Christian Union: The Magazine Summer 2017 | Page 29
Lessons in Leadership
Manion ’18 Inspired by Summer Bible Study
by catherine elvy , staff writer
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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
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