What's Different about Cru in High School

What’s Different about Cru in High School

Have you heard of Cru? For over 70 years, thousands of Cru staff and volunteers, serving in hundreds of countries around the world, have been helping college students, athletes, business professionals, military personnel, families, and people from all walks of life meet Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him.

Almost from the very start, many of these staff members and volunteers have been faithfully working with a unique and extremely consequential group of people in the world– high school students! So, how is the High School Ministry of Cru distinct from Cru’s other ministry ventures? What unique challenges and opportunities exist when working with teenagers? Let’s take a look.

Working with Minors

Without question, the most unique thing about the High School Ministry is the population we serve is almost exclusively composed of minors. This presents some unique challenges as we seek to prioritize student safety and interact with minors in a way that is above reproach.

For starters, all High School Ministry staff and adult volunteers are required to complete a criminal background check. This ensures all our staff and volunteers are properly vetted and offers a layer of legal protection, while providing some peace of mind for parents and other concerned adults.

Speaking of parents and school staff, as we work with high school students, it is imperative we coordinate our efforts with other adults in students’ lives, including parents, guardians, and school authorities. These adults may have a wide variety of experiences with churches and parachurch ministries. It is vital that we do the important work of communicating with these adults who exercise authority and influence in the students’ lives.

Obviously, the most important adults in a student’s life are their parents or legal guardians. As we invite students to weekly meetings, retreats, camps, and mission opportunities, it is very important to develop relationships with parents. Some parents will really want to connect with us and know about their child’s Cru involvement, others not at all. We always want to do our best to honor students’ families and respect the values and expectations of their parents. We often ask parents or guardians to sign waivers authorizing their children to participate in Cru activities. As ambassadors of the gospel, we also want to be sensitive to opportunities to minister to students’ families as well.

School staff, teachers, coaches, and administrators are also key gatekeepers in students’ lives. Many of our interactions with students will take place on or near the high school campus. Whenever possible, it is best to work with the school staff to support the vision and agenda of the school and work together towards the common goal of developing students. When we develop good relationships with school staff, we gain additional credibility with students and the overall school community and have the opportunity to serve and share the love of Christ with school staff in the process. These relationships will vary from city to city and campus to campus, but we want to always be respectful of school policies and do our best to develop strong relationships with school staff.

For more on working with minors, see Best Practices for Relating to Minors.

The Need to Understand the High School Campus

As we have already discussed, developing good relationships with school staff is key. In addition, it is important to understand the culture, norms, and expectations of your involvement on the campus. In some cases, Cru staff are openly welcomed on campus and allowed to facilitate clubs, coach teams, host lunches, or volunteer in classes. In many instances, however, school administrators may be leery of “outsiders” on their campus, especially initially. We must work hard to discover, and then respect, the guidelines and boundaries established by school staff and faculty. As much as possible, we want to serve the school in ways that make sense to them and meet real needs, while also being honest and intentional about our goals as a ministry.

In some instances, access to the school may be very limited, and in rare cases, we may have no access to the campus at all. High School Ministry staff have to be flexible, creative, discerning, and adept at meeting students in whatever context circumstances will allow. This may involve meeting students after school, off campus, at sporting events, or local hangouts. For more helpful ideas, check out “Two Keys to Meeting and Relating to Students.“

In instances where we have greater access to the campus, we still must recognize what we are able to share and in what contexts. Simply put, we never share about spiritual things in a setting in which students are required to be there (classroom instruction, team practices, etc.). A Cru leader may give a talk in a required setting about topics such as team-building, time management, or healthy relationships. This talk may include scriptural principles, without being overtly evangelistic. Students may then be invited to an optional follow-up event to hear more.

In these voluntary, follow-up settings, we can speak more freely about the spiritual elements of our lives and how the Bible speaks to those various topics. It is critically important that we keep this required/voluntary distinction in mind when interacting with students on campus.

Teenagers are like wet cement, developing their identities, values, and relationships. A caring adult sharing their faith in a relevant way could make all the difference in their lives and help reach an entire generation.

Student-Led, Adult-Directed

In the best of circumstances, much of what occurs on or around the campus is led by students. Our vision is that most, if not all, of our high school movements would be student-led and adult-directed. This model is ideal for at least two reasons.

First, student-led movements have greater freedom on the campus. Because of the way the laws in the United States are written, students have far more freedom and flexibility under the law to lead religious gatherings on their campuses and engage in faith conversations than adults do. When students lead movements, many of the legal barriers we face as adults are suddenly immaterial.

Second, when students take leadership of a movement, they grow in their own faith and competency in ministry. In these types of environments, spiritual multiplication can take place. The gospel can go farther and faster, and more people can experience a life-changing relationship with Christ!

Spiritual Movements Everywhere

Cru’s vision is to see spiritual movements everywhere, so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus. This means that as the High School Ministry, we are committed to taking Jesus to every teenager, anywhere, by all means! We desire to do our part in helping to fulfill the Great Commission.

Studies have shown that approximately 80% of all people who place their faith in Jesus do so before their 18th birthday. Teenagers are like wet cement, waiting for someone to make a lasting impression. They are still developing their identities, values, and relationships and are an age group that is very open to the gospel. A caring adult sharing their faith in a relevant way could make all the difference in their lives and help reach an entire generation. Teenagers are a strategic group of people with whom to work, and they are a lot of fun!

For More Information

If you would like more information on the High School Ministry of Cru, visit our website at cru.org/highschool. If you would like to join us on mission as a full-time or part-time staff, intern, or volunteer, we would encourage you to consider applying spiritual multiplication. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. There are millions of teenagers across the nation just waiting for someone like you to invest in them and point them towards the love of Christ!

Next Step

Check out the three ways to Join Us if you're interested in working with high school students on a local campus near you.

join us

5 Key Features of the Claim Your Campus App

Pray Now:
This section is designed to lead any student through a daily 15-minute prayer time for their school. The format is simple: Listen, Thank, Ask. Each day students read a passage of scripture, thank God for something specific He is doing in their school, and ask Him for help at their school and schools across the country.

21-Day Challenge:
Habits take time to build. The 21-Day Challenge can help you and your students build the habit of praying together daily.

Share Your Story:
Students from all over the country are using Claim Your Campus at their schools. This video feature gives students one minute to capture what God is doing at their school and then share it.

Groups:
Use the Groups section to form your own prayer group and/or join other groups. Students praying together in community for their school(s) is the foundation of CYC. The group feature keeps students connected, motivated, and encouraged to keep pressing on!

Prayer Walk Your Campus:
This feature describes how to prayer walk a campus in three easy steps. Invite. Pray. Report. It includes a brief tutorial and a downloadable prayer walk guide.

Social Media:
Stay connected through Tik Tok, Instagram, and Youtube pages; News and Updates can also be found in the app.

Cast the Vision: Prayer Equals Change

Use these videos to get excited about how God could change your campus through prayer and how He could use you to build a prayer movement at your school.
General Promo video
Marion School video

Invite Students to Be One in the Million

Students download the app using the QR code graphic & claim their campus!

We encourage all campus movements to emphasize prayer and the Claim Your Campus app is a great way to engage students in prayer.

4 Different Ways Students Can Claim Their Campus

Start a Weekly Prayer Group. The CYC app provides prompts that change weekly.
Host a prayer walk around your campus. The CYC app features a Prayer Walk Guide.
Embed 5-10 minutes of Prayer into Your Weekly Cru Club Meeting. Build a CULTURE of prayer. CYC has done all the work for you. Click here for the Leader’s Guide and here for premade slides for up to 20 weeks. That is enough for an entire school year. CYC’s GRAB-N-GO resources make praying EASY.
Participate in Annual National Events such as SYATP.

Invite the adults in your community to support SYATP by signing up for The Prayer Walk Project. This project offers a way for caring adults to join hands in prayer on the Saturdays before and after SYATP.

Prayer is the real power in any campus movement. Make it a non-negotiable in your ministry to emphasize prayer with adults and students and see how God moves.

Next Step

Download the Claim Your Campus app and consider how you could use it on your campus today. Do you have a prayer strategy for your plans? If not, send the app to a few student leaders and invite them to start praying for their campus!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

4 Ways to Prepare for a Prayer Walk

Prepare Your Heart

Surrender the Prayer Walk to the Lord. Ask the Lord for one or two scriptures to help prepare your heart. Jot them down. If you like, use them to inspire the people you invite, or share them with your team the day you meet to prayer walk. Pray for:

Divine appointments with people.
Connections with insiders at the school who are like-minded and willing to help.
God to guide your steps.
Open eyes to see the spiritual needs of the campus.

Prepare Your Team

Pray for Names. Ask the Lord to bring to mind specific names of students, volunteers, parents, pastors, and/or faculty you can ask to join your prayer walk. Keep in mind, this is not about numbers. Even one prayer partner is enough. Matthew 18:20 says, “Where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.”

Invite the People that He brought to mind. Decide what mode of communication is best: text? social media? phone call? Give them a brief description of what a prayer walk is and what they can expect that day. Share what has motivated you to gather a team to pray. Be sure to tell them the date, the start and end times, and the location. Give them an RSVP date.

Send them any final details on the day before. Remind your team what time you will begin and end and the location to meet. Let them know what to bring and any adjustments needed due to weather or other factors.

(During a Prayer Walk) Pray for: Divine appointments with people. Connections with insiders at the school who are like-minded and willing to help. God to guide your steps. Open eyes to see the spiritual needs of the campus.

Prepare Your Campus

Check with an Insider at Your School. Once you choose your campus and gather your team, you may want to check with an insider at the school to see if there is anyone you need to notify ahead of time. Most likely, it will not be an issue if you are prayer walking after school or over the weekend on the parts of the campus that are open to the public. Avoid prayer walking on campus during school hours without permission.

Prepare Your Details

“WHO” DETAILS: By now, you know WHO is coming. But here are some other “WHO” questions to think about if you have a larger group. Who will…

begin the prayer walk (introduce/explain it)?
end the prayer walk?
lead smaller groups (if your team is large)?

“WHAT TO BRING” DETAILS: You may want to bring copies of the Prayer Guide and the Leader Guide.

“WHERE/WHEN” DETAILS: Make sure everyone knows the date and time you will meet. Include starting point (address of meeting spot) and ending point (time and meeting spot).

“HOW” DETAILS: For your convenience, this Campus Prayer Walk Leader’s Guide provides a general flow and includes sample scripts of what to say from start to finish. If you can read it, you can lead it. But you may need to think through the unique needs of your prayer walk.

Would you like the prayer walk to be more casual or more organized? Do you have people who are comfortable prayer walking or more new people who may need more instruction?

You have prepared your part. Time to grab your walking shoes. Let’s do this!

Next Step

It is time to get on the campus to pray. Text one friend today and ask them if they would be willing to go to the school to prayer walk with you this week. Get your feet on the campus and pray together. Once you have done it yourself, it will be a lot easier to gather others to do it with you.

Prayer Walking

After the Israelites wandered for 40 years in the desert, God called Joshua to bring His people into the land He had promised them. The commander of the army of the Lord appeared to Joshua with instructions essentially for a prayer walk around the city of Jericho. And let’s just say the Israelites’ obedience to his words, made history. (If you are unfamiliar with this incredible story, you can read the whole story here.)

What is Prayer Walking?

Prayer walking is just what it sounds like—praying as you walk. And you can do it anywhere: around your neighborhood, through your city, or even on your daily commute. Invite others to join you! As you walk together, let the Spirit of God use what you see to guide your prayers. Then, trust God to respond in His perfect way and timing.

One of the most impactful places for a prayer walk is around a school campus that means something to you. It puts you right where the students are—like God’s boots on the ground—allowing you to connect your heart to that specific location as you pray. And who knows? It might even lead to a chance meeting with a key person on campus. Many ministries have started with a simple “Hey there!” to a student or administrator during a prayer walk. A casual stroll can open unexpected doors!

If you have never done this before, no worries! Joshua—the young leader from the Bible—had not done it before either. It was his willingness and availability to God that mattered most. And the same goes for you—no experience required!

Prayer walking is just what it sounds like—praying as you walk.

Prayer Walk in Three Easy Steps

Meet Up (5 minutes)

Grab a friend or two and meet on campus- ideally after school or on the weekend. Select and read a meaningful passage from the Bible together. Take a minute to pray a blessing over this time, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers.

Walk & Pray (10-20 minutes)

Start walking the perimeter of the campus and let the Holy Spirit use who/what you see guide your prayers. Here are 5 ways you could begin praying:

Ask God to move by His Spirit on this campus and be glorified.
Pray people here would hunger and thirst for God.
Pray for the believers here to live wholeheartedly for Jesus and make others feel seen, known, and loved by God.
Pray for leaders in this school’s community (students, parents, administration, faculty, coaches, etc.)

Wrap It Up (5 minutes)

Select a spot to close your time together. Talk about how it went. Was there anything that stood out as significant or meaningful? Take a few minutes to thank God for this time. Express your love for Him and your confidence that He will respond to the prayers He heard today.

Other Prayer Walking Guides

If you would rather have a more specific guide to help you in your prayer walk, try one below:

CYC Prayer Walk Guide
Locations on Campus Prayer Walking Guide
The Launchbox Prayer Walking Guide
Make a list of prayer requests to pray about your specific campus
Just invite people to pray for things that come to mind as they walk

One of the most impactful places for a prayer walk is around a school campus that means something to you.

Why Do It?

Prayer Walking Knocks Down Walls

What effect did Joshua’s and the Israelites’ obedience have on the fortified and powerful ancient city of Jericho? Well, the God of the Universe infused their faith-filled feet with power, causing the otherwise insurmountable walls of the city to collapse. That’s how they fought and won the battle of Jericho—without ever throwing a punch!

Now, maybe you are not planning to tear down any physical walls around your school—in fact, let’s definitely avoid that! But in the spiritual realm, every school is a battlefield for souls. On every campus, there are barriers to the gospel that need to be broken down. Inside every person, there are walls that separate us from God or keep us from fully experiencing the abundant life He wants for us.

Looking for a more current example of a battle fought and won with prayer? Check out this powerful story of what happened when a group of students in Marion, Indiana consistently and prayerfully put feet to their faith and watched God win the battle for their campus. If you want to read about more victories won with praying feet, check out Exodus 14 and 2 Chronicles 20:1-30.

Some Other Great Reasons to Prayer Walk Your Campus

It is a place to gather other believers who have a heart for the campus.
It is a way to be on campus with a purpose.
Sometimes God uses these times to introduce us to key gatekeepers on campus.
It might surface some needs on the campus with which you could help.
It helps your team become more familiar with the campus and less fearful of going there.
It is better than doing nothing. Sometimes God moves when we take action.

Within the campus ministry of Cru, prayer walking has actually been shown to be the single most effective strategy in seeing new gospel movements started.
– Dan Allen, Director of Mission Expansion

The powerful presence of God always has and STILL does mix with our prayers and supernaturally connects us more deeply to God, ourselves, and others. Prayer breaks down barriers that lie between us and wins the battle for souls.

Prayer walking can be your lead foot on any campus. Ready to grab a friend and step into the unknown with Him? Prayer walking is something anyone can do.

Next Step

Plan 15 minutes this week to stop at your local high school, walk around, and pray for the school. Bring a friend or do it alone; just get your feet on the campus and pray. Ask God to show you what next steps He would like you to take.