Abundant Gratitude

Andy and I want to begin this letter with an expression of gratitude for your continued part in our ministry. THANK YOU!! Bless you.

We are aware that 2022 is not an easy time for many people, financially. We know that people’s lives change through the years. We appreciate that you pray for us and walk with us. We pray for your often. We wish we had more time to tell you, face-to-face, how much we appreciate you. Thank you for allowing us to continue in this ministry, we love what we are called to do.

Looking Back at Milwaukee

We began planning Cru21 just after Cru19. Then came COVID-19 and a year+ of lockdown. Then the Delta variant hit Orlando hard, and Cru21 became Cru22. Andy and I have been preparing and then un-preparing and re-preparing for our U.S. National Staff Conference for three years. Now, it is over. And what a great time it was.

Surprising — Andy and I arrived in Milwaukee a week before the big conference. (Andy had already visited the city three times.) It was hard not to compare to Colorado. And yet, the city was delightful. We were in the Wisconsin Center District — three buildings next to the Fiserv Forum where the Milwaukee Bucks (professional basketball team) play. From moment one, people there were awesome to work with, so professional and kind. We were in a hotel across the street from their convention building. The downtown was very walkable, there were great eateries within a five-block radius, and a Riverwalk that helped clear our heads when we needed.

Encouraging — I have found that one way to know if something is going to be spiritually significant is how much spiritual battle you face before it happens. Our entire operations team was in the cross-hairs. Cars died. One woman was diagnosed with cancer. Airlines changed and canceled flights. We had too few workers for our childcare program. Jon, an outside computer programmer working for Andy, had his wife face two life-threatening situations within weeks of Cru22. The week before Andy and I flew to Wisconsin, I was in severe pain. I thought it was appendicitis. The doctor thought it was diverticulitis. Blessedly, I was given medications and the pain cleared up immediately.

As soon as we got to Milwaukee we saw God provide, over and over. With fewer people doing the work, we got done what we used to allow five to six weeks to get done. I’ve never put together so many cribs, rocking chairs, and high chairs. I was able to find a ramen place that served a heavenly broth (because of my stomach pain I was on three days of liquids only). Andy and his teams found that they were well-prepared to help run the conference — from the first day “check-in” to printing needs to the Mobile Help Desk.

There was a three-day pre-conference (before the full staff conference) called Legacy Track — a gathering of staff members over 60 years old (we denied that we were old enough to attend). The content was stellar, focused on the book, Winsome Convictions, How to Disagree Without Dividing the Church, by Tim Muehlhoff. While the gathering was life-giving, sadly, a number of people ended those three days with COVID-19, including several of the operations team members who served our elder staff. Some people stayed in their hotels, some drove back home (wherever that was) and watched Cru22 online. As the first day of the big conference approached, some of our staff were struck with COVID-19 at home and never got to make the trip to Milwaukee.

Amazing — Finally, check-in day arrived and the conference was on. I struggle to put into words how well the conference went!! It was an amazingly great gathering. God provided just what was needed each day in many ways. Parents and members of our operations team came alongside the childcare workers we had so our little ones were taken care of.

Honestly, the conference was a Cru family meeting! After three years of being apart in many ways, we gathered together to affirm our calling to serve Christ, and to reaffirm our desire to see all people, everywhere have a chance to hear God’s Good News. Most of the speakers were Cru ministry leaders; from the president of Cru to the head of the U.S. Ministries, from one of our Global Vice Presidents to a member of our board of directors. The speakers spoke head-on about the uncertainty and craziness of the past three years, including strife within Cru. They all spoke from God’s Word and encouraged all of us to connect with Christ, check our hearts, and look forward to the continued fulfillment of the Great Commission. I have had the chance to listen to several of the meetings online, and soon will be able to share some of that with you all.

And then, it was done. Seven days of meetings, seminars, events, time with friends and coworkers, all done. Also unlike before, we only had 24 hours to dismantle everything we had used for the conference — the coffeehouse, our Information Booths, childcare areas, production equipment from the main arena. The best part about being in a hotel rather than an apartment was that all we had to do the next day was pack our one suitcase each!! Andy and I were bone tired, and it took about a week for us to get our feet back under us. Please enjoy a couple quotes below, and some pictures further down. I hope they whet your appetite to listen to the talks! Here is a link to watch the main speakers.

And because we think you need to know, here’s one last Fun Wisconsin Fact: If you bring a fresh Wisconsin cheese curd to room temperature, it will squeak when you bite into it!

Quotes from the Conference

Our prayers are things that say, ‘God, you are God and we are not, and we need you’!
– Mark Gauthier, Director of U.S. Ministries

We have the incredible privilege of helping fill God’s throne room with people from every tribe and tongue and nation.
– Steve Sellers, President of Cru

We can see the fulfillment of the Great Commission in our lifetime if all of God’s people use all of God’s resources to reach all of the world.
– Dr. Dela Adadevoh, Cru Vice President of Global Leadership

Coming home was a joy! Khloe was ecstatic to tell Papa and Glamma about a new game she’s learned, Pokemon Go!! Rylie has learned to take selfies on Mom’s phone, Murphy got to take her dad out for lunch (at pre-school), and Jameson has reached 3 months (and superior fluffiness!!!)