Serving Athletes at All Levels

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Nate Miller

Estonian distance runner, Tiidrek Nurme, and Cru Athletes in Action staff member, Nick.
 

What do an Estonian runner, high school hockey players, and a collegiate football player have in common? All of them are mentored by a Cru staff member serving with Athletes in Action (AIA), Cru’s ministry to athletes.

Tiidrek Nurme is a runner who holds his nation’s records in the 1500 and 3000 meters. He is Estonia’s current athlete of the year and will compete in the 2021 Olympics for the third time. He recently sought out Nick, an AIA staff member, for mentoring as he seeks to represent Jesus on the track.

Mark, AIA staff member in Michigan, has provided spiritual guidance for USA U18 Hockey Team members the past two years. As they head to college teams, these young men remarked on their time:

“I finally understand what it means to have a relationship with God.”

“I’m a better athlete and man because of what I’ve learned.”

“The things I’ve learned impact me on & off the ice.”

Zion, a member of the Boston College football team, is mentored by AIA staff member Benjamin. There are 100 young men on the BC football team. They notice a difference in Zion. There are surface level things like not drinking, partying, or “hooking up.”

The younger guys are especially drawn to his wisdom, warmth, and joy.  The past few months Zion has been the one many are confiding in about the things which truly matter. He enthusiastically tells them who is number one in his own life.

One of Nate’s teammates serves AIA behind the scenes. Nate also works closely with them. Your partnership is changing the lives of athletes around the world. Thank you!

Posted in AIA, athlete, Athletes in Action, Campus, College Transition, Discipleship, Evangelism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Contracts and Jesus

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Nate Miller

How can people impact the world when they serve behind the scenes with Cru? You may have asked that question; Nate certainly has.

Since January, Nate has been leading a team to improve Cru’s process for managing contracts.

FamilyLife, Cru’s ministry to families, typically has over 50 marriage conferences and other events each year. Each conference venue requires a contract.

The Jesus Film, Cru’s film ministry, has numerous partners who request to use or translate films into new languages each year. Each request requires a contract.

Cru’s Campus Ministry organizes about 100 mission trips each year for college students. Cru staff locate safe housing for the students so they can minister to the community around them without distraction. Each housing location requires a contract.

Managing all these contracts takes time. Nate’s team estimates that improving Cru’s contracting process may save Cru 30,000 hours annually.

That is time that can be invested in families, Jesus Film partners, and college students. Time for evangelism, discipleship and sending people on mission to the world.

Your partnership enables Nate to free up Cru staff for ministry instead of paperwork. And your partnership is helping Cru to be an even better steward of the money and people that Jesus has entrusted to Cru for evangelism and discipleship.

Thank you! You are making a difference.

Posted in Campus, Conference, Discipleship, Evangelism, Family, Jesus Film, Ministry Finance Team, Summer Mission Trip | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Finding the Father

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Nate Miller
Edith and her daughter.

When Charlie started kindergarten, Jessica, a Cru staff member, didn’t know a soul at his school. She looked for ways to meet people and kept running into Edith. Edith was also looking for insight into her oldest child’s new world. She became Jessica’s first “mom friend” at the school.

Fast forward six years. Edith accepted an invitation to a weekly NBS2GO Bible study in Jessica’s living room. NBS2GO stands for “Neighborhood Bible Studies 2GO.”

NBS2GO exists to “equip and encourage you to reach the people around you, through unique 2GO Bible studies that are easy to facilitate with neighbors, co-workers, friends or family.”

Edith arrived 30 minutes early the first day because she wanted to ask what to expect. “I’ve never been invited to a Bible Study before,” she confided. Edith attended for a few months, but a work conflict got in the way.

Then Covid hit and Jessica moved the study online. Edith was able to rejoin the group. As they looked at scripture, Edith saw a more full picture of God. She had seen Him as a judge wanting to convict her and didn’t know of His fatherly love.

In the midst of Covid during that virtual study, Edith became a new person. Now she tells all her coworkers about this Father who loves her so much. She’s also been reading the Bible and praying with her daughters!

NBS2GO is just one of the many ministries that Nate and his team serve through managing Cru’s behind the scenes finances and processes. Thank you for your role in helping people know God as Father. You are making a difference in the world!

Posted in Coronavirus, Discipleship, Evangelism, Family | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment