The question that all college students, Christian or non-Christian, ask is what to do after they finish their education. For several years now, Cru (former Campus Crusade for Christ) has been hosting a conference in Southern California for juniors and seniors who are unsure of their plans for their future. The 2014 Cross Roads Conference will be happening on the 22nd of November, the weekend of thanksgiving in Irvine, California.
The purpose of Cross Roads Conference was to prepare upperclassmen in college for the outside world, whether it be in church, the workforce or even in their families and other communities they will be a part of. Unlike a regular Christian or church retreat which involves a great deal of prayer, worship, and challenges to accept Christ into your life, Cross Roads puts more emphasis on actual communication with God and finding a calling that God has planned for one’s life.
During the 2013 Cross Roads was hosted by Cru’s Pacific South West Region, and joined by other cooperating ministries including Korea Campus Crusade (KCCC), Cru’s Korean and Asian-American branch, “Destino” the Latin-American ministry and “Impact” which is their African-American ministry. Roger Hershey, who was a staff of Cru for over 40 years was invited to deliver God’s Word, and Undignified, the KCCC praise band was invited to lead the praise during the night sessions.
During the daytime, the students were given the opportunity to participate in a number of activities that were designed to help them find the vision for their post-graduate life. There were both sessions that focused on career in the marketplace and in ministry, including being a full-time Cru staff.
The students had a chance to have lunch with carious alumni and current staff of various Cru ministries that focus on very specific fields. For instance, there was a table that was led by a representative from Cru Military which works to organize Bible study for military personnel and even training for chaplains. Another table was devoted for student athletes to find a vision through the movement called “Athletes in Action”.
Various testimonies were given in the form of a panel with Cru alumni who are currently in the workforce where they were able to share about their walks with God in ther real world and the challenges that they face.
In an official invitation to Cross Roads Conference, a Cru alumnus called John shared about his walk with God as he is studying to be a doctor at the medical school of the University of Oklahoma. He shared how as he was praying regarding his decision to move onto medical school or not, he received an answer from God that told him to not focus too much on His will, but simply to look towards God Himself. Even during the 2013 conference, though there were many students who were so uncertain of what to do with their lives after college and even campus ministry, they were assured that as long as it is for His glory, they will be able to find a path that is pleasing to Him.
Cru was established by Dr. Bill Bright in the 1950s as Campus Crusade for Christ at UCLA where so many students were brought to Christ through the prayers and ministry of the former businessman. Years have passed since Cru was formed and now has branches in countries all over the world including Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Mongolia. The ministry now has a wide range of fields including overseas missions, aid, military, teaching, and even media and film.
