College life is a struggle for most people, and as new and returning students are adjusting to a rigorous routine of heavy course-loads and demanding extracurricular activities, many just hope for a break. Fortunately, such an opportunity exists for Catawba College students. Campus Crusade for Christ, dubbed “CRU” by members, is a small pocket of students that gather to share love of Jesus, and learn how to walk through life with Him.
Why does faith in college matter? CRU’s campus minister at Catawba articulates that, “Who you’re becoming in college is setting the pace for the rest of your life. The biggest questions that a student can ask are, ‘Does God exist?’ and ‘Can I know Him?’ I came to faith in Christ before college, but getting involved in CRU helped me find a purpose in life during a time where I didn’t know where I wanted to go.” Likewise, any struggling or questioning student at Catawba has the option of testing the holy waters to see where CRU can lead them.
CRU focuses less on denominational statutes and more on relatable discussion within a God-loving community. Rebecca Aclin, second-semester junior and worship team leader says that, “When I looked towards CRU in college, I was seeking a genuine community that would allow me to grow in my faith in a way that was realistic and applicable to my life. I came to CRU only expecting to meet up and talk about Jesus with my peers, but what I ended up finding was a family.” The “large” group meetings are not really large. The weekly sessions usually feature less than twenty students gathering for an enlightening spiritual recess from stressful college life.
Campus Crusade for Christ at Catawba fills a need of spiritual fellowship for the floundering college student. CRU’s leaders also stress the benefit of the CRU chapter by stating, “CRU exists to create a place where students can ask questions about God, learn what it means to know God through a relationship with Jesus, and grow in community with others.” The student and staff CRU worship leaders enforce their approach-ability: they readily offer support, guidance, and advice for CRU family members going through hard times.
CRU at Catawba typically meets Monday nights at 8:30pm in Adam’s Nest in the Cannon Student Center. It is free to students with open admission, and sometimes offers snacks or candies to attendants. What is guaranteed in every meeting is enlightening, spiritual discussion free of judgement, condescension, and condemnation.
