A lecture hall at the University of Kentucky transforms into a sanctuary of worship, where students uplift their voices in powerful harmony.
The strum of a guitar keeps time as words of praise fill the space. In this small corner of campus, the burdens of exams, deadlines and uncertainty for the future melt away, replaced by a shared connection to something greater.
Every Thursday at 8 p.m., students gather for community and worship with the Christian organization known as Cru.
Founded in the 1950s, Campus Crusade for Christ, commonly known as Cru, has grown into a global movement, with over eight thousand campus ministries worldwide, according to its website.
Cru is a community of believers passionate about making Christ known on a local and global scale.
“One of the things we say is that we have our feet firmly planted in Kentucky, but our eyes firmly fixed on the world,” said Thomas Swartwout, team leader of Cru’s Kentucky Bluegrass Team. “We’re at Kentucky, but we’re not just for Kentucky. We’re at Kentucky to raise up laborers that love Jesus and are equipped and want to make him known to go to yes the state, yes the country, but also the world.”
One of the ways Cru accomplishes this goal is by providing students with the opportunity to go on stateside and international summer mission trips. According to Cru’s website, these trips are designed for students to grow closer to God, experience the meaning of community, learn how to lead and learn how to articulate the gospel to others.
According to Conner Coyle, one of Cru’s full-time campus staff members, “From top to bottom, our DNA, our heartbeat is truly the Great Commission. Everything we do, it is for UK but it’s also with unreached people groups in mind. That we want to reach the world for Christ.”
Whether you grew up in Sunday school or are exploring Christianity for the first time, Cru welcomes all students, no matter where they are on their spiritual journey.
For sophomore history major Abby Black, Cru has become a second family. It’s where she’s found a supportive community of believers to worship with and study scripture.
“I came into college not really wanting to go to church and not wanting to join a family of believers. But I came to my first Cru event, and I just knew that I was welcome and I was loved and I knew it was where I wanted to be,” Black said.
In addition to Thursday night meetings, Cru provides a variety of ways for students to get involved. For example, Cru hosts FreshCru, a Bible study for freshmen every Monday, and offers additional Bible studies for upperclassmen throughout the week, both on and off campus.
UK Cru’s Instagram, @ukcru, keeps students up-to-date on weekly meetings and special events such as their upcoming Christmas party on Dec. 12.
With weekly meetings, multiple Bible studies to choose from and various events throughout the year, Cru helps students find their people in the midst of navigating campus life.
“We (Cru) have a lot of different denominations that are here that intermingle and it’s just a very inclusive and purposeful non-cliquey student ministry,” according to Aidan Brummer, a junior neuroscience major.
This semester, Thursday night meetings have primarily been held in the nursing building on Rose Street. However, the location is subject to change, as Cru does not have an official building of its own. Despite this, the lack of a permanent venue has not deterred them from their mission of equipping believers to multiply their faith.
“It’s one of those things where it’s like we don’t have a building, we don’t have millions of dollars, but we have a mission, and we have a family. That’s what I really love and think we focus on well,” Swartwout said.