Why Should I Volunteer with Cru?

I was just out of college and looking for a place to serve. I found myself at a ministry fair where different ministries were sharing about their missions. I stumbled across a table that was for a Cru ministry reaching high school students and I asked, “Can high school students really become multiplying disciples?”

Their answer was a resounding, “Yes!” And in front of me stood living proof, a young lady named Beth. She had just graduated from high school in Phoenix, AZ, and was enrolled in some ministry training classes. As we talked, her spiritual maturity and love for Jesus were evident.

I came away from that encounter wondering what would have happened if someone had discipled me in high school? I surely would have avoided a lot of sin and heartache and maybe made an impact for Christ on my friends.

So, I joined Cru in reaching teenagers. It has been an exciting and inspiring journey to work with high school students. It did not take me long to learn these three things about high school students: they are HUNGRY, NEEDY, and INFLUENTIAL.

Teenagers Are HUNGRY

Whether working with students in the suburbs of Orange County or the inner city of Long Beach, I have observed teenagers really want to know God. They may not know that they want to know God, as they search for meaning in relationships, achievement, sports, and other activities. But when they hear a clear gospel presentation, many are eager to say “Yes” to Jesus.

Sadly, this hunger does not last their whole life. The Barna Association continues to report that 75% of all people who choose to follow Jesus, do so before age 18. As youth leaders have been saying for years, “Teenagers are like wet cement, waiting for someone to come and make an impression on them.” For many, the cement hardens soon after their high school years, adding great urgency to our calling. Teenagers need trusted adults and caring peers to enter into their lives while they are still hungry for what the gospel offers. Who will tell them about Jesus?

Teenagers Are NEEDY

Teenagers were searching for love and acceptance when Cru was founded in 1951, and they are still doing so today. They are entering an age when they are beginning to be influenced less by their parents and more by their peers and the world around them. They are looking for a place to belong and are trying to figure out who they are in a world that is more than happy to answer that question for them.

Teens desperately seek acceptance through social media, and they despair when their peers do not affirm them — or worse, mock and bully them. Fewer and fewer young people grow up in stable homes or have healthy adults in their lives who will guide them and encourage them. This generation is experiencing a mental health crisis with no end in sight.

On top of all that, teenagers know less and less about Jesus and the Bible than any generation in American history. The very person they most need (Jesus) is the One they know the least about. They are dying of thirst while the Source of living water is right next to them. They need someone to tell them the good news. Who will tell them?

Teenagers need trusted adults and caring peers to enter into their lives while they are still hungry for what the gospel offers. Who will tell them about Jesus?

Teenagers Are INFLUENTIAL

Although the world is still largely run by adults, we see teens and young adults in places of surprising influence:

Greta Thunberg
Swedish environmental activist who appeared on the cover of “Time Magazine” as its “Person of the Year” — at age 16
Billie Eilish
Singer who has sold 41.5 million digital singles and 5 million albums, according to RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America)
Amanda Gordon
National Youth Poet Laureate, who spoke so eloquently at the inauguration of President Biden, has become a social justice advocate ,and has already announced her plans to run for president in 2036 (the first year she’ll be eligible)

Chances are, the young men and women we meet will not become as famous as these young superstars. But when we reach them and disciple them to “do all that (Jesus) has commanded,” they can reach others and have an influence that echoes throughout eternity.

Students today are sharing the gospel with their friends in person and on social media. They are leading, teaching, and serving in ways that draw anyone watching to take a second look at Jesus and His claims. They are leading small group Bible studies, doing outreaches with their friends, and going on international mission trips to tell others about Jesus. But they need guidance and encouragement. Who will come alongside them to help them direct their influence toward Christ?

So teenagers are hungry, needy, and influential. They need caring adults and peers to step into their lives, love them, and show them the hope that Jesus offers. On the public high school campus, we have an amazing opportunity to see almost all (92%) of the teenagers in any community in the same place for four years of their lives. There is no other place in society where every person in a community of a certain age group is in the same place. And it happens to be when they are also the most spiritually open in their lives. This is a sweet spot of opportunity that we cannot ignore. Who will enter their world?

One of America’s greatest evangelists, named Dwight L. Moody, recognized the importance of investing in the younger generation. He once said, “If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God!” It is too late for him to do that, but we invite you to join us and invest your time in reaching teenagers near you. It is an investment you will never regret and it will pay dividends throughout eternity.

“If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God!”

-Dwight L. Moody

If God has placed America’s 15 million high school students on your heart, I urge you to pursue that interest and experience for yourself the great joy and eternal reward of winning, building, and sending teenagers for Christ.

Learn about working with Cru

Next Step

Want to learn more? Check out the article Different Ways to Serve with Cru or our website to explore how you can join us in reaching middle and high school students with the gospel.

Different Ways to Serve with Cru our website

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.