How to Talk to Parents About Cru

Many Cru volunteers and staff feel nervous about meeting the parents of the students with whom they work. Some say they feel intimidated and are worried that parents will be suspicious of them and the work we do. However, it does not have to be this way. If you feel stressed about meeting parents, remember you and the parent have something in common–you both want their student to thrive!

This is why Cru exists on high school campuses. We believe the good news of Jesus Christ helps students thrive in their spiritual life and that overflows into EVERY part of their life. Many parents want the same for their children. Showing selfless, humble concern for their child will win many parents to your cause.

This is great advice, but how do you explain what we actually do?

Giving a Good Explanation

The best kind of explanations are concise, clear, and given with confidence. Learning to explain Cru to parents will build trust with them and the more you do it, the more natural it will feel.

It is true, Cru can be confusing to some parents. It is not well known, and we are a little different from other campus clubs or organizations. Some other organizations may focus on athletes, college-age students, or are just less focused on Jesus and talk more about values. Parents may not understand why or how we do the things we do.

In your explanation, you do not need to tell parents all the details of everything we do. If you do this, your explanation will be long, confusing, and really parents do not want to know everything. You need to give the parents the information they want to know, which is the information they need.

However, if you are vague and not too specific, this will just raise suspicion. A suspicious parent will not have the desired outcomes. Your goal then, is to answer the most important questions parents have and to answer a parent’s biggest question of all, “Can I trust you with my child?”

This is a delicate balance, but know your goal is not the perfect presentation. We may put a lot of pressure on ourselves. We may think that we can change people’s minds, but the truth is we cannot change people. That is God’s job.

Some parents may not like Cru and refuse to let their child attend. It is not our job to change their minds or their hearts. However, having a good explanation may help remove some barriers.

We want to be faithful to present our mission with Cru as best we can and trust God with the results.

Meeting parents to tell them what Cru does is the first step toward aligning with parents.

Prepare an Explanation

Using generalities such as “Cru is a Christian student outreach” or “We do student-led clubs” will only get you so far and may only be helpful for some parents. Instead of using these terms or clichés, it is best to just memorize a clear, concise explanation of your local Cru movement, one you can share anytime you get the “What is Cru?” question from parents.

Your local Cru ministry will have its own unique characteristics or strategies for reaching students at your local campus, but in general, you want to answer the big five: what, who, where, how, and why.

Here is an example of an explanation from a city that uses a student-led club strategy. It answers some of the questions that parents are going to have.

“I’m <name> and I’m a volunteer with Cru. Cru is a faith-based organization whose staff and volunteers help coach and support the student leaders for our after school Bible club. We want to provide safe spaces on campus where students can learn about faith in Jesus Christ, feel like they belong, and can live out their faith at school.”

After hearing this explanation, parents would know that Cru…

is faith-based
has staff, volunteers, and student leaders
is on-campus
has after-school clubs
wants students to learn about following Jesus and to be part of a community of believers at school.

This sample does not answer every question, but it gives parents some information they need to know. They can follow up with more specific questions. Listen carefully to the questions parents ask because this will reveal what they are most concerned about.

They may ask…

Is this part of a church? (I’m curious about what you believe/teach.)
When do you meet? (I want my kids to be there to check it out.)
How can you have a faith club at school? (I’m not sure this is legal.)
Who comes to these clubs? (I’m curious who else I can ask about this.)
Do you have a website or social media? (I’m going to do some research.)

These are good questions that parents may ask and you will want to have an answer for each one of them. Work with your local staff to find the specific answers to these types of questions. You may want to make sure you understand Cru’s local history in your city and other ministries in area schools and colleges.

Putting in the effort will help you craft a clear, concise explanation of your local Cru ministry.

The best kind of explanations are concise, clear, and given with confidence.

Good Parents Want Good Things

We believe Cru offers something good to students, but not everyone will see the value of the gospel.

Cru only works with students who are interested in growing in their faith. This is true for parents too. We cannot force parents to see the value in Cru. If parents do not think it is good for their kids to be involved, it is not our job to make them.

Christian Parents

We may be tempted to assume that parents who go to church will understand Cru’s mission and want their kids to be part of it. However, that is not necessarily the case. Some Christian parents worry that because Cru is not part of a local church (more specifically, their local church), their kids will distance themselves from the church.

If that is a concern for a parent, share how your local Cru ministry actively works to support local churches and promotes student involvement in their church. Talk about how we develop strong relationships with youth pastors and help connect new believers to their churches.

Non-Christian Parents

We may also assume that parents who are not Christians would not want their students to be part of Cru. Once again, this may not be true.

We do not need to be vague or nervous when talking to someone from another faith or from no faith background. In fact, parents are welcome to visit clubs, Bible studies, or large group meetings to see what we do. We do not hide what we do and many people may see it as good and valuable even if they do not believe in Jesus or the Bible.

If you meet a parent with a different faith, you may want to think of how you can explain Cru to someone without using terms that only Christians would understand. Terms like discipleship or fellowship may be confusing and sound questionable. Replacing those with words like “mentoring” or “community” may remove some of the confusion and help parents see how Cru could be valuable even if they do not share the same beliefs.

Showing selfless, humble concern for their child will win many parents to your cause.

Building Trust

Meeting parents to tell them what Cru does is the first step toward aligning with parents. You want to be on the same team to help their child grow and thrive in their faith.

If our goal is to help students thrive in every part of their lives, parents should be part of that goal. Never pass up an opportunity to meet a parent, because parents can be your best partner in your work on campus.

Take time to reach out to parents and keep the conversation going with them about helping their kids thrive. Care about parents and be a trustworthy person so you have the opportunity to work with parents toward long-term growth.

Additionally, if a student ever wants to go with us to a conference or summer mission, building trust with parents will make it much easier for the parent to decide if they can trust Cru with their child.

You do not have to be intimidated about meeting parents. If you want good, healthy things for their kids, then parents will definitely want you on their side to help raise their kids into mature adulthood—both physically and spiritually.

Next Step

Call a parent of newly involved student, introduce yourself and explain Cru. For more information on involving parents, go on to Five Principles for Connecting with Parents.

Five Principles for Connecting with Parents

Sample Outreach Schedule

Mingling and refreshments
Welcome (3 minutes)
Campus ministry overview from the emcee (3 minutes)
Icebreaker: Famous Couples game (10 minutes)
Dating Game (20 to 30 minutes)
Student testimony with a relationship theme (4 minutes)
Relationship talk and gospel presentation (15 to 20 minutes max)
Comment cards (7 minutes)
Announcements (2 minutes)
Refreshments and hanging out (no set time)

The key is intentional planning with a relaxed atmosphere.

Game 1: Famous Couples

Choose an even number of participants and prepare a list of famous couples ahead of time, such as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia or Romeo and Juliet. Write each name on a 3×5 card and as students enter, tape the name of one character on their back without letting them see it.

Each student may ask up to three yes or no questions per person to figure out who they are. They must also take turns answering questions when asked. The goal is to discover their identity and find their matching partner as quickly as possible. Continue until everyone is matched.

Game 2: The Dating Game

If you don’t have a lot of couples for this game, you could call it the “Best Friend Test” and have them do best friends instead. However, considering this party is about romantic relationships it is obviously better to have romantic couples playing.

This game is similar to the Best Friend Test you’ve probably seen on TikTok or shows like The Circle, or the old Newlywed game. (If you haven’t seen them, check them out). One person answers questions first, then their partner tries to guess what they said.

One partner leaves the room while the questions are asked. The partners in the room write the answers down. Then they come back, hear the same questions, and try to match their partner’s answers. Each correct match earns a point. The pair with the most points wins a prize.

The questions are light, funny, and all about how well you actually know the other person.

Dating Game Questions

For the girls (guys leave the room):

Which ice cream flavor best describes your relationship right now: Vanilla, Rocky Road, Peaches and Cream, or Tutti Frutti?
On your first date, which animal was he most like: Turtle, Kitten, Tiger, or Octopus?
How long have you been going out?
What is the most sentimental gift he has given you?

For the guys (girls leave the room):

Which Disney character would she say best describes you: Mickey Mouse, The Beast, Goofy, or Winnie the Pooh?
What song is “your song”?
What did you do on your first date?
What is her favorite perfume?
Which Valentine’s gift would she most like: candy, flowers, or a kiss?
What outfit is she wearing right now?

Optional non-gender questions

What is their go-to fast food order?
What song would they put on if they needed a hype boost?
What stresses them out faster than it should?
If they had a free day, how would they spend it?

What is something they are secretly really good at?

While relationships matter deeply to us, they also expose one of our biggest fears, the fear of not being truly loved.

Relationship Talk

Overview

The relationship talk should be short, clear, and serve as a natural bridge to the gospel. Valentine’s Day provides an easy entry point into the idea that everyone is searching for love and meaningful relationships, yet few of us have good models of what lasting love looks like.

This talk introduces the idea that there is a kind of love that lasts, a love that does not depend on performance or appearance, and that love is found in God.

Introduction

Begin with a funny or embarrassing dating story to lower defenses and help students relate.

The Talk

Relationships take a lot of time and energy, whether with parents, friends, coworkers, or romantic partners. While relationships matter deeply to us, they also expose one of our biggest fears, the fear of not being truly loved.

Psychologists often describe our greatest need as the need to love and be loved. At the same time, our greatest fear is that if people really knew us, they would reject us. Because of this, many of us wear masks and show only what we think others want to see.

Even people who care about us deeply can disappoint or reject us when we do not meet their expectations. That pain leaves us asking what real love actually looks like.

There are three common types of love people experience:

“I love you if…” love, which is conditional on behavior.
“I love you because…” love, which is based on appearance, popularity, or performance.
“I love you, period.” love, which is unconditional and unchanging.

What we truly long for is the third kind of love.

One Who Loves No Matter What

That kind of love exists, and it comes from God. God loves people for who they are, not for how they perform or what they offer. He invites us into a real relationship with Him where His love is constant and secure.

From here, transition clearly into the gospel and explain how students can have a relationship with God and experience His unconditional love.

If you’re not sure how to share the gospel, learn how to HERE

Comment Cards

Use a comment card to collect name, address, phone number, school, and grade. Include simple response options for students who received Christ, want more information, or want to get involved with your campus ministry.

Next Step

Plan your Valentine’s Day outreach early and involve student leaders in every step so more students can experience authentic relationships and hear the gospel in a welcoming environment.

Partnering with Other Ministries to Reach Your Campus

Groups like Cru, Young Life, and FCA each have their own strengths and strategies. Students connect with them for different reasons—it’s not “one size fits all.” We love and respect every group that’s helping students know Jesus. We’re on the same team, not in competition.

Here are a few ministries we often serve alongside:

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) – Students gather in “huddles” led by coaches, giving athletes a chance to live out their faith through the sports they love.
Young Life – Leaders invest deeply in relationships, earning the right to be heard before sharing the gospel.
Church Youth Groups – Churches are a vital part of every community. Many youth leaders volunteer at schools or visit during lunch to connect with students. Cru isn’t a church—we partner with local churches to help students get plugged in.
Christian Clubs – Many campuses have Christian Clubs focused on prayer, fellowship, and Bible study. They’re often inward-facing rather than outreach-focused.

Cru’s Approach

We share Christ as soon as we have the chance, then build a network of small group Bible studies. We train students to share their faith—through group outreaches, personal conversations, and larger gatherings.

Why This Matters on Your Campus

When you are starting or growing a ministry, ask, “Who is already here?” Sometimes a group has been serving for years. Sometimes no one is reaching that school yet. Often there is room for more than one group to thrive because no single ministry connects with every student.

If another group is already present, the best move is to connect. Grab coffee with their leader, ask questions, learn what has been working, and listen for their challenges. Your posture matters. Come in as an ally, not a rival.

“We’re not in competition; we’re on the same team.”

Stepping Onto a Campus With Other Ministries

If you launch Cru where another ministry exists, remember these things:

Speak well of them in front of students.
Avoid scheduling conflicts when possible.
Focus on students they are not already reaching.
Be willing to partner for events or outreaches.

The goal is not to win students to your ministry. The goal is to help them grow in Jesus.

How to Start the Conversation

Approaching another leader can feel awkward. Keep it simple:

Ask how their group is doing at that school.
Learn which students they connect with best.
Share your heart for students and where Cru could help.
Look for ways to collaborate rather than compete.

You may be surprised how often these conversations lead to friendship and partnership.

A Simple Way to Explain Cru

When someone asks what Cru is about, you can say:

Cru is a network of student disciples who see their school as a mission field. We help students grow in their faith through small groups, training conferences, and mission opportunities locally and around the world.

When it comes down to it, no single ministry can reach every student—but together, we can make a much greater impact. Each group brings unique strengths, connections, and opportunities to the table. By cheering each other on, looking for ways to partner, and sharing a heart for teenagers to know and follow Jesus, we multiply our effectiveness. When ministries work side by side instead of in separate lanes, schools see more of Christ’s love, more students hear the gospel, and more lives are transformed for eternity.

Next Step

Reach out to a local campus ministry leader this week and start a conversation about partnering together.

Sydney’s Story

From Grief to Purpose: Finding God in the Storm

Growing up in a Christian home, she always knew about Jesus, but her relationship with Him didn’t feel personal until tragedy struck in eighth grade. Transitioning from homeschooling to public school had already pushed her out of her comfort zone, and anxiety loomed as she struggled to find her place. Then, during the fall of 2020, both her parents contracted COVID. While her mom recovered, her dad’s condition worsened, leading to months of uncertainty. She vividly remembers the day he left for the hospital and the long, heartbreaking journey that followed. Despite moments of hope, her dad passed away on February 20th, 2021. At just 13 years old, she faced the devastating reality of losing her father—a loss that shook her world and her faith.

In the midst of that grief, she began to see God’s hand at work. During sleepless nights and moments of overwhelming sorrow, God surrounded her with people who cared—friends, family, and a community that embodied His love. Though the pain of loss didn’t disappear, she found comfort in the truth that this life is not the end. Inspired by Paul’s words about eternity, she started to see her father’s passing as a reminder of the hope we have in Christ. That hope spurred her to action. On a family mission trip to Thailand, she met students leading Cru groups at their schools, and the seed was planted to start something similar back home. Despite initial uncertainty, God provided resources, opened doors, and brought others alongside her to launch Cru at her school—a ministry that has been thriving for nearly a year now.

"Anxiety loomed as she struggled to find her place."

Her story is one of resilience, faith, and transformation. Through unimaginable grief, she discovered the depth of God’s love and the strength found in trusting Him. The loss of her dad deepened her desire to share Jesus with others, knowing firsthand how essential His presence is in life’s hardest moments. Cru has given her a platform to do just that—to tell others about the God who redeems brokenness and uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Her journey reminds us that while pain is inevitable, God is sovereign, faithful, and able to bring beauty from ashes.