Christian Union: The Magazine Summer 2017 | Page 29

Lessons in Leadership Manion ’18 Inspired by Summer Bible Study by catherine elvy , staff writer 2 course leader for Christian Union. As an emerging leader at Columbia Just as many are doing today, the ancient Israel- University, Kerry Manion ’18 was struck ites turned away from absolute truths and embraced by the relevance of the lessons inside the depravity. Judges 17:6 records, “In those days, there ancient book of Judges. was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right Throughout the tumultuous Old Testament in his own eyes.” As a result, the Israelites experienced chronology, God positioned champions to rescue vicious cycles of bondage, followed by deliverance. the Israelites from formidable enemies. “The judg- “The book of Judges is es were all chosen by God,” incredibly relevant to their said Manion, who has grow- current contexts in college, as ing responsibilities across it details Israel’s struggle in the Columbia’s spiritual, sports, midst of a pluralistic society,” and service arenas. said Ligh, Columbia ’99. Such themes stood out to The suspenseful stories Manion when she participat- and colorful characters inside ed in a recent study with a the 21-chapter book deliver group of female students in- strategies for managerial prac- volved with Christian Union’s tices via themes that dovetail ministry. The women devot- with Christian Union’s mis- ed a portion of their summer sion of providing leadership to tackling the timeless in- training to students at leading sights in the seventh book of universities. the Bible, especially the ones Kerry Manion ’18 was impressed with how While candid in its cov- pertaining to up-and-coming God raised up leaders to rescue the Israelites erage of 300-plus years of leaders. when she attended a summer Bible study turbulent history, the book of The undergraduates gath- hosted by Christian Union’s ministry at Judges poignantly highlights ered for weekly sessions Columbia University. the critical nature of quality during June and July at the leaders, or “judges” as dubbed home of Christian Union throughout the vast chronology. Ministry Fellow Ava Ligh. The narratives of Judges also pointed the under- The ministry focused on Judges because the graduates to an example of a key female leader, chapters offer celebrated accounts of unlikely indi- Deborah, who played a powerful role in liberating viduals who obey God, step forward for service, and God’s covenant people via her faithfulness. become heroes and heroines. Just as Deborah put her gifts to work in surpris- Manion found such narratives inspirational, ing ways, Manion aims to use her abilities in inspi- especially as she acknowledged a desire to become rational, creative, and practical endeavors. The more versed in the challenging, but historically rich, financial economics major already is tackling her passages of the Old Testament. third internship in the financial sector. The California native was also impressed by the “I do seek to glorify God,” Manion said. cyclical nature of the book, including the patterns Ligh expressed appreciation for Manion as a warm, of sin, judgment, desperation, and deliverance. “It’s enthusiastic mentor for Bible course participants. super relevant for college students,” said Manion, “Her growth this past year has included an in- who began serving a year ago as an assistant Bible 27