“I’m not a Christian, but …” This is how Gracie prefaced her remarks during retreat reflection time—at least initially. By the third session, though, something had changed.
Gracie had spent a lot of time among Christians. She was comfortable in those spaces, but had never felt moved to pursue knowing God. When Gracie heard that her Southern Colorado University Cru friends were going away for a Disciple-Maker Retreat, she signed up too.
A nice weekend getaway with nice people, amid the snow and swaying pine trees of Black Forest, Colorado…why not? But as the 100 or so students delved further into a study of the Lord’s Prayer, gospel pieces started to fit together for Gracie. Through tears she declared to her small group, “I think I’m a Christian now,” and then “Don’t look at me while I am crying.”
Gracie came to recognize how her soul had been restless, searching for her purpose. Now she is in a Bible study with Cru leader Riley. Gracie also participated in Cru’s Spring Break outreach on South Padre Island, TX, sharing the hope she’d found this year in Christ.
Gracie is one of the people we all seek to reach on campuses and in cities across the U.S. Here is an update of all God did through the Campus Ministry last year!
People who heard the Gospel in-person or online – 74,775,780
People who indicated to us that they placed their faith in Christ – 1,197,447
People who registered for a Cru Fall Retreat – 15,756
People who attended a Cru Winter Conference – 6,809
People sent on Cru Summer Missions, summer 2024 – 1,684
Cru Spring Break, 2025 – 64 trips with 777 students
Cru-Partner Spring Break (Filter of Hope, Humanitarian) – 39 trips with 286 students
New US Interns accepted for this fall – 342
New International Interns accepted – 92
Summer Mission Students signed up so far for this summer 2025 – 1,551
Please pray for more multiplication of student ministry all over the U.S. God is moving in powerful ways! Thanks for being part of all these wonderful works of God through your prayers!
We are very excited to also introduce our newest grandson, Jameson Jude Smith, born April 24th, 7 lbs 10 oz, 21 inches, and very healthy. Our daughter Melissa and son-in-law Ben Smith and all our family are so thrilled with this special bundle of joy!
- Prayer Requests
- 1. Pray for us to trust the Lord in a very busy season of onboarding new missionaries and in a busy time caring for our growing family!
- 2. Pray for Melissa and Ben as they adjust to caring for 3 boys, ages 3, 1, and 1 week. 🙂 Also, pray for Melissa’s recovery from a difficult C-section surgery.
- 3. Praise God for 26 new staff members who are being trained now, and for the 90 new staff who will be trained this summer. God is sending out new workers to the world!!
- 4. Pray for our trip to Southern California, May 24 through June 2nd. We’re looking forward to seeing those of you in the area!