Taking Her Missions Experience to Heart — and Hand
Beth Finn (above, center) swayed as the metro bus took her team of collegiate summer missionaries back to their lodging. It was the final days of their 10-week service with the inner-city ministry of Cru®, and Beth, a senior at the University of Toledo, was reflecting on the experience. During their Chicago assignment, the team […]
Urban Immersion Trains Students — and Leaders!
The closing bell barely finished its release song as the middle-schoolers spilled onto the sidewalks, independence at last. After two days of a weekend respite from studies, the adolescents sniffed freedom from the Monday school blues. Greeting them along the escape route was an adult crossing guard, monitoring their movements and blocking traffic as they […]
JAM™ Camp Produces a Good Sport
As a Detroit teen, C.J. Roberson was determined to use sports to prove his mettle. Outperforming his peers was just as significant as the gold medals he received. But, after attending a Christian-based camp at 16, his relationship with Jesus proved to be the ultimate prize. At the time, C.J. was one of 70 boys […]
Summer Missions Program Makes the Grade for College Student
Tabia, her grin swallowing up her small stature, faced the small group of peers in front of her. Grasping a leather cord and several colored beads, she blurts out her message. “This one is red and it represents the blood of Jesus,” the little girl declared before going on to explain the significance of the […]
An Unlikely Friendship
Camryn Pickerell scanned the grounds at Orange County Academy as students scampered among the campus visitors. She hoped to etch into her mind every detail of an experience she never wanted to forget. The then-college sophomore spotted the 5-year-old who witnessed his uncle’s murder. There was Michael, beaten regularly by his father, but who tried […]
Passion Meets Purpose
It was an odd intersection: The majestic beauty of the old American West, the mystique of visiting with international students and the mystery of a burgeoning faith in Jesus. Melanie Lamar marveled at it all. A native of New Hampshire, known for its small towns and vast wilderness areas, Melanie landed in Yellowstone the summer […]
Polish and Purpose
Katie Bondy walked the neighborhood, flyers flapping in her hand. She handed out a few when she spotted a mother and her 7-year-old daughter sitting in a front yard, enjoying the pleasant summer weather. Mom was polishing the little girl’s nails. Katie engaged the mom by commenting on the nail color. Soon they were discussing […]
Redeeming the Nightmare
Alexa was an average teen trying to sidestep the landmines of substance abuse, violence and poverty, which were rampant in her hometown, while education was not. Somehow, through the oppressive spiritual darkness, she found her way to God. That was before her best friend was shot in the back of her head — the triggerman, […]
Chaos, Gospel, and New Life!
I did not expect that summer to change my life so drastically. The summer after my second year of college, I was rudely awakened to the reality that my life was not on a good path. So at the start of the next academic year, I pursued those crazy, slightly annoying, yet joyful “Cru” kids. […]
The Inside Game
Sports engage young people of the inner city in productive, character-building activity. They learn discipline; they discover their talents and develop their skills; they learn teamwork. Young men who are involved in sports have the potential to become positive leaders and influence generations. But to do this, they need God. They need to understand that […]