It’s not often that our ministry organization itself is the center of attention. But due to a recent article in Christianity Today, Cru is front page news. If you hadn’t heard about this article yet, we figured it would only be a short time until you did. So, Naomi and I want you to know what has been going on, provide an update from our Cru leadership, and offer our perspective and hopefully some encouragement.
The CT article covers an internal debate within Cru that may sound familiar to you. It’s been playing out in our courtrooms, classrooms, and boardrooms this past year. Namely, how do we address issues of race?
To quote from his update letter, our national director, Mark Gauthier, says: “We recognize that in the midst of the injustice and oppression experienced in our fallen world, many secular ideologies attempt to identify, address and to bring relief to the very real needs that plague the souls of men and women.“
One of these ideologies is Critical Race Theory (CRT). A number of our staff within Cru have been very concerned about the encroachment of this ideology. Again, you’ve probably read articles or seen news programs about this. For example, CRT is the subject of a big debate within the Southern Baptist Convention (which we belong to).
The key concern, though, is how a divisive worldview is often built around CRT. Naomi and I, frankly, believe that this worldview is contrary to the biblical worldview. As Mark says, “Secular ideologies and perspectives including critical race theory and white supremacy offer worldviews that do not align with the scriptures.”
Simultaneously, Cru is facing the challenge of how to become “an effective sending base for missionaries of all ethnicities.” We desire to reach all peoples and have a staff body that is filled with all cultures. Naomi and I are blessed every year to experience a small slice of this at our Bridges Vision Conference, where we worship Jesus in the different languages spoken by the dozens of nationalities represented. Our personal ministry vision is built upon passages like Matthew 24:14, Acts 17:24-31, and Revelation 7:9.
Because these internal debates have unfortunately become public through the Christianity Today article, Naomi and I want to make something crystal clear: our central calling with Cru has not changed. Our heartbeat is the gospel of Jesus Christ and its power to change lives. As the Apostle Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
And while we often try to contextualize our presentation of the gospel––for example, when speaking to students from Shame/Honor cultures––we are not changing the gospel itself. The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins (1 Corinthians 15). Getting this message to those who have never heard or never received it is our priority. Our mission with Cru is summarized in three words: Win, Build, and Send. “There is no other mission.”
We know that this is a narrow calling. There are surely other things the Body of Christ is called to do and be passionate about. But Cru is only one arm of the church. And we love getting to work full-time in giving every student “an opportunity to say ‘Yes’ to Jesus.”
Honestly, these internal debates have been a heavy burden for Naomi and I this past year. Especially because we haven’t been able to speak publicly about it until now. We would really appreciate your prayers. It’s often difficult to have meaningful discussions on these cultural hot topics. But we encourage you to read Mark Gauthier’s letter below, and please write us back if you have any questions or comments.
Thank you for your prayers and partnership in ministry.