Changed Lives on Campus

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Nate Miller
“Yes. Yes. I want that!” Noah exclaimed when he heard the gospel during a Cru Winter Conference
Day of Outreach. Listen to Caleb tell this powerful story.

The text read, “I want to get into the Bible and strengthen my relationship with the Lord. I haven’t read the Bible before. So I am reaching out for some guidance in some way.”

After attending a women’s lacrosse practice at a Christian college in South Carolina, April, a Cru staff member, received this text from *Lexi. Lexi was desperate to connect.

Lexi grew up in a nonreligious home but wanted to learn more because of her Christian teammate and her Christian boyfriend.

April shared the gospel and learned that Lexi had never heard of Adam and Eve, and didn’t know much about Jesus. Despite not knowing much, Lexi knew she wanted a relationship with Jesus. April and Lexi now meet weekly. Lexi also brings friends who are interested in Jesus!

*Matt is a student at Western Michigan University. He talks about his faith on the campus radio station. One day the Student Center was playing Matt’s program over loudspeakers as he read from Ephesians.

*Andrew heard Matt’s program and stopped him as he left the studio, “Can I ask you my questions about faith?” Over a few meetings Matt led Andrew to faith in Jesus!

*Mel is also at Western Michigan University. Mel identifies as trans and is not a Jesus follower, but has had many conversations with Cru staff members. Mel recently texted a Cru staff friend, “Would it be cool if I brought my friend *Aria to chat this week? She’s got questions and would like to learn.”

They met for coffee. Aria, who grew up in a religious family, realized for the first time that going through the motions of tradition and church attendance makes no sense apart from a real relationship with Christ. 

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

*Student names changed for privacy

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Choas Leads to Christ

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Nate Miller

Confused, Jason packed up his table and empty pizza boxes. He had clearly felt God prompt him to go to the park across the street from Crawford High School because someone needed to hear the gospel. Instead, chaos ensued.

Jason is a Cru High School staff member mentoring students and serving teachers, coaches, and counselors.

Rambunctious middle schoolers stole the pizza. Other kids rushed through spiritual conversations to get free pizza. What was the point?

He prayed, “Jesus, I was supposed to share the gospel with someone.”

As the words left his mouth, Jason saw Kimheng, a Cambodian refugee student, walking by yet again. He was the only student who had truly engaged in conversation.

Jason quickly yelled, “What’s your spiritual background?”

“My family is Buddhist,” Kimheng replied.

“What about you?”

“They make me practice Buddhism.” 

Jason persisted, “Yeah, but what do you think?”

That’s when Kimheng responded about seeing himself turn to God. He said he searched online for answers. He learned about Jesus through social media, but had never talked about Him in person.

Jason shared the gospel. Kimheng was excited and wanted to learn more. Two days later he attended the on-campus Cru High School Club and brought a friend!

What appeared like useless chaos was actually God’s plan for wading through the 99 to find the one lost child looking for a Good Father and a family.

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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Mariana defends the Bible

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Nate Miller
Justina shares The Promise stories with her community in Tanzania.
She was the first believer in her village!
To see her story click here.

They have never forced us to believe anything. We are learning so much, and we like these stories,” said Mariana*, defending the Beruna* School of Storying (SOS).

SOS is a 4-week oral Bible storytelling training. Participants  and Cru staff translate 40 key Bible stories from Creation to the Return of Jesus into the learners’ language.

Mariana was one of 15 attendees. She and the others devoutly follow a regional religion and had never been exposed to God’s Word. 

Initially, participants were skeptical of the Bible stories. They hadn’t heard of the Holy Spirit or Jesus.

The Cru StoryRunners team was amazed so many attended despite the shame they’d experience in their community by affiliating with Christians. The team prayed the Holy Spirit would make hearts tender to truth and participants able to develop stories in their language.

The second week of SOS, attendees invited trainers into their homes. They wrestled with concepts like Jesus’ death and resurrection. Each night, they told the stories to their family and friends!

The final week, Fahm*, a week one participant, returned. She didn’t trust the StoryRunners team and taunted the other women.

That’s when Mariana, a quiet woman in her 60s, spoke up. The other participants also defended the stories, the trainers and the project.

Those who weeks earlier had been skeptical about working with Christians and developing stories from the Bible, now stood up for these stories!

Although they don’t yet know Jesus, they are moving closer to Him.

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

* Names and locations changed for protection.

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