the spiritual climate on campus
to hoist Christian music to higher levels of excellence , Begbie and Floyd ’ s performances at Cornell confirmed that much work has already been done . Through watching their riveting performances , the Cornell community learned that music is not just a temporary means of enjoyment , but a way to taste of the glory to come . Furthermore , music playing is not just an ability acquired for personal pleasure , but rather a gift designed to glorify God and explain who He is . Yes , music matters to the faith . | cu
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C O R N E LL | On Campus
Every Square Inch
CORNELL STUDENTS INSPIRED AT JUBILEE CONFERENCE By Zachary Lee , Cornell ’ 20
In February , a group of Cornell University students had the privilege to attend the Jubilee Conference , an annual event held by the Coalition for Christian Outreach ( CCO ). The conference takes its name from the biblical year of Jubilee ( Leviticus 25:8-
55 ) and each night , to an audience of about 3,500 attendees , the plenary sessions centered on Creation , the Fall , Redemption , and Restoration . Subsequent lectures and workshops — covering a wide range of sectors — focused on how to view one ’ s vocation in light of these themes .
On Creation , rapper Lecrae noted the often unspoken hierarchy within the church that “[ The vocations of ] pastor , missionary , fellowship worker are varsity , while other occupations like doctor , artist , and lawyer are JV .”
Despite this perception , Lecrae told attendees to “ bring glory to God in everything that you do .”
Carley Eschierman , a Cornell freshman studying atmospheric sciences , said this message helped change her view on what she was studying and how missional it can be : “ My experience growing up in the church was not one which valued the mind . I feel like I ’ ve always had a transactional view of faith-work integration ; not going into missions was only okay as long as I supplemented my job with the right amount of ‘ church work ,’ that is , helping out with children ’ s ministry , leading a Bible study , etc . Now I have a new perspective and know that my future career as a broadcast meteorologist can bring glory to God ; I don ’ t have to be a missionary living in Africa .”
Likewise , Abi Bernard ( Cornell ’ 20 ), a history major , gave this reflection : “ The conference ’ s continual emphasis on the creation account was wonderful . Too often we forget that who we are is not because of our 46 chromosomes , but because of the Imago Dei — because of God Himself . God designed my major and field of interest . What can I do but use that to serve Him ?”
In another plenary session , Leoncé Crump , senior pastor of Renovation Church , fittingly asserted that God ’ s redemption is not just a onetime prayer of remorse for our “ junk ,” but that His plan for redemption is the cosmic reordering of all things so that one day the world will stop groan-