Colorado Picture Update

This Summer was full of fun new relationships! 

Pictured right is the coaching group I was with every day of the first six weeks of the Summer. These women will all be leading in the Mid-Atlantic region under the direction of Jen Durlin, our regional/national director (center).

I really enjoyed getting to know each of them in a real way and can't wait to see how God uses us across the region! :)

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Other Vital Relationships: This Summer had lots of difficult moments that could only be faced in prayer with my sisters in Christ.

   A Jersey Metro Cru almuni, Jess Fong, was one of those women I leaned on often! We prayed multiple times through the tears of pain brought on by the enemy's attempted attack on our identity as ethnic minorities within Cru. Now headed to work with The Epic Movement of Cru in CA, I'm sure prayers will only increase. It's a blessing to my hear to know this gorgeous woman!

Patrice Holmes is a new but dear friend who lived in the dorm next door to mine all Summer long. We had long, honest and difficult conversations about reaching ethnic minorities within the United States Campus Ministry of Cru and The Impact Movement. It was so good to have Patrice around to challenge, encourage and pray with.

Since taking classes at the Institute of Biblical Studies with Cru last year, I have known Brianna Esa to be a warm, loving, compassionate woman growing deeply in love with the Savior. This Summer, our relationship grew to a new place of encouragement. Bri is on staff with The Destino Movement in LA and has become a great friend of mine, in spite of the distance.

In the Summer of 2008, at Rollins College near Orlando, Florida, I joined staff with Beth Hasbrouck. She is by far, one of my favorite people on this earth! It was God's sovereign plan to have us be two doors away from each other all Summer long as she took the classes I took last year with Patrice and Brianna.

Beth is on staff with Cru - Inner City, Chicago and keeps in touch regularly as an encouraging and motivating friend.

The 4 of us at Horsetooth, CO

Jersey Cru

Kean Cru Group @ Jersey Cru at Rutgers University

Once a month the Jersey Metro staff team organize an event where college students from across the state gather together to rejoice in testimonies they hear and worship through various song and scripture. 

The cool part about Jersey Cru in comparison to nearly any other Cru ministry across the United States is the sheer diversity of the students. In surveying about 200 college students, nearly 75% of the room confidently affirmed that they can speak a second language and about 10% of them can speak a third. We are literally reaching the nations at our doorstep and can continue to reach the nations right here in New Jersey as we engage in spiritual conversations with new students and build up believers in their faith to do the same.

Last month, national director of Cru High School, Darryl Smith, came to speak at Jersey Cru. As the only African-American national director, Darryl and his wife, Gwen (pictured right) have been put in many situations as minorities but Jersey Cru was an entirely different story. It was very uplifting to see Darryl and Gwen respond with such positivity and joy to the culturally diverse ministry of the Jersey Metro campus ministry. "I was so encouraged by the diversity in that room. It just shows the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!" Darryl said as I drove him to the airport. "I just wish ya'll would invite me back when it's warm!" he finished. :)

Darryl and Gwen have been a great influence in my life since I interned in 2007. It was such a blessing to be near friends I'd consider spiritual parents who pour wisdom into me every chance they get! Praise God for the few minority men and women on staff across the states willing to step into a difficult situation so that ALL may see, hear and know Jesus Christ.