4. Being an Adult in a Student World

Discussion/Reflection Questions

Download the Discussion guide here.

Suggested Resources

Cru High School Safety Video
3 Tips for explaining Cru to others
The Growth Model – a study on the growth model including the importance of adulting

Download Video

Download Video: Being an Adult in a Student World

CAMPUS TRAINING VIDEOS

Next Step

Identify one thing that you could work on in the area of being an adult in a student world. What are your next steps for growth?

Next Step

Who are some students you work with that might make good leaders? Make a list of 5 students and begin praying that God would show you opportunities to help them step into leadership.

Start with a Global Vision

Pray with Intention: Guide students in praying for teenagers around the world using tools like Operation World.
Teach Global Themes: Use studies like Thrive: GO GLOBAL to highlight how God is moving globally.
Host a Global Experience: Invite a missionary speaker, serve international food, and bring global stories to life.

Cross-Cultural Connections Without Leaving Town

Connect Locally: Encourage students to build friendships with international students or serve in diverse neighborhoods.
Create Cross-Cultural Moments: Include speakers, stories, or worldview discussions to expand their understanding.

“Mission starts with awareness, grows through connection, and takes off through action.”

Help Students Prepare to Go

Adopt and Learn: Choose an international city to learn about, pray for, and possibly visit.
Partner for Missions: Team up with another ministry to co-lead a mission trip.
Explore Digital Options: Try virtual mission trips, Zoom calls with international students, or global prayer events.

Send Students Into the World

Join a Cru Trip: We offer global trips built for high school students to share the gospel around the world.
Support Students Who Go: Celebrate them, help them fundraise, and pray for them.
Lead a Trip Yourself: It might be one of the most transformational things you do for your students—and for you.

Want help connecting to Cru High School mission trips or figuring out what is next? We are here for you. Let’s raise up a generation of students ready to go anywhere for Jesus.

Next Step

Explore Student Mission Trips
Visit our mission page to see upcoming opportunities for you and your group.

student mission trips

Are Adults Allowed on a Public High School Campus?

Are Adults Allowed to Go on a Public High School Campus?

The short answer is yes, with this caveat: “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

Many high schools today have fences—both literal and figurative—to protect students from unknown adults. Still, schools often welcome safe, trusted adults who bring value through programs, mentorship, and encouragement. Every campus looks different, but if you approach with humility, respect, and a servant’s heart, you’ll often find a door that opens. Being present on campus might feel uncomfortable—but God can use that discomfort to foster authentic connections and change lives.

Here are some practical ways adults can begin engaging with high school campuses wisely and confidently.

On All Campuses, Adults Are Allowed to…

These ideas work even in the most security-conscious schools:

Walk the perimeter. Position yourself near the school before or after classes, when students are arriving or leaving.
Attend public events. Go to football games, concerts, plays, and other community gatherings.
Hang out nearby. Visit the local coffee shop or café where students gather.

Use the main entrance. If you want to go inside, walk straight to the office. Smile, explain who you’re there to meet (e.g., a teacher or administrator), and show your ID. If you’ve scheduled ahead and it’s appropriate, schools usually provide a visitor’s pass.

“The question isn’t if you can be on a high school campus, it’s how you can be there wisely and with purpose.”

On Most Campuses, Adults Are Allowed to…

Stay on campus after dismissal to engage with students or staff.
Attend or observe after-school sports practices.
Offer to share a motivational talk or lead a team-building activity.
Know that school administrators often welcome community partners—if you use formal, respectful channels.

On Some Campuses, Adults Are Allowed to…

Join approved programs that allow youth workers to share lunch time with students.
Partner with Christian teachers or staff who are eager to see students connect with caring adults.

Why This Matters

Being on campus isn’t just about proximity. It’s about presence. Many students spend much more time at school than in church—or may never step inside one. Seeing you in the hallways, cheering on the sidelines, or offering support during lunch reminds them they’re not alone. Every student deserves at least one trusted adult who sees them, listens to them, and reflects Christ’s love. Showing up in their world—not waiting for them to visit ours—allows us to serve, encourage, and build relationships that last beyond a single moment. It may take effort, perseverance, and creativity—but that presence is worth every step because it shows students, “You’re valued. You’re not overlooked.”

Next Step

Choose one simple way to show up this week—a game, a walk nearby, or a visit to the office—and take that step toward being a trusted presence at your local high school.

Finney’s Story

From Isolation to Purpose: Collin’s Story

In 2020, Collin Finney found himself in a dark place. The pandemic had upended life, and a move to a new part of San Diego left him feeling isolated and disconnected. Away from friends and unable to meet new people, he realized he was trying to fill a “God-shaped hole” in his heart with things that never satisfied. In the midst of this struggle, Collin’s wrestling teammates invited him to a long-running Bible study tied to Cru. Through their invitation, he met Jason, a leader who embodied what it meant to love God deeply. For the first time, Collin experienced faith as his own—not a family obligation, but a relationship he chose to pursue.

Cru became a place where Collin discovered a community of people walking the same path toward Christ. Through small groups and spiritual conversations, he came to understand a truth he had never grasped before: God’s love isn’t something to earn through achievement. As someone driven by success, this realization was transformational. Collin saw that God’s love is unconditional, rooted in grace, and freely given through Christ’s sacrifice. With this new understanding, his priorities shifted. Life was no longer about being “enough” in his own strength but about accepting the love and purpose God offered.

Eventually, Collin stepped into leadership within Cru, even though he doubted whether he was qualified. He learned that being a leader wasn’t about perfection but about stepping out in faith to guide others toward God. Those experiences gave him opportunities to have deep, meaningful conversations about faith and share the hope he’d found. Collin now lives with a new purpose: glorifying God in everything he does, from his athletic pursuits to everyday interactions. His story reminds us that God’s love transforms not just our hearts but the direction of our lives, giving us a reason to live that’s bigger than ourselves.