Urban Immersion™ Chicago

The Inner City Ministry of Cru® – Chicago is excited to be able to host Urban Immersion™ once again! Participants will spend time on Chicago campuses doing evangelism and meeting students as well as serving with Inner City partner ministries and churches to serve the needs of children, teens, and the poor throughout Chicago. You’ll have great opportunities to both minister cross-culturally and engage in cultural learning.

Dates and Registration:

Week 1: March 8–13, 2026

Register Here

Week 2: March 15–20, 2026

Register Here

Cost: $235

This covers housing, breakfast, most dinners, materials, supplies, and outings. This also covers a Cru background check, which is required because you will be ministering to minors as a part of this trip. (Not included in the cost are several dinners, all lunches, and transportation around the city.)

Location:

The Agape Community Center is owned by Cru. It is our central meeting place during Urban Immersion. Most of our meetings, trainings and celebrations will take place there. Some campus groups will be housed there. Many groups will have the opportunity to minister there throughout the week. For more about the Agape Community Center visit click here.

Food & Housing:

We are once again opening up the Agape Center as a housing facility for college groups. Men and women will be separated in various rooms and the Agape Center will provide sleeping mats for individuals to sleep on. There are also bathrooms and showers that will be available. The Agape Center will also provide continental breakfasts in the morning, and most of the dinners at night. Participants will be responsible for bringing money for all lunches while they are out on ministry assignments and for one dinner.

Transportation:

You are responsible for your own automobile transportation during Urban Immersion. Groups should either coordinate rides using their own cars or plan to rent vehicles upon arrival to Chicago via plane or train.

Schedule:

Participants will need to arrive on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The last meeting for the trip is Thursday night and housing ends Friday morning. The trip will be a mix of ministry and evangelism on college campuses and urban ministries and churches. You’ll also get teaching from Chicago pastors, training from Cru Campus and Inner City staff, and chances to explore and have fun in Chicago! Our detailed schedule is still in the works, but if you want to get a feel for what it will be like you can look at this schedule from a past trip.

Things to Bring:

Bible, sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, towel, gym shoes, work clothes, casual wear, money for lunches, gas and other minor expenses.

Campus Ministry Activities:

Primarily you’ll have the opportunity to share your faith with Chicago college students. You’ll have the opportunity to use surveys, Soularium, and the Perspectives tool to engage students in spiritual conversations.

Urban Ministry Activities:

S.A.Y. Yes!® — It’s a biblically based, holistic after-school program. Those who serve at a S.A.Y Yes! center will have the chance to help with the program by helping lead Bible lessons, helping students with homework, and by being a friend to some of Chicago’s youth. (S.A.Y. Yes stands for “Save America’s Youth — Yes!”)
Roseland Outreach — If you participate in Roseland Outreach you get to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of those in the neighborhood where you’ll be staying. Included in this is distributing food, and sharing your faith with those who are your neighbors for the week.
Pacific Garden Mission — Since 1877, Pacific Garden Mission has been a refuge. Millions weary of struggling through life’s storms, have come to the “Old Lighthouse” seeking food, shelter, clothing, medical, and dental care. At this ministry site you’ll have the chance to prepare and serve food for hundreds of Chicago’s homeless population as you partner with this ministry that seeks to bring people to faith in Jesus!
Pui Tak Center — Located in the heart of Chinatown, the Pui Tak Center offers programs for youth, recent immigrants, and those trying to learn English. Those who serve at Pui Tak could help in any of the variety of programs that the center has.
Roseland Community “Good News” Day Care — Help out with the day-care children. Feed, recreation, teach Bible stories, etc. Also do odd jobs for the ministry.
By The Hand Club for Kids — Help with the after-school ministry. Teach Bible lessons, tutor, mentor, etc.
Restoration Ministries — Helping in their clothing resale shop, mingling with men and women in recovery.
Roseland Christian Ministries — Hang out with the homeless, playing cards, games, serving snacks and sharing testimonies, etc.

What Others Have Said:

I was in the juvenile detention center where I ate dinner with 4 young men who have been convicted of serious crimes. For awhile, we just talked about life, their hopes and dreams, and other interests. Eventually I was able to bring up God and talked to all 4 of them about his plan for them. They all seemed very invested in what I had to say and all asked for me to pray for them by the end of the dinner. It changed my whole world about being quick to judge. I was scared of these men and of this part of the trip. After talking to them, I realized how wrong I was and how they are all just kids. It gave me a new compassion for the crowd that is generally looked down on.

— Rowland from Indiana University

It was one of the first times I have initiated a spiritual conversation with a stranger and I felt like I really connected with her. I was even able to answer some of the questions/doubts she had about God. Praying for her was also a big first step for me.

— Talia from Minnesota State University, Moorhead

I think I realized that people everywhere are made in God’s image. I want to be someone who seeks to value the person hear their story and have empathy. I also really want to grow in loving my neighbor by serving more.

— Katrina from Indiana University

Questions:
All questions can be directed to Alejandrina Higgins or Anilda Barbosa.