I love the feeling of driving down my street and into our driveway after being away. Stepping into the house. Collapsing onto my couch. Sleeping in my own bed. I love the feeling of being comfortable in familiar surroundings, the feeling of “home”. Interestingly, I feel that way not only in Orlando but also when I pull into Fort Collins, Colorado. The city, Colorado State University, the mountains in the west, the smell of the cottonwood trees and the feel of soft grass invite me to, once again, rest in their familiarity. This summer marks our family’s ninth time out here, and that means we have lived here for a year and a half of our lives.
Our summer is off to a great start. Andy is in leadership over three areas – the technology team, the office services team and the coffee house team. (Becca worked in our summer coffeehouse in 09.) Andy is also constantly working on the conference database, preparing conference updates (who is coming on what date) and helping others use the database (assigning children to Kid’s Camp Classes, planning for the number of students in a seminary class, finding out who has and hasn’t registered for our U.S. staff conference and more).
Becca is working in our Kid’s Care program watching one-year-olds. She has lots of cute stories to tell us each day, including the fact that she got a $5 gift certificate to Starbucks because she changed the first “blowout” diaper of the summer. We recently went to a dinner theater’s presentation of the musical, Big River and Becca realized how much she misses the stage! More about Becca later.
Rachel is participating in the Jr. High/Sr. High program and is in extrovert heaven having so many friends around all of the time. She is getting in lots of practice with volleyball, and recently went white water rafting for the first time. She has volunteered to help with Praise and Worship.
I am again on the Information Team, answering email, phone and face-to-face questions about our U.S. staff conference, helping to register attendees and helping our staff feel at home in Fort Collins. I really enjoy the women I work with here. As an extrovert, there is no greater job! And they let me decorate the office, this summer our theme is “Growing in the garden.”
One of the great things about being here for the summer is the “family” camaraderie built within the Staff Conference Team. Each 4th of July we celebrate the nation’s birthday with a bike parade and an old fashioned picnic. The picnic has games (Rachel and Andy won the 3-legged race) and a cook-off. This year we had Cupcake Wars. Becca won first place for creativity in her age group with her Cheeseburger cup cakes. Rachel’s Chocolate and Peanut Butter cups cakes were highly enjoyed by our friends who eat gluten-free.
Campus Crusade for Christ U.S. is Changing Its Name…
Campus Crusade for Christ U.S. is going to be changing its name! Did you see us in the news?
In the U.S., Campus Crusade for Christ is becoming Cru. Cru is a name, not an acronym — it doesn’t “stand for” anything specific. This change is being made in order to be more effective in sharing the gospel and to see even more people come to faith in Christ.
Although our original name is well respected in Christian ministry and missions circles, the word “Crusade” now carries negative associations. And, the word “Campus” actually keeps people who are not students from engaging in our broad range of ministries. Research has shown that 20% of the people in the U.S. who are willing to have a conversation about Jesus are less interested when they hear, “Campus Crusade for Christ.”
You can be sure that our calling and mission have not changed. Our heart remains the same— to help fulfill the Great Commission by winning people to Christ, building them in their faith to see their lives transformed, and sending them out to reach others for Christ. Please pray with us that many more people will come to Christ as we take this step of faith together.
In the months ahead, there will be a period of transition where you will see both names used. For more information, please visit www.ccci.org/cru.
Servant Leadership, and Thanks
As we have mentioned many times before, we could not be here, doing what we are doing, without your partnership. We so LOVE this opportunity to serve our staff.
You may have picked up in the past how much I admire Andy for his servant leadership — his ability to lead people with a servant attitude. I wanted to share with you a note written by Andy’s bosses here in Colorado:
“We are so appreciative of your sacrificial service on behalf of so many. It is fun to work with you and we marvel at your heart for those on your team as well as the staff we are serving. Your commitment to excellence and going the extra mile is a great encouragement to us and truly reflects Jesus. Thank you for being here and thanks for giving of yourself.”
Again, thank you for this opportunity.
The Kelloggs 