Together Changing the World

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Nate Miller
Cru staff members gather in worship during Cru15.

Cru staff members gather in worship during Cru15.

What will it take for every person to hear the Gospel in our lifetime? At the very least it will take many Christians working together toward that common purpose.

Over 4,000 Cru staff members recently gathered for our biennial all staff conference.

Cru staff were encouraged and challenged by speakers like Francis Chan, author and church planter; and Joshua Ryan Butler, pastor and author.

We were most struck by Andy Crouch, Executive Editor of Christianity Today.

Crouch noted, “Your story of the creation of the world determines what it means to be human. What it means to be human determines your capacity for partnership.”

He pointed out that God’s authority is displayed as He creates. More subtle is that God displays vulnerability, or the risk of hurt, when He entrusts His creation to humans and gives us the choice to obey. Ultimately this leads to the wounding of His Son on the cross.

Reaching our world requires using our God-given authority to empower others even at the risk of our hurt. This reflects God’s image displayed in Creation.

You can listen to Crouch’s 45 minute talk and others at https://cru15.cru.org/archive/index.htm.

We would also recommend the following talks:

Dr. John Perkins

Christena Cleveland

K. A. Ellis

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Spring Break Influencers

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Nate Miller
Just a few Cru students on Tribeca Spring Break Week 2

Just a few Cru students on Tribeca Spring Break Week 2

What do you think of when you hear the words, “Spring Break?” Wild parties on the beach? Drunken students in Cancun?

Instead of going to the beach, students from the South crossed cultural and regional barriers to share Jesus in New York City.

“I expected most people to identify as Christian. I quickly realized I was no longer in the Bible Belt. Everyone I talked to was either Jewish or didn’t identify with a religion. I learned so much about other people, and my faith was strengthened. My experience was completely different than in North Carolina. It was amazing.”

“I shared my faith with a Muslim for the first time. I learned they have respect for the Bible and Jesus. She didn’t want the tract I was sharing to touch the ground because it contained the Word of God. Students in New York City were really open when we asked them spiritual questions. Lots of people in the South are closed off about Jesus if they don’t believe, so this was very encouraging.”

These are a just two of the many stories that could be told!

You are helping to make a difference in the lives of students. Thank you for your partnership and prayers.

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Snow, Sun and Moving

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Nate Miller
While Boston set an annual snowfall record... Cru students shared Jesus in Panama City Beach, Florida.

While Boston set an annual snowfall record, Cru students shared Jesus in Panama City Beach, Florida.

What do you do when God provides you with an unexpected opportunity?

We have been accepted on a one-year staff development program at our Cru Headquarters in Orlando, Florida beginning this August.

This is an opportunity for us to take another step in leadership development. Spending a year at our World Headquarters will give us a great opportunity to prepare for continued ministry.

We will attend special development sessions led by various Cru leaders, such as our President, Dr. Steve Douglass.

We’ll be a part of a small coaching group and also have personal mentors to help us process what we are learning. What an opportunity to develop! When the year is completed we’ll be equipped for more effective ministry.

In addition to our development, we’ll also continue to serve with Cru, not only in America, but also around the world. During the past ten years God has enabled Cru to participate in the gospel’s significant worldwide growth.

This growth is enhanced by the Cru staff serving behind the scenes at our Orlando headquarters. Whether in human resources, graphic design, computer services, or elsewhere, these Cru staff provide the structure necessary for the gospel to be advanced throughout the world.

We have the opportunity to help provide this structure by filling a position at headquarters this coming year.

We are excited to take this next stepping-stone in our development and ministry, as we serve our staff around the world.

You and our family are partnered together. Lives are being reached with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Pray for us as we prepare to move to Orlando for this coming year.

Especially pray for wisdom as we consider our future. Our desire is to return to the Northeast after this one year program, but we also want to remain open to wherever God might lead our family.

Thank you for playing such an important part not only in this ministry, but also in our lives.

More about the Cru Leadership Development Program

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