“You’ve given me more answers in the past half hour than any of my professors have in the last year and a half.”

Alan, a sophomore, attends William Jessup University, a Christian college in Rocklin. Through a series of connections, our staff team has been given the opportunity to lead a small discussion-oriented class that students take for elective credit. Hoping to eventually start a Cru movement at Jessup, but not quite knowing what to expect, we decided to center the group around the basics of evangelism. What we didn’t expect was that the class would become a mission field itself.

On the first day of our group meeting, Cameron and another staff member named Lucas asked the class, “How would you describe your spiritual journey?” Many of the students were hesitant because, though they universally group up in Christian families and going to church, a majority of them were struggling in their faith, and many of them admitted to simply going through the motions.

Cameron and Lucas were at a loss. How could they both help the students that were walking with Jesus and really did want to grow in evangelism, while hopefully reaching the ones who were just there for credit? Late last month, the opportunity arose.

Being the middle of midterm season, attendance was low. The only students who were there were three roommates. Lucas saw an opportunity. “Since it’s just us today, we can just hang out for a bit and then you guys can leave early and go study.” He asked them about their struggles with Christianity. Alan spoke first, “Why is the Bible so complicated? If I had written it, it would be one line, ‘love each other’.” They talked for the rest of the class time. Lucas explained how the Bible was not about Alan as an individual, and not primarily a list of things to do, but about Jesus and his life, death, and resurrection.

They continued talking. At the end of their conversation, Alan told Lucas that none of his professors at this Christian school had answered his questions like this. This is somewhat understandable, since the other classes aren’t necessarily structured to answer the deep questions of individual students. Spiritual formation groups like this, however, are designed to provide opportunities for these deeper conversations. We’re so excited to be a part of it!

Thanks for being part of bringing the gospel to both students who grew up in the church and those who didn’t, so that every student on every campus knows someone who truly follows Jesus!

Prayer Requests

• Pray for Alan and other students in the class at Jessup who are either questioning their faith or aren’t yet walking with Jesus. Pray that the Lord would draw them to himself.
• Pray that a Cru movement would be started at William Jessup University that helps students learn to walk with Jesus for a lifetime and introduce others to him.
• Pray also for the Lord to raise up laborers (Matthew 9:38) to start movements at Sac City and Sierra colleges.
• Please also pray for Cameron and our family as we prepare for the arrival of our baby girl.  Pray for a healthy end to her pregnancy and joy during the last couple months as a family of 3!

10 of our college students in Sacramento have decided to spend their summer sharing the Gospel with those who don’t know Jesus and receiving training on how to better reach their campuses when they come back in the fall.

For your benefit, we asked our students going on summer missions why they wanted to go and what they’re excited about. Below is what three of them said:

“I was really scared to go on a summer mission. I didn’t really think it was an option for me because I couldn’t take that much time off work. God convicted me that I need to put him first, even if that means quitting my job. He has grown my heart for reaching the lost and giving my summer completely to Him. I’m excited to see how He grows my relationship with Him and my evangelism skills. I’m also stoked to see Him move in the hearts of those around me whether they are on the mission, at my job, or strangers met while doing evangelism.” — Brielle, American River College

“After going last summer, I was so certain that I was not going to go on another mission this summer. I was planning on taking summer classes at community college back home… A friend who I met on mission last year told me that he was going on another mission this summer. He invited me to go with him, and I at first I was unsure about going. As God took me on a spiritual journey… “unsure” turned into “leaning towards yes”, which turned into complete excitement to go… He has something in store for me this summer, and I absolutely cannot wait to find out what it is.” — Josh, Sacramento State

“Last year, I ran from summer mission and was going to run from it this year but God made it abundantly clear that through my struggles, this is what He wants me to do this summer. I’m nervous but super excited about seeing how God is going to grow me in my willingness to wholeheartedly share my faith and the gospel with not only complete strangers, but those I have close relationships with as well.” — Kirsten, Sacramento State

Prayer Requests

• Brielle, Josh, Kirsten, and the other 7 students are all currently at their summer mission location. Pray that the Lord would use the remainder of their summers, that they would grow greatly, and that they would be fruitful both where they currently are and at their campuses in the fall.
• Incoming freshmen and transfers are already beginning to think about what communities to be part of when they get to college. Pray that they would get connected to Cru, a church, or other Christian ministries in Sacramento in the fall.

Kenny (pictured left) came to Sac State looking to live the “college lifestyle”.  Though he was raised in a Christian home, he had never made his faith his own, and certainly had no plans of doing so in when he got to college.  As his parents dropped him off at school and left, Kenny wanted to explore and party, and his parents knew it.  They cried as they dropped him off and drove home without Kenny.

By God’s grace, after a few weeks at college, Kenny found that the “college lifestyle” wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.  He began to look for something different.

It was then that one of his friends invited him to Cru’s fall retreat.

Kenny went and had the weekend of his life. He deeply connected with the speaker and made friends. He decided that the Christian faith was something that he wanted to pursue.

And what a pursuit it was! When we got back to school, Kenny started meeting with a Cru staff member to go over new-believer bible study material. As the school year ended, he found himself on a Cru summer mission, receiving training and experience in evangelism and discipleship. As he returned back to school for his sophomore year, he began leading a bible study for freshmen in the dorms. Soon, he began taking one of those freshmen through the same new-believer bible study material that he went through just a year before. After his junior year, he went on a summer mission with Cru to East Asia, where he shared the gospel with many who had never heard the gospel or even the name of Jesus.

Knowing how much his life had changed in college, Kenny decided to intern with Cru for two years and is now joining staff, in hopes of helping others find Jesus in college just like he did. The Lord has used him greatly to bring people to faith and disciple men; we’re so grateful to have him on our staff team!

Kenny was won to Jesus in college, built up in his faith, and sent out to reach those around him.  It’s this pattern of win, build, and send that we want to see happen with the 130,000 college students in Sacramento. Imagine how the world would change if students saw Jesus for how worthy he truly is!

Thank you for being part of Jesus pursuing students, like he did with Kenny!

Prayer Requests

Praise God for His pursuit of Kenny and others like him!  We are so grateful to be a part of God’s redemption story in people’s lives!

We are so excited to have 10 students going on Summer Missions with Cru!  Pray for their preparations and hearts as they go into these equipping and enriching summers.  Pray that God would use them for His glory!

Please also pray for our staff team as we finish the year and begin planning for next fall.  Pray that we would have energy to finish well, be led by the Spirit, and do all things unto the glory of Christ!

Rudy, a junior, is reaching to out freshmen who were in his shoes two years ago!

As he arrived at Sac State to start college, Rudy (above) faced a dilemma just like many other freshmen.

“I really didn’t have any friends or family (close by).  I was really alone.  I missed my family a lot.”

Away from home for the first time, Rudy was looking for a community, a place to belong.  He said he had begun a personal relationship with Jesus when he was 10 or 11 years old, but it sadly was only a Sunday thing that didn’t affect his day-to-day life.  As he came to college, it was no guarantee that his faith would become stronger and a bigger part of his life.

“But, I found Cru,” said Rudy.  “God, through Cru, built me up even stronger.”  Rudy got involved in a bible study and found people that pursued him.  “All these people were there for me.”

Two years later, Rudy has greatly learned and grown in his faith.  Asked what he has learned since coming to college, Rudy responded:  “It’s not really about me.  We’re here to serve God.  We’re here to fulfill the Great Commission.  We’re here to reach out to people and introduce them to the gospel, make more disciples, more Christ-centered laborers.  In the end, that’s what really matters.”

Rudy wants to use the time that he has left to make an impact and leave a legacy.  “I have only two years left.  I know that I can leave something behind.”

Rudy is helping lead a freshman bible study this year, reaching out to those who were in his shoes two years ago.  “As we meet with these guys, I can feel a similar love for them as God has for each of his children.  Ashton [his freshman bible study leader at the time] was there for me when I was a freshman.  He pursued me because he had a love for freshmen.  I think that rubbed off on me.  When I look at these freshmen, I want to build community as well.”

We’re so grateful that the Lord has provided a community for Rudy, strengthened him in his faith, and given him a desire to reach out to freshmen who are currently where he was a few years ago.  Thanks for being part of this crucial and worthwhile mission!

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Please pray for our freshmen class.  We’ve been encouraged by our new students at the community colleges, but gathering at Sac State has been more difficult.
• Praise God for a good working-relationship among our staff team and between Jeff and his co-leader, Alex.
• Please pray for our family as we continue to adjust to a new stage of life, new roles, and new home.

We’ve officially moved to Sacramento!  With the help of over 20 friends and family (shown above), we were moved out of our old place and into our new place in less than 3 hours!  We’re settling in and preparing for the new school year.  We’re currently in the middle of a time of prep with our staff team and involved students as we pray and plan for the upcoming school year.  Thanks so much for being part of this ministry. Here are some ways you can pray:

• For Jeff as he meets and plans with Alex (Alexandra), his co-team leader for Sac Cru. Pray for a great working relationship.
• For our staff team to be unified and love each other well, as many of us are new to the team.
• For Jeff and Cameron to quickly get to know our involved students and be able to invest deeply.
• Abby is almost 5 months old and very active. Pray for us to nurture and parent her well, and that she comes to know Jesus at a very early age.
• Pray for rest. We’re coming off of a busy few months with lots of transition and now entering into an extremely busy season with the start of the school year.  Pray for energy and dependence on the Lord.

With gratitude,

Jeff, Cameron, and Abby

The Sacramento skyline

We’d love to announce to you an exciting transition!

Jeff was recently asked by our regional leadership team of Cru to consider taking a leadership position overseeing college campuses in the greater Sacramento area.  After spending time praying and receiving feedback from peers and leaders, we’ve decided to accept the position.

We’re excited for what the Lord is calling us to!  The greater Sacramento area has about 150,000 college students.  Over time, we would love to see each one of them have an opportunity to put their trust in Jesus.  Jeff will get to co-lead a team of staff and students seeking to fulfill this mission, and Cameron will get to be a valued and experienced team member.  While there is an established group of students already involved in Cru at Cal State University of Sacramento (CSUS), our vision is greater than just one campus.  We are trusting the Lord to reach every campus in the surrounding area.

While we are excited to trust the Lord for a new scope of students, we are sad to leave our current team and students at UC Davis.  Cameron has spent eight years at Davis (four as a student and four as full-time staff with Cru) and Jeff five years.  We’ve seen the Lord bring students to know him, build them up in their faith, and use them as leaders on campus and after they graduate to reach those around them.  The past five years of changed life stories in prayer letters have testified to this! What has made leaving Davis easier and all that the Lord is doing here, however, is knowing that there is a solid group of strong leaders, especially among the staff team. The Lord will continue to work in and among the staff and students.  We feel that UC Davis is in good hands!

Staff leadership in Sacramento, however, has been shorthanded.  We are excited to help fill a huge need and see many students’ lives changed as a result!

Please pray for our transition.  There is already lots of transition with the addition of Abby.  Now, we will move to a new city, find a new church, and have a new role with Cru.  It’s all exciting, but a transition nonetheless.

We’re grateful for you as you are with us in this transition!  Excited to see what the Lord does in the coming years!

Prayer Requests

Please pray for our Davis students as they prepare for summer! Pray that they would walk closely with Jesus as they go home, work, and travel!

Praise God for the 5+ years of ministry that Jeff and I have experienced in Davis!  God has blessed us with many firsts here- college, meeting, marrying, first home, baby, etc!

Please pray for us as we prepare and transition to Sac. Pray for our move and housing in Sac.  And pray that God would bless our new team and the students we reach there.

Hannah, a 2nd year student, used a campus outreach to start spiritual conversations with 3 of her friends.

“How can you say there is only one way to God?” Questions like this come up frequently on the campus today.

Last month the students on our outreach team hosted a 3 week outreach meant to spark candid spiritual conversations with non-Christians and help equip Christian students in how to engage in spiritual dialogue with the culture around them.  The outreach team gave trainings, helped students engage with others on campus, and encouraged students to invite their friends to the viewing of a 3-part video series of Manhattan pastor, Tim Keller, addressing hard questions from skeptics. The series entitled “The Reason for God” deals with various questions and worldviews that pose barriers to the gospel, such as “Why does God allow suffering?” and “Isn’t the Bible a myth?”

Hannah (above), a third year animal science major, invited her spiritually open roommate, Lara, and two other friends, Melody and Lauren (one a Christian and one not) to week 3 of the video series.  The topic was “How can you say there is only one way to God?”

After watching the 20 minute discussion between Tim Keller and a group of men and women with various spiritual views, Hannah and her friends were able to have a great conversation about this topic.  While this wasn’t her first spiritual conversation with Lara, it re-opened the door for more conversations, which had become less frequent because of the busyness of classes, work, and studies for both girls.

We are excited by our students’ desire to reach their friends and fellow students with the gospel! Thanks for coming alongside us and students like Hannah as we seek to make Christ known on the college campus.

Prayer Requests

Praise God for the work he’s done through this outreach and our students involved with it!

Please pray for boldness and wisdom for Hannah as she continues to pursue Lara in conversation.  Pray that God would draw Lara (and the other non-Christians who engaged with the outreach) to himself.

Brian’s freshman year was greatly important for his faith

Freshmen move in at UC Davis on September 19-20.  We will be intensely reaching out to them in the following weeks.  To give you an idea of how influential freshman year can be and what God can do, we thought it would be best for you to hear the story of a former freshman, Brian (above), in his own words:

“Growing up, I was very lucky to have a wonderful mother who raised me in the church despite the fact that my father was not, and still is not to this day, a Christian. But as I grew older, life changed.  All of a sudden, the story of Jesus [and living as a Christian] didn’t seem so sweet. Too often it seemed like a long list of rules, which wasn’t very appealing. Instead, I choose to prioritize being the top of my class and relationships with others over my faith.

“Entering college after a senior year mostly spent backpedaling in my faith, I was very unsure of the direction my spiritual life was going to take. At the recommendation of a friend of my older brother, I decided to show up at Cru’s first weekly meeting of the year. The highlight of the meeting came at the end when I was introduced to the two upperclassmen, named Tyler and Andrew, who would be leading the Bible study in my dorm area. Although I proceeded to go to a party immediately following the meeting, I was left thinking about the enthusiasm and care that seemed to emulate not only from Tyler and Andrew, but from everyone else back at the weekly meeting.

“Over the next year, Tyler and Andrew taught me how the Christian life is a conscious decision to make every day to submit myself before our eternal king Jesus and trust that the path he has prepared for me is for my good. As I began to surrender things that I had long held onto, I was amazed to see how Jesus began molding me into a new person. I had a purpose like none before, and all of a sudden, asking my floor mates and friends about their spiritual beliefs and sharing with them what I believed, while still scary, was something that actually happened and I even looked forward to!”

Brian led a small group bible study in the dorms last year and was able to mentor two men who lived in the dorms.  He says, “I see in their eyes a desire to experience our Savior in new and deeper ways, and I absolutely love helping them take steps in that direction.”  After coming with us to South Africa this summer, he is ready to reach out to more freshmen and strengthen them in their faith, like Tyler and Andrew did for him.

Thanks for being part of reaching this year’s incoming freshmen!  We’re so grateful for your partnership!

Prayer Requests

Thank God for the work he has done in Brian’s life and how he is using him.

Pray for the incoming freshmen.  Pray that Christians would get connected to a church or campus fellowship so that college can be a time where they thrive in their faith.  Pray for non-Christians, that they would meet Jesus have their lives changed.

Pray for energy and dependence on the Spirit as our staff and students reach out.

Frank (left) with Brian, a first-year student at Rhodes University

God often orchestrates divine appointments when you aren’t looking for them.  Even on mission trips!

A huge goal of our trip to South Africa this summer was to surface Christ-centered leaders at Rhodes University who would be willing help lead a student-led movement of Christ followers that want to reach their campus after our team left.  One day, Ashley was taking a lunch break after a morning of evangelism on campus.  Waiting in line in the cafeteria, she struck up a conversation with Brian (above, right), a first year student from Johannesburg.  It was just chit-chat, but little did Ashley know that her conversation would set the stage for a deeper conversation.

Ashley paired up with Frank (above, left) after lunch for more evangelism.   Recognizing Brian, Ashley approached him.  After eventually presenting the gospel, they found out that Brian was a Christian and looking for a Christian group to be part of.  Frank and Brian started to meet up regularly to go over four basic bible studies that ground Christians in their faith.  Brian was a faithful and eager learner.  Just a few months after getting involved in Cru at Rhodes University, he is now ready and excited to lead a discipleship group in which he can communicate the truths that he learned to his fellow students.  Praise the Lord!

The Lord did so much in our time in South Africa.  Leaders were raised up and are continuing to be raised up through currently involved students.  Additionally, there are now at least eight discipleship groups happening at Rhodes University, seven of which are led by Rhodes students.  Brian and the other involved students are eager to reach their campus.

Thanks for partnering with us in this mission to the world!

Prayer Requests

Thank God for the 13 South Africans who began relationships with Jesus!

Pray for a strong student movement that lasts for decades to come.

Pray for the students as they seek to reach their campus.

Praise God for the work he did through and in our team of Americans!