Until All Have Heard

  Last night I taught at Philly Cru's city-wide meeting (virtually) for a series they're hosting called "The Gospel & ____." My topic was "The Gospel & Social Media," which is one of my favorites things to teach. In 2014 when I spoke about it at Cru's Spring Break conference, people asked me if I could put some of it in writing. I liked the idea, but it was also the year we were moving to Italy, and while writing in the Italian countryside sounds dreamy, our city life in Italia was full of other endeavors. In 2017, after we had been back in the U.S. for a year, I wondered if it might be the time to start writing. My wondering turned to certainty when I began consistently waking up at 5AM without an alarm, which gave me two hours of alone time on an average day. I knew the Lord was guiding me because I never (ever ever) wake up on my own that early, yet I consistently was up and felt clear-headed and compelled to write. My bff commemorated the co...

2001 was a historic year for Campus Crusade for Christ. Bill Bright, Cru's founder and president since 1951 passed his baton of leadership to Steve Douglass. With Bright's health in rapid decline, he entrusted to the Douglasses the ministry that grew from one group at UCLA to 191 countries around the world. Bill's wife, Vonette, had always been integral to the ministry, and she and Bill worked together as a team even while they raised children. Steve's wife, Judy, had done the same, and together, the Brights led us through a ceremonial time of celebrating 50 years of ministry and inducting the next phase of leadership.  We were in the room for this beautiful ceremony. This meaningful summer marked our first year on staff with Cru. Our first united staff conference was this experience. It made a big impact on us. We were young, and inexperienced in ministry and adulthood, but we vividly remember the laying on of hands, the anointing with oil, and the complete reverent su...

Our family gathered around the breakfast table to join the live, worldwide induction ceremony for Cru's new president, Steve Sellers. Our hearts are so encouraged!  Highlights include: 1. History of Cru's founder, Bill Bright, and seeing God's faithfulness on display. 2. Our outgoing president, Steve Douglass, addressing the global ministry, giving his full support to Sellers, and encouraging us all to value deeply and prioritize unity among the body of Christ. 3. VP of Global leadership, Dela Adadevoh, "We are called to 'every' person, and that is not a human thing, that is a God thing!" 4. Chairman of the Board of Directors, Barry Cannada assuring everyone of the Lord's leading in this passing of the baton of leadership, "We prayed; we fasted; we carefully selected." 5. Mission leaders from over 25 nations affirming God's calling to the Great Commission in their native tongues. (Wowing!) 6. Global prayer, live in unison, for the new pre...

:) This video is an amazing visual for what we're doing together! Thank you for partnering with this ministry! The Domino Effect from Cru Storylines on Vimeo .

Thanks so much for praying for H! We have felt love and care from far and near. We got word last week that she is free from Lyme disease!!!! We are praising the Lord! Our area of the country is known as "Lyme disease capital of the world." Pennsylvania's wooded landscape and mild temperatures make conditions ripe for ticks that carry the disease. Lyme disease cases in the US, 2017 Here's why this whole thing has been so trying and tricky: Lyme disease is from a bacteria that is shaped like a spiral. When it's not caught early, it literally drills into the body and eventually reaches the nervous system where it is no longer possible to eradicate, and people suffer with pain and disabilities associated it with it for their whole lives. But when detected early, it can be eliminated with high dose antibiotics. We are so thankful that we recognized the early symptoms in H and that her doctor treated her right away. There were some complications along the...

Thanks for watching this video to hear our testimonies, a little bit from students, and where and why we serve with Cru. Our personal and direct give site: give.cru.org/0524451

Having worked for a not-for-profit these last 18 years, my perspective on giving has changed so much from what it once was.  Beyond generosity, it is an invisible connectivity.  It extends past this moment, creating ripples outwardly and continually.  While measured today in dollars, its effects cannot be measured.  Giving is truly an act of heart and of faith as it communicates both, "There are things more valuable than what money can buy," and "I trust God to take this beyond where I can see."   Thank you to all who give! I am forever changed by my front row seat of giving and receiving.

Praise God that students at Bently, Brandeis, Harvard, UMass, and others have recently given their lives to the Lord! Please pray for these new brothers and sisters in Christ: Adam Bill Azure Ella Mike Lynne Julia Becca Juliette Stephen Charles Chris Cam

Brittany's photo caption reads: "First apple of the school year! What I don't tell you is that my football boys get these in their breakfast bags every morning, and they give me the ones they've dropped too many time for it to be edible. But it's the thought that counts, right?!" It's so fun to see SO MANY CRU ALUMNI who are living life on mission in the classroom as teachers!  We love y'all, and we're so proud of you!  Whether public school or private school, we know you're encouraging kiddos with the love of Jesus that's in you. Everyone, will you please join us in praising God for these Spirit-filled teachers! Please pray with us a blessing of God's mighty strength, love, patience, and protection over them. Brittany, UNT alum, teaches English 10 in Tyler, TX. Cristina, our former Italy teammate, teaches high school English in Rio Grande Valley, TX. UNT alumni, Bryan & Taylor Rollins, are both 6th...

A spiritual conversation is an intentional one. It's not "watered down" or "politically correct," but instead, a stimulating discussion about things such as life after death, God's existence, the source of truth, and many other things alike that are necessary to define before someone can understand the Gospel. We initiate spiritual conversations in 3 ways: Natural Mode, Ministry Mode, and Body-Life Mode. Natural mode evangelism is just like it sounds. As we go about the natural things of the day, we open up discussions about spiritual topics. We share the Gospel through our testimonies and by relaying scripture that we've memorized. Students do this in the community as they work, mostly in food service jobs. We all do this on the beach as we are playing or sunning, and we naturally begin conversations with other beach visitors. Also as we go about our day, chatting with our Walmart cashiers, restaurant servers, and neighbors, we sow seeds of the G...

Friends, thank you so much for praying for our health. The Lord has answered specifically and mightily! It has come to light that I have a genetic disorder, one that's been with me all my life. Knowing the details of this gene has been able to connect the dots of so many health issues that I've struggled with for years. There's treatment for it and for the several dominoes of struggling health that have resulted in the past decade. I've been on prescription supplements for the past 40 days, and have seen tremendous improvement in my breath, energy, and mobility! I'm floored with God's provision of the diagnosis and treatment! The diagnosis came through a doctor who is unlike any other I've seen. During my first appointment with him, he asked me one main question, and then prayed over me for 10 minutes. It was a specific, humble prayer, acknowledging that all wisdom comes from God. This doc's humility was obvious, and he said that he accepted the call t...

** Disclaimer: This isn't a well-written piece. It's more like my journal entry. Thank you for reading and praying. I spent most of 2018 at the doctor. Unexplained rashes, infections, and breathing difficulties were just a few of the ailments. Holly too, who already struggles with auto-immune health, had an infection that wouldn't quit. The doctors were puzzled, as test after test revealed no disease, yet symptom after symptom kept persisting. And those symptoms began causing secondary issues. I've felt like an 80 year old in a not-yet-40 year old body. Yet I'd see 80 years olds who were getting around with better! I couldn't move, breath, lift, or bend without assistance. The things I relied on for enjoyment and worship, such as singing and dancing, were impossible for me. Holly had gone back for treatment #12 for a fungal infection that is usually cleared up after treatment #3. In addition to medicines and doctors, we were using regimens of natural therapie...

"I have enjoyed the privilege of following the Cru ministry of Karl and Keri Armentrout for over 15 years. They are faithful followers of Christ and are effectively reaching college students of the world with the message of Christ. Karl and Keri demonstrate a heartfelt devotion to sharing the Gospel, training others, and discipling others. I am thankful to have the opportunity to support their ministry and look forward to continuing to partner with them." ~Stephen Bertrand, Lewisville, Texas "Hi, my name is Haley, and I wanted to take just a few moments to express about what a blessing it has been to be on Keri and Karl's ministry partner team..." {continued in 50 second video} For more info on becoming a ministry partner and to set up your regular giving online, please see our direct and secure personal giving site: give.cru.org/0524451 Get to know us and our ministry better through this video: https://vimeo.com/357233275

We returned from our Summer Mission in New Hampshire. It was such a privilege to see God work in and through the 22 students who lived and served with us for 10 weeks. Their impact on the community is visible! And the Lord's impact on them through this experience is something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Hear Hannah share her experience and see some of the aspects of this mission in this 2 minute video. We hope it blesses you! Hannah's Summer Mission Story from Gary Nomura on Vimeo .

Sometimes we wonder if a decision made for Jesus with a stranger on the beach is a true decision. Does the fruit last? Likewise we wonder about our past students--do they remember what they've learned? Do they keep pressing on as a disciple of Christ? That's why when we hear from people who have been blessed by this ministry in the past, it is SUCH an encouragement to our hearts and even more importantly, a testimony to God's faithfulness. HE grows the fruit. We merely walk in obedience and keep sharing the message with others. We received an email from a pastor who put his faith in Christ on the beach with a Cru student who was attending Big Break TWENTY-NINE YEARS AGO (back then it was called "Operation Son-shine"). He said he has walked a life of faith since that day. He thanked our organization and offered prayers for our ministry. We also got a sweet picture sent to us through Facebook. I'll let you read this one for yourselves:

We are rejoicing that so many people heard the Gospel this month and that many have been added to the family of God! Here are the final reports. In the month of March, through Cru students and staff in Panama City Beach, Florida: 2,837 spiritual conversations occurred of which, 1038 people heard the 4 main points and scriptures of the Gospel. Of those, 244 made first time faith decisions and prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior! 326 people who already professed faith were led through a study of scriptures about abiding in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your prayers and sending which allowed us to go and serve for 3 weeks! Please keep these young brothers and sisters in faith in your prayers!

Big Break Week ONE in Review from Cru West Coast on Vimeo .

This season is full with preparing for Cru Winter Conference, held Dec. 27-Jan 1. In this 40 second video, you can see glimpses of all that God does there. It's amazing how He moves when students pull away from everything else for one week and devote all their attention to Christ. Lives are changed forever! You'll won't be able to know the depth of every individual's story, but take a glimpse at: transformational community rich teaching of the Bible corporate worship devoted prayer spaces topical workshops food packing community outreach world missions focus and offering sign ups for short and long term missions discipleship relationships people coming to faith in Christ!

In early 2017, I self-published an article on my personal blog. I had given it more detailed attention than I usually do, and held off publishing it for 18 months while I refined it and waited for God's leading to share it. When I felt His leading, I surrendered it in prayer--asking Him to bring it in front of the eyes He wanted to read it. After sharing it, Bible Gateway noticed it and shared on their social media sites. Another publisher asked permission to condense and republish as well. God multiplied my efforts by bringing it to audiences that I would never have contact with naturally! I am simultaneously humbled and thrilled by the experience. Isn't that how the joy of the Lord works?--Realizing how small we are in our efforts while basking in the majesty of His power! Here is the original article: https://hisstorymysong.blogspot.com/2017/01/top-10-reasons-why-people-dont-read.html [Bible Gateway retitled it: "10 Reasons You're Not Reading Your Bible...

Thanks to our amazingly talented team member, Jocelyn, the images and stories of God's faithfulness through Hampton Beach Summer Mission is now chronicled online. May the body of Christ be encouraged and may the Father be glorified! Your browser does not support iframes.