The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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Christian clubs at CSUN start work on new unification plan

Nine Christian clubs at CSUN have agreed to unite together after meeting individually in Spring 2005 with Chris Foreman, president of United Campus Ministry.

Foreman, sophomore marketing major, said he had a vision to unite Christian clubs after finding out there were 15 of them on campus. Instead of creating a new club, Foreman said he believed by faith that it was time to bring them all together.

Christians today are too focused on minor issues that brings division rather than unity, Foreman said.

Foreman took his idea to Darlene Warren-Shapiro, director of United Campus Ministry and campus minister, who had this same idea for years.

Warren-Shapiro, a CSUN alumna, has been with UCM for six years and feels the foundation has been laid for Foreman to initiate the coalition, and was waiting for the right time for a student to start it.

The purpose of bringing the clubs together with UCM is not about building his own church, Foreman said, but it is about helping expand the ministries that already exist.

Foreman personally introduced his idea and talked with the leaders of Campus Crusade for Christ, H.O.P.E.’s Fellowship, Korea Campus Crusade for Christ, Every Nation Ministries, Mu Lambda Psi Christian Fraternity, Alpha Lambda Mu Christian Sorority, Revivilution, CSUN Gospel Choir and Rejoyce In Jesus, who have all joined the coalition.

The new group, a 12-member leadership committee, meets every Tuesday at 4 p.m. to pray and plan events. The group consists of some leaders from the Christian clubs and individuals from different backgrounds.

“Every group has a special dynamic and reason,” Foreman said. “Instead of competing, they will work together.”

It will help the other ministries grow, and they can share the burden of funding, promoting and advertising events on campus, he said.

Robert Dover, President of Mu Lambda Psi Christian Fraternity, said he was all for uniting and agreed with Foreman’s efforts.

The first event of this semester was in the University Student Union Game Room on Sept. 8, and over a 100 students showed up, Warren-Shapiro said.

Foreman said he believes this vision will not stop at CSUN. He said he is ready to take this to other college and university campuses, and has talked to Christian Ministries at Cal State University, Long Beach.

He sees the future of uniting Christians at a nationwide level, and that “the spark” will start at CSUN.

“It is a fantastic idea for the organizations to work together,” said Alisha Cowen, senior Campus Service Core fellow of Hillel, a Jewish club on campus.

The more options there are for students to be involved with their faith on campus, the stronger the campus will be, she said.

Groups still considering whether to join the coalition are Good Shepard Fellowship, Grace on Campus, Get Real and the Sojourners club.

Foreman said he is aware that this is a spiritual matter, and is in prayer for everything to be according to the will of God.

Foreman said he was inspired by faith through the Bible and verses that uphold unity, especially Ephesians 4:3-6. Throughout his discouraging moments he turns to the Bible for encouragement.

The coalition plans on having many upcoming events, including a church worship service on campus Sept. 19 with The Church on the Way and the CSUN Gospel Choir.

Foreman said students were able to get to know one another and share their faith together.

Some ideas in the works are softball and dodgeball games, and worship concerts at CSUN’s dorms.

Melanie Saxe can be reached at melaniensaxe@hotmail.com.

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