Christian
student groups unite for rejuvenation
By
Krystle Ralston
Daily Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Various organizations on campus provide guidance, peace and understanding about
Christianity. All these groups came together for one night of music and
teaching for students here at Cal State Long Beach Wednesday.
Different Christian groups on campus came together on Unity Night to inform
new students about these ministries. There are eight groups involved in Christian
Students Unite, the organization hosting the event: Campus Crusade for Christ,
American Asian Christian Fellowship, Navigators at Long Beach State, Beach
Student Ministries, Every Nation Ministries, Korea Campus Crusade for Christ,
Impact and Chinese Christian Fellowship.
The theme for the night was John 12:32, “When I am lifted up from the
earth, I will draw all men to myself.” This passage from the Bible reflected
the mission the night hoped to accomplish: to bring people together, whether
or not they were religious.
The evening featured live music by the Every Nation music team, games and a
sermon given by Don Allen, a Navigators youth group leader. His speech was
one many college students could relate to: searching for happiness.
Allen quoted Luke 2:10, frequently used at Christmas services in church: “I
bring you good tidings of great joy. A savior has been born in the city of
David who is Christ the Lord.” He touched on the fact that not many people
use the word “joy” in their vocabularies. People use the words
happy, pleasure and content, but don’t use the word that means pure and
true happiness. He related the search to his own experiences as a freshman
in college living a lifestyle that brought him further and further down.
“What the world wants is not at the bottom of a glass,” Allen said.
At the end of his sermon he offered the opportunity to pray and speak with
youth group leaders, and many students responded.
Some students who attended the event viewed it as a positive experience for
new and returning students who wish to find a church youth group.
“This is a good way to meet other Christians, it encourages everyone to
get involved in different events,” said Kristina Santos, a sophomore nursing
major.
Armando Aguilar, the director of Campus Ministries, is very optimistic about
the upcoming year.
“This is a great way for Christian students to get plugged into a church
and meet new people. We don’t want to hide our love for Christ, we glorify
him and want more and more people every day to do the same,” he said.
At the end of the night, Christian Students Unite collected an offering that
goes directly to a fund through the Salvation Army for Hurricane Katrina victims.
Unity Night shared a strong message about making friends, getting involved
in helping others and becoming closer to God in a way in which every student
could relate.
“This night has made me feel so connected and rejuvenated, like I’ve
found the foundation that I’ve been looking for,” said Rilee Allen,
a freshman child development major.
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