Robin and I just returned from the Cru NYC Campus staff retreat. We enjoyed discussing strategies to reach NYC college students with the gospel and getting to know our new teammates. Four NYC teams attended: Operations (our team), Epic (ministry to Asian American students), Bridges (ministry to international students), and Campus Field Ministry (ministry to all types of college students). There is also a Cru Destino team in NYC, who focus on Latino college students.
Sarah Lawrence College is one of the NYC campuses where we have a Cru ministry. Sarah Lawrence appears yearly on lists as one of the top academic colleges in the country, but it also appears on lists as one of the top 10 least religious colleges. Our Cru teammate, Vicky, says it’s one of the darkest places she’s ever been. Each year, the college hosts a “Sleaze Week”, where, as Vicky says, “anything goes” on campus.
But in the midst of all this darkness at Sarah Lawrence College, God is at work. The Cru group on campus has about 25 active students (out of a student population of about 1700), and the students participate in Cru Bible studies, conferences and outreaches. Elaine is one of the students involved with Cru at Sarah Lawrence. Elaine is from Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country. Her family are Christians, and when Elaine decided to attend college in US, she was hoping to meet other Christians.
Vicky and some of the Sarah Lawrence Cru students have a table at the Organization Fair at the beginning of each term. They pray to connect with Christian students at Sarah Lawrence, and find other students who may be searching for truth and grace in their lives. Students like Elaine are able to sign up for Bible studies with Cru through the table at the Organization Fair, and via other outreaches on campus. Elaine is now one of the student leaders of the Cru ministry at Sarah Lawrence, and is helping others on her campus grow in their faith.
Please pray for Sarah Lawrence College and the other colleges in NYC where we have a Cru ministry. Students will soon be arriving on campus from all over the world. For many of these college students, it’s their first time away from home. It’s easy for them to get pulled away from their faith in Christ if they don’t get involved quickly with a Christian group on campus. Robin and I will be helping our staff with a variety of needs as they begin the year with students on campus. Also pray that we will get up to speed soon on our roles with the NYC ministry.
We’ve been here almost a month, and are settling into our apartment and life in NYC. We’re learning our way around the subway system, and are also doing a lot of walking. We order some of our groceries online, and buy some from a neighborhood store. It’s definitely a different life, but we are giving thanks to God for sending us here!
Thank you for your prayers for us and our ministry. You are a vital part of NYC students coming to know Christ as their Lord and growing in their faith.
Yours in Christ,
Steve & Robin