Robin and I will be attending our Cru22 U.S. Staff Conference from July 16-23. Mark Gauthier, Cru U.S. Director, emailed this letter to us recently:
“A couple weeks ago, I spent several days with key leaders from North America and Oceania talking and praying about how we can more effectively share the gospel in our nations and build multiplying disciples. It was an encouraging reminder of both the great need for the gospel in each nation and the power of God to zealously draw people to Himself.
“Jesus reminds us that “My Father is always working, and so am I” (John 5:17, NLT). As I take notice of Cru, both in the U.S. and around the world, these words of Jesus ring true. God is opening the eyes of many and inviting them to take their next steps with Him. By simply pausing to take stock and to reflect on what God is doing, I was both refreshed and motivated to take my own next steps in the mission.
“In just a few weeks, we will have the opportunity to do this together in Milwaukee. At Cru22, we are inviting God to meet with us and to reveal Himself to us in a variety of ways. It will be so good to be together. I know we are coming together from different places and with varying degrees of expectation. Yet we all need God to meet us.
“As we draw near in worship, time in the Word and prayer, we have His promise that He will draw near to us. As we reflect on the stories of how He is changing lives around the world, I believe it will be an encouraging reminder of the privilege we have to partner with Him. As we see and hear from one another and respond to how God is working in our lives, I believe God will knit our hearts together in more specific expressions of the oneness that He has already secured on our behalf.
“It is my prayer that as we see Jesus, His heart for the world and His work in our lives more clearly, our Cru22 experience will be one of renewal and a fresh motivation to follow Jesus in His mission.” Mark, ended the letter with this, “Would you pray with me to this end?”
Will you join us in prayer as the U.S. Cru staff gather in Milwaukee? I am reminded of this passage, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Romans 10:14–20
Yours in Christ,
Steve & Robin