Cru19: BeCause of God

I traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado a few weeks ago for Cru19, our national conference, and gathered with 5,000+ staff members and partners of the ministry.

The time refreshed and refocused me as our Cru community spent seven days together. We centered on the conference's theme "BeCause" – being present with God as we also gained a new vision for the cause of ministry we're engaging in through the power of His Holy Spirit.

This was my 9th national conference with Cru and this summer marks 18 years and two months of service with the ministry. I'm grateful for everything God has led me through to be at this point in my life. He's so FAITHFUL. 

My socially extroverted introverted self made it through the event pretty well even though I was often overstimulated from being around thousands of people every day! And having 12+ hour days a good deal of the time. 

Cru19 reminded me of the simplicity of the gospel. That God wants to root us deeply in His love and call us to abide in His peace. When we choose to lean into Him in this way this type of intimacy and time in His presence touches us.

It changes us. And it then will touch everything we do moving out into the world from our relationships with Him. God doesn't need my ministry. But He desires to bless it as I spend time abiding with Him.

Pray for Cru missionaries in the U.S. and around the world like me who are heading into a new season of ministry this fall. Pray we'd stay close to Jesus. Pray more people would experience the gospel. 


The Gambia: Finished The Story, Published Soon!
I'm so excited that writing my Gambia feature is finished finished finished!!! I do believe it's been probably one of the hardest writing processes I've had due to the number of details, multiple characters and places the story includes. But it's also been one of my sweetest pieces to write.

Me walking towards a huge African baobab tree with Ramatoulai, one of my hosts in Basse, Gambia.

Each time my fingertips hit the keys, I went back to Basse, back to The Gambia and back to people who showed me so much love, welcome, and beauty. I went back to each character and back to my subject Kabba, more encouraged by his story as God helped me weave it together with my editor Rachel's guidance.

Connecting with Kabba's story and God's work in Africa also challenged me in how I live my life for the Lord here in the U.S. I want to live with more intention, the way Kabba does and multiply my life in new seasons. The final piece will be part of the September 2019 issue of Cru Storylines, and I can't wait to share it! You can view the current issue of CSL, by clicking here. 

SLI: I Graduated and I'm Grateful 
Two years ago I began an incredible journey with Cru's Senior Leadership Initiative Program (SLI). I'm excited to announce that I completed the intensive leadership development experience and graduated on July 19th! It's an amazing feat and I couldn't have done it without the grace and guidance of God, phenomenal coaching from my coach Julie Nimmons, and the support of my SLI 7 Cohort community and the SLI Design Team.

I've told Julie and a few close friends recently how different of a person and a woman I am now than who I was when SLI 7 began during July 2017. I'm grateful for the growth and the changes and the losses I've experienced over these two years. All of it has helped me to walk more closely with Jesus and live and lead from my relationship with God. Thank you for your prayers during this adventure of SLI! 

Me, pictured back row, second from left, with my SLI 7 peers. We survived and finished strong. 

I appreciate you and your encouraging prayers and giving as we partner together in a new ministry season! I couldn't do this work without YOU.