What is Campus Crusade for Christ, also known as Cru?

Origins and Historical Development

Campus Crusade for Christ (now known simply as Cru) was founded in 1951 by Bill Bright and his wife, Vonette Bright, at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The ministry emerged from a desire to share what they believed was the transformative message of the gospel with college students. From this initial endeavor, Cru gradually expanded to various campuses across the United States through the 1950s and 1960s, eventually establishing an international presence. Today, Cru operates in numerous countries around the world, often through local partnerships and affiliates.

Purpose and Vision

From its inception, Cru sought to equip individuals to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as reflected in passages such as Matthew 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...” Grounded in the belief that God calls believers to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8), Cru’s core mission is to proclaim the message of salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection—understood to be the cornerstone of God’s redemptive plan for humanity (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Although the organization began with a focus on college students, Cru’s vision encompasses all spheres of society, attempting to provide resources and strategies for evangelism, discipleship, and spiritual growth.

Name Change to “Cru”

In 2011, Campus Crusade for Christ officially began using the shortened name “Cru.” This change reflected a desire to remove potential cultural and linguistic barriers associated with the term “crusade” in various parts of the world. Despite the updated name, the organization’s founding principles—centered on the authority of the Bible, a commitment to Christ, and global evangelistic outreach—remained unchanged.

Four Spiritual Laws and Evangelistic Methods

One of Cru’s hallmark evangelistic tools is the “Four Spiritual Laws,” originally penned by Bill Bright. These concise principles outline humanity’s need for salvation and the sacrificial work of Christ. They highlight:

1. God’s love and plan (John 3:16).

2. Humanity’s separation from God due to sin (Romans 3:23).

3. God’s provision for reconciliation through Christ (Romans 5:8).

4. The believer’s response of faith (Ephesians 2:8–9).

These foundational truths, used in campus and international settings, undergird Cru’s evangelistic practice. They are presented in a conversational and approachable manner, often culminating in an invitation for individuals to pray to make Jesus Christ Lord of their lives (Romans 10:9–10).

Campus Ministry and Student Engagement

Cru’s campus ministries typically involve large-group gatherings for worship and Bible study, small-group discipleship meetings, outreach events, and campus-wide initiatives. Volunteer and full-time staff members focus on mentoring students, aiming to foster spiritual growth and moral accountability. In many instances, Cru staff and volunteers also provide academic, emotional, and interpersonal support. The goal is for students to graduate with both an academic foundation and a rooted personal faith, prepared to engage their future vocations with a commitment to gospel values.

Global Scope and Programs

Beyond U.S. college campuses, Cru maintains global initiatives. One prominent endeavor is The JESUS Film Project, an evangelistic outreach featuring a dramatized depiction of the life of Christ anchored in Luke’s Gospel. Translated into hundreds of languages, this film has been disseminated worldwide as a medium to communicate the story of Jesus (Luke 19:10). Many affiliates and volunteers record testimonies of life changes and resulting spiritual communities forming after screenings.

In addition, Cru organizes:

• Mission trips and service projects, often in partnership with local churches and agencies.

• Leadership training conferences designed to develop personal character and ministry skills.

• Resources for spiritual formation, including online platforms offering discipleship materials and interactive programs.

Doctrinal Foundations

Cru’s doctrinal stance aligns with the core elements historically upheld by evangelical Christian denominations:

1. The triune nature of God (Matthew 28:19).

2. The deity and humanity of Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14).

3. The necessity and centrality of Christ’s resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20–22).

4. The reliability and authority of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).

5. The role of the Holy Spirit in conviction, regeneration, and sanctification (John 16:7–8).

This theological framework shapes all Cru activities, materials, and outreach strategies. Participants are encouraged to examine biblical teachings for themselves, often comparing various manuscripts and translations, thereby reinforcing the group’s belief in the consistency and trustworthiness of the biblical text.

Collaboration with Churches and Other Ministries

Cru regularly partners with local congregations to offer discipleship and evangelistic tools that complement church-based ministries. It also participates in inter-ministry coalitions, recognizing shared goals of reaching diverse communities and cultures. By providing training seminars, digital resources, and mentorship, Cru endeavors to serve both individuals seeking to deepen their faith and churches seeking to bolster their outreach.

Societal Impact and Community Involvement

Over the decades, Cru has reported numerous accounts of students who credit their spiritual awakening, strengthened moral resolve, and ongoing Christian service to involvement in Cru chapters or events. Meanwhile, volunteer staff often cite personal transformation—indexed by devotion, character growth, and an increasing desire to serve others (Galatians 5:22–23)—as evidence of Cru’s spiritual influence.

In certain contexts, Cru expands its mission beyond explicit evangelism by providing support during humanitarian crises, offering leadership and values-based training, and promoting ethical decision-making and community development in alignment with biblical principles.

Key Resource Highlights

• The Bible (Berean Standard Bible) as the primary guide for teaching and practice.

• The “Four Spiritual Laws” booklet as an accessible gospel presentation tool.

• The JESUS Film Project for global evangelistic outreach.

• Various discipleship materials and conferences, such as Cru Winter Conference and Summer Missions, focusing on biblical instruction and practical evangelism.

Conclusion

Cru’s roots lie in a grassroots campus outreach that steadily developed into one of the most widespread and recognized evangelical ministries worldwide. With a continued emphasis on personal conversion, discipleship, and global mission, it pursues a vision of fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20) by empowering believers and inviting people of all backgrounds to examine the claims of Christ. Through campus ministries, international projects, and partnerships with local churches, Cru believes itself to be contributing to the broader Christian witness, seeking to display what it considers the life-changing power of the gospel.