Encouraging Fruit of Cru Outreach

Three out of ten students on Cru Summer U.S. and Global Mission Summer Projects indicate that God used Cru (that is, Campus Crusade for Christ or Student Venture) to help them come to faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. 

This insight comes from the 2012 pre-project survey of students involved in U.S. Summer Projects and Global Mission experiences. Just over one thousand students participated in the survey, with about 2/3 participating in U.S. projects and 1/3 in Global Mission projects.  

Seven out of ten (72.5%) of the summer project students indicate that they came to Christ under the nurturing influence of a Christian family and local church.  Thus, the other 27.5% could be classified as “first generation” believers. They did not have the privilege of being led to Christ and nurtured in a Christian home.  Since the number who came to Christ through Cru is slightly higher (30.7%) than then the percentage of first generation believers (27.5%), it may suggest that some who were raised in a Christian home received assurance of salvation through a Cru ministry. 

While this is only glimpse into the effectiveness of Cru's evangelistic ministry, these are encouraging results. The significance is heightened when one considers that a level of growth and maturity has also occurred between receiving Christ and a student being ready to participate in a summer mission experience.  

God is at work on today's university campuses & he is using Cru to lead many students into a life transforming relationship with Jesus Christ!

Powerful Life Story: Ed's Garden

Just watched this powerful story of Ed Dobson. I was casually aware of his name years ago. Now I know the "rest of the story" and it is a powerful story of spiritual journey...



Enjoy!

Growing Up Digital - Tapscott on Video

One valuable source for considering "trends" is the 20 videos provided by Ericsson as part of their 2020 Shaping Ideas initiative.  Here is Don Tapscott, Author of Grown-up Digital, discussing the emerging generation:



A very optimistic viewpoint...

Today's College Student: Lost in Transition (?)

For the next couple of days, I am focused on synthesizing research regarding the changing cultural landscape of today's college student.  I will post a few of the resources that have captured my attention and may be worth your time to peruse. 

The first is Lost in Transition, by Christian Smith, along with Hillary Davidson, Kari Christofferson and Patricia Snell Herzog (08-04-2011).

Based on their on-going studies of teenagers who have now become "emerging adults", Smith explores the "darker side of emerging adulthood". The chapters are:

1. Morality Adrift
2. Captives to Consumerism
3. Intoxications: Fake Feelings of Happiness
4. The Shadow Side of the Sexual Revolution
5. Civic & Political Disengagement

While sociological "data" can be extracted from each chapter, the writing focuses around in-depth personal interviews with 230 emerging adults, enabling us to understand, even empathize with the world of the 18-23 year-old (the narrower focus of this present study).  

Great insights into the world of today's college student.  

CoJourner Podcast: Power Play

Are you experiencing the power of the Spirit for witness?  Here is another of the CoJourner radio spots that I have done for MyBridge Radio Network.

Power Play

CoJourner Podcast: Heart Check

Is your heart (for the lost) healthy? Here is the first of the CoJourner radio spots that I have done for MyBridge Radio Network:

Heart Check

Millenials: Fast Company's InfoGraphic

In a couple of weeks, I will be sharing with a group of leaders an overview of the changing student culture. It is timely to have Fast Company publish their latest InfoGraphic, "The Blessing and Curse of Being a Millenial."  The infographic gives a visual summary of the generation's diversity, political leanings, lifestyle preferences, education and work opportunities.  Nice little summary.