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

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.

Next Step

Check out Christina's Story and consider how God might use an international mission in your or another student's life.

christina's story

The Six Milestones Every Student Needs to Grow in Faith

Why These Milestones Matter

If we are not careful, students can float through our ministry without ever taking real steps forward. They might show up every week, but never really grow or take ownership of their faith. Milestones give us a simple, clear map for helping them keep moving. They help us answer the question, “What’s next for this student?” and give students the courage to take that step.

When we guide students from milestone to milestone, we are not just helping them stay involved. We are helping them grow into strong, confident followers of Jesus who are ready to lead and influence others.

Share Christ with a Student Who Doesn’t Know Jesus

Before anything else, a student needs the chance to hear the good news of Jesus in a clear and personal way. This is where it all begins. Many teenagers have never heard the gospel explained in full, even if they have been around church. Take the time to share about God’s love, our need for forgiveness, and the hope we have in Christ. The first step in their journey is not about them sharing their faith — it is about them hearing it for the first time.

Helpful Resources:

Lead a Student Through Their First Follow-Up

When a student says yes to Jesus, it is just the start of something new and exciting. The first follow-up meeting is where you can help them understand what it means to walk with God daily. It is also a chance to build trust and start a discipleship relationship. This step anchors their new faith and helps them grow instead of drifting away.

Helpful Resources:

Help a Student Understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit

Helping students understand the Holy Spirit is a game-changer. Too often, new believers try to live the Christian life in their own strength, and it leaves them frustrated. Teaching them about the Spirit-filled life shows them how to depend on God’s power for both living and sharing their faith. This is when students start to realize that God is not just calling them to do hard things — He is empowering them to actually do them.

Helpful Resources:

GodTools App (go through the Satisfied tool with them)
Holy Spirit Booklet

Holy Spirit Study in Thrive Studies

First Evangelism Experience

Many students have never had the chance to talk about their faith with someone who doesn’t know Jesus. Taking them out to share, whether on campus, at an event, or in the community, changes that. At first, they might feel nervous, but once they see God working through them, it can be life-changing. That moment when a student realizes, “God just used me to help someone understand the gospel” — that is the spark that often leads to a lifetime of ministry.

Helpful Resources:

Challenge to a Cru Training Event

There is something powerful about getting students away from their normal routine and into an environment filled with worship, biblical teaching, and friends who are chasing after Jesus. Conferences give them the space to grow, hear from God, and take big steps of faith. The bus ride there might be full of nerves, but the ride home is usually buzzing with stories of what God did. Over and over again, we have seen students return from these events ready to lead and make a difference.

Helpful Resources:

Conferences Page

Challenge to Spiritual Leadership on Campus

Teenagers are capable of more than they realize. The world constantly challenges them to step up in sports, academics, and clubs, but sometimes the church forgets to ask them to lead in ministry. Giving students real leadership opportunities — leading a Bible study, speaking at a meeting, planning an outreach — unlocks their potential and sets an example for younger students. Over time, this creates a culture where leadership is expected and contagious.

Helpful Resources:

Student Leader Section – GoToTheCampus.com

Wrapping It Up

These milestones are not a checklist to rush through. They are a pathway to help students grow, one step at a time. Every student you know is somewhere on this journey. Your role is to encourage them, challenge them, and walk alongside them as they take the next step. The goal is not just to build a ministry — it is to build students who live on mission for Jesus for the rest of their lives.

Want to dig deeper? Check out our full conversations about the Six Milestones in these YouTube videos.

Next Step

Write down the names of every student in your ministry. Identify their current milestone and decide how you can help them reach the next one.

The Priceless Project: Impacting Girls in Public Schools

The Priceless Project: Impacting Girls in Public Schools

The Priceless Project is a powerful small-group resource designed especially for girls, offering a safe, encouraging space to talk about identity, value, and purpose. It’s already making a difference in public schools, giving students a chance to connect, grow, and be reminded of their worth.

One of its greatest strengths is flexibility. The Priceless Project comes in two versions:

A Bible study version for church, youth group, or Christian school settings
A public school version with the same strong themes but without Scripture references — making it ideal for campuses that might not allow explicitly faith-based content

The public school version can be a great way to get in the door on a campus that’s difficult to access. It allows you to mentor a group of girls who need it, build relationships with them, and meet real emotional and social needs in a way that schools welcome.

Priceless Project

from Emily French

Why use The Priceless Project?

Creates a safe, respectful space for girls to share and be heard
Meets real emotional and social needs in public schools
Builds leadership and peer-to-peer mentoring skills
Easy to use, with free resources and an app for facilitators
Proven track record in schools through partnerships with teachers and administrators

All digital resources are free for Cru. Use the discount code PricelessCru at checkout. All physical books are available for purchase at iampriceless.me.

A free Priceless Project App is also available for Apple and Android — with digital curriculum, playlists, blog posts, and a safe space for facilitators to connect with the girls they lead.

You can learn more, explore the curriculum, and order resources at iampriceless.me.