Listen in...

Encounter 2011

As the conference came to an end students were given the opportunity to share with others from their campus what they learned. An international student from EKU (Eastern Kentucky University) shared, “I am not a Christian. I am from Japan, and in my country we do not care about religion. I came to Encounter and now I have many friends. I feel such a strong connection with you all and I see how great God is. I want to continue to learn more about God and Christianity.”

 

Encounter 2011 culminated on New Year’s Eve with a time of prayer as students prayed to be “the finishers”, the generation that fulfills the Great Commission taking the gospel to ends of the earth. 

Listen to some of the talks from the conference that brought about these experiences...

http://www.encounteraudio.com/podcast/

Encounter Conference

Right now there are close to 1000 college students here in Greensboro for the encounter conference.  It is an amazing four-day event that began last night and will wrap up on Saturday night as the whole group prays in the New Year.

Seeing this many young people eagerly taking in the Word, taking the challenge to share their faith, worshiping God together - it is awe-inspiring sight.  Days like these remind me that God has power in this world.  HE is changing lives and what an awesome privilege it is to be on the front row.

Pete and I and the rest of our team are handling a chunk of local coordination (childcare for staff and the community outreach day).  Appreciate your prayers!

Love,
Pete and Carra

Thank you!!!

As we reflect on the ultimate gift Christ has given us, we just wanted to say thank you for your partnership!




Love, Pete and Carra

Fall Kickoff Monday!

Here are some of the students and staff praying for the outreaches and Gospel conversations we anticipate next week. Monday and Tuesday at UNCG students will be giving away tacky sunglasses (yes that is a desirable gift LOL!), sports bags and this year...even homemade cookies! Our church has partnered with UNCG to provide a little homemade love (cookies) to draw students over to our tables.

We just returned from a three day training retreat where UNCG students learned how to initiate Gospel conversations, lead Bible studies and trust in Christ for the movement. They have a huge passion for reaching their campus! We can hardly wait to see what God is going to do this fall!

On the campus, for the campus
Pete & Carra

BSaLT tomorrow

Well we love a good acronym don't we?

BSaLT is the name of our Bible Study (a) Leader Training.  It is of course a double meaning to subtly imply that our Bible study leaders be the salt and light that Christ calls us to be.  I (Carra) am currently preparing to lead a session on explaining the Gospel and how to follow up with a student who is interested in spiritual things.

If I could pick any topic to train right now, it would be that topic!  As I am preparing my session, one premise I am operating under is that they just don't know...... When we dialog with unbelieving students, they typically know a lot of peripheral information about Jesus.  But they most often do not know what it really means to follow Christ and give your life to Him.

So here I am - it's almost midnight and we leave at 9:00 a.m.  I've been pondering this topic for more than a week but just now getting down to the typing.  Please pray that our student leaders would be filled with the Holy Spirit, filled with passion to reach the lost and prepared for the battle that wages over the hearts of men and women.

That all would know Him,
Every campus, every person,
Carra

Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) in the Media

Since we sat in the auditorium Tuesday night and heard the new name, we have watched the public response unfold with fascination.  To be an "insider" of the ministry - it is hard to grasp that we would be called politically correct!  We share the most dangerous message in all the world - Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected

This morning Steve Sellers, head of the US ministry was interviewed on Fox and Friends Weekend. We have served under Steve for over seven years.  He is a leader of deep conviction and a servant heart.  He has taken the brunt of the heat about the name change.  We are grateful to have him.

ABC News had a pretty decent article as well.  We are trusting God that He will use this to further His kingdom.  If Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru Global) must be misunderstood in order for people to understand Christ and their need for Him...well that's great with us!

That Christ may be known on the campus and the world,
Pete and Carra

Continuing the conversation...

So tonight in Fort Collins, exactly eight years from when the founder, Bill Bright went home to Jesus, Campus Crusade for Christ officially changed it's name.  It really happened - just a few hours ago.  Then we (all 5000+ staff in attendance) sang "How Great Thou Art."

Pete and I have been in training these last several weeks for a new leadership role he is going to be taking. During that time we talked about how students involved in the ministry go from "they do stuff" to "we do stuff."  It's interesting that as I ponder that - even in the last few hours I have moved from "they changed the name" to "we changed our name."

There was a ton of research and lots of input from staff, donors, general population, etc. This certainly was not a decision that was taken lightly. I appreciate all the efforts to seek God and really hear His voice about the whole thing.

To boil it all down....the main thing we get out of the name change is.....the opportunity to continue the conversation. When we say "I'm with Campus Crusade for Christ,"  we knew that for many people - that shut down the conversation. The researchers found more specifically one in five people will end a conversation upon hearing the name of the organization.  ....sad.  But that is the reality.

I love Campus Crusade for Christ.  I learned about what it meant to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit through this organization.  I have some of my best friends in the world (especially Pete :-) from connections with CCC.  The awesome thing about this name change ---- it's just a name. Just a word.  The "real name" we are under is the name of Jesus Christ.  The ministry is named "Cru" now.  How cool is that?  When I say I work with "cru" or "cru global" - it invites more questions.  It allows the conversation to continue. ...and that can lead to more people to follow Christ.

For many more conversations about Christ and HIS name with the students of the Triad and the world....
Carra