Unexpected Gospel Impact

Harvard Cru student leaders. Alex* is in the back, second from the left.

I have served as a chaplain at Harvard for 25 years, and the interest in and openness to religion and spirituality has never been higher on campus,” the New York Times recently quoted a Cru staff member.

Alex*, a Harvard student, put it this way, “People are finding an attitude of self-reliance to be insufficient for finding purpose in life, and they are recognizing that religion provides an alternative approach to life that is full of community and affirmation.”

Alex is on the Harvard football team. Over 30 players have attended the Bible Study he leads. Some have committed to go with Harvard Cru on a mission trip to South Africa next winter break.

Meanwhile, at a college in Southern Colorado, Tyler* had settled into the freshman routine of homework, video games, and connecting with friends online. He saw Cru staff members conducting spiritual interest questionnaires on campus. He approached and shared that he wasn’t a Christian but wanted to learn more.

A Cru staff guy shared the gospel with Tyler. He talked about how God created us for Himself, how our sin separates us from Him, and how Jesus is the bridge that restores that relationship. We only bring our recognition of our need for Jesus.

Tyler was stunned. “So, all I have to do is trust in Him?” he asked. “Yes!” was the response.

When asked, “Do you want to trust Jesus?” Tyler said, “Yes!”

Over the next few weeks, Tyler met to discuss what it means to be forgiven, how to walk by the Spirit, and the assurance of salvation. He expressed how much joy he now has because of his relationship with Christ. He’s already read the entire book of Luke—and he loved it!

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 to respect privacy.

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Serving in Asheville

Cru students from Marshall University serve in Asheville.

Mitchell stood on his front deck, watching the flood waters rise as Hurricane Helene devastated his North Carolina community. He heard calls for help from his neighbor’s home just a few hundred feet down the hillside. Mitchell wanted to help, but as he prepared to leave his deck, he sensed God clearly saying, “No!”

Then he tragically watched his neighbor’s home float away. Flood waters also rose several feet into his home, destroying the drywall and some of his belongings.

Six months later he still needed help rebuilding his front and back decks.

Over spring break, in partnership with Unto and Lifelines, 150 Cru campus students and staff members descended on Mitchell’s neighborhood to assist with cleanup and reconstruction efforts.

Mitchell wept as he told his story to the team. The loss weighed heavily upon him.

Although he was already a Christ follower, Mitchell’s faith was rekindled by the kindness of Jesus experienced so personally.

He told the team, “Why are people coming to help me? God spared my life and is coming to help me. What have I done for Him?”

Today Mitchell wants others to know the kindness and hope of Jesus.

Students from Marshall University helped another family and shared the gospel with them. That family has started attending a local church.

Students from Texas Tech, the University of Tennessee, and many others have also served the people of Asheville.

Lifelines staff in Asheville hosted a Hurricane Helene relief hub in their front yard. Watch their 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.
 

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Running for Jesus

The Cornell Running Club gathers for a daily jog.

Finn is a student leader in Cornell University’s Cru ministry. He loves Jesus and he loves running. Joining the Cornell Running Club allows him to combine both his loves.

Finn runs hundreds of miles a month. He could run alone, focusing on his own running goals. But he wants to build relationships with other students. He wants to know them and share the gospel.

Running with others in the Cornell Running Club enables Finn to spend hours with people. A 10-mile run provides space for spiritual conversation.

A few weeks ago, Finn was running and having an extended conversation with his friends. Because he’s built substantial trust and is very open about his faith, some of the runners started to ask about Christianity. At one point a fellow runner asked, “So what is the main message of Christianity?

What a set up! Finn had the opportunity to share the whole gospel using the classic Cru four-point outline. He articulated the good news with Scripture all while keeping pace with the squad. What a run!

No one stopped to pray a salvation prayer, and the interactions are ongoing.

Finn recently arranged for a few of his running friends, including the Club president, to have lunch with the Cornell Cru staff team leader. They talked about the impact of grace on leadership and conflict management.

Finn also brought four of his running club friends to a Cru weekly meeting to hear the gospel in the context of a worshipping community.

 Combining his loves of Jesus and running allows Finn to build trust with those who would not otherwise be interested in Jesus.

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

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