Life and Death

In the world we live in, we experience this yo– yo of incredible joys and deep loss. I can’t help but think of all the billions of folks in our world who don’t know “eternal life” available to them! When people who don’t know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior die, the darkness of being eternally separated from God is their reality/fact. BUT GOD, we (Mike and I) have this incredible privilege to give others the opportunity so that “Everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus!”

In September, I (Leslie) helped train 38 new missionaries with Cru. These new Cru Staff members span recent college graduates, those who completed a year internship with Cru, even couples who are in their 60s! Hearing their call to ministry was a reminder of the incredible God we serve. Here are a few new staff In my workshop (photos below): One couple, from Ohio, joined staff with Family Life as they have been profoundly impacted by that ministry and their marriage is in a flourish state as a result. Another couple, retired from the military and have grandkids, are compelled to spread the Good news of Jesus Christ to those in military service. A young family man who worked with athletes shared his calling: “I was pushing athletes so hard to “win” the game, when what is more important is winning their souls for Christ on the athletic field.” 

His ministry assignment is on a collegiate campus to work with athletes.

What’s exciting is how God uses ordinary people serving as missionaries in: high school and college campuses, athletics, military forces, cities, neighborhoods, overseas…to draw those around them to Himself. The Harvest really is PLENTIFUL (in our neighborhoods, athletic teams, military bases, students…) There are many places where the Gospel isn’t. Early on in my ministry training I learned and memorized this scripture, and it is branded in my mind: “Then he [Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field’ (Matthew 9:37-38).”

Thank you for your partnership to pour into, train and mobilize labors for the Harvest. Together we change lives, so they know Jesus personally and have eternal life.

LAUNCHED, LABORED, LIVING

It’s been a whirlwind summer! Here’s the recap and welcomed update. June 29th through July 28th was a month long road trip that included OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, OH (in that order). We visited both of our parents, our kid's cousins, and a handful of close friends and ministry partners. Yes, a whirlwind, but the hours in their company were sweet!

July 15th - 24th Milwaukee, WI -Cru staff conference.
Cru Staff Conference Highlights:

LAUNCHED *One evening during staff conference our family walked to a local deli and behind us two familiar faces entered as well. I (Leslie) coached Jared and Nic when they raised their initial support. It’s incredible to see the growth and fruit in these guys lives as I had the honor to walk with them through their application process, joining Cru, getting engaged, newlyweds, starting their families in a matter of two years. After grabbing a table together and catching up a bit, I asked them to share a highlight from this past year in their ministry. Both verbalized the various opportunities to meet with a variety of athletes on their assigned campuses. Jared and Nic in their 30s with growing families glowed as they added they are moving closer to campus so that their young families can be more involved with athletes. Jared is TALL– a former basketball player stands 7’ 2” tall. Jared and Nic both serve in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

LABORED Our staff conference behind the scenes role was a privilege to care for families of infants as they participated in the General Sessions. The prayer requests we received from the drop box were deep and vulnerable. (photo above on left is of the production team we served on. Above on right is one of the rooms we oversaw.)

*Hearing from the leaders in our organization preach and teach the Gospel (humility, forgiveness, heart for loving the lost, planting Gospel Seeds). The foundation of our ministry (WINing people to Christ. BUILDing them up in their faith. SENDing them out to the world! (photo on above left, Cru President Steve Sellars addressing our staff. Photo above on right– Ukraine leaders sharing stories how God is at work.)

*The experience of 5,000 Cru staff sitting together in the University of Wisconsin Panther Arena worshiping God - singing songs, praising God, praying collectively. It has been 3 years (2019) since we last gathered for our biennial staff conference. A LOT has taken place since then! (photos above)

*Two seminars offered focused on mental health. (our department-Staff Care pushed for this opportunity to be offered to staff) Mike and I got to personally meet one of the speakers, Adam Young, from a session on mental health. We have learned a lot from listening to his podcast “The Place We Find Ourselves”.

Another story of LABOR is very close to our family. An unexpected text from one of our son’s birth mom that came during the Cru Staff Conference. She asked Leslie to be her “support person” in the operating room for her child’s birth in Ohio. God completely orchestrated the timing and details for this to come to fruition. We praise God for this gift and open relationship we have with her. Pray for this birth mom as we continue to plant Gospel seeds and seek to minister to her. We know not every adopted child can have a relationship with their birth parent.

He lets us share in His exciting purposes of reaching the world for Christ, as well as building up and servicing His people.-Ruth Myers, The Satisfied Heart.

LIVING During a conversation with new Cru staff I (Leslie) coached years ago, they asked us to share a highlight from this past year. Mike was quick to reply with “Our move to Orlando has opened doors for more relationships with those who don’t know
Jesus personally.“

Praises: Bigness of God here & around the world

Twice a year Cru staff gather together during the work day to pray corporately. This year was a new location for Mike and I as Cru Headquarters in Orlando is now home for us. Sitting amongst a sea of perhaps 500-1000 staff, I was overcome with God’s goodness. The fitting theme was “The Lord is Faithful” based on 1 John 1:9 and 2 Thessalonians 3:3

As we gathered in small groups, we were interceding for U.S. ministries, local teams and an overseas partnering area. Again, brought to my knees for our dependence on the Lord. God, is truly our strength, individually and corporately. There’s NO fruit or everlasting life without Him. Our Faithful God is the One who sustains us and bears fruit through us. Our hearts were filled with His passion, compassion and Kingdom imagination as we prayed for the mission.

Praises Cru has been celebrating

Athletes in Action has added numerous countries to our Global network. Campus Ministry has been able to restart the sending of short-term missions. Staff, students, and faculty have responded to spring break opportunities around the world (especially the Middle East and Latin America/ Caribbean). Summer mission application numbers are returning to pre-pandemic levels!	her.BIBLE: We praise God that nearly the entire Bible is complete or in production, with only Zephaniah waiting to be recorded. Already, her.BIBLE listeners have surpassed 27,000 on our website from 172 countries and over 2,200 people are using our app! The New Testament of her.BIBLE is now available on YouVersion! her.BIBLE brings the Word of God to life through an engaging, multi-ethnic women’s narration of the New Living Translation. This free audio Bible connects people around the world with the heart of God at https://her.bible/app/.
City Global has launched a new podcast called Mission Shift that explores how we engage in international missions. We praise the Lord for the amazing global leaders who have shared their wisdom and insight on this podcast; it will change the way we think about international missions.	FamilyLife’s Marriage Conference- The Weekend to Remember is back as we come out of the pandemic. We are praising God for 575 indicated decisions for Christ so far this year and 9,156 committing to guiding others.
Jesus Film Project® is celebrating a huge milestone. By God’s grace, our films have reached 1 billion broadcast views! This number reflects the number of televisions across the world that tuned in to watch our films in just the last six years, from 2016 through 2021. This milestone represents real people encountering the story of Jesus at home and in areas with little access to the gospel. Praise God that we will cross 2,000 languages this year for the JESUS film.	Unto (humanitarian aid ministry) is working actively right now in more than 40 countries. Our work is primarily focused on the toughest countries as far as armed conflict, poverty and unreached people groups. Our work could not happen without the partnership of so many people and organizations who join with us to relieve suffering, restore dignity and reveal the hope of Jesus.

Faithfulness, Remember, Trust

 Last week, I (Leslie) gave a message in front of 30 Cru staff who are presently in the same Leadership Development program Mike and I participated in last year here at Cru Headquarters in Orlando. As I was preparing for this, I prayed and ask the Lord for wisdom on what to speak about. I find it fitting He impressed on me to remind others of His Faithfulness, to Remember and Trust Him. Perhaps you would be encouraged as well. Here are some snippets from my talk:

It has taken me decades to trust His Goodness and to be reminded of His faithfulness while I am still in the hard, times being content when I can’t see. Let’s take a peek at the word faithfulness; the Hebrew word ה  מוּ  (emunah), Strong’s Concordance translates the use of “faithfulness” to mean “steadfastness, firmness, fidelity” -- an attribute of Jesus Christ as “Faithful” which communicates His trustworthiness, dependability, loyalty, security.

There are many places in scripture we see the faithfulness of God. One of my favorites: Is Lamentations: 3:20-24.

I’ve seen the Faithfulness of God when: My family and I arrived in July 2020 at Cru’s Leadership and Development Program (Lake Hart Stint- 10 month program) with my mind dead set: “we are returning to Ohio.” I vocalized to my life coach valid reasons for our return. Suffice it to say, my heals were dug in. I was insistent on “my PLAN.” Then, last March, the Lord, began to redirect my heart through a few key events. Those significant moments scared me to death yet were thrilling at the same time. There’s a book that captures this sentiment, “God Has Never Failed Me, but He’s Sure Scared Me To Death A Few Times.” Today, I stand before you as a testimony of what He can do when one is surrendered to His Will. Willing to say Yes, Lord, You do want us to move despite my emotions, fears, circumstance-By FAITH.” It means letting go of what is comfortable/ stable. It means trusting Him when I cannot see. Walking by faith is what we are ushered into and urged to do, so He is glorified.

How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life?
When we remember what God has done for us, it can help chisel away at the anxiety, enable us to embrace trusting Him for the future. In Deut. 8:2-3 we read an instance where God commanded the Israelites to “remember.”

I’ve been mediating on Prov. 3:5-6. You know this beloved scripture: Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. Recently, I found a different translation than what I memorized. 1 word change hit me like a tornado: take out the word “acknowledge” and insert “SUBMIT” (NIV). Submit to Him, "all my ways”!

God didn’t plan for us to be in control. When I submitted to God’s plan in having us move permanently to Orlando, there was this “peace that surpasses all comprehension”. (Granted, grief still came and does exist.) As a result this “stepping out in faith move” the ministry opportunities are greater as well as increased impact for His kingdom! Choosing to hand over those circumstances that feel impossibly hard is difficult, but I urge you to submit to Him today!
GOD is Faithful.
God is Faithful to me.
God is Faithful at being God.
Do you believe that? Truly believe?
When my husband and oldest son and I lived in Indianapolis, our pastor constantly said this: “Keep me trusting in the One who keeps me trusting.” I LOVE THAT! Remembering the track record of God’s faithfulness to us and the many ways He has answered and provided gives us courage to SUBMIT to HIM.

PS. Cru has produced a daily devotional for the Lent season (March 2 - April 18).  If you would like to receive it either as a daily email or as a PDF download, you may sign up for it here:
https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/holidays/lent.html