Different ways to Serve with Cru

Are you passionate about helping teenagers know and follow God? Hopefully, that is why you are reading this article – because you want to join us as we WIN high school students for Christ, BUILD them in their faith, and SEND them to reach others with the gospel in their schools, community, and around the world.

There are many ways to serve with Cru’s High School Ministry, with varying levels of commitment. Here is a brief overview of each way to get involved, with links to find out more.

Conference Volunteer

Hours per week: Per event
Pay: None

Helping at a Cru conference is a great way to experience student ministry, in a variety of roles. As an adult leader, you will spend time with teens and participate in many of the conference activities. You can also help behind the scenes and free up others to spend more time with their students.

You may do some combination of the above.

All adults who work directly with students are required to complete a background check before attending the conference.

How to Apply:

Talk to your leader to see if they would like you to volunteer at a conference.
APPLY HERE.
Fill out the background check form (the link will be emailed to you).
Allow about two weeks for the application process to be completed.

Volunteer

Hours per week: 5-10 +
Pay: None

We love it when people come to check out our ministry and offer occasional help. But to work with our students on a regular, ongoing basis, you will need to become an official volunteer.

You and your Cru team leader will discuss and decide in what capacity you will serve, as well as the time commitment.

Registered Cru volunteers also commit to attending regular volunteer meetings and training sessions as offered by the local team.

Because of the legal and liability issues of working with minors, each Cru volunteer must be thoroughly evaluated via our application process, some interviews, and an official background check. (The local Cru team typically covers the cost of the background check.)

How to Apply:

Discuss with your Cru leader whether you should pursue becoming an official volunteer.
APPLY HERE.
Fill out the background check form. (The link will be emailed to you.)
Allow about two weeks for the application process to be completed.

Note: Some cities offer an Apprentice program for 5-10 weeks with moderate compensation. Speak to your Cru leader to find out more.

Part-Time Field Staff

Hours per week: 10-25 hours per week
Pay: Yes (Raised by you)

A Cru Part-time Field staff (PTFS) member does many of the same things as a full-time staff person. The number of hours is less, and the PT staff person is also expected to spend most of those hours doing field ministry.

Part-time field staff are typically college students or graduates with other employment. It is not ideal as a career, since PTFS do not receive medical or other benefits. However, there is no limit on how long someone can serve as PTFS, as there is for interns.

How to Apply:

Seek guidance from your local Cru staff and other wise counsel. Get a realistic picture of the financial realities of being a part-time staff person.
Go to apply.cru.org to submit your application. You will need to create an Okta account. (This page is the entry point for all Cru missionaries who raise their financial support, including intern, part- and full-time staff.)
Fill out the forms, including the background check application, and choose the people who will complete references for you.
Allow 4-6 weeks for the entire process to be completed.

Devote your best hours to winning, building, and sending high school students, and seeing lives changed for eternity.

Intern

Hours per week: 40+ with a 1-year commitment
Pay: Yes (Raised by you)

A Cru intern is basically a full-time staff person, except with only a one-year commitment. This commitment can be renewed once, for a total service time of two years. After this, the person must join Cru staff (full- or part-time) or pursue other opportunities.

Intern candidates typically apply in winter or early spring, and if accepted, attend a Cru Orientation Weekend in March or April. This weekend includes training in Ministry Partner Development (MPD) and pairs you with a coach. Your coach guides you through the MPD process, aiming for you to report in August or September.

How to Apply:

Seek guidance from your local Cru staff and other wise counsel.
Go to apply.cru.org to submit your application. You will need to create an Okta account.
Fill out the forms, including the background check application, and choose the people who will submit references.
Allow 4-6 weeks for the entire process to be completed.

Full-Time Staff

Hours per week: 40+
Pay: Yes (Raised by you)

For those who want to make the biggest impact for Christ, it is hard to beat being a full-time Cru staff member. Instead of fitting ministry into the gaps in your schedule, you will get to devote your best hours to winning, building, and sending high school students, and seeing lives changed for eternity. You will be part of a team of like-minded leaders, sharpening each other and spurring one another on to maximum ministry impact.

Raising your financial support (which we call “Ministry Partner Development” or “MPD”) can be challenging. But Cru will train you and provide the tools you will need to see success in MPD. If God is calling you to be on Cru staff, we are confident He will enable and equip you to develop your ministry partner team.

As with any important career matter, joining Cru staff is a decision that should be made with much wise counsel, prayer, and having the best and most current information. For starters, we suggest having a cup of coffee with your local Cru staff member and asking for a candid description of what staff life is like.

Then as God enables and leads, pursue the next step(s) in the process, and trust Him to make His will clear – and to provide for you as you step out in faith.

How to Apply:

Seek guidance from your local Cru staff and other wise counsel. Get a clear understanding of the MPD process and what your life would look like on staff.
Go to apply.cru.org to submit your application. You will need to create an Okta account.
Fill out the forms, including the background check application, and choose the people who will submit references.
Allow 6-8 weeks for the entire process to be completed.

Not sure if you are qualified? THIS page describes the qualifications for Cru staff. Visit our New Staff Orientation page for training dates and application deadlines for each.

Are you wrestling with knowing God’s will for your life and career? Here’s an article you may find helpful.

There is no greater adventure than discovering God’s plan for your life and pursuing it with all your heart. If that includes helping reach teenagers with the Good News, then we are here to help you reach your goal and fulfill your dream!

Next Step

Prayerfully consider how God might be calling you to serve middle and high school students, then take a step to discover more about the ministry. Visiting a local Cru ministry or volunteering for a conference can give you a good idea of what it would be like to join us.

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.