Kevin’s Dream

2015 Meal on Street

Cru student mission team members and friends enjoy a meal together in the Middle East.

What’s the craziest dream you’ve had?”

Kevin, a Middle Eastern student, shocked his new American friends with his response. It reminded them of the book of Revelation.

Kevin* vividly remembered a dream when he was eight. He was in an empty desert. Then he saw a huge castle with a door wide enough for one person. Through the door he saw a giant, radiant man seated on a throne. The man was “more glorious than anyone could imagine.”

Suddenly, the man became the size of a human. “Kevin, come sit in my lap,” he said.

“Who are you?” Kevin asked.

“I am Jesus.”

Jesus gave Kevin water to drink and showed him his kingdom. Kevin saw many people in white robes. He sensed that he knew some people, but not all of them.

When he awoke, Kevin asked his Muslim mother who Jesus was. She replied, “He is just a prophet.” Kevin forgot the dream that day, but ten years later, over lunch with a group of guys from New England on a Cru Summer Mission Trip, it popped back into his mind.

Kevin got goosebumps as the Cru students had him read Revelation. What he had dreamt was in the Bible!

Eagerly Kevin studied the Bible and attended church with the Cru students. He has connected with other Christians in his country and is learning about Jesus.

Thank you for partnering with us as we provide the behind the scenes help that make these trips possible. You are changing lives!

* Kevin is not his real name.

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Together Changing the World

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

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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