AMAZING!

RADIATE - FOUR DAYS YOU WILL NEVER FORGET

“I could write a novel about how absolutely AMAZING my last Radiate as a college student was!”

RADIATE is our annual winter conference with the Mid-Atlantic region of Cru. This December 28th – January 1st, over 1,000 students gathered in Washington, DC for four days of community and growth in their relationships with God.

They heard from great speakers such as Matt Mikalatos, Matt Watts, Heather Holleman & PastorJames White. Students and staff sang in worship with talented bands, and reached out to this city in need of hope. Finally, they participated in worship into the New Year.

A student boasted on Facebook:

“From bonding with my awesome Jersey Cru family & having us win the social media contest, to having my tweet chosen by Emcee Shelby Abbott, and having God completely strengthen the fact that I am indeed 100% Anchored in Him, & starting off the new year worshipping and praising Him, I could not be anymore blessed.” – Ramapo student, Angie Cisneros (pictured center on right)

As a student at RADIATE, I was amazed at the sheer number of students in the room and quickly fascinated by their hearts for God.  Eight years later, now on staff, I am truly blessed to witness God’s work in the lives of so many students!

God at work: Of the 741 students who told us they signed a pledge (here), 24 of them trusted Christ, 105 committed to spending a year of their life in full-time vocational ministry, and 220 committed on going on a Summer Mission with Cru.

Something even more amazing is that when asked to consider helping other students attend conferences and to consider supporting overseas missions, these “broke college students” pledged to give $81,751.74! God truly is at work!

Praise Him!

In Awe!... of cities?

Last month, at RADIATE-In Awe, I had the opportunity to join Pastor Rich Perez from Christ Crucified Fellowship and director, Andy Young, of the Cru Philly team in a couch discussion in front of 1000 students.

Here is that interview following a great talk called "cities" by Pastor Rich. (starting at minute 53)
http://vimeo.com/83794784

Making Christ Fully Known, we are ...

...Jersey Metro Cru

I just finished submitting the Evangelism Plan for this school year to the National Directors of the Campus Field Ministry with Cru. It was exciting to write down all the many different ways our movements in the Urban area of New Jersey are seeking to advance God's kingdom on the college campuses of New Jersey.


One way is through the offer of FREE COFFEE! Click here to read about it on the web blog of one of my staff friends. We are blessed to see the positive feedback as we engage with students who don't often encounter Christians, especially ones willing to randomly give them coffee for their opinion. So far, three students have prayed to receive Christ and one to re-dedicate her life to Christ.

Another effort we are making as a statewide ministry is to use social media to MAKE HIS NAME KNOWN! So often Christians are known for what they're against. This is an opportunity for our students to tell their hundreds of Twitter & Facebook friends what/Who we as Christians are for! 

All students have to do is SHARE the bi-weekly video sent by our very own intern, Christine, and ask their friends for their opinions. Here is an example:

Hey FB friends and family, this is a summary of what I believe as a Christian. What do you think? Comments? #getoutthere #TheGospel #jerseymetrocru

May Updates

Crashing into trials (car accident)

2012 Keeping Tabs with Campus Ministry

Kean Cru - Stand guard!
Red Rover, Red Rover, Calling Satan over?!

Kean Cru Bowling in September 2011

Every semester, the Cru ministry at Kean University tries to have an "open house/welcome" meeting. Typically this consists of a snacks, games, and an explanation of the ministry according to Acts 2:42-47.

I was asked by the Kean Cru leadership team to give a short presentation explaining the ministry and our mission and vision at Kean on the first Thursday of the semester, February 2nd. Although I felt physically ill the morning of the talk, I had already prepared a "prezi" for that evening. As I spoke about the ministry, the Holy Spirit kept emphasizing community in my heart. So I pointed out how the community in Acts 2 was constantly together, in prayer, studying scripture, giving to others and staying in fellowship. This community characterized by love caused those around them to be in awe and have favor upon them! I then asked: "Does our community at Kean University cause the faculty, staff and students to be in awe? If not, why? Are we loving one another as God has loved us to the point that it transforms the community around us?"

Interestingly, the Holy Spirit gave me an analogy I never expected to communicate to the twenty-five students before me. Do you remember the children's game "red rover"? As I asked the question, the room of twenty-somethings looked blankly back at me as though I were from an entirely different decade! "I'm only a few years older than you all! Come on!" In the children's game, "Red Rover", there are two lines of people holding hands and facing each other. When one team calls someone from the other team to come over, that person has to try to run and break through the hand-holding chain of the other standing team. If the person breaks through, he/she takes the two people who's hands they separated and brings them over to join his/her team. If the person CANNOT break through, then he/she must join that team. I used this analogy to show the importance of real community in the body of Christ. I defined "real community" as a group of people who know more than each other's names and majors. For example, when I see the enemy coming after my friend, I can "hold her hand more tightly and stand firm". However, if I'm unaware, I'm in danger of being knocked down & allowing my friend to be knocked down as well.

Front of my car (not nearly as bad as the back)

I know the Lord is allowing the enemy to run at me and Kean Cru through trials of various kinds because nothing happens outside of God's knowledge. BUT GOD!... Praise God, I've seen our leadership team at Kean hold tightly to one another through prayer and love in the power of the Holy Spirit so that the enemy CANNOT break through. Sure it hurts when he rams into my car at 45MPH while I wait at a stoplight behind several cars with a student in my car. Yes, it's difficult when the tire on the car I rented pops on the way back from Kean the following night. Sure, it's painfully devastating when I find out I'm allergic to the pain medication I was prescribed at the hospital. However, I know God will be glorified, for we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus! :) As 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 says, "...we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed...."We are staying in prayer, keeping our eyes focused on Jesus, and running the race with endurance until the end.

As for my car, it may be totaled but I'm still not sure. It's definitely not drivable in the state it's currently in (basically squished) but insurance will cover the damages. I'll just have to wait and see God provide! :) Through this all, my students have been getting very sick mentally and physically. I think God is drawing them to their knees to fight this spiritual warfare, remembering that in our weakness, His strength is perfected! Romans 12:12 says "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." When I want to complain, I remember that God is good and ALL that He does is good! I'm grateful for how this is bringing unity to the Kean Cru leadership team. They are recognizing their need for wearing the whole armor of God to engage in this spiritual warfare for the hearts and lives of college students, faculty, and staff on their campus. They are being reminded of the importance of community when we are under attack.

Jersey Metro Planning Summit - Tecumseh 2012

This Friday is the Jersey Metro Planning Retreat at Tecumseh! 

This is where we make plans for the semester! :)

Tecumseh Planning Retreat:
Students just returned from winter break, classes have started and they're barely back on their feet. It's times like this when we need the body of Christ the most and where we need to realign ourselves to the mission God has called us to and refocus our vision and plans. We’re getting away for a weekend of prayer, training, planning and connecting with others. Pray for us as our students come and readjust their focus as we realign ourselves to the vision of our ministry as a state.

When: This Friday, January 27-28th, 2012.

Check out this email I created to inform our students.

- Jersey Metro Staff Team

 

 

Jersey Metro Mission:

"By all possible means, let us advance God's kingdom by making Christ fully known on every campus, influencing the state and ultimately the world."

 

RADIATE2011 - Be Free

I just returned from Cru's 4-day winter conference, RADIATE. This year the theme was "Be Free" and 1000 students were able to hear from special guests like Pastor Jackson Crum, Claude Hickman, our own Roger Hershey, and "I Am Second" speakers: Chris & Adrienne Plekenpol. Students from all across the mid-atlantic region started off the conference worshiping with The Bridgeband....

There is a lot more to tell, but for now it's time to rest. If you're interested in more videos and pictures, check out my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/edithann.morales

Giving Time of the Year

Merry Christmas!  I pray you experience joy as we remember our Savior coming to dwell among us! 

At this time of year we tend to look back and think of all the Lord has done in our lives throughout the year.  I pray that you are able to take the time to think of the ways the Lord has been working and what He’s been teaching you.  As I reflect back I realize that resting in God’s full control has been a major theme of my life this year.  For instance, Kean Cru doubled in size and is continuing to grow hungry for more of Jesus (all I did was pray & show up). Over Summer Project I was able to pour into women at random who dealt with similar issues as I have these last two years (only He could put us together). Then, even more beyond my control, several students gave their lives to Christ this past semester! Praise God!

Liscet Duran (Kean Cru leader I disciple pictured left) and I have been learning this lesson together: It’s not easy to surrender control in every area of my life, especially when I think I know what’s best. For example, there are times when I’m sharing the Gospel and will continue to emphasize God’s love, hoping for some reaction from the listener that will show I’m speaking clearly. There are other times I want the Kean Cru leadership team to do things a certain way so that meetings would run more smoothly (as though God can’t work through all things). Even recently I planned to meet with Anita, a student I disciple at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, and her roommate. Since NJIT does not allow students to do surveys on campus or share their faith openly, Anita and I planned to share with her roommate. The problem was we didn’t have time to discuss a game plan before entering the field. At the end, we had little spiritual conversation that didn’t lead to the Gospel. This is still a relationship we are pursuing for the sake of giving Jess (the roommate) an opportunity to know Christ. However in my own hands, I want to work at it without rest until we have a clear conversation.

One of the most difficult struggles I’ve been faced with is resting God’s full control of my finances. I raise support to cover my daily needs as well as ministry needs like conferences, materials and missions trips. Your partnership allows me to disciple and share the love of Jesus to college students from all across the Mid-Atlantic region. I’m so excited for what God is doing at Kean University with the leaders and members of Kean Cru as well as with Anita at NJIT. In order to be involved with discipleship & come alongside these future leaders in ministry, I want to remain undistracted and rest in His promise to provide my needs according to His will. Low support has a way of distracting me and I am currently about $1,300 short on monthly support.

Would you prayerfully consider a special gift or raising your monthly support at this year-end to help offset some of my needs?  Please make Checks out to Campus Crusade for Christ and enclose it in the envelope provided or you can give on-line at http://give.ccci.org/give/0597677

Thank you for any amount you give.  I would not be able to serve without your partnership through prayer and financial support.  Thank you for your faithful support, prayers, and encouragement!

In His Amazing Grace,

 E. Tabitha Morales

October 2011 - News Report

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4:18

By mid-October, students are trying to balance school, friends, family, work, ministry, and their relationships with God. Sometimes things slip out of perspective and start to get fuzzy. Fall retreat is a time where students can get away for a weekend of worship, teaching, relaxing, and connecting with others. This year we had over 110 students from NJ join with a group of 60 from Westchester, PA to learn to focus their attention on Jesus through it all.
 
During women’s time, the women were especially challenged in their relationships with one another by guest speaker, Sarah Evers, who spoke about what it means to be an “ezer”. Although I was privileged to lead a seminar on evangelism and train students to uniquely initiate conversation with friends, family and peers, my favorite aspect of the retreat was following up with these Kean women (pictured left). Raised Catholic, Dailyn Santana (sitting in front of me), prayed to enter into an intimate relationship with Jesus at FR2011 and attends Bible Studies & women’s fellowship regularly! :) “You girls have NO idea, this weekend was like ‘answered prayers weekend’! I told God I wanted to really know Him at Fall retreat and I did, then I wanted female friends and you’re here!”

---

Christa, Victoria, Maria, Sindy, Liscet, Alison

Homecoming Festivities!

Aside from bowling nights, Pizza & God, and Bible study, another way Kean thought to reach their campus was to participate in the annual Homecoming festivities! This year student organizations were given a "Jersey Shore" theme to promote their group at the tailgate festival. Families came to support our winning football team and enjoy the free games and food. Kean Cru leader and senior, Liscet Duran (second from right), ran for homecoming queen and told the voting committee it was for the sake of bringing MORE glory to God who's brought her through these last years! :)

Joe Ro, Harvey Minano, Joe Celentano

Please continue to pray that the Kean leadership team wisely decides how to reach their campus for God’s glory!

Thanks for helping make this happen!

Picture story! :)

I've not posted in a long time... But here's the short, picture version of why:

This Friday is our second Jersey Cru of the semester! Last month we had nearly 200 students!

Kean is really working on reaching out to their campus this week. (Quest week is a statewide student/staff effort to take the initiative to share the Gospel with students, faculty and staff on the 30/60 campuses we are on.)

Kean Cru doesn't just give out free pizza! We really want people to come talk about God. So we are providing home-made empanadas! :)

Fall Retreat was terrific! Students truly encountered Jesus Christ!

11 women represented KeanCru at this years Fall Retreat. Harvey (right) is joined by 2 NJCU men pictured above.

Discipleship was beautiful by the beach @ Harvey Cedars Bible Conference.

Although a D3 University, Kean Cru even represented at the tailgate festival this year and cheered on Liscet (2nd from right) as she represented Christ, running for home-coming queen!)

Just cuz we were at homecoming, doesn't mean we weren't going to make an effort to start spiritual conversations! Underneath the castle the students built, they laid sand with "Soularium" cards dug in them. :)

Last Thursday, in an effort to reach students who may not have attended the homecoming concert, Kean Cru played short films produced by the Global Shortfilm Network to promote spiritual conversation.

Before that, Kean Cru had a difficult time booking a room to have Bible Study in, so we did a few community building events like bowling! Here are some of our senior women involved in the ministry. (From left to right: Liscet, Sindy, Jahtasia, Sharon)

It was a fun time for everyone!

Even a silly time for newbies to get to know and love us! :)

A FOX News- worthy Name Change!

Yes, there was a NAME CHANGE!
Before you believe any news stations, please feel free to CALL or EMAIL us. We would love to answer and listen to ANY of your concerns over the name change. For now, we wanted to personally address and explain the issue for those of you who may have questions.

- Jersey Metro Staff

This is a letter sent to the students and alumni of our ministry in New Jersey. I'm sure you've heard of the name change of our organization to "Cru" . Read below to find out when, why and how we came about this process.

Jersey News Update

            Writing from our national staff conference in Colorado. Staff are meeting with the Lord and I pray you are as well.

Sixty years ago, when God told our founder, Bill Bright, to call the ministry "Campus Crusade for Christ," God also impressed on him that the name would need to eventually change. Starting early 2012, our named will be "cru". Thankfully, we've been using this name in New Jersey for some time already, so there isn't much need for a huge adjustment.

For the last TWO years, Campus Crusade for Christ leaders have been praying wholeheartedly and fervently about the Lord's will for the name change. They prayerfully selected 30 people to do the core research, conducting surveys with thousands of staff, non-staff, supporters and non-Christians.

"Cru" was actually NOT in the original pool of thousands of names up for selection. God later dropped it in! And after more prayer, MORE PRAYER and MORE PRAYER, the Lord affirmed that the new brand for the organization should be "cru," confirming it with all the research and supplication pointing to "cru" as the best title. If you read here, you will see that our commitment to Jesus Christ has not changed. In fact, below the logo is written:

A caring community passionate about connecting people to Jesus Christ. In his interview with Fox News, Steve Sellers restates our mission to spread the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ!

Click here to see Steve Sellers, Vice President of the Americas, explain on FOX news. 

So why the change?
Many of you might be concerned that because "Christ" is no longer in the name, that our mission has been skewed and tainted. We can assure you: JESUS IS STILL AT THE VERY CENTER OF OUR MISSION.

1. "Christ" in our name was not removed because the leadership saw his title, Messiah, as a problem, but because the Holy Spirit moved the leadership to change the name completely.
2. "Campus" was more of an issue because under the CCC umbrella are over 40 non-campus related ministries, like The JESUS Film, which has been shown over SIX BILLION times, bringing in a plentiful harvest of souls for CHRIST.
3. And also, "Crusade" has been a rather offensive title, barring staff and students from ever entering into Christ-centered conversations with people, especially Muslims. 

I'll also say this: there have been plenty of wonderful ministries that boldly proclaim THE NAME of JESUS without his name being in their title: The Billy Graham Crusades, Touch Ministries (Charles Stanley), Acquire the Fire, Navigators, Focus on the Family, etc.

And on the flip side, many false ministries have "Jesus" or "Christ" in their title but their mission/theology is skewed: The Jesus Seminar, The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints, The Jesus Only Movement, etc.

TRUST...

CCC's mission and theology has always been, is and will always be The Great Commission: preaching the gospel of Christ, seeing lives transformed by the Holy Spirit and bringing in glory to God. Even though our brand has changed, OUR MISSION HAS NOT. In fact, the cross in the logo represents going out into the four corners of the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ and bringing the body of Christ to unity in Him! The openness of this cross represents our position in recognizing the need for all our partners, churches, students & volunteers who help us fulfill this great commission. (aka - we know it's not just us working to fulfill this commission) Click here to see more videos from our leadership.

We're thrilled to see how broken and careful CCC leadership was in hearing where the Lord was leading with the name change. We're super excited to see how God will use the transformation. 

---

Questions? Comments? Concerns?
We understand that many of you may still have concerns. We ask only that you pray. Ask God for the right scope of CCC leadership. Trust Christ is moving. Also, please try not to assume the worst of this organization that has proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully for 60 years!

Use THIS LINK for more information, videos, FAQs. And feel free to CALL US.