Chicago

Chicago

Sharing the Hope of Jesus in the Inner City

Partnering with believers to bring about lasting change

God is changing lives in inner-city Chicago. Through local inner-city churches, people are encountering the hope of Christ, building meaningful relationships, and experiencing lasting change. Cru® Inner City’s Circle of Hope equips our partner churches to walk alongside their neighbors and serve their communities with compassion and purpose.

How We Help

Cru® Inner City is a caring community, passionate about connecting people to Jesus. In inner-city Chicago, that all starts at the Agape Center. From there we partner with 205 churches and ministries to reach people with the gospel all over the city!

Connect
Circle of Hope

Connect

We provide Compassionate Products™ and training to support the church in establishing relationships with people in their neighborhood.

Empower
Circle of Hope

Empower

We mobilize volunteers, resourced churches, and financial investment to increase our inner-city church partners’ capacity for life-changing evangelism and whole-person discipleship that transforms communities.

Develop
Circle of Hope

Develop

We train, coach, and encourage church leaders. We work with churches to develop programs for effective evangelism and whole-person discipleship. These programs are for both children and adults and minister to their physical needs while introducing them to a relationship to Jesus.

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Church Partners

Your church can partner with the Inner City Ministry of Cru®, multiplying your efforts to share God’s love and the Good News with those in need.

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Agape Center

Located in Roseland, Chicago, the Agape Center has been offering programming and mentorship for kids, teens, and adults since 1979.

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Compassionate Outreach

Packed by volunteers, our Compassionate Products provide tangible expressions of God’s love to people in the inner city of Chicago.

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How To Get Involved 

Want to help reach more people in Chicago with the hope of Christ? There are several ways to help.

Become a Church Partner

Are you a church in inner-city Chicago? Learn how we can help multiply your efforts to share God’s love with those in need.

Join Us as a Volunteer

Whether you’re excited to do outreach or participate behind the scenes, your support makes a difference.

Give to Cru Inner City Chicago

Support our ministry work through financial partnership.

Contact Us

Want to learn more about what Cru Inner City is doing in Chicago? Contact our team with any questions.

Brad Harry
Team Co-Director
Send Email

Marc Henkel
Team Co-Director
Send Email

Stories from Cru Inner City

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Satisfying Hunger

Gabriel Perez was greeting guests during a community outreach when a woman approached in her car. Animated, she yells in his direction. “Where’s Nazari?” came the voice from inside her

(AI photo illustration)

The Hard Work of Loving

As their father lay dying, Jacob used trickery to steal the blessing due his brother Esau. It was the second time he one-upped his older brother, having seized Esau’s birthright

Photo by Ron Lach / Pexels

Exchanging Prison Bars for the Legal Bar

Ronald Palm knew from the onset he couldn’t walk for his graduation from Eastern Illinois University, where he earned summa cum laude honors while completing a degree in interdisciplinary studies.

Creating Options Together™

God is working in Chicago and YOU are invited to join us. Please mark your calendar for Cruʼs vision dinner. Youʼll enjoy a delicious meal, hear inspiring stories, and have opportunities to join in Godʼs exciting kingdom work. 

Friday, May 1, 2026