Professors on Spring Break

Posted on May 13, 2026 by Nate Miller
Dr. Georgia Cobbs invites Italian students to consider “How to Succeed at University and in Life.”

What do professors do over Spring Break? Seven professors affiliated with Faculty Commons, a ministry of Cru, traveled to Italy this past March. They gave lectures and met with Italian students. They provided tips for success in school and life while sharing their personal faith journeys.

Dr. Georgia Cobbs, retired University of Montana professor, spoke to students at the University of Padua near Venice. After her talk, an Iranian student approached, asking, “I think I want to become a Christian. Is it hard?” That night, the student emailed with more questions, beginning a conversation about faith.

The following week, another professor connected with Faculty Commons was scheduled to speak at the same university. She and a Cru staff member connected with the Iranian student and shared the gospel with her. The Iranian student trusted Jesus as her Savior! The Cru staff member noted that her meetings with the two professors “were all orchestrated by a God who would do anything to show you how much He loves you.”

Please pray for the Cru staff members in Italy as they help this new believer grow in her trust of Jesus.

Thank you for partnering with us as we enable evangelism and discipleship around the world. We are grateful to be a part of what God is doing.

Posted in Campus, Evangelism, Faculty, international, Spring Break | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Equipping teachers in a war zone

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Nate Miller
Cru helps Ukrainian teachers develop professionally.

The war in Ukraine has been going on for five years. Despite suffering and uncertainty, normal life continues. Kids go to school and teachers teach. The International School Project (ISP), Cru’s outreach to teachers, is reaching Ukrainian teachers and training them to reach their communities and students for Jesus.

Maryia*, a Ukrainian teacher, recently joined the ISP community. She attended lectures providing professional development for public school teachers. She was surprised by the quality of the ISP curriculum and training materials.

As Maryia attended follow-up seminars, she began to grow in the Lord. Maryia and her husband, Aleksandr*, began attending a Bible study. She says her life has changed! As her faith deepens, she is growing in serving others and encouraging people around her.

Communities of up to 30 teachers like Maryia gather regularly in towns around Ukraine for Bible study. They also organize evangelistic events in their towns. About 50 Ukrainian teachers completed training on how to share their faith. They studied the book of Romans and received training in spiritual leadership. God is working in amazing ways in the hearts of Ukrainian educators as they impact their communities.

Thank you for partnering with us as we enable evangelism and discipleship around the world. We are grateful to be a part of what God is doing.

* Names changed for privacy.

Posted in Discipleship, Evangelism, Faculty, high school, international | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Made for More

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Nate Miller
Students worship during the Orlando FastBreak Conference.

Nearly 200 students attended the Florida FastBreak – Cru’s weekend winter conference for teens. Middle and high school students from Atlanta, Orlando, and Tampa represented 16 schools and joined 40+ volunteers (including one of our sons!) to be reminded that they are “Made for More”.

High School students are bombarded with voices promising fulfillment – voices that instead kill, steal, and destroy. But there is One Voice which provides an abundant life. 

One student now experiencing this abundant life is a high school senior named Jacob*. When he was younger, Jacob knew there was a God but didn’t know or understand him. He couldn’t “connect with scripture in a way that led me to God or could truly fill my heart.”

In early high school, Jacob thought football would fill the hole in his heart. “I poured everything into football – hoping the effort, the wins, and the recognition would be enough.” But the empty feeling remained. Eventually, Jacob let his teammates lead him away from God and he started experimenting with drugs.

Persistent friends invited Jacob to last year’s FastBreak. He finally agreed to attend and met Jesus. Transformed, Jacob told his parents about his addiction. He knew this would cost him freedom at home, but would also lead to real freedom. “I realized I had been trying to fill a God-sized hole with things that would never fill it.”

Jacob isn’t perfect, but he knows that Jesus didn’t wait for him to be perfect before loving him. Jacob realized God gave him this story to encourage others. Jacob shared his story at this year’s FastBreak. He was made to tell others about the hero of his story!

Thank you for partnering with us as we enable evangelism and discipleship around the world. We are grateful to be a part of what God is doing.

* Name changed for privacy.

Posted in Conference, Evangelism, high school | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment