Conferences and Retreats - Are they worth it?

Conferences and Retreats – Are they worth it?

“Students are just so busy!”

Have you ever thought or said that before? You are not alone! Students have so many options and focusing on their relationship with God and the spiritual condition of their friends can so easily be just another choice of many.

However, if students understand what a conference could contribute to their spiritual lives, they very well may choose to not just spend time chilling out, working more, or participating in something that could be done at another time. Conferences are unique opportunities and we only get a couple of chances each year to spend time doing what can be astoundingly life-changing. Here are two outstanding reasons for conferences…

1) 1 Conference = 1 Semester

It is often said that spending a week with our students attending one of our conferences is as powerful as spending a whole semester with them in discipleship. Students hear from other students who are sharing their faith and are leading discipleship groups. They attend and participate in student-led prayer sessions. They rub shoulders with many other leaders and hear solid teaching from speakers. Then, each night, they meet with their group leader to process all that has happened that day. Conferences have a track record of nurturing deep spiritual growth in our students.

2) Conferences are like athletic training camps.

Athletes know the value of a good training camp. There, they focus on their skills in a way that they never could in their regular routine. A conference can be like that for a student – an opportunity to focus on learning new skills and understand their spiritual life in new ways.
One uniquely critical aspect of our conferences is students getting to put legs to their faith – a full afternoon of talking to people who might not know Christ in hopes of an opportunity to share Christ with them. Students who have never shared their faith before are paired up with someone who has and they are encouraged to listen and pray as they first go out and contribute more to the conversation as they wish. At the end of the day, they are right in the middle of the conversation and communicating the hope that is in them!

Here are several additional reasons that conferences and retreats will greatly impact the lives of your students and the shape of your ministry. You will not want to miss the next one!

Spending a week with our students attending one of our conferences is as powerful as spending a whole semester with them in discipleship.

Benefits for the Student:

Encountering God in a unique way – It seems God speaks in dynamic and poignant ways when we get alone to focus on Him.
Growing significantly deeper in the knowledge and love with Jesus Christ
Dealing with deeper life issues in a loving environment
Learning God’s Word in a remarkably impacting way
Being intentionally equipped as a leader
Expanding the student’s vision for the Kingdom and God’s purposes
Deepening of commitment to the relationships built at the conference
Having fun experiences that deepen their connection with your ministry and the people there

Benefits for the Movement:

Builds unity in the group
Teaches ministry skills that will be helpful back on campus
Creates momentum for your movement’s ministry
Gives you as a leader a greater and unique platform from which to speak into student’s lives

Help your students set aside some time to invest in their relationship with God in this way. There is usually an overwhelming sense among students that upon returning from a conference it is one of the most impacting times they have spent on their relationship with God. Even years down the road, students point to these experiences as the most notable moments of spiritual growth in their lives. Check out these conferences with Cru!

Next Step

Cru has conferences twice a year to help you disciple students and grow your ministry. Check out Cru.org to see which one would benefit you.

Check out Cru.org

Made for Students, Helpful for Adults

This Playbook is designed first for students. It helps you take ownership, lead your friends, and build something that actually reaches your school.

At the same time, if you’re an adult, youth leader, parent, or volunteer, this gives you a clear way to come alongside students without taking over.

Students lead
Adults support
Everyone moves forward together

Why Most People Don’t Start

A lot of students never take the first step. Not because they don’t care, but because they feel stuck.

“Where do I even begin?”
“What if no one shows up?”
“How do I get others involved?”

Uncertainty can keep people from moving. This Playbook breaks that barrier. It gives you a clear path so you can stop overthinking and start doing.

What This Helps You Do

This isn’t just ideas sitting on a page. It’s a practical guide you can actually use right now.

With the Playbook, you can:

Start something meaningful, even if you’re on your own
Gather a few friends and build momentum
Share your faith in natural, real ways
Lead with confidence, even if you’ve never led before
Build something that lasts beyond you

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need a place to start.

“Start where you are, use what you have, take the first step.”

A Simple Path to Follow

The Playbook walks you through five clear steps. Each one is simple, practical, and designed to help you take action.

DREAM: Start with a vision for your school and what God could do there
PRAY: Learn how to pray for your campus in real, meaningful ways
GO: Take action, gather a team, and begin reaching people
GROW: Build a group that develops leaders and multiplies
SEND: Help others step out and reach their friends too

You don’t have to guess what to do next. It’s right there in front of you.

Built to Be Used, Not Just Read

This isn’t a long manual you’ll never finish. It’s short. It’s simple. It’s designed to move you forward.

Easy to read
Clear next steps
Real examples
Space to think and act

You can go through it on your own, or walk through it with a couple of friends. Adults can use it to guide conversations and help students take ownership.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Starting something can feel intimidating. But you’re not on your own. The Playbook connects you to tools, coaching, and a bigger movement of people who are doing the same thing. Take one step, and you’ll find support along the way.

Start Today

You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a first step.

Next Step

Download the Playbook with the button above and walk through the first section this week with a friend!

Comment Cards 101: Capture Interest, Build Relationships

Why Comment Cards Matter

The most important thing you do in ministry isn’t running events, it’s building relationships. Big gatherings are great, but they aren’t personal. Comment cards help you bridge that gap. They give students a simple way to raise their hand and say:

“I’m interested”
“I want to get involved”
“I want to talk”
“I made a decision”

A comment card is more than a form. It’s a filter. The event gathers the crowd, but the comment cards reveal the ones who are ready. Instead of guessing who’s interested, students tell you. And that’s what allows you to follow up personally and meaningfully.

Download Comment Cards

Tip: Start simple. You can always customize later.

Physical vs. Digital Comment Cards

You can collect information digitally, but physical cards still win.

Physical Cards

Higher response rate
Easier to complete in the moment
No distractions
Feels more intentional

Digital Options

Students are less likely to fill them out
Distractions
Technical glitches

Digital can work, but many ministries find they get about half the responses compared to physical cards. Even in a digital world, physical cards often get better results. If you want the most responses, go physical first.

“The card isn’t the win, the conversation is.”

How to Use Comment Cards

1. Pass Them Out at the Right Moment
Usually at the end of a meeting or outreach, when interest is highest.

2. Give Everyone a Pen or Pencil
Don’t assume students have one. They won’t.

3. Walk Through the Card Together
This is huge. Once everyone has a card, read each section out loud and guide them:

“Write your name here”
“Check this if you want to get involved”
“Check this if you prayed to receive Christ”

If you don’t do this, students rush through and check random boxes.

4. Give Them Time to Complete It
Pause. Let them actually fill it out.

5. Collect Them Immediately
Don’t leave it optional or vague.

Use Incentives to Increase Response

Want more cards turned in? Use prizes.

Gift cards
Snacks
Fast food coupons
Free merch

Tell them:
“Turn in your card, we’ll draw for prizes.”

It works. A simple prize can double your response rate.

Best Practices That Make a Big Difference

Use cardstock
Regular paper tears or gets ruined. Cardstock holds up better.

Keep it simple
Too many options overwhelm students.

Look through cards immediately
Scan for:

Students who want to get involved
Spiritual decisions
Urgent needs

If possible, connect with them before they leave the meeting. The best practice is to follow up within 24–48 hours. After that, interest fades fast. So if. you can talk with them before they leave and set up a time to connect again in the next day or so, you will get your best results.

Turning Cards Into Conversations

A comment card is just the beginning. The goal isn’t collecting information. The goal is connection. Use what they checked to guide your follow-up:

Grab lunch
Meet after school
Start a Bible study
Have a gospel conversation

Final Thought

Comment cards can feel like a small detail, but they might be one of the most important things you do at an event. They help you move from a crowd, to a conversation, to a changed life.

Next Step

Download a comment card and use it at your next meeting.

Student Leader Application and Covenant

Strong student leadership doesn’t happen by accident.

Whether you’re a student leading your peers or an adult supporting a movement, clarity around leadership can make a huge difference. These simple documents are designed to help you communicate expectations, invite the right students in, and build a healthy leadership culture.

They’re optional tools for any campus movement, not requirements, but many teams find them incredibly helpful.

Student Leadership Application

This application is a simple way for students to express interest in leadership and for you to get to know them better. It creates space for students to share their story, their faith, and why they want to lead. It also helps ensure they understand the purpose and message of your ministry before stepping into a leadership role.

Leaders often use this as a starting point for conversations, discernment, and development, not just as a form to collect.

Student Leadership (Editable Document)
Student Leadership Application (PDF)

“Great leadership starts with clarity, not assumptions.”

Model Student Covenant

This covenant helps define what it means to be a student leader in your group. It clearly communicates expectations, both in character and commitment, and gives students a chance to step in with understanding and ownership. Because it’s customizable, you can adapt it to fit your local context, adding practical expectations that make sense for your team.

Many leaders use this as part of training or onboarding, helping students not just say “yes” to leadership, but understand what they’re saying yes to.

Model Student Covenant (Editable Document)

Next Step

Review these documents and choose one to use with your leadership team this semester: