much greater,” Jones told students. “Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food and wine.” Daniel could have taken the attitude that, “it’s just a little food Keren Rohe – you have the chance to be in the king’s court,” Jones said. But, Christian Union Ministry Fellow Scott Jones, Cornell ’04, the young Jewish man stood fast in his convictions. exhorted students as a plenary speaker at the Ivy League Like Daniel, youthful believers need to remember to pursue Congress on Faith and Action. God’s will – not their own will, Jones said. They also should avoid the attitude that, “God will have the great privilege of us- God’s directions and commandments as they chart their futures. ing me.” They need to say, “God, I will go where you send me,” Jones said. Ultimately, Daniel’s fidelity exposed him to persecution by Likewise, they need an awareness of the potential pitfalls that jealous rivals within the king’s administration. But, he also often accompany wealth and prestige, especially the temptations walked in his giftings and callings as an interpreter of dreams. associated with greed and ego. Late in life, he began his ministry as a prophet. “Most of you have incredible potential for wealth,” Jones said. Overall, the account of Daniel’s life illustrates the commitment “It is the rich that Jesus suggested need a miracle in order to en- of a privileged young man to God’s service, even when it meant ter the kingdom of God.” sacrifice. “Daniel loved God’s presence more than anything,” Daniel’s example teaches young believers to hold steadfastly to Jones said. the biblical mandate to “seek first the kingdom of God and his As such, believers in top universities should stop to consider righteousness,” Jones said. ■

Summer 2011 | 15 IVY LEAGUE CONGRESS ON FAITH & ACTION

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer ‘MISSION’ ACCOMPLISHED Previous Ivy League Congresses Made a Lasting Impression

The immediate impact of the Ivy League Congress on “I traveled to Northwest China with Pioneers. This was when I Faith and Action was apparent as students passion- discovered that the world’s greatest need is Christ,” said Lee. ately worshiped the Lord, spent late nights in prayer, Following graduation, she embarked on a career with Pio- and eagerly listened to speakers and panelists discuss how their neers, a worldwide missions organization based in Orlando, faith may be lived out in vocations. But what happens after the Florida. conference, when students go back to their campuses and once The passion she discovered during the first Ivy League Con- again encounter the stresses and secularism of the academy? gress on Faith and Action has blossomed in a way she had not Can just a few days of praise, reflection, and teaching really have previously imagined. a lasting impact? “Life as a Christian means being a disciple and follower of Je- sus,” she told the students. “That doesn’t mean you don’t make plans, but hold your life loosely. We are all on the same mission to preach the power of God.” While Lee’s experience set a course for serving in missions, Fi- jan’s experience empowered him with a better sense of balance regarding work, faith, and self-worth. It has also had a lasting impact upon the Penn campus where Fijan attended school as an undergraduate. He is currently a Wharton grad student. At the 2008 ILCFA, Fijan was impressed by the remarks of a business panelist, who said people working in finance often measure their worth by whether they are in the red or in the black; they don’t take risks because they don’t want their self- worth to suffer the loss. This panelist, however, told the students that as a Christian, his worth and identity was in Christ, and that enabled him to do his job better. Whether he succeeded or failed, his faith would not change. “I’ve remembered that and passed it on to other young students here at Wharton,” said Fijan . And, it’s a philosophy he hopes to carry with him when he eventually enters the business world himself.

Edgar Lei But those words of wisdom are not the only thing Fijan Elyse Lee, Cornell ’08, was among the Ivy alumni who brought back to this year’s ILCFA. “The most significant, lasting spoke at the Ivy League Congress on Faith and Action. impact I came away with was how much older professionals needed to be involved in on-campus ministry,” Fijan said. For alumni Elyse Lee, Cornell ‘08, and Bobby Fijan, Penn ’09, A leader with Penn Students for Christ (www.pennstudents- the answer is a resounding yes. Lee, an attendee at the first Ivy forchrist.org), Fijan was inspired to start a student Bible study League Congress on Faith and Action (ILCFA) in 2005, said that led by a professor in the medical school. That study is still active, conference helped identify her passion and set the course for a and Fijan sees it as a sort of “child of the Congress.” missional vocation. For Fijan, the impact was less dramatic, but still influential. His takeaway from “I came to the 2005 ILCFA conference the 2008 ILCFA was a “nugget” of wisdom imparted by one of the speakers that asking, ‘What should I do with my life?’” has stayed with him, helping model values for his future career in business, and —Elyse Lee, Cornell ’08 for students on the Penn campus. Lee was an inspirational speaker at this year’s Congress and Fijan believed so much in the value of the Ivy League Congress shared how her life was changed. that he brought several Penn students with him this year, and “I came to the 2005 ILCFA conference asking, ‘What should I subsequently passed along the opportunity to impact future do with my life?’ ” she said. While there, she began discovering Penn leaders for Christ. her passion for sharing the Gospel when she considered inspir- The future will tell the stories of how this year’s Congress im- ing words from a panel speaker who said, “Vocation is where pacted those in attendance. But if Lee and Fijan are any indica- your passion meets the world’s needs.” tion, it would appear that fruits of the ILCFA will continue to After talking a mission trip she soon discovered her calling. abound for years to come. ■

16 | The Ivy League Christian Observer By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer POWER PANELS Prominent Christians Speak About Serving Christ in Their Professions

This year’s Ivy League Congress on Faith and Action offered a veritable smorgasbord of vocational panels for collegiate believers who want to make a difference in the workforce. Break-out sessions during the Christian Union’s triennial conference ranged from the arts to medicine and featured a series of prominent leaders. Speakers were especially encouraged by their interaction with students from the nation’s top universities and the individual commitments the students expressed to reflect Christ in their vocational choices. Among highlights of some sessions: In the arts panel, participants heard about the need for believers to reflect their beliefs and faith in the highly influential realm. “The performing arts are a powerful communication instrument, and, by and large, they have been used by people who don’t know God to encourage people to worship gods of their own making, said Rich Swingle, an ac- tor based in New York City. Edgar Lei Swingle wants believers to “take back the entertain- The medical panel at the Ivy League Congress on Faith and Action ment industry and tell stories that point to the One True included Dr. Elizabeth Mutsiya, Dr. Walt Larimore, and Dr. Ali Tsai. God.” Also during the arts panel, musician and composer Tim recognition that really counts is her status as a believer. Hibbler Tsang, who also is known as the “Moogist,” stressed the need said she makes it a point to not be a closet Christian. for youthful believers to keep their focus on Christ while also Another popular segment of the congress included the finance seeking opportunities to launch their careers within the per- panel. forming world. Participants weighed a variety of meaty issues, including the “I have learned that I must love God more than my profession,” pressure of meeting return on investment, especially in cases said Tsang, a synthesizer player and classical pianist. “When we when that goal is pursued without regard to whether an invest- seek God’s kingdom first, everything else will be given to us.” ment conforms to the Christian worldview. Tsang also is a keyboardist, producer, and sound artist. Ultimately, the main keys to success for Christians entering Likewise, participants in the entertainment segment also the corporate world center on taking principled stands and re- heard about the tangible need for believers to help shape the flecting faith on the job, said McMahan, vice president of finance vastly influential sphere. for the customer channels group at Thermo Fisher Scientific and “A believer can make a difference in the entertainment world the past chief financial officer of Johnson & Johnson Customer by being an agent of shalom in every position they are placed,” and Logistics Services. said John Seel, president of nCore Media. McMahan said she is grateful for the opportunities she pos- Los Angeles-based nCore provides high-performance comput- sesses to touch many lives around her. “It is in those individual ing applications to the entertainment industry for computer- interactions where Christ mediates powerfully,” she said. generated images and special effects. A separate panel on business featured James Armstrong Seel noted the biggest gap in Hollywood “is not among cine- (Princeton ’88), an executive vice president of California-based matic creatives, but among business-minded ‘suits.’ There are Symmetricom and general manager of the communications busi- many Christian actors, screenwriters, and directors. There are ness unit. Other speakers were Tom Darden, chief executive offi- very few studio executives or MBAs who think in kingdom cer of Cherokee, a North Carolina-based private equity firm that terms,” Seel said. specializes in brownfield redevelopment, and Rich Farrell (Cor- “How much longer can our culture be sustained by movies like nell ’90), president of FullArmor Corporation, a Massachusetts- The Hangover Part II and Bridesmaids?” based software and services company. Darden completed a law Rhonda D. Hibbler, a production director at WPEN AM/FM, degree from Yale University in 1981. also shared with students about her position with the ESPN Ra- In other panels, participants in the law session heard from dio affiliate in Philadelphia. Tom Angell, Dutchess County public defender in New York; While Hibbler, Penn ’82, has spent much of her life being la- Michael Schutt, director of the Institute for Christian Legal Stud- beled as a “first” or a “youngest” in her field, she said the only ies; and Lori Windham, who joined The Becket Fund for Reli-

Summer 2011 | 17 IVY LEAGUE CONGRESS ON FAITH & ACTION

gious Liberty after graduating from Harvard Law School in also served as a speaker. The Dartmouth alumnus of 1981 also 2005. holds a master of business administration from Harvard, which As well, the government segment featured Lolita Jackson, he completed in 1990. Penn ’89, Manhattan director of New York City’s Community Af- Another popular segment centered on the medical field. Key fairs Unit, and Kerry Knott, president of the C.S. Lewis Institute. speakers were Elizabeth Mutisya, Harvard Medical School ’94 Knott also is a former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Dick Armey, who and Penn MBA ’07; Walt Larimore, medical director of the Mis- served as majority leader from 1995 to 2003. sion Medical Clinic, a faith-based clinic for uninsured patients In addition, Greg Slayton, a Dartmouth University professor sponsored by churches in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Ali and former U.S. consul general and chief of mission to Bermuda, Tsai, director for the Greater New York City Christian Medical & Dental Associations. ■

By Grace Chen, Cornell ’10 CHRIST IN EDUCATION, THE ACADEMY

The Education Panel at the Ivy League Congress on Wells College dropped by 12-15% during her tenure there. Lastly, I Faith and Action featured three experts in the field. she also shared about homeschooling both her sons, who are at- ALL IVY Nicole Baker Fulgham and Matt Worthington were pre- tending Ivy League schools. viously with Teach For America; Barbara Schoenly, the third pan- Worthington, who teaches special education in the Washing- elist, has served in various leadership positions in the past 16 years. ton, D.C., area, opened his talk, “Jesus and Public Schools,” Fulgham began the panel with a snapshot of her work as the vice with a story about a divine reminder of his calling to help chil- president of Teach dren with literacy issues. “If you want to be a true leader, it’s For America’s faith about teaching others—Jesus was a great teacher,” he told at- community relations tendees. initiative, which “focuses on inspiring THE ACADEMY communities of faith The Academy Panel featured believers who shared how they to support Teach For combined intellectual pursuits with a passion for faith. Arnold G. America’s mission Hyndman, Princeton ’74, who has taught cell biology and neuro- and help eliminate science at Rutgers for over 30 years, spoke about being open educational inequity.” with his faith in a department replete with scientific minds op- Fulgham said that posed to any talk of religion or spirituality. He spoke about iden- 53% of those who tity and how he sought to make it known “who I am in Jesus serve for Teach For Christ.” America said faith Marla Frederick, a professor of African and African American was an important as- studies and the study of religion at Harvard, shared her journey of pect of teaching. balancing faith with her discipline in anthropology. She noted that When asked what in- around 90% of those in the field of anthropology are agnostic. “An- spired her, she anthropology can challenge faith,” she shared. Nicole Baker Fulgham, spoke about swered that she is Richard Baer, professor emeritus at Cornell since 1974, also her work as vice president of Teach most motivated by shared about his experience as a Christian faculty member for America’s faith community “the conversations in over the years. As a professor in environmental ethics and one relations initiative. this country about of the founders of Cornell’s Chesterton House, Baer said he closing the achieve- has experienced times when his proposals on discussions of ment gap and faith-based advocates of education reform.” religion and ethics have been dismissed by the academic com- Schoenly followed the discussion with an overview of her jour- munity. ney in college administration. She shared compelling stories The Academy panel closed with a simple question posed by about her years as dean of students at Wells College and as assis- Charlene Chan, Cornell ’11, who asked how Christian students tant dean, admissions officer, and freshman advisor at Harvard. can support Christian faculty. Hyndman replied simply, yet un- She spoke about the opposition she sometimes faced—particu- waveringly: “Pray for us. Because of Jesus Christ, you have more larly regarding topics like homosexuality, abortion, and rape. in common with us—despite disciplines or age.” Baer added: “Be She also encouraged others to stand by the motto—which hap- good students! God is calling you now to be responsible stu- pens to be Yale’s—lux et veritas and to continue to be a light and dents,” and lastly, Frederick encouraged students to “take the speak truth. One example included how the abortion rate at initiative” to get to know faculty members. ■

18 | The Ivy League Christian Observer By Larry Lin, Cornell ’12 MINISTRY JOURNEYS Panel Members Share Their Stories and Insights

Three people with connections to Harvard College led God and the significance of human life.” H the Ministry Panel discussion at the Ivy League Con- McLeod became a Christian in college through Campus Cru- HARVARD gress on Faith and Action, which was held April 1-3 in sade for Christ. After going on a beach evangelism missions’ trip, Cambridge, Massachusetts. she started to feel an immense burden for those who had never Panel members included Dick Keyes, Harvard ’64, the director heard the Gospel. Along with her husband, she started a youth of L’Abri Fellowship in Southborough, Massachusetts; Tammy group at a local church, but the leadership of the church actually McLeod, a chaplain with Campus Crusade for Christ at Harvard told them that they were too gifted in campus ministry not to be and the director of college ministry for Park Street Church in in that mission field and asked them to leave. She and her hus- Boston; and Walter Kim, an associate minister and primary band Pat are campus ministers for Campus Crusade for Christ at teaching pastor for the contemporary services at Park Street Harvard. Church. Kim was “predestined” to be a doctor. However, after encoun- The session, attended by a capacity crowd of over fifty stu- tering God at a conference, he went back home with the goal of becoming a medical missionary. His plans changed once again when he realized in medical school that he did not care about physics or organic chemistry. Eventually, in spite of immense family opposition, he joined the staff at Campus Crusade for Christ and earned a seminary degree. The first question during Q & A addressed Kim and his previous interactions with his non-Chris- tian parents. He admitted that at the time it seemed very messy and difficult, and there often were fiery arguments going late into the night over the phone, but he had to persevere for the Gospel. “I tried my best to obey them in every area of my life, so that though I disobeyed them on this point, they would not be able to say that I was a disobedient child,” he said. When asked about how desires play into God’s calling for a life, Keyes affirmed them strongly. Keyes mentioned that some people choose vocations solely on what the biggest problem of the world is, and that is not the right attitude. “It’s a struggle to realize that I am not the Messiah,” he said. At the same time, desires aren’t everything either. “There will probably be chunks in our lives when we wish we were doing something else.” Another question reflected on the opinion that Ivy League students should do something with their lives that they couldn’t have done if they did- Dick Keyes, Harvard ’64, was among the ministry panelists at the Ivy n’t go to an Ivy League school. Tammy McLeod, in League Congress on Faith and Action. response, invited all of the students in attendance to seriously consider vocational ministry, not in dents, started with each member explaining how he or she came spite of an Ivy League degree, but because of the Ivy League de- into ministry, and was followed by a time of Q & A. gree. “I want to say that vocational ministry is definitely worthy Keyes said his journey from agnostic to being a Christian took of Ivy League degrees,” she urged. Citing people like John Mott several years. One of the things that held him back was the idea of Cornell and the Apostle Paul, she declared that the Church that giving his life to Christ included possibly surrendering his needs people in ministry who understand the hard issues of life career to full-time ministry. When he did become a Christian, his and the intellectual issues of society. These gifts need to be uti- passion to learn and grow led him to get a seminary degree and lized to serve the body of Christ. to become a pastor in London for eight years. Eventually, he However, she added that going into ministry is not more spir- started a L’Abri Fellowship, a community “where individuals itual than going into the corporate world, “Your identity is not have the opportunity to seek answers to honest questions about what you do. Your identity is in God.” ■

Summer 2011 | 19 IVY LEAGUE CONGRESS ON FAITH & ACTION By Larry Lin, Cornell ’12 THE REALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ‘The Forgotten Factor in Campus Transformation’

About 30 students from Ivy League schools attended I the Campus Revival Seminar at the Ivy League Con- ALL IVY gress on Faith and Action. The triennial leadership conference—which drew 380 students—was hosted by Christian Union April 1-3 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dave Warn, the director of Collegiate Impact, led the Campus Revival Seminar. Collegiate Impact is an organization that aims to “see the body of Christ on college and university campuses experience life in Jesus Christ on such a deep, powerful, contagious level that lives are changed and campuses transformed for the glory of God.” Warn also serves on the executive team for the Na- tional Collegiate Day of Prayer and has directed The Institute of Campus Revival and Awakening held at Yale University. Titled “The Forgotten Factor in Campus Transformation,” Warn’s message began with references to Bible verses that show three realities of the Holy Spirit. There is the indwelling Holy Spirit, which is characteristic of all Christians from the point they are saved. There is the filling of the Holy Spirit, which is influenced by a conscious decision of the individual. And then there is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which is the “missing link” on many campuses. This outpouring is “moving from an in- Dave Warn is the director of Collegiate Impact. dividual interaction with the Holy Spirit to a corporate interaction with the Holy Spirit,” said Warn. modern individualism in America has reduced Jesus solely to a Warn then quoted numerous individuals, from Jonathan Ed- personal Savior for many Christians. This produces an environ- wards to John Mott to Martyn-Lloyd Jones, ment in which it is often difficult or who described personal events or spoke of “Come near to unimaginable to have a corporate en- revival with the implications of a Spirit out- counter with God. pouring. God, and he will Warn ended with God’s promise in Afterward, he spoke of a few concerns James 4:8: “Come near to God, and he will about Spirit outpourings. For example, come near to you.” come near to you.” Warn addressed the issue of tongues, say- This is surely a promise that needs to be ing that it was not wise to dismiss the pos- —James 4:8 embraced by Christian students in the Ivy sibility of Spirit outpourings when tongues League after a powerful weekend of wor- are present, and it was also not wise to dismiss the same possi- ship, teaching, and exhortation at the Ivy League Congress on bility when tongues are not present. Warn also spoke about how Faith and Action. ■

By Grace Chen, Cornell ’10 Hearing God’s Voice Through Prophecy

ack Deere, an author and pastor, spoke on the topic of Spirit: Discovering How God Speaks and Heals Today. “Hearing God’s Voice through Prophecy.” Deere, who es- Congress attendees had a chance to learn about how to culti- Jtablished Wellspring Church in North Richland Hills, vate spiritual gifts and what prophecy actually entails. Deere also Texas in 2004, began the session by saying that he believes God emphasized to the audience—which included a mix of skeptics is healing and speaking today. He addressed how people can and the curious—that prophecy should be spoken to “support, cultivate a friendship with God, how to discover and effectively confirm, or encourage a leading you already have.” use spiritual gifts to help the church, and then how to use the “We have the Gospel, but we still need to pray and hear God’s gifts in the market place. voice.” He then posed the question: “How did Paul know how to “The most important thing in our lives is friendship with God,” get to Philippi?” “In stages—God does this to keep us dependent said Deere, the author of the book, Surprised by the Power of the on Him.”

20 | The Ivy League Christian Observer

IN PERSON

A MISSION OF MERCY Medical Doctor Serves the Poor in Western Africa

A Dartmouth alumnus is taking tuberculosis, malaria, and typhoid. At a practical level, Megill notes that D seriously the biblical principle of Megill, who split his childhood between much of the burden of living in one of the DARTMOUTH sacrifice in his medical career. Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and Warren, world’s least developed nations falls to his Matt Megill is so dedicated to serving Pennsylvania, received his medical degree wife, Tara (Dartmouth ’02), who must some of the world’s sickest and neediest from Temple University in 2005, where he handle homemaking chores without mod- patients that he recently moved his young also completed a residency in 2008. ern conveniences, including a washing family to a republic in Western Africa that Homeschooled through his sophomore machine, dishwasher, and vacuum ranks among the world’s most im- cleaner. That also means fixing meals poverished countries; the young from scratch for their daughters, Irene, 5; doctor has pledged a long-term Alethea, nearly 1; and son, Emmet, 3. commitment to a Christian hospi- “It is rural Africa,” said Megill, who tal. noted the couple does benefit from a “We need to continue to engage household assistant. “We’re doing it for and have hearts of compassion,” he the sake of the Gospel. The needs are said of his medical philosophy. compelling.” “Most of all we need to love our While at Dartmouth, the classics major neighbors and recognize that you or was active in campus ministries including I could have been born in Africa, if The Navigators, Campus Crusade for it had been God’s will.” Christ, and former Voces Clamantium. He Megill, Dartmouth ’00, shared also developed a deep interest in Muslim his commitment to missionary serv- religion and culture. ice during the Christian Union’s tri- As such, he volunteered for 10 weeks dur- ennial Ivy League Congress on ing 1998 at Annoor Sanitorium, a hospital Faith and Action in April. dedicated to treating chronic lung disease in This is Megill’s second stint in Jordan. Following undergraduate studies, Western Africa. From August 2008 he also served as a teacher for grades 6 to 8 to July 2010, he served at a Chris- Edgar Lei to mostly missionary children at an English- Dr. Matt Megill, Dartmouth ’00, is a medical tian hospital in the heart of a coun- speaking school in Cairo, Egypt. missionary in West Africa. try that averages about one “From a missional perspective, the physician per 30,000 residents. The needs for evangelism and gospel outreach hospital treats more than 100,000 people year of high school, he credits his parents in some of these least-reached countries per year who seek help for life-threaten- for his interest in missionary service. are really profound,” Megill said. ing and debilitating illnesses and injuries. Doug Megill, Princeton ’75, a former Along those lines, Megill shares his Both forays were arranged through a emergency-room physician, is chief of Christian faith as opportunities arise. worldwide Christian missionary organi- clinical operations at Warren General “As we try to be followers of Christ and zation. Hospital, while Laura Megill, Princeton try to do missions work in some of the Much of Megill’s work will focus on ’76, is director of the entrepreneurship neediest parts of the world, it is appropri- serving patients who are battling HIV; program at the University of Pittsburgh at ate to be weaving the two together,” Sub-Saharan Africa is more heavily af- Bradford. Megill said. flicted by HIV and AIDS than any other Among other ties to leading universi- “As a Christian physician following in region of the world. An estimated 22.5 ties, a sister, Anna Megill, Princeton ’06, Christ’s footsteps, I feel a real compelling million people live with HIV in the region, is re-joining the campus ministry of need to help people and to share Christ about two-thirds of the global total, ac- Princeton Evangelical Fellowship in the with them.” cording to AVERT, an international char- fall. Ultimately, believers need to sacrifice ity. Overall, “we support missions very for those in greater need. “We, as individ- The average life expectancy in sub-Sa- strongly,” said Laura Megill. “It’s a focus uals in the church, do have a call to re- haran Africa is about 52 years, according of our family.” spond,” Megill said. “I don’t think God to AVERT. Likewise, living in a third-world coun- calls us to have parts of the world that are “We’re trying to be the Good Samari- try has opened Megill’s eyes to the needs a godless vacuum.” tans of this world. We’re trying to pour oil among its citizens for basic necessities. During Dr. Megill’s service to Africa, into the wounds of people who are not “There is a call for us to be missional in friends and supporters can follow his ef- only stigmatized but cast out,” he said. reaching out to those in desperate need in forts and make donations via http://de- Other top killers in Western Africa are desperate parts of the world,” he said. sertgills.blogspot.com. ■

22 | The Ivy League Christian Observer By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer FOR AN AUDIENCE OF ONE Harvard Student Sings Hymn on Apollo Night

The LORD is my strength and grandparents, siblings, and other family act of evangelism. H my shield; my heart trusts in members make up the 20-person Taylor “The audience reacted positively, but I HARVARD him, and he helps me. My Family Choir, a group that ministers and honestly think that was because some heart leaps for joy, and with my song I leads worship services throughout North people knew me and influenced the praise him. – Psalm 28:7 Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. crowd. Unfortunately, the cheering be- Taylor joins them when he’s fore I appeared on stage wasn’t for home on breaks from Har- Christ,” he said. vard. Still, Taylor was able to engage the au- “I believe that I am called to dience and even had people singing along boldly share my faith with oth- with him during the chorus, “Oh for grace ers through song,” Taylor said. to trust Him more.” “I realize that music is a “I hoped that my actions would encour- unique form of communica- age others,” Taylor said. “I do see it as an tion that is unmatched by a act of servant-modeled leadership.” ‘regular’ conversation.” Taylor’s learned a lot about servant And at Harvard, where con- leadership through his participation with versation about Christ may not Harvard College Faith and Action, a min- be easy to engage, Taylor istry supported and resourced by Chris- boldly shared his faith with a tian Union. He serves as an assistant rendition of the hymn, “’Tis So Bible course leader with the ministry. Sweet To Trust In Jesus,” at “Discipling others has caused me to the college’s Night at the think more closely about the way I am Apollo talent show. representing Christ in all I do as well as “I wanted to sing a Christian how I model the way for other believers,” song that would very clearly he said. “My increased involvement in emphasize the importance of discipling others that led me to sing a Christ as the main priority in Christian song at the talent show.” an individual’s life,” Taylor In April, Taylor led the All Ivy Gospel said. Choir at the Ivy League Congress on The audience responded Faith in Action, which was attended by with resounding applause and 380 students. The conference, held adja- Damaris Taylor, Harvard ’12, is passionate about cheers, yet Taylor is quick to cent to Harvard in Cambridge, Massa- leading worship and discipleship. point out that when he sings, it chusetts, was hosted by Christian Union isn’t a performance. and co-sponsored by many campus min- “Because of the talents that istries. The passion for the Lord and joy of God has given and the style of singing While leading the choir and singing in a praise about which the psalmist wrote that I come from, sometimes people can clear, full voice, Taylor lifted his arms and could also describe Harvard rising senior mistake my vocal runs and arrangements literally leapt with joy as he sang his Damaris Taylor, who not only sings with as performing,” he said. “For that reason, praise to the Lord, bringing to life the joy and passion, but also uses his music to share the love and truth of the Gospel in churches and at Harvard. “I believe that I am called to boldly share With the popularity of contemporary Christian music, at times worship singers my faith with others through song.” can almost be seen as performers of sorts. However, for Taylor, who has been in mu- —Damaris Taylor, Harvard ’12 sic ministry since he was 5 years old, it is not about performance. It’s about truly I always like to emphasize to audiences psalmists words, and bringing to light the worshiping God. and congregations that I am simply lead- truth and joy of the Gospel. Taylor, a native of Greenville, South ing worship.” To see the YouTube video of Damaris’ Carolina, comes from a family of wor- In the case of the Harvard talent show, performance at Apollo Night, visit www. shipers and musicians. His parents, Taylor said he sees his singing there as an Christian-Union.org/HCFAtaylor. ■

Summer 2011 | 23 IN PERSON By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer HITTING A ‘KEYNOTE’ Student Uses Social Media to Promote Musical Ministry

A Brown University student re- A staffer described Vance’s role as “a said. “There were a ton of prisons that B cently kicked off his summer ground-breaking thing” for Keynote. “He wanted to work with us.” BROWN break by using his musical is helping us form and develop this role The bands practiced for about a month background to share Christ’s gospel. for students in the future,” said David before hitting the road to play a repertoire Derek Vance ’12 helped promote Campus Roux, director of Keynote’s summer proj- of 15 or so classic and contemporary pop- Crusade for Christ’s Keynote Summer Proj- ects. rock songs. In particular, the groups high- ect by plugging the musical ministry via so- “The creative arts have always been in- light songs that deal with relationship cial media. Crusade formed Keynote, its fluential in moving people. Music drops a matters and life issues as a means to segue creative arts and com- into spiritual conversations, said Roux. munications outreach, “The music is the common piece that in 1966. The touring draws people in,” Roux said. “We’ll take ministry concentrates those songs and train a student or two to on sharing Christ’s share personal stories and share the message via perform- gospel.” ing artists, bands, co- In 1994, Keynote added its summer- medians, film, and the projects division for college students. like. Historically, attendance at each summer Vance, who partici- concert averages about 100 to 200 people pated in the outreach per show. during summer 2010 As for Vance, the religion and public as a bass guitarist, re- policy major focused on engaging turned to the ministry donors, parents, and potential recruits in a newly created role via the Internet. In addition to updating as a communications the Facebook page for Keynote’s sum- specialist on May 16. mer projects division, Vance wrote for Initially, Vance was the Connection blog and handled other assigned to Keynote’s electronic chores. headquarters in West- “He’s trying to paint a picture and cast field, Indiana, where a vision of what we are,” Roux said. “He’s he received about trying to tell the Keynote story.” three weeks of training Much of Vance’s material came from in evangelism and “going on the road to catch some of the electronic communica- stories,” Roux said. “His audience was tions. Later, he toured more of the Christian audience.” with one of the min- Derek Vance (top row, 2nd from left), Brown ’12, served Social media outlets are flourishing be- istry’s two bands as it as the communications specialist at Campus Crusade for cause “people want to be part of online performed throughout Christ’s Keynote Summer Project. communities,” Roux noted. “It’s where a Florida until wrapping lot of young people live. We’re all about up the season around meeting them where they’re at, not mak- July 5. lot of barriers. People can connect on a lot ing them come to us.” The native of Charleston, West Virginia, of different levels.” Ultimately, for Vance, involvement in said he decided to pursue a second sum- During the academic year, professional Keynote has been an amazing opportu- mer in the musical outreach because his artists with Keynote take to stages on col- nity for spiritual growth. “Just seeing experience in 2010 was so inspirational. lege campuses and military bases across older Christian guys was really helpful for “I’ve seen the Gospel transform lives in North America and even venture to over- me,” Vance said. such a powerful way,” said Vance. seas venues. During the summer, profes- Roux also remarked on Vance’s flour- This year, the top duties in his new role sionals help train students in their ishing faith. “I’ve seen him take more ini- at Keynote centered on posting updates respective fields. tiative and want to share the Gospel with for the musical outreach via Facebook This year’s set of bands focused on per- people,” he said. “The more you’re out and penning a blog capturing ministry ac- forming in the Southeast, mostly in pris- there doing that, the more your vision tivities. ons. “It just worked out that way,” Roux grows.” ■

24 | The Ivy League Christian Observer By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer CREATING A ‘RIPPLE EFFECT’ Former Toro Company CEO Promotes Servant Leadership

The former CEO of the Toro their best,” Melrose who produced replace- P Company wants to encourage said. “It was a very ment parts for golf PRINCETON the next generation of business dysfunctional environ- equipment at a plant executives to embrace the concept of ser- ment.” that typically shut- vant leadership. Gradually, Melrose tered during the win- Ken Melrose, Princeton ’62, discussed introduced a climate ter months. Instead, his personal and professional journey at that reflected both faith management sent the the helm of one of the world’s leading and an emphasis on em- employees to top golf providers of landscape products and irri- ployee input. Likewise, courses, including Au- gation systems during a recent visit to he consulted with some gusta National Golf Princeton University. of the most renowned Club, to service mow- “The purpose of life is to serve God by management gurus ers and other equip- serving others,” said Melrose. “It’s not from the 1980s, includ- ment. who you are as in your title. It’s what you ing Stephen Covey and “How can we value do. What you do creates a ripple effect.” Tom Peters, and Toro other people when we Melrose, who appeared through the launched an innovative are laying them off? university’s Faith and Work Initiative, improvement program Former Toro CEO Ken Melrose, Why not redeploy them? formed Leading by Serving in 2006 to called Pride in Excel- Princeton ’62, shared insights on The distributors needed leadership as a guest speaker promote the principles of servant leader- lence. The company also extra workers to refur- with the Princeton Faith and ship in business organizations. revamped its product bish the equipment,” Work Initiative. “My hope is there are some junior ser- portfolio to expand into Melrose commented to vant leaders who will percolate up and the less cyclical and Princeton students. have the courage to take a risk,” Melrose more profitable professional division, while Not surprisingly, productivity at the told students on April 12 in McCormick balancing its array of residential products. plant spiked as the laborers caught the Hall. Melrose documented much of his company’s vision. “You could see these Melrose joined Toro in 1970 as director faith-based corporate journey in Making people just so energized,” he said. of marketing planning for the consumer the Grass Greener on Your Side: A CEO’s Likewise, under Melrose’s leadership, products division. He was named chief Journey to Leading by Serving. The Toro became a national forerunner in dis- executive officer and chairman of the 1995 book describes the principles be- pute resolution to solve product-liability board before assuming the role of execu- hind allowing customers to behave as cases, resulting in a dramatic reduction in tive chairman for Toro’s board of direc- boss and, in turn, management to facili- legal costs per claim and a virtual elimi- tors in 2005. He retired from the Bloomington, Minnesota, corporation in Under Melrose’s leadership, Toro became a 2006. During Melrose’s ten- national forerunner in dispute resolution to solve ure, he ushered Toro through a make-or-break product-liability cases, resulting in a dramatic transition period when analysts were openly reduction in legal costs per claim and a virtual doubtful about the company’s survival. Melrose elimination of cases resolved through trials. quickly instituted a series of measures to save the landscaping behemoth from demise, in- tate employees and their service to cus- nation of cases resolved through trials. cluding a dramatic reduction in the work- tomers. In the early 1990s, members of Toro’s force. Later, he turned his attention to Put simply, management’s role is to product-liability team expressed concern incorporating seismic changes in Toro’s give employees the potential to contribute about the way the company dealt with incorporate culture, ones he had started to by engaging, inspiring, and empowering jured customers, calling the aggressive le- introduce in the late 1970s as a division them. gal defenses inconsistent with Toro’s manager. At a practical level, valuing employees cultural values of helping customers. “Toro in the 1970s was very top-down. also played out when Melrose’s team de- As such, they suggested a system of I could see the employees were not giving cided against furloughing 250 workers reaching out to customers before the

Summer 2011 | 25 IN PERSON

start of the legal process. As a result, “The best part of this is we’ve been able “We value the employee,” Melrose said. Toro began dispatching teams, usually to retain these customers for life,” he said. “It’s obvious to me that if employees are including paralegals and engineers, to Melrose, a native of Orlando, Florida, really engaged, the shareholder and the visit injured parties. Representatives of- graduated with honors from Princeton customer will do really well. You don’t do ten were authorized to pay for medical University in 1962, where he majored in that by autocracy and control.” fees, lost work time and even some mathematics and lettered in track. He Ultimately, Melrose said executives trauma-related costs. went on to earn a master of science in should look to Christ as their example. In 2007, Melrose reflected on the suc- electrical engineering from Massachu- “If you want to know who was the cess of the program to Ethix, a publica- setts Institute of Technology in 1965 and greatest servant leader in the world, just tion of Seattle Pacific University’s a master of business administration from open up the New Testament,” he said. business school. He noted that two-thirds the University of Chicago in 1967. David Miller, founding director of the of cases are settled in the home, and one- He told students that he shuns the Wall Princeton University Faith & Work Initia- third head to mediation. Only one case – Street mentality of putting shareholders tive, said students were riveted by Mel- a dispute from 1994 – landed in court. first and prizing profit maximization rose’s account. In the 1970s and 1980s, Toro dealt with above other considerations. Executives They were “stunned to think you could about 100 lawsuits per year, and half of should take a long-term approach to busi- have a leadership style that was people- those ended up in the court, Melrose told ness decisions, not ones simply to beat oriented and not stock-oriented. The stu- Ethix. As such, overall legal expenses and the next set of quarterly, earnings-per- dents were deeply impacted by the settlement costs dropped precipitously share estimates, which is the kind of real-life stories he told and the way his under the alternative-dispute resolution thinking that helped cause the current re- faith quietly, but firmly, shaped his lead- program. cession, he said. ership style,” Miller said. ■

By Nana Asiedu, Dartmouth ’12 SALUTING SENIORS Three From Class of 2011 Look Back, Look Ahead

Editor’s note: The Ivy League earn God’s forgiveness. No matter how D Christian Observer recently much I mess up. I don’t pay for my salvation DARTMOUTH interviewed three graduating in deeds. That is definitely not a human con- seniors at Dartmouth College regarding cept and it’s one of my favorite things about their time at the school, their future Christianity; also, the fact that I don’t go plans, and their faith. through life alone. Even when things are painful or sad, I have the assurance that God CHRISTABELL DORCAS MAKOKHA is going to be there. Hometown: Eldoret, Kenya ISAIAH JAMES BERG Major: Engineering (with concentration Major: Geography with a minor in Eco- in biomedical engineering) nomics

Activities at Dartmouth: Undergradu- Hometown: Starkweather, North ate Advisor, Deans Office Student Con- Dakota sultant, Rockefeller Leadership Fellow, National Society of Black Engineers, Activities: Brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon Tucker Fellow in Kenya, Research at fraternity (president during senior year), Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center writer for The Dartmouth student news- and in Germany. paper and Dartblog, Navigators, Dart- mouth Cycling Team. Plans after Dartmouth: Moving to Boston to work as an associate in health- Plans after Dartmouth: I’m planning care consulting. a bike and camping expedition with my two brothers. We’re hoping to go from Best part of being a Christian: The con- Anchorage, Alaska to Ischilín, Argentina. cept of grace; knowing that I don’t have to Christabell Makokha ’11 In May, I will enter Marine Corp Officer

26 | The Ivy League Christian Observer with me because, hey, my name is Isaiah! To me, this scripture is about being available for God’s calling. God calls us on an individual basis; there is so much richness in that call.”

KI SUH JUNG Hometown: Ridgewood, New Jersey

Major: Government and Economics (double major)

Activities: Agape Christian Fellowship, Praise Coordinator for Logos Church, Al- ternative Spring Break and Inter Fellow- ship Living Community with Tucker Foundation, Gospel Choir

Plans after Dartmouth: My mid-term goal (one to two years from now) is to become either a Foreign Service officer or a Navy officer. I will take the Foreign Serv- ice exam at the end of this year, and I’m in the process of applying to the Navy. Right now, I’m helping out at my parents’ Isaiah Berg ’11 restaurant while looking for a job to keep me busy for those couple years. I’ve been Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia looking at various fields, but mostly con- and work four to eight years with the sulting. I’m taking everything in stride be- Marines. cause I might end up taking a different Ki Suh Jung ’11

“To me, [Isaiah 6:8] is about being time at Dartmouth. Usually, freshmen are available for God’s calling. God calls us very excited about coming into the unknown in terms of campus ministry. Then on an individual basis; there is so much they face the difficulties of being a Chris- tian, or being part of a campus ministry, richness in that call.” or just the difficulties of studies at Dart- mouth. Some people tend to become more cynical, more pessimistic. But I Bible verse that has been the most route from the one I described above. Un- don’t think it has to be this way. If you meaningful during four years at certainty, as much as it’s worrisome, is stick with your fellow believer friends, if Dartmouth: “Then I heard the voice of also exciting in a way. you just continue to be positive, then this the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And college experience can continue to be a who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am Advice to incoming and current stu- very exciting time. There will be ups and I. Send me!’ ” (Isaiah 6:8). This verse is dents of faith: They need a healthy bal- downs, but you never have to lose the en- about the calling of Isaiah. It connects ance of realism and idealism during their thusiasm that you came in with, ever. ■

Summer 2011 | 27 FAITH AND MEDIA By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer FAITHFUL UNTIL THE END Book on Trappist Monks by Columbia Alumnus Is Inspiration for Motion Picture

Of Gods and Men, released by country was that of the Gospels,” Kiser opposite. They often have more of an C Sony Pictures Classics in the wrote in his book. “They belonged to idea.” COLUMBIA spring, is a film that exempli- everyone…” While the film uses subtitles, the music fies what it means to live out one’s faith Additionally, said Kiser, in an interview and expression demonstrate the depth and love one’s neighbor, even in the face for his Web site, “There was a strong and crescendo of emotions the monks ex- of death. sense of solidarity that would have been perience as they collectively discern their The movie is based upon the acclaimed book, The Monks of Tib- “The prayer for which they gather several times a hirine, written by Co- lumbia alumnus John day is an integral part of their life…Without their W. Kiser, MA ’76. Kiser tells the story of seven life of contemplation their life of action is Trappist monks who meaningless. Their lives of contemplation and were kidnapped from their monastery in the action can’t be separated.” village of Tibhirine in Al- —Fr. James Martin, Penn ’82 geria and killed during the political violence there in 1996. broken if they had hightailed it to a safe future. The significance of prayer is also The French monks vowed to be wit- place when their neighbors did not have depicted well. nesses of God’s love within the Muslim that option.” “The prayer for which they gather sev- community. According to Kiser, the “The monks were human beings, they eral times a day is an integral part of their Church in Algeria served the Muslims by struggled with their faith,” said author and life,” said Martin. “Psalm prayers form running schools and hospitals. These re- social commentator Fr. James Martin, their discernment process. Without their markable monks were bound by their love Penn ’82, during a recent interview for life of contemplation their life of action is for Christ and dedica- Religion & Ethics meaningless. Their lives of contemplation tion to serving their fel- Weekly. “Their politics and action can’t be separated.” low man. was the politics of love “I’ve never seen a film on an overtly re- Both the book and the and charity. The same ligious topic that has affected me so movie deal with the con- way Christ loved much. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that flict the monks experi- everybody, the monks is so honest about the life of faith. It blew enced as they tried to loved everyone. Most me away.” discern whether or not people think monks Despite the publicity surrounding this to leave the monastery have no idea what’s go- story, the facts of the actual kidnapping when the French gov- ing on outside the and deaths are still unknown. However, ernment gave the order walls. That’s quite the for Kiser, the details regarding the monks’ for all foreigners to va- deaths are not what his story is about, as cate Algeria. But as much as the love and faith that infused there are no foreigners their lives. in God’s kingdom, the The recently released “The motives for the monks’ kidnap- film, Of Gods and monks ultimately chose ping and the cause of their death remain Men, is based upon to stay, continuing to a mystery to this day,” writes Kiser. “It is the book, The Monks support and care for the of Tibhirine, written not my purpose to solve it, but to tell a villagers. by John W. Kiser, story of love and reconciliation amid fear “To my mind, their Columbia ’67. and hatred.” ■

28 | The Ivy League Christian Observer By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON COMPASSION Grad Student Features Relief Bus Ministry in Final Project

As a graduate student in a multi- a worship singer. The Relief Bus, based in my favorites,” Schnurr said. “She was C platform media class, Tatiana Elizabeth, New Jersey, is a ministry that happy to see me because she knew I cared COLUMBIA Schnurr could have featured provides food and hope for the down and for her and was praying for her.” anything in New York as her final project. out on the streets of Metro New York City. In addition to helping the poor and the But in a city of hopes and dreams, desire In the neighborhoods of the South afflicted, Schnurr said she wanted to and disappointment, bounty, and poverty, Bronx, Manhattan, Newark, and Eliza- bring fellow students to the bus to show Schnurr chose to feature mobile compas- beth, Relief Bus volunteers bring food them what it meant to be Christian. sion in a video piece about The Relief Bus, a and hope to those in need by handing out “When people think of church work, ministry that feeds the poor and homeless. hearty vegetable soup and bread. From they think of soup kitchens. This is some- Schnurr, an international relations and two refurbished busses, they dispense thing these people dedicate their lives to,” public affairs graduate student at Colum- love, encouragement, and tangible tools she said. to revive the hearts Schnurr also wanted to bring the wit- and lives of those ness of Christ at work through the bus ready and willing to into her classroom at Columbia. How- make a change. ever, she wasn’t sure how the academy Poverty isn’t new would respond to the Christian subject to Schnurr. She’s wit- matter. nessed it on the “I wanted to do a godly subject and this streets of New York, felt right,” she said. “I didn’t know how it and has also encoun- was going to be taken. There was uncer- tered it in Brazil, tainty,” she said. Even other Christians where she has spent had cautioned her about doing an overtly time studying. Still, Christian project. she said, the environ- To her delight, however, the instructor ment around the bus and the class welcomed the project. In was a stark contrast fact, it was one of only five selected as a to the Ivy League class group project. That meant that halls where she Schnurr was able to bring four of her spends her days. classmates to the bus to work on the video “I was really blown and to witness God’s work there. away by the way peo- “They really felt good about what they Columbia Graduate Student Tatiana Schnurr documented ple live in daily need were doing,” Schnurr said of her peers. the ministry of The Relief Bus for a class project. not knowing if they She also said they seemed comfortable will have what they helping to distribute the food while bia, didn’t know a lot about video produc- need to get by. It’s a dreary, dark atmos- Schnurr and the other volunteers openly tion, but took the class because she phere,” she said. prayed for the community. wanted to be familiar with the technology Yet, in the midst of the darkness, The final outcome was a video that de- and resources should the opportunity Schnurr said the Relief Bus provided a ray picted the bleakness of the city and the arise in a future career position. She also of hope. “The bus seems to have a lot of snow and rain through which the bus wanted to use the final project as an op- life around it,” she said, explaining that traveled. But it also showed the smiles of portunity to introduce Christianity into some food recipients stay all day just to people who felt loved and cared for, and it her classroom. feel part of the community there. shared the stories of those whose lives “It’s a secular school, so I wanted to do To gain the trust of the Relief Bus team have been transformed from drug addic- a piece to show how people are impacted and the people they serve, Schnurr started tion, all because someone cared about by faith,” Schnurr said. “I really wanted to as a volunteer. She started praying for the them. bring that into the classroom.” people she met at the bus, and because Schnurr received an A for the project, Schnurr received the idea for her final many of the same people return each but more than a grade, the project gave project from a fellow congregant at Times week, she even developed friendships. Christ the spotlight in the classroom, and Square Church in New York, where she is “Margarita from Puerto Rico was one of touched the hearts of all those involved. ■

Summer 2011 | 29 FAITH AND MEDIA By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer GOD AND GAMING Expert: There Is ‘Potential for Spiritual Enrichment’

Nearly 90 percent of college he said. “I wanted them to think in P students engage in gaming, terms of fellowship within the gam- PRINCETON whether casually on a cell ing space.” phone or intensely online, and such gam- He added: “Even in film, most ing can present spiritual opportunities. popular cinematic sagas demon- That was one of the key points from strate that nobody can make the Craig Detweiler when the Pepperdine journey alone. You literally need a University scholar and author spoke re- fellowship around the ring.” cently at Princeton University on the Likewise, for students who have wide-ranging impact of video games and struggled with addiction to video the entertainment arena. games, a spiritual component is Rather than viewing such activities as critical for future participation. irreligious or even irreverent, Detweiler Detweiler recommends “inviting encouraged students to incorporate God God into the process, asking for into their leisure breaks. spiritual discernment on when “Given the sheer volume of time in- enough is enough.” vested in gaming, I wanted to challenge As for Detweiler, the father of Scholar Craig Detweiler encouraged students students not to see that as time away from two said he is being reintroduced to incorporate God into their leisure breaks God, but as an activity that could include to gaming through his children, during a lecture on the entertainment arena God and connect to their deepest spiritual ages 11 and 9. Halos and Avatars and video games. longings,” he said. also includes a chapter from the Detweiler is the editor of Halos and Fuller Youth Institute on how par- Avatars: Playing Video Games with God, ents and pastors can effectively told students the “best filmmakers are a collection of essays that include theo- talk to teens about gaming. asking the ultimate questions that may be logical themes of some games. Topics in- Ultimately, humans were created to en- answered in forgotten or overlooked sec- clude video games as a storytelling joy recreational activities. “Before the fall, tions of the Bible.” medium and the theological implications there was a certain beauty and wonder to In addition to his core position as an of violent or apocalyptic games such as the world,” Detweiler said. “The best associate professor of communications at Halo 3, Grand Theft Auto IV, and Resi- games bring us back to that sheer joy.” Pepperdine, Detweiler is helping the uni- dent Evil. Detweiler holds an undergraduate de- versity to launch a master of fine arts pro- Manna Christian Fellowship (www. gree in English, a master of fine arts, and gram in media production. He previously princeton.edu/manna), along with the both a master of divinity and doctorate of served as the co-director of Reel Spiritu- SmashCraft Heroes gaming club, spon- theology and culture from Fuller Theolog- ality: An Institute for Moving Images at sored Detweiler’s appearance on April 9 ical Seminary. In addition, Detweiler is a Fuller Theological Seminary. in Forbes College. He also lectured later screenwriter, producer, and author. He “Pop culture has consistently moved that evening in Murray-Dodge Hall on the co-wrote The Duke in 1999 for Buena me closer to God and connected with my role of theology in film. Vista Home Entertainment and the road- heart-felt yearnings,” he said. “I’ve gone Both video games and cinematic pro- trip comedy Extreme Days in 2001 for on a theological quest to explain how God ductions offer the potential for theological Providence Entertainment. Furthermore, can use profane things to spark sacred and personal enrichment, said Detweiler, Detweiler co-wrote A Matrix of Mean- searches. God has always used unlikely a frequent cultural commentator. ings: Finding God in Pop Culture with people and unlikely means to wake up ob- “What I did was help them understand British musician Barry Taylor in 2003. stinate people.” why they love the things they love and tell In 2008 he produced and directed the As for his time at Princeton, Detweiler them to reflect theologically – to look award-winning documentary, Purple said he was struck by the commitment of closely at the music, games, and TVs that State of Mind, which probes the tension students to the role of aestheticism. surround them,” he said. “We were af- of so-called “blue” and “red” states in the “The students at Princeton were much firming common grace and God’s ability United States. Detweiler also released more interested in aestheticism, the pos- to speak through anything.” Into the Dark: Seeing the Sacred in the sibilities of art, music, and drama to ex- Detweiler noted that both gaming and Top Films of the 21st Century. The book press our deepest longings,” he said. “You movie viewing can involve fellowship. probes 45 pop-culture films from social, have an entire generation of Christians “Many people think of gaming as passive, cultural, and theological perspectives. who are being prepared to enter into the but it is remarkably communal and active,” During his visit to Princeton, Detweiler marketplace of ideas.” ■

30 | The Ivy League Christian Observer REACHING OUT By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer POWER EVANGELISM Guest Minister Helps Princeton Faith and Action ‘Go for It’

An Illinois pastor, known for Subsequently, Dawkins took about 15 she experienced heat and electricity ministering in supernatural students on an evangelism excursion to spreading across her body. manifestations of God, served the Frist Campus Center. While there, Several skeptical students told Dawkins as one of Princeton Faith and Action’s Dawkins prophesied in detail over a that they “now believed in God and his guest speakers during Go-for-It Week. woman manning a table for donations to power. Many felt God’s power and mani- Robby Dawkins, senior pastor of Vine- benefit victims of the recent tsunami in fest presence that night,” Dawkins wrote yard Aurora, taught Japan, and he or- on Facebook. students about heal- ganized the students As a whole, students were “inspired by ing, prophecy, deliver- to pray for three cof- Robby’s faith and willingness to approach ance, and experiencing fee baristas who re- the subjects of healing, prophecy, and the presence of God ported back and leg miracles as well as his faith that they will during his March visit pains. happen if we go out and pray for them,” at Princeton Univer- “All three were said Christian Union Ministry Intern sity. Princeton Faith completely healed,” Mike Vincent, Princeton ’10. and Action is a leader- Dawkins said. “The “Many students shared stories about ship development min- students were very how they were either healed, felt the tan- istry supported and excited.” gible presence of God through his resourced by Christian But the highlight prayers, or received prophetic words from Union. of Dawkins’ visit oc- him.” “People were very curred when he Scott Jones (Cornell ’03), a Christian hungry to hear and ex- served as the fea- Union ministry fellow at Princeton, said perience God,” Dawkins tured speaker at a Dawkins’ appearance prompted robust wrote on Facebook.com. campus-wide event discussion among believers and non-be- During Go-for-It in McCosh Hall enti- lievers. Week, leaders with tled, “Do Miracles “Robby’s presence on campus was one Princeton Faith and Happen Today?” of the most thought-provoking and talked Action (PFA) encour- Pastor Robbie Dawkins spoke Dawkins shared about events at Princeton this year and aged students to share about and demonstrated “Power many of his personal remained one of the most discussed arti- their faith on campus. Evangelism” with students from experiences with cles on The Daily Princetonian’s Web site Dawkins began his Princeton Faith and Action. miracles and gave a for about a month,” Jones said. visit on March 22 with presentation of the “Our students were deeply challenged an evening session focused on training Gospel message before inviting audience by his teaching, and we’ve seen greater PFA students to practice “power” evan- members to come forward for prayer for boldness in many of them. There is an in- gelism. Dawkins taught students that healing. creased willingness to pray for those in “power” involves taking the initiative to As a result, five or so students reported suffering and a greater expectancy to see share the Gospel and expecting God to healings of ailments including back, leg, God move in extraordinary ways.” show up in supernatural manifestations, including prophecy, healings, and other miracles. “Many students shared stories about how The next day, Dawkins delivered a devotional at PFA’s noon they were either healed, felt the tangible prayer meeting before interceding and prophesying over individ- presence of God through his prayers, or ual students and Christian Union staffers. received prophetic words from him.” Dawkins said the Holy Spirit showed up in a remarkable way. —Mike Vincent, Princeton ’10 “People around the room began to weep and kneel as the Holy Spirit be- and neck pain, sinus congestion, and Along related lines, Ravonne Nevels ’14 gan to fall on them. It was powerful,” he headache. said she was touched by God’s heart for said. “Several students were supposed to Dawkins stayed into the early morning reaching non-believers. go to lunch, but only one or two left. It to prophesy and intercede for students. “God really wants to love and have non- went for over an hour.” He prayed for a non-Christian who said Christians experience him in a unique

Summer 2011 | 31 REACHING OUT

way, and it pleases God to use believers to “He made the biblical basis of healing student appreciation for Dawkins’ visit help bring these people closer to him,” and, more generally, miracles, accessible and their new spiritual insights best. said Nevels, a religion major from Albu- to a modern-day audience to whom such “He really gave me lots of practical in- querque, New Mexico. things often seem foreign or hard to be- sight into the gift of prophecy,” said Fuen- Likewise, Hannah Barkley ’11 said lieve or understand,” said Barkley, an mayor, a religion major from Los Angeles, Dawkins helped explain the concept of ecology and evolutionary biology major California. “It was inspiring and faith healing and ways to pray for miracles to from Basking Ridge, New Jersey. building to hear him talk and see him an unfamiliar constituency. Trent Fuenmayor ’12 seemed to sum up work.” ■

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer PRAYING 24/7 Tent Makes Christianity Visible and Accessible

This spring’s 24/7 Prayer Tent grieved by the discord P at Penn was marked by an among her former room- PENN abundance of inter-ministry mates from last year, one support, according to Michael Hu, Direc- was Christian and one tor of PennforJesus. was Jewish. However, as “The sense of the prayer tent being the Catholic woman was more of a co-owned event really took hold spending time in prayer at this year, and a greater sense of [unity] the tent, each of the other was really felt,” said Hu. friends saw her and came PennforJesus, a ministry of Campus in. They spoke and recon- Renewal Ministries, sponsors the annual ciled, and in the end, the 24/7 Prayer Tent. This year, leaders from Jewish friend suggested several campus ministries adopted spe- they all pray together. cific days for their members to pray. According to Hu, “It “The prayer tent furthers the cause for was a testimony of God’s Christ on the campus by promoting unity, sovereign timing, His prayer, and public witness,” according to work of reconciliation be- Hu. A Christian Union grant was pro- tween relationships, and vided to help underwrite the event. even more amazing to see The prayer tent, as in years past, served Him initiate prayer to- as a holy space of increased prayer for the gether from a Jewish stu- Prayer requests, confessions, and praises were posted Penn campus and its students, as well as dent in a Christian prayer in the prayer tent set up this spring at Penn. for the world and its leaders. Additionally, tent.” “Its visibility generated dialogue among Other students were passersby about prayer and faith issues,” also moved and encouraged, as evidenced In the end, the prayer tent, which made said Hu. by their feedback to the event coordina- a striking presence amidst the every day The tent also served as a place of heal- tors. “This is my favorite place to be on surroundings of the campus, stood as a ing. Hu shared the story of three Penn campus,” commented one student. “I love testimony of Christian faith and solidar- “[The prayer tent’s] visibility generated dialogue among passersby about prayer and faith issues.” women who were brought together in what you are doing here,” said another. ity. Yet even more striking was the wit- reconciliation. A Catholic student who And still another longed for more time ness of Christ’s love and fidelity and His graduated last year was spending time devoted to prayer and asked, “Can we ex- mercy and compassion available to all doing prayer shifts at the tent. She was tend this for another few weeks?” who entered the tent. ■

32 | The Ivy League Christian Observer By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer CELEBRATING HOLY WEEK ON THE QUAD Outreach Proclaims ‘God’s Unashamed and Bold Love’

Students with Campus On A relegated Christian practice to the closet. According to the team coordinating the C Hill at Cornell used Holy Week “One of the greatest victories Satan has event, which was partially funded by a CORNELL to take a public stand for their won in the Eastern Church is that he has Christian Union grant, the vision was faith, and they invited others to do the made Jesus a private, personal matter. clear. Leaders with Campus On A Hill same. The Church was once the center of both (rso.cornell.edu/campusonahill) wanted From Maundy Thursday evening religious and civic life. It is no longer,” the truth and power of Christ’s death and through Easter Sunday morning, Chris- said Wen. “That is why we needed to have resurrection to permeate out from the Christian subcommunity and more deeply into the campus community. Ultimately, they wanted to see the person of Jesus and the message of his death and resurrection become a topic of public conversation. “We wanted to have a public event because we believe a large part of campus transformation will come through changing the collective culture of the community.” And while Wen and his peers wanted to spark public conversation and transformation, they also knew there would be some negative responses as well. “We were concerned about the reaction, but not afraid. We know that the Gospel always causes some controversy, that it will divide people,” he said. “Our main concern was in communicating the Gospel in such a way that it resonates with the needs and pierces the sins of today’s cultures.” According to feedback, the outreach was successful in piercing through some Christian students at Cornell publicly exalted the resurrection of Jesus Christ of the barrenness at Cornell. through the Easter on the Quad Event in April. One student, who brought some close friends who are not believers, found the tian students publicly gathered on the a physical manifestation in a big common event to be a portal for discussing Christi- campus’s central quad for outreach, space on campus.” anity. prayer, and live worship. The continuous And so they did. Despite a drizzling “The follow-up conversations I’ve had days of prayer and the celebratory Easter rain, nearly 600 students gathered on the have been so encouraging. God is defi- service were widely publicized to the en- Arts Quad for the Easter Morning Service. nitely working in the hearts of my friends tire campus and were aimed at inviting Organizers had set up 500 seats, but and I am just ecstatic. They told me they non-Christian students and faculty to fol- those quickly filled up, leaving only were really glad this event was held,” said low Jesus Christ. standing room for the remaining atten- the student in an email. “The intention of gathering in a public dees. Wen isn’t sure how many non- Another demonstrated the impact of area was to display God’s unashamed and Christians attended the service, but the resonating worship and the signifi- bold love for the campus, and His tangi- estimates around 25 percent. cance of publicly praising the Lord and ble pursuit of the hearts of students and A Gospel choir and a Christian a cap- reaching out in bold faith. faculty,” said Henry Wen ’09, a graduate pella group each led worship, including “I was walking to Uris Library one student and one of the coordinators of the songs from various traditions such as a evening and from way across the Arts outreach. black Gospel, contemporary, and classical Quad I heard singing,” wrote the student. This stands in opposition and contrast hymns. Songs from Simon and Garfunkel “It was the people from the prayer tent to what Wen sees as the advancement of and the Black-Eyed Peas were also incor- and the sound was so beautiful and reas- secularism and anti-faithfulness that has porated into the worship with the intention suring that I had to stop and sing with silenced Christian proclamation and has of raising questions about life and purpose. them.” ■

Summer 2011 | 33 ABOUT MINISTRY By Kevin Plybon, Columbia ’11 BECOMING ‘A FORCE FOR LOVE’ Columbia Students Excited About Upcoming Year After Leadership Retreat

Students from InterVarsity at Jason So, CC ’13, a leader with Colum- over the next year, including $5,000 from C Columbia attended Basilea, the bia’s Veritas Forum chapter, said it was sources outside Columbia. COLUMBIA ministry’s end-of-year retreat, important for him and the rest of the Ver- Intervarsity’s vision for restoration and with high expectations and desire for con- itas board members to go to Basilea. “Our healing on campus comes, in part, from a firmation of a new vision of healing and goals were brainstorming, getting to calling that many have felt to reach out to restoration on their campus. the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bi- Basilea, InterVarsity’s annual sexual, transgender, queer) leadership conference, was held community. According to at Saranac Village, a Young Life Keller, the students who at- camp in Upstate New York. tended Basilea’s Servant By all accounts, God met and Leader track want to “address exceeded the expectations of the places on campus where there Columbians as they joined stu- might be a lot of hurting and dents from other campuses for need for healing, especially the week-long event. within the LGBTQ commu- Damaris Giah, CC ’14, was nity.” Several events on cam- part of the Transforming Prayer pus last semester, including a track. forum about “Safe Spaces” “One thing we learned well was and a discussion of intersec- how to pray in agreement, how to Jason So ’13 and Heidi Keller ’14 were among the Columbia tions between religion and build off of each other’s prayers students who attended Basilea, InterVarsity’s end-of-year sexuality, brought the divide so that we are united in a stronger retreat. between the Christian and force, a stronger prayer,” she said. LGBTQ communities on cam- Giah also said that God broke down her know the other members of the board, pus to the forefront. IV’s serving council illusions about herself, revealing “pride and asking God how we can serve the will seek to bridge this divide by display- and jealousy in my heart.” She plans to other fellowships,” he said, “and I think ing its commitment to radical love next bring these realizations back to campus we accomplished all of them.” semester. Keller said IV will also be doing next semester as part of IV’s quest for au- So said that Basilea gave Columbia’s more of what she calls “kindness proj- thentic community. Veritas chapter a new perspective on ects,” things like bringing food to people Heidi Keller (BC ’14), received new in- what kind of organization they should be who are studying in the library. sight on the importance of community for as they seek to connect with un-churched Overall, students from Columbia Inter- the ministry. students through various initiatives. “We Varsity (www.columbia.edu/cu/ivcf/) said Basilea increased their desire to be a force for love on campus. Giah Intervarsity’s vision for restoration and said that in their first chapter meeting at the retreat, “you could feel this bub- healing on campus comes, in part, from a bling excitement for what God was going to do next year...everyone was calling that many have felt to reach out to really excited about their track and the vision God had given them.” Giah the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, said the ministry learned to be more dynamic and responsive to God’s transgender, queer) community. voice at the retreat—to do more of what she calls “breaking the mold— listening to his voice and acting on “[Community is important,] not just can serve as a ‘frontier’ for campus min- those things.” Given that attendance at in hanging out, but how we evangelize, istries by bringing in people who would IV’s weekly large group meetings in- and how we come to be disciples,” she normally not set foot in [their meetings],” creased from an average of about 60 peo- said. “Our community has the potential he said. The team set ambitious goals and ple to 100 over the past year, it seems for great authenticity, which draws made significant changes to their event that IV has physical and spiritual evi- people in from other campus communi- structure. They also set what So described dence of God’s faithfulness and desire to ties.” as a “challenging” goal: to raise $11,000 do great things at Columbia. ■

34 | The Ivy League Christian Observer By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer ‘LIVING OUT MY CHRISTIAN FAITH’ Alumni Panel Gives Testimonies at Reunion Weekend

Believers should approach geted classes with graduation years end- played a key role in his decision to reside P business negotiations with the ing in “six” or “one.” and work in Manhattan, rather than to pur- PRINCETON attitude that Christ – plus their Along related lines, Birkeland shared sue opportunities in the culturally lavish own mothers – are also seated at the table. with students and alumni how the loss of and historically rich corridors of Europe. “Our Christian faith demands that we his wife of three decades also has pro- Hazelton, who grew up in Switzerland, be proactive in our faith,” said Paul Birke- foundly shaped his perspective on busi- France, and Kenya, said he senses that land, Princeton ’66. ness and personal matters. New York City is on the verge of a much- The real estate investor made his com- “That offers a tremendous amount of needed revival. ments when he spoke during an alumni perspective on how frail life is,” he said. “What’s happened over the last year to panel discussion entitled, “How I Am Liv- “Are we spending time with people? What two years in New York City is remark- ing out My Christian Faith Today.” grace are we showing to our fellow human able,” he said. “There are lots of churches beings?” starting. People are meeting together and “Ask yourself if it will matter praying.” in five years. What you do with The private investor and co-founder of your spouse will matter,” he Arrabon, a corporate advisory and invest- said. “Business decisions can be ment business, said he felt the need to forgotten, but how you treat pause and consider where God is moving. people will not be forgotten.” “We are living here as a family because Likewise, as part of his efforts God is working here,” Hazelton said. “It to reflect Christ in business would be disobedient for me not to live practices, Birkeland instructed here.” his residential rental division to Likewise, a growing prayer movement begin writing letters of recom- spreading across New York City makes it mendation for departing ten- “really exciting to be there.” ants who kept satisfactory terms In addition, Hazelton shared with the during their leases. panel the way his faith played a key role in To Birkeland’s amazement, a how he and his wife dealt with the news of sizeable chunk of former tenants an early miscarriage in 2010. returned for future leases. “They “I remember being surprised at the would hand back the letter,” he peace,” he said. said. “That letter was the pri- In an amazing turn of events, a follow- Stacy Whitelock, Princeton ’96, shared the mary reason they came back…” up appointment brought miraculous re- impact her Christian faith has had upon her life, “We are all created in God’s sults. A physician repeated a key scan and career, and every day decisions during an alumni image. Let’s look for the good. declared the prior reading to be a mis- panel discussion hosted by Princeton Faith and As Christian people, we need to take. The couple’s daughter will celebrate Action. do that.” her first birthday in September. Along related lines, believers “I was grateful to know God during that Princeton Faith and Action (www.pfanda. should not be in search of the last dollar time,” Hazelton said. com) sponsored the discussion on May 28 in their financial dealings. “Most busi- Overall, Hazelton said he wants believ- in McCosh Hall as part of Princeton Uni- versity’s annual reunion weekend. “Business decisions can be forgotten, “Put your mother at the table. Put Jesus Christ at the table,” he said. “It’s very easy to but how you treat people will not be practice your faith if you keep that in mind.” Birkeland is the founder of Birkeland forgotten.” and Associates, a real estate investment —Paul Birkeland, Princeton ’66 firm that specializes in apartments, shop- ping centers, and office buildings on the nessmen stiffen up their backs and play ers at leading universities to know that a West Coast. hardball,” he said. “Leave something on Christian faith can be a “real advantage” The testimonies were just one of sev- the table for both guys. I would rather in business, especially for those who base eral activities sponsored by Princeton have the other guy come back.” their identity in their Savior. Faith and Action (PFA) to coincide with Also during the panel discussion, Brook “There is a freedom in not having your Princeton’s Reunions 2011, which tar- Hazelton ’96, highlighted how his faith identity tied to your work or the nature of

Summer 2011 | 35 ABOUT MINISTRY

your work,” he said. and dermatopathology. deep sense of peace would fill me.” Also during the panel, Stacy Whitelock “I had other people pray for every ma- “The major challenges I’ve faced have ’96, shared how she relied heavily upon jor decision,” said Whitelock of Fullerton, not so much challenged my faith, but my her faith at major crossroads, especially California. “As I would weigh those big faith has helped through the challenges,” as she entered the fields of dermatology decisions before the Lord, gradually a she said. ■

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer PENN’S NEW ALUMNI NETWORK Ministry Seeks to ‘Complement and Strengthen a United Christian Movement’

PennforJesus is in the begin- the university’s homecoming in No- P ning stages of launching an vember. Hu plans to gather key PENN alumni network for evangelical alumni to form a steering commit- ministries at the University of Pennsylva- tee. nia. “We’re hoping to develop this as a As a first step, Campus Renewal Min- cooperative among existing lead- istries hosted a reception for Christian ers,” Hu said. alumni on April 9 to coincide with the 20th The alumni networking organiza- anniversary of Full Measure, a spiritual a tion would be a first for Campus Re- cappella group at Penn. About 40 alumni newal Ministries, which is based in attended the event, which was held at St. Austin, Texas. The organization spe- Mary’s Hamilton Village – The Episcopal cializes in partnerships among stu- Church at Penn. dents, professors, collegiate The reception was designed, in part, as ministries, and churches to build a preparation for the future Penn Evan- missional communities to transform gelical Christian Alumni Network, which college campuses. is intended to provide prayer and finan- “If it works at Penn, then maybe cial support for campus ministries, as it can be applied to other cam- well as for alumni activities. puses,” Hu said. Michael Hu, a staffer with PennforJe- PennforJesus is a student-led or- sus, said his organization was inspired by ganization that brings together be- many of the strong religious and cultural lievers from evangelical ministries groups on campus that maintain close across the University of Pennsylva- alumni networks. nia for prayer, worship, and fellow- “They keep in touch with their alumni,” ship. The group’s roots date back to Campus Renewal Ministries at Penn, led by said Hu, Penn ’00. “We’re starting to have the campus’ first Jesus Week in staff member Michael Hu (Penn ’00), recently a greater, united movement on campus. 1996, and the collaborative became launched an alumni network for evangelical ministries. This is a void we want to fill.” part of Campus Renewal Ministries The proposed Christian association in 2007. members. would connect graduates with current As for the Full Measure reunion, Hu “We contacted 90 percent of alumni campus ministries and with one another. said many alumni were touched to learn who had ever been involved in Full Meas- The organization also would help network the student group is thriving. ure,” Hu said. “A good number came, in- seniors to Christian alumni in cities “It was like, ‘wow, this ministry has cluding one of the founding members. It across the region, and it could provide job lasted 20 years?’ They were shocked the was a celebration of the ministry itself and internship referrals to upperclass- group still existed,” said Hu, an alumnus and how God has been faithful.” men as they probe opportunities in their of Full Measure. During the reunion weekend, reaction fields. The a cappella ministry presents the to the proposed Christian alumni net- “We hope it will complement and Gospel message through skits, songs, and working organization was promising. strengthen a united Christian move- other methods. During its spring concert “Everyone was very excited about the ment,” Hu said. weekend, alumni gathered for a dinner on alumni network. They would like to be The next major event to help in launch- Friday and a reception on Saturday. High- part of it in some way,” Hu said. “It’s not ing the Penn Evangelical Christian lights of the reception included a slide just to network. Rather, it’s to build the Alumni Network is slated to coincide with show and testimonies from original group kingdom both on campus and beyond.” ■

36 | The Ivy League Christian Observer By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer BUILDING CATHOLIC ‘ESTEEM’ AT YALE New Program Is a Bridge between Campus Ministry and Parish Interaction

The Saint Thomas More spring, universities graduate vibrant, tal- greatest surprises and blessings of going Y Catholic Chapel and Center at ented Catholics who lose their passion for to college. I expected Yale to be an excel- YALE Yale, in conjunction with the the Church and their faith because they lent school, but I never suspected that I National Leadership Roundtable on don’t connect with parishes they way they would find so many Catholic peers. STM Church Management, has launched a pi- did with their campus ministries. ES- is a joy-filled witness to the love of Christ, lot program developed to empower stu- TEEM is a way to help students identify actively working to realize the Kingdom dents to engage their faith more deeply their gifts and discover how they can en- of God here and now,” said Killian, who while on campus and to bring their lead- hance or even create ministries within was a member of the STM undergraduate ership talents to their parish communi- their new church communities. leadership council since she was a sopho- ties upon graduation. “We remind them of their baptismal more. call to be and live in the world and “The presence of the Spirit is palpable our faith communities,” said Byrnes. in that community, working through its “We help them identify what they programs and in its members. Because of can do and what they should do.” STM, I’ve realized the importance of par- In addition to Yale, the program ticipating in a spiritual community, of was launched at five other universi- worshipping with other people who will ties around the nation: Ohio State, challenge and encourage you.” Michigan State, Sacred Heart, Stan- However, as a senior, Killian resigned ford, and UCLA. The colleges share a from her leadership position with STM, 10-unit curriculum that focuses on which is customary for seniors. She said issues such as church history, leader- that participating in ESTEEM filled the ship, social justice, spirituality, and void created during her senior year as how to live out faith in the world. she held less responsibility within STM, ESTEEM also includes a mentor- and that it helped move her toward her ship component. At Yale, that means future role as a lay leader within the pairing students with members of church. the Catholic campus community, as ESTEEM also helped Killian as she well as faithful Catholics from vari- took on the leadership role of captain of ous professions such as medicine the swim team, where she said she drew and the media. heavily upon the lessons she learned “My mentor was Sister Jane Ruff- about living in community at STM. ing, a professor on spirituality at the “I tried to come from a place of respect Yale Divinity School,” said recent for every woman on the team, calling graduate Annie Killian ’11. “I was so upon each of them to find a way to build excited to be paired with her.” Ac- the group. I also found the model of ‘ser- cording to Killian, her mentor helped vant leader’ compelling; like Jesus, a real guide her through the fear she felt leader kneels down and washes the feet of Katie Byrnes, assistant chaplain at Yale, has about leaving St. Thomas More be- his or her followers,” she said. helped start St. Thomas More Chapel’s pilot hind when she left Yale. Killian hopes to continue serving as a program Esteem, which encourages graduates to take leadership roles within “She gave me the right perspec- leader in her new parish. She would like parish communities. tive: to focus on the gratitude that I to be involved with small church commu- have for my time and experience at nities and possibly organizing a weekly the chapel and to look forward with soup kitchen. ESTEEM (Engaging Students to En- hope and faith in God as I embark on a “I think that the Church needs people liven the Ecclesial Mission) was started at new adventure,” said Killian, who is con- who are excited about and dedicated to Yale and several other campuses this past sidering future ministry work. the communal life of the parish,” she said. fall. ESTEEM is not designed to replace Killian also said the program helped “The American Catholic Church is under- existing Catholic campus ministries, but her transition from a college student who going a transformation right now; we are rather to enhance existing programs by was active in the STM community to a in the midst of decay and death but mov- serving as a sort of bridge between campus graduate ready to participate in a parish ing slowly into a period of new life and re- ministry and parish interaction. community as a young adult. generation. I think my peers and I will According to Katie Byrnes, assistant “Finding the Saint Thomas More play a leading role in that renewal. We chaplain at St. Thomas More Chapel, each Chapel and Center was one of the single must.” ■

Summer 2011 | 37 Application deadline for the Spring 2012 term: Sept. 29, 2011 For more information, visit www.johnjayinstitute.org or call (215) 987-3000.

(215) 987-3000 • www.johnjayinstitute.org NEWS-IN-BRIEF

CHRISTIAN UNION development ministry supported and gist and the author of Faith in the Halls resourced by Christian Union. of Power: How Evangelicals Joined the Ministry Fellows American Elite, said he was “thrilled Take Summer Courses Alumna Opens Homes for with this opportunity and extraordinarily Ministry fellows Abused Women, Addresses blessed to be given a chance at this with the University moment in Gordon’s history.” Christian Union Abigail Bach likes are taking Dartmouth, Penn Among Best to remind believ- advantage of ers they were Colleges for Free Speech the summer created to do good Dartmouth College and the University of months to pur- Dan Knapke, Christian works. Pennsylvania were listed among the seven sue seminary Union’ Director of Bach, Princeton best colleges for training to bet- Undergraduate ’81 and Wharton free speech by Student Ministry at ter equip them MBA ’86, also is the Foundation Princeton, and his wife to minister to Abigail Bach, quick to note an for Individual Laurie attended the needs of Princeton ’81, spoke extraordinary God Rights in seminary classes at returning stu- about starting homes Reformed Theological uses ordinary men for abused women Education dents in the fall. Seminary this summer. and women for his and children during (FIRE). In an Among the purposes. As such, the Princeton article on team at Princeton University, Lorri Bach recently testi- University reunion Huffington Post, Dartmouth and Penn Bentch, Princeton ’91, is taking New service. fied how she relied FIRE President were recently named Testament Theology from Gordon- upon God’s guidance in launching two Greg Lukianoff among the Seven Best Conwell Theological Seminary Colleges for Free Speech homes for abused women and their chil- said the schools (www.gordonconwell.edu), while Dan by the Foundation for dren in urban Denver, Colorado. received a green and Laurie Knapke are pursuing classes Individual Rights in “I really prayed that God would use me light rating from Reformed Theological Seminary Education. where I was,” said Bach, also Penn *86. because their (www.rts.edu). The couple is taking a In May, Bach spoke during the annual policies “at least nominally protect speech course in Acts and Romans and another Princeton University reunion service at that would be protected by the First in New Testament Canon. Nassau Christian Center, which was Amendment” and have not committed a Likewise, Chris Matthews, Christian sponsored by the Christian Union. Other serious incident of censorship for at least Union’s ministry director at Yale, signed up speakers were Thomas Donnelly ’61 and several years. for a weeklong course on Jonathan Edwards’ Steve Edwards ’01. sermons at the Yale Divinity School. Donald Trump: I Am a Christian Ministry Achieves ALL IVY In an interview before Official Recognition D. Michael Lindsay Named he decided not to run Yale Faith and Action: An President of Gordon College for President of the Undergraduate Organization (YFA) was United States, busi- The selection of D. Michael Lindsay, officially recognized by the Office of nessman and media Princeton ’06, as the new president of Student Affairs on May 6 as an official personality Donald Gordon-College has garnered significant organization at Yale College. Benefits of Trump told Christian acclaim. recognition include being able to reserve Broadcasting In a story by Timothy Darylmple university facilities and host major Network’s David Donald Trump, (Harvard ’09) on Patheos.com, Veritas events on campus. In the new academic Brody that he is a Wharton ’68, Forum Chairman of the Board Kurt said, “I am a year, YFA will also be listed in the fall Christian. Trump, Keilhacker (Harvard ’07) called Lindsay Christian,” in an Bazaar of Registered Undergraduate who graduated from a “game changer.” Author Mark Noll interview with Organizations, significantly raising the Wharton Business described Lindsay as the Christian ministry’s visibility. YFA is a leadership School in 1968, said, Broadcasting “the right choice for “I believe in God. I Network. the right college at am Christian.” As for the right time.” the Bible, Trump called it “THE book.” Lindsay, a sociolo- “It is the thing,” he said. And regarding church attendance, Trump said, “Well I D. Michael Lindsay, go as much as I can. Always on Princeton Ph.D. ’06, Yale Faith and Action: An Undergraduate will be the next Christmas; always on Easter; always Organization received official recognition president of Gordon when there’s a major occasion….I’ll go from the university this spring. College. when I can.”

Summer 2011 | 39 NEWS-IN-BRIEF

BROWN Book Giveaway Promotes a Dorm Discussions Brown Hosts ‘Rational Conclusion’ Address Faith Barriers Immigration Symposium Athletes in Action at Brown (www.aiaat- The Veritas Forum at Columbia sponsored brown.com) University directed a book dormitory discussion groups this spring to In the spring semester, the bishop of the giveaway this spring. Members of AIA encourage conversation about Christianity Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence distributed copies of James Agresti’s and the Gospel. Roughly 70 students par- delivered the keynote address for a Rational Conclusions between April 21 ticipated; more than half were major symposium at Brown University. and May 5 in the Petteruti Lounge of the non-Christians. Topics included truth, rela- Thomas J. Tobin spoke during the Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center. tivism, different religions, morality, justice, “Immigrants and Immigration in the 21st heaven, hell, and more. The discussions Roman Catholic exposed participants to the Gospel in a Bishop Thomas J. variety of ways and also served to address Tobin presented and challenge misconceptions and underly- the keynote address during the ing barriers to Christianity. A “Immigrants and Muslim leader on campus Immigration in the told Veritas coordinators that 21st Century” he would like to help more symposium. members of the Muslim stu- Brown students stand in line for their dent group attend the Century” symposium on March 12 in copies of Rational Conclusions during a discussions next year. A MacMillan Hall. Brown President Ruth book giveaway. The book was written by Christian Union grant helped J. Simmons, Harvard Ph.D. ’73, also James Agresti, Brown ’88. underwrite the initiative. spoke at the event, which was sponsored Agresti (Brown ’88), a former atheist by the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Approximately 70 students who came to Christ after reading the Public Policy and American Institutions. participated in Veritas Forum Bible and finding objective evidence for To coincide with the symposium, dormitory discussion groups its accuracy, has worked as a designer of Brown released results of a new survey of at Columbia. jet aircraft engines, technical sales pro- Rhode Island residents highlighting deep fessional, and chief engineer over divisions on the subject of immigration Religion Journal helicopter customizations. At Brown, he but strong support for the educational Examines Pop Culture was a member of the wrestling team. programs for the children of immigrants. Sanctum, Columbia’s undergraduate Support from the Christian Union journal of religion, recently published an helped underwrite the outreach. College Hill for Christ issue that focused on pop culture. The Breaks Bread journal received a record number of sub- COLUMBIA College Hill for Christ (www.college missions for the issue. hillforchrist.com) held a series of dinners Helping Haiti Since its founding, Sanctum has aimed at building greater unity among Lucy Santizo ’11 of Columbia Students for expanded its content to include literature, members and encouraging outreach to Christ went on a mission trip to Haiti this academic articles, and personal essays. those who don't know Christ. spring. Sponsored in part by a grant from Features have ranged from an ethno- The Campus Crusade for Christ min- Christian Union, the week-long service mis- graphic study of ex-Hasidic Jews in istry held six dinners entitled “Breaking sion was done in partnership with Manhattan to a poem from the perspec- Bread: Friendship across the Spiritual Nehemiah Vision Ministries (NVM), a tive of a third-grader. The overall purpose Divide” between March 22 and May 9. humanitarian aid organization headquar- of the journal is to provide a forum for The dinners, supported by a Christian tered in Chambrun, Haiti. The trip consisted inter-religious dialogue in a publication Union grant, were designed to expand of service work at the NVM campus, which format at Columbia. Sanctum, which is relationships included painting and sorting donations, as targeted toward undergraduate and grad- within well as spending time with local residents, uate students, continues to grow in College Hill experiencing Haitian culture, and working readership and submissions with each for Christ with Haitian college students. issue. A Christian Union grant helped and en- underwrite the produc- courage Lucy Santizo tion of the journal. participants ’11 (second Campus Crusade for to show the from left) of Sanctum, a Christian Christ held six “Breaking Columbia journal at Columbia, love of Christ Bread” dinner events Students for received a record number designed to encourage to non- Christ spent of submissions for its and expand fellowship Believers. spring break spring issue featuring within the ministry. serving in Haiti. religion and pop culture.

40 | The Ivy League Christian Observer CORNELL Reunion Breakfast Held for Spring Break Trips Chesterton House Hosts Ministry Alumni Serve Mothers in Need Graduate/Faculty Conference Chesterton House at Cornell hosted a Aquinas House, the Catholic student Reunion Breakfast in June for all alumni ministry at Dartmouth (www.dart- The Graduate/Faculty Conference was and relatives who were involved with mouth.edu~aquinas), sponsored two held at April 9 at Chesterton House. Dr. campus ministries at the university. The opportunities for students who were Ted Davis of Messiah College spoke on ministries interested in spending their spring the interaction of science and religion represented breaks in the service of others. One from a historical perspective. Points of included group of students traveled to Phoenix, discussion included Galileo and the Campus Arizona, where they worked at Maggie’s Roman Catholic Church, Science as a Crusade Place and Andre House, residences for Christian Vocation, and Darwin and for Christ Students with Dr. Ted Davis of (cornell Aquinas House at Messiah College cru.com), Chesterton House was the Dartmouth spent spoke on the Chi Alpha, site of a reunion breakfast their spring interaction of science Chinese held for alumni and breaks serving and religion during relatives involved with Bible Study the homeless in the Graduate/Faculty Christian campus ministries. Phoenix, Arizona. Conference held at (www.rso. Cornell in April. cornell.edu/cbs), Cornell Christian homeless pregnant mothers. Another Fellowship (www.ccfiv.org) and several group served in St. Augustine, Florida, others. In addition to food and fellow- where they volunteered at St. Gerard’s Religion. The event provided an oppor- ship, the event featured updates on Campus, an accredited high school for tunity for faculty and graduate students campus ministry activity. Chesterton teenage mothers. from across the Cornell campus to come House is a Christian studies center affili- “I met so many people who trusted so together to explore issues of faith. ated with Cornell University. fully in God…I truly intend to make that fervent spiritualism a greater part of my Blogging, Praising, Praying DARTMOUTH life from this point on,” said one student. Christian students at Cornell can Agape Hosts Senior Send Off announce their prayer requests and Annual Event Celebrates praises through the Cornell Christian Crusade Achievements News Blog (cornellchristiannews.tum- blr.com). According to its founder Campus Crusade for Christ’s branch at William Poon ’13, “The purpose of the Dartmouth College blog is to further spur on the Christian (www.dartmouthci.org) recently held a community at Cornell to love God and banquet for students, staffers, partners, love one another.” and other ministry leaders. In one recent entry, someone praised Christian Impact held the formal dinner on May 7 in Quechee, Vermont. A the Lord for the way He is moving on Agape Christian Fellowship at Dartmouth campus. hosted a senior send-off this spring. Christian Union grant helped fund the “It’s an amazing time to be a Christian dinner. The campus ministry organized at Cornell!,” the student wrote. “There is Agape Christian Fellowship at the annual event to celebrate achieve- so much to praise God for about the way Dartmouth held its Senior Send Off on ments during the 2010-2011 year, he has been May 28. Approximately 30 students par- encourage increased ministry to students, strengthen- ticipated in the event that was designed and extend the ministry’s network. ing the to recognize graduating seniors and to Organizers said they wanted to expand hearts of show the ministry’s appreciation for partnerships believers their service. The event also served as an with area and trans- opportunity to pray for the seniors, ask- churches, forming ing for God’s blessing upon each as his share their those who time at Dartmouth came to a close. vision for next did not pre- According to the event coordinators, year, and raise viously the seniors subsequently encouraged the funds for min- know him.” underclassmen to be passionate for istry efforts. Christ and to be bold in sharing God’s Christian Impact at Dartmouth hosted a word at Dartmouth. formal dinner this May to celebrate the Will Poon, Cornell ’13, founded the newly A Christian Union grant helped subsi- ministry’s achievements during the established Christian News Blog. dize the event. academic year.

Summer 2011 | 41 NEWS-IN-BRIEF

HARVARD protest from several organizations on Undergraduates Host Faith and the Achievement Gap campus on the grounds that the event Celebration Dance was “homophobic and Islamophobic,” as About 60 undergraduates with Penn Dr. Bill Jeynes, Harvard ’92, recently reported in The Harvard Crimson. completed the first meta-analysis ever Students for Christ (www.pennstudents- Themed “Social Transformation by the forchrist.org) recently participated in the completed on the factors that most reli- Power of God,” the conference sought to ably reduce the achievement gap. Jeynes campus ministry’s semi-formal dance. assemble “leading voices for the faith- The students gathered on April 26 in Bill Jeynes, Harvard based social transformation of culture Houston Hall for the annual event. ’92, recently released Harvard Divinity School “They had a great time celebrating the an unprecedented Student Sierra E. Fleenor end of the semester,” said Jason Turner, study regarding faith attended The Social and family factors. a staffer with Campus Crusade for Christ Transformation (www.ccci.org) at the University of Conference at Harvard. Pennsylvania. The event garnered protest because of its Also in April, about 30 students met to presented his results at the American adherence to orthodox brainstorm ways to greet arriving fresh- Educational Research Association’s Christian values. men in the fall. “It was really exciting to see all of the students gathering around Annual Conference. The Senior Fellow at and nations to bring the relevance of the Witherspoon Institute determined the mission of reaching the incoming God’s purpose and power to the students class,” Turner said. that students’ personal religious faith at Harvard.” and family factors are those most reli- In the Crimson, Harvard Divinity ably associated with reducing the School student Sierra E. Fleenor said, achievement gap. “I believe that educa- “They’re trying to infiltrate Harvard and tors are beginning to possess more of an bring on the next level of open mind to the inner strength that Christendom…The message is hateful.” faith often provides,” he said. “Increasingly, educators, historians, and Ladies from Penn Students for Christs social scientists are recognizing that faith PENN pose for a picture before the annual semi- and family values are conducive to formal dance. strong economic growth.” James Martin Is Baccalaureate Speaker A Fond Farewell Ordination to Daily Work Author, Catholic priest, cultural com- About 50 students with Penn Students On Saturday, April 16, Harvard Graduate mentator, and Penn alumnus Rev. James for Christ (www.pennstudentsforchrist. Christian Fellowship kept with its oldest Martin, SJ ’82, was the 2011 org) recently participated in the campus tradition and held the Ordination to Baccalaureate speaker at the University ministry’s senior send-off. During the Daily Work, a worship and commission- of Pennsylvania on Sunday, May 15. Two event, 16 seniors imparted wisdom from ing service for its graduating members. ceremonies where held on the same day their studies at the University of The service, first held in 1976, is a cele- to accommodate the large number of Pennsylvania and underclassmen shared attendees. Martin, who earned a bache- key memories of the departing seniors. Harvard Graduate lor’s degree in economics with a Christian The annual event was held April 28 in Fellowship concentration in finance from Penn, Houston Hall. In particular, the seniors commissioned its chose to enter the priesthood after work- emphasized the importance of Christian graduates into ing for several years with General fellowship during college. “You really do service for Christ Electric. The Culture Editor of America get a lot out of the community around on April 16 during Magazine, Martin has written several you,” said Jason Turner, a staffer with The Ordination to books, including his latest work, The Daily Work. the Campus Crusade for Christ outreach. Jesuit Guide Overall, the event was “definitely emo- bration of God’s calling upon the lives of to (Almost) tional,” Turner said. Everything. the graduates. Family, friends, and pas- During tors were all invited to attend the event, Penn which was held in Appleton Chapel of Penn alumnus Students Memorial Church. Rev. James for Martin, SJ ’82, Christ’s Transformation Conference was the 2011 annual Baccalaureate senior Draws Criticism speaker at sendoff, graduating students emphasized The Social Transformation Conference Penn on the importance of fellowship during their held at Harvard this April drew fire and May 15. college years.

42 | The Ivy League Christian Observer PRINCETON Professor, Graduate Outreach Cross Desecration No May Concert Recognizes Seniors Hosts Banquet Laughing Matter Faculty Commons, an outreach of Just days before Good Friday, the letters Campus Crusade for Christ (www.faculty- ROFL replaced INRI on top of a cross commons.com) to professors and that was displayed on campus. Those let- graduate students, held a ministry appre- ters are commonly used in texting or on ciation dinner on May 13 at the Prospect the Internet and mean “rolling on the House. About 50 attendees listened to a floor laughing.” In an op-ed column for variety of testimonies during the evening. the Yale Daily Herald, student Jordon Stephanie Lee, a Walker ’12 called the incident “nothing doctorate candidate at less than sacrilegious.” Additionally, Nassau Christian Center was the venue for Princeton, attended the Walker criticized the university for its a concert presented by the Princeton Faculty Commons lack of response. University Gospel Ensemble. ministry appreciation “We are a campus that responds dinner at Prospect aggressively to most forms of discrimi- The Princeton University Gospel House on Princeton nation, but this kind of disrespect was Ensemble celebrated another noteworthy campus this May. year with an exhilarating concert in May. ignored,” he wrote. Walker went on to The student-directed group performed “Through Faculty Commons, I was intro- contend that at the uni- May 1 before a packed audience at duced to Christian professors on campus versity, “the only rights Nassau Christian Center. The ensemble whose testimonies demonstrated to me worth defending belong boasts a repertoire that comprises spiri- that academia doesn’t have to be a place to women and sexual and tuals, hymns, contemporary gospel, and where data, publications, and grants are ethnic minorities. And all a cappella. The free concert also included the bottom line,” said Stephanie Lee, a doc- others are cast aside.” tearful recognitions of the group’s sen- torate candidate in chemical engineering. Jordon Walker ’12 iors. Among them, Vance T. Stephens “I have seen just how much influence a responded to an incident served as president and Jared Crooks as professor can have in a student’s life.” of mocking the cross during Holy Week by musical director. YALE writing an opinion piece for the Yale Daily News. Sermon Competition Winner Student Sex Abuse John Butler ’12 was the winner of Investigation Opened ROTC Marches Back to Campus Princeton University’s Chapel Sermon The Department of Education’s Office for For the first time in four decades, Yale Competition Civil Rights has launched a Title IX will allow ROTC back on campus. The for 2011. investigation into allegations that Yale university altered its policy of banning Butler deliv- University inadequately responded to military organizations after U.S. ered his cases of sexual misconduct on campus. Congress voted to allow homosexual sermon, In an e-mail to the Yale community, Yale individuals to openly serve in the mili- based upon College Dean Mary Miller stated that the tary, CBN reported in May. Christ’s words Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is “seeking Some prestigious universities banned concerning information about Yale’s response to sex- ROTC programs during the 1970s in the the “eye of a ual harassment and sexual violence midst of anti-war sentiment tied to the needle,” dur- against Yale undergraduate students.” Vietnam War. The unit will be the ing the senior The investigation comes as a result of Navy’s only ROTC unit in Connecticut. recognition a Title IX complaint filed in March by 16 The first class of midshipmen will enter service on John Butler ’12 was the current undergraduates and recent grad- in fall 2012. May 8 in the winner of Princeton uates who allege that the university did University’s chapel historic not properly address incidents of sexual sermon competition. chapel. In the harassment and sexual assault. passage in Matthew, Christ told his disci- Yale College Dean ples that it is “easier for a camel to go Mary Miller said the through the eye of a needle than for Office for Civil Rights someone who is rich to enter the king- was investigating dom of God.” Butler received a small allegations that the monetary prize for winning the annual university failed to Rev. Dr. Joseph C. Williamson Sermon adequately respond to cases of sexual After a four-decade absence, the first Competition. The service honored the naval midshipmen ROTC cadets will PHOTO CREDIT: Michael misconduct. class of 2011. Marsland/Yale University enter Yale in 2012.

Summer 2011 | 43 CHRISTIAN UNION By Matthew W. Bennett, Founder and President, Christian Union THE MISSION AND VISION OF THE CHRISTIAN UNION

Following is the mission and will occupy 50% of the most influential cally changed in our present day. New ap- vision of Christian Union, leadership roles in the United States. proaches and energy need to be poured printed in each issue of the Ivy Graduates from these schools will also into making it a priority for the Christian League Christian Observer to keep new have extraordinary influence on the inter- Church to see that the lives of these leaders readers informed of the ministry’s pur- national scene. are strengthened with the Gospel of Jesus pose and passion. Currently, these campuses are ex- Christ. Therefore, the mission of Christian tremely secular in their outlooks, repre- Union is to develop Christian leaders at INTRODUCTION senting a slow-motion train wreck that these colleges in order to dramatically America is unusual in the industrialized has been negatively impacting our country change the direction of the nation. world in that it has significant spiritual de- and world for a generation. Astoundingly, votion, but unfortunately lacks Christian 93% of the students on these campuses THREE VALUES OF THE MINISTRY vitality among those who are in posi- In its mission, Christian Union has tions of cultural influence. Many of three values of paramount concern. the most influential people in acade- First, the ministry is organizational mia, the arts, business, education, and engaging in its approach. Sev- government, media, medicine, and eral in the organization have law are decidedly secular in their out- M.B.A.s, providing training for the looks. Unfortunately, the Christian ministry to be strategic and pur- community itself is mostly to blame poseful in its goals and objectives. for this sad state of affairs. Over 100 Every quarter, the ministry com- years ago, large segments of the pares its progress against goals in a Christian community decided that number of key indicators. Jim intellectualism and positions of cul- Collins’ monograph, Good to Great tural influence were to be avoided in the Social Sector, has been a and left those arenas to the secular- tremendous aid in providing direc- ists. Years later, Christians have tion for the ministry. This strategic- lamented that so much of the culture mindedness of the ministry is also is directed and influenced by those reflected in how students are men- with values contrary to the Gospel of tored on campus. They are coached Christ. Of course, this should be no to be dynamic, faithful leaders, mak- surprise. ing an impact for Christ on their sports teams, academic depart- WHY THE MINISTRY EXISTS: ments, social clubs, and extra-cur- Christian Union was founded in ricular activities, such as singing 2002 to rectify this imbalance by de- groups and theatre. veloping Christian leaders to impact Secondly, Christian Union works the larger culture. The ministry is deliberately to engage students, and strategically focused on a very influ- Christian Union Founder and President, Matthew W. in order to have a realistic chance of ential and unreached segment of the Bennett, Cornell BS ’88, MBA ’89. seeing them develop into Christian U.S. population – the portion that leaders in a few short years, min- makes much of the decisions that affect have no regular Christian influence in istry workers of substantial caliber are the daily lives of all Americans. Christian their lives. These campuses include needed to mentor and teach the students. Union focuses on developing Christian Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Christian Union’s ministry workers are leaders through events and conferences Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Yale. called “ministry fellows” and have a throughout the country, but directs most strong educational and experienced back- of its energy toward eight university cam- MISSION ground. Many have advanced seminary puses because of their extraordinary influ- Even with the help of local churches and degrees including master of divinity, mas- ence. Research has shown that just eight godly national campus ministries, the pro- ter of theology, and Ph.D. in New Testa- of the 2,500 universities in the country portion of Christian involvement and ment. Others have years of experience in produce 50% of the most influential lead- strengthening on these campuses has not some of the best companies in the world ers. It’s incredible to consider, but out of changed in 50 years. There is no good rea- including McKinsey and Co. Years of edu- 21 million current American college stu- son to expect that America will substan- cational training and life experience give dents, a small segment of only 100,000 tively change spiritually in the next 50 the ministry fellows the depth and ability students on a small number of campuses years if these campuses are not dramati- to mentor students and teach them bibli-

44 | The Ivy League Christian Observer cal depth, theology, Christian worldview, funding Christian speakers to come to students benefit from one-on-one men- and integration of faith with academic campus, evangelistic outreaches, commu- toring, a weekly Christian leadership disciplines and anticipated vocations. nity service projects, pro-life initiatives, development lecture series, various con- Third, and perhaps most importantly, conferences to help ministries recruit in- ferences, and service and training oppor- Christian Union emphasizes the impor- terns to join their staffs, and many other tunities. tance of seeking God wholeheartedly. initiatives. Though the vast majority of CLDP includes one-on-one mentoring What’s the point of having a Christian in a Christian Union’s spending goes towards of students so that they can be coached to position of cultural influence if his devotion its own programs (see category 3), the live for Christ wholeheartedly, under- to God, faith, and spiritual strength are so ministry is unique in that it devotes so stand the depths and implications of their weak that his values do not significantly dif- many resources to the furtherance of a faith in Christ, and make a godly impact fer from his secularist peers? Daniel of faithful Christian presence through other in their spheres of activity and influence. Bible fame serves as an inspiration. He was organizations. By helping students succeed in affecting extremely organized and focused in his out- Christian Union’s second category of the culture on campus, Christian Union is look, which he had to be as second in com- ministry on campus is the ministry cen- preparing them to impact the culture mand of the most powerful nations in the ters, which are currently in operation at when they graduate. world in his day: Babylon and Persia. He three campuses: Brown, Cornell, and also was known to be extremely intelligent, Princeton. These facilities range in size IMPACT which is why he was selected to enter the from 3,600 to 5,500 square feet and are We are grateful to God for the impact he king’s service in the first place, learning the for the benefit of the Christian cause on has had through us on the campuses. I literature of the Chaldeans. Yet, he also the campus. Every semester, hundreds of think the best way to convey to you all had a devotion to God so strong that even small and large events happen in these fa- that has happened, is by sharing a num- under the threat of death, he would not eat cilities. These events are sponsored by ber of quotes from students who have food defiled by idols, would not bow down Christian Union and also by many other participated in the ministry’s various to the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar, ministries, free of charge. The spaces are activities: and would not cease praying three times used for offices, fellowship meals, prayer per day. After teaching the students to be meetings, organizational meetings, small “The Princeton Faith and Action ski good leaders organizationally, and devel- lectures, receptions, Alpha courses, and in trip was the first time I had an en- oping their intellectual knowledge of the many other ways. Christian Union plans counter with the living God. That’s Christian faith, they also need to be taught to have ministry centers on the remaining when I was like, ‘wow, this is for real.’” how to seek God with a whole heart day five campuses in the next several years. “Christian Union’s Ivy League Con- and night: praying fervently, humbling The third category of ministry activities gress on Faith and Action really made themselves, reading the Scriptures often, on campus, and by far the largest and of a very great impact on my life. It repenting of sins daily, and obeying the the most significance, is Christian helped me to be close to Christ and def- Spirit promptly, persevering day in and Union’s Christian Leadership Develop- initely put a sense of meaning in my day out in their love and devotion to the ment Programs (CLDP), which require life. From now on, I can look forward only true God of the universe. full-time staff on campus and are present to being a true Christian.” at five campuses: Columbia, Dartmouth, ACTIVITIES Harvard, Princeton, and Yale (other cam- “Harvard College Faith and Action Christian Union fulfills its mission on campuses will be added down the line). has provided me with a base of Chris- pus through a variety of strategically con- The centerpiece of the CLDP consists of tian leaders and friends on campus. At ceived activities. These are divided into Bible Courses containing 8-10 students Harvard you meet people with a lot of three categories: 1) partnership ministry, 2) each and led by a Christian Union Min- different perspectives, and if you’re not ministry centers, and 3) Christian leader- istry Fellow. These are very popular and grounded in your beliefs, it’s easy to ship development programs. The first cate- there is often a waiting list for students to sway. Having people who can answer gory of ministry activities is active on all join. During the spring semester, there your questions and who are willing to eight campuses, the second on three cam- were 28 Bible Courses meeting weekly on wrestle through things with you is in- puses, and the third on three campuses. the Princeton campus; nine on the Har- valuable.” The first category of ministry on cam- vard campus, and two at Yale. Students “The worship and the messages dur- pus is the Partnership ministry, which need to be sponsored in order to be able ing 802 (Princeton Faith and Action’s consists of Christian Union partnering to join a Bible Course, so there is a great weekly lecture series) taught me about with other ministries for a variety of need for more sponsors in order to touch God, both on an intellectual and a spir- Christian related initiatives on campus. the lives of more students (for infor- itual level.” The ministry spends $200,000 per year mation, see www.christian-union.org/ helping other ministries on the eight cam- sponsorship). Every student sponsored “PFA has shown me the importance puses. Approximately 50 projects per means one more student is receiving the of fellowship and surrounding myself year are sponsored, about seven per cam- opportunity to develop into a Christian with believers, and to always make pus per year. Past projects have included leader. In addition to the Bible Courses, time for prayer.” ■

Summer 2011 | 45 PRAAYY WIWITH US FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN LEADERS WHO WILL TRANSFORM CULLLTTURE

At Christian Union, we are prayerfully seeking God for transformation at Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Yale. Each year, thousands of students pass through the halls of these institutions and move out into positions of leadership in our society. Unfortunately, over 90% have had no regular Christian influence in their lives during these critical college years.

Christian Union recently launched a monthly email that describes the key prayer needs of the ministry. Campus-specific prayer emails are also available for Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.

Will you join us and pray regularly for the development of Christian leaders at some of our nation’s leading universities?

To receive Christian Union’s prayer email each month, sign up online at www.Christian-Union.org/prayer or send an email to: [email protected].

240 Nassau Street l Princeton, NJ 08542 l 609-688-1700 l www.Christian-Union.orgwww.Christian-Union.org PRAYER FOR THE IVY LEAGUE By Lorri Bentch FIRST RESPONDERS TO CRISIS

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people God for His sovereignty and con- and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to trol, quoting God’s promises back them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in to God. The believers then apply prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the this truth to their own situation heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You and confess their belief in God’s spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our sovereign care. father David: Remarkably, they conclude not by asking God to change their sit- “‘Why do the nations rage uation or destroy their enemies. and the peoples plot in vain? Instead, they simply ask for the The kings of the earth rise up strength and grace to respond in and the rulers band together a way that glorifies God! They ask for three things: to be able to against the Lord speak with boldness, that God would heal, and that God would and against his anointed one.” perform signs and wonders. The account that follows shows that God answered all three requests. Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gen- What about us? How does our response to life’s trials compare tiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your to theirs? Do we rely on the body of Christ for support in difficult holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your times? Just as importantly, are we available to our brothers and power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, sisters in times of crisis? Is prayer our first response to ours and Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak others’ problems, or a last-ditch effort when nothing else avails? your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal When we do pray, what is the content of those prayers? Do we and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy seek to glorify God and respond faithfully to whatever trials He servant Jesus.” allows in our life? Or are we only concerned about getting rid of After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was the trial? Are we expectantly asking for God to move miracu- shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke lously in and among us? the word of God boldly.” Our readiness to pray is often indicative of our level of faith; Acts 4:23-31 the content of our prayers is often indicative of our heart’s prior- ities. If we truly believe in a God who is sovereign and mighty, The Book of Acts records an early corporate prayer of the our knee-jerk response to stress and crisis will be to turn to Him. church. A thoughtful examination of how the early church If we remember and believe Jesus’ words that persecutions and prayed can be instructive for us as we consider our own prayer troubles will come (e.g. Mark 10:30, John 16:33), then we will practices and attitudes. It is a rich passage, but we will look at not respond in fear and dismay when they do, but rather ask for just four brief aspects: boldness and faithfulness to endure them. If our hearts and The believers were facing a significant challenge. Peter and minds are set on the “things above” (Col 3:1-3), then our prayers John had been detained by the Jewish leaders and threatened will reflect a concern for His glory before our own comfort. with imprisonment (or worse) if they did not stop preaching The accounts in Acts were preserved by God to instruct us; Christ. When faced with this predicament, their first response let’s use the example of the early church to convict and inspire us was to go to their brothers and sisters in Christ. in whatever trials we face today to fervent, faith-filled, God-glo- When the rest of the community learned of the trial, their im- rifying corporate prayer. ■ mediate response was to pray; not to strategize, problem-solve, or give Peter and John advice. Lorri Bentch, Princeton ’91, is a Christian Union Ministry Fel- Most of the prayer as recorded by Luke is focused on exalting low at Princeton University.

When the rest of the community learned of the trial, their immediate response was to pray; not to strategize, problem-solve, or give Peter and John advice.

Summer 2011 | 47 PRAYER REQUESTS

BROWN HARVARD

■ Over the next few weeks, pray for Summer RUF (Re- ■ Harvard students from overseas have been attending The formed University Fellowship) as members consider the Awakening at Harvard Square, the weekly service of relationship between science and religion by viewing a se- Weiner Ministries International. Praise God that the num- ries of videos by R. C. Sproul and follow it with discussion ber of attendees grew from eight to 30 this semester. Keep times. in prayer those who came to Christ and others who were transformed by the power of God. ■ Pray that unity and love are the characteristics of believers on campus, and that through the various ministries and ■ Pray for safety, health, and the Lord’s provision for stu- individuals, many more students will be respond to the dents who have gone on mission trips to Thailand, Korea, Good News. China, and Africa.

COLUMBIA PENN

■ The last issue of Sanctum, the undergraduate journal of ■ Continue to pray for recent graduates as they leave the ac- religion at Columbia, was delivered to nearly 800 stu- ademic setting. Pray that their transition will be smooth dents, exposing many non-Christians to Christianity and and that those who are Christians will soon find a commu- challenging them to look into it further. Please pray that nity of believers in which to grow in their relationship with God will use this journal to promote dialogue about Jesus Jesus Christ. Christ among the students. ■ Pray for the university administration and trustees. ■ Pray for unity among the campus ministries as they work Pray that each may have wisdom, individually and as a together toward the common goal of reaching students for board, to fulfill their responsibilities with integrity and Christ. dedication.

CORNELL PRINCETON

■ Keep in prayer students and graduates who are overseas ■ Pray for the various campus ministries as they each engage on mission trips, traveling, studying, or taking new em- students of all cultures and backgrounds. Pray that they ployment. Pray that they set aside daily personal time with will work in harmony together toward their common goal the Lord and have edifying interpersonal connections. of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. ■ Pray for Christian students remaining at Cornell over the ■ Pray for the Christian faculty, staff, and ministry workers, summer as they gather for times of prayer, praise, fellow- that they will be used by God in a profound way to impact ship, and service. Pray that they will use this time to focus the lives of many students. on God and discern how he can use them in the upcoming school year.

DARTMOUTH YALE

■ Pray that there will be an abundance of ministry workers ■ Pray that God blesses, guides, motivates, and sustains the and leaders on campus in the upcoming year. Pray that leaders of Christian campus ministries at Yale, and that they will raise the necessary financial support so they will the Holy Spirit fills them with energy, love for others, be able to focus on evangelism and discipleship. strong faith, and the fruit of the Spirit. ■ Pray for the incoming freshmen, that they will find a min- ■ Keep the recent graduates in prayer as they leave the aca- istry where they can be encouraged and be encouragers. demic setting and move into a new phase of life. Pray that Also pray that they would develop a deeper relationship God would lead them into good works of his service and with God. that they would be obedient to his call.

48 | The Ivy League Christian Observer From the bottom of our hearts, “Thank You!” Through your generous giving, Christian leaders are being developed to change culture.

Shannon Walker,Princeton '11 Hometown: Purcellville, VA Major: Chemistry/Pre-Med Campus Activities: Residential College Advisor, Black Student Union’s Leadership and Mentoring Program, After School Tutoring Project Coordinator

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