Meeting Students Creatively

Posted on October 19, 2022 by Nate Miller
A small group bible study at the University of Alabama in Huntsville enjoys a fall day.

What do cookies and plants have in common? They are creative tools Cru staff members are meeting college students.

At the University of Alabama in Huntsville, students were invited to text an order for cookies and ask a spiritual question. Cru students and volunteers went out in pairs, delivered the cookies, and discussed student’s questions. Over 150 students received cookies!

Later, students were also invited to attend a panel of guest speakers who addressed the most common questions.

In Boston, a line formed quickly as over 100 students queued to choose a pot, fill it with soil, and plant a succulent. They were given a sheet with “Plant Care” on one side and “Soul Care” on the other side.

On the “Plant Care” side:

Your plant wants to grow! Give it some light and some water. Talk to it, sing to it. Pay attention.

There are no drainage holes, err on the side of underwatering.

On the “Soul Care” side:

Your soul wants to grow! Give it some friends and spiritual nourishment. Talk to it, sing to it. Pay attention.

In the Bible, God is described like a farmer. He is paying attention to us, talking to us, singing over us.

Students who received a plant have been thanking Cru staff members when they see them on campus. Some have come to the Boston Cru meetings. Cru staff members continue to meet these students to share the gospel.

Thank you for partnering with us as our behind-the-scenes service enables Cru campus staff members to creatively reach students.

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Unexpected Turnouts

Posted on September 28, 2022 by Nate Miller
Over 250 students fill out spiritual interest surveys at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee while waiting for free cheese curds provided by a ministry partner food truck. This is the largest Cru outreach ever on this campus!

Trey, Cru staff member at Virginia Tech, waited nervously inside the doors of the Squires Colonial, site of Cru’s on-campus meeting. This first meeting of the fall would be a good indication of what Jesus might do on campus this year.

Doors opened at 7:50 pm and students flooded in. About 575 students packed that first meeting—the largest in nearly a decade.

Meanwhile, at Texas Tech, twenty-five freshmen showed up for a Thursday morning Bible Study during freshmen orientation. They returned the next morning, bringing friends.

As the students discussed Mark 4 in the dining hall, Edwin walked by. Someone asked, “Are you looking for the Cru Bible Study?” “Not specifically,” he responded, “but can I join?” He was looking for a community that would encourage his relationship with Jesus.

At the University of Georgia, campus ministry staff members from a variety of Christian ministries gathered to pray and worship before the fall semester began. Many of those ministries are seeing tremendous growth from previous years.

One hundred-seventy-five freshmen came to the freshmen kickoff Bible Study—double the previous year! They ran out of pizza, bought more, then ran out again. On the same night at UGA, another ministry gathered hundreds of freshmen and a third ran out of tacos at their freshmen taco evening.

Jesus is gathering larger than expected groups of students on college campuses around the US.

Thank you for partnering with us as our behind-the-scenes service enables Cru campus staff members to reach students.

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Encouraging Cru Staff

Posted on August 25, 2022 by Nate Miller
A glimpse of five thousand Cru Staff members gathered together.

For the first time in three years over 5,000 Cru staff members were able to meet together in the same room. This was an encouragement to Cru staff members who often minister in small teams and can become unsure if their ministry is making a difference.

“This time was so encouraging to me as I got to catch up with colleagues from across the county and hear stories about God moving in the lives of teenagers.” – A Cru High School Staff Member

“[The Conference] was amazing! I came back feeling very refreshed and excited about what the Lord is doing around the world. I also got to meet some staff friends that I had only met virtually!” – A Cru Campus Staff Member

“It was an awesome time to see staff I haven’t seen for years, as well as getting refueled with passion and vision for our mission.” – A Cru Athletes in Action Staff Member

“The conference has been fantastic. We have been reminded about the goodness of Christ and the vision for the strategic nature of reaching college students.” – A Cru Campus Staff Member

We were encouraged and challenged by the speakers. Nate also helped with the conference finances and setup. Kim helped provide childcare so parents could attend the main meetings without distraction.

Micah and Isaiah both participated in the High School program. This included great speakers, fun field trips, challenging seminars, and a Water Walk Challenge to raise money to build wells in areas without adequate drinking water.

Thank you for your partnership with us! You are an encouragement to us. We are grateful for you!

Posted in AIA, Athletes in Action, Campus, Conference, Family, high school | Tagged , , | Leave a comment