Close

How to Know God

Do you ever wonder what Christians believe? Who Jesus is, what he did and why it matters? Get answers to these questions and more.

Spiritual Growth

Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth.

Life & Relationships

Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God.

Bible Studies

Find resources for personal or group Bible study.

Share the Gospel

Learn to develop your skills, desire and ability to join others on their spiritual journeys and take them closer to Jesus.

Help Others Grow

Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring.

Leadership Training

Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are.

Video

Browse videos designed to help you grow spiritually, share your faith, and lead others well.

Language Resources

View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages.

Quizzes & Assessments

Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others.

Campus

Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others.

City

Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city.

Inner City

Partnering with urban churches to meet physical and spiritual needs.

Athletes

Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation.

Families

Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage.

High School

Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school.

Military

Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide.

Locate Cru Near You

Explore Cru's global presence and discover how you can get involved in communities worldwide.

Events

Whether you're interested in conferences or local gatherings, there's an opportunity for you. Explore upcoming events and find your place to serve and grow.

Mission Trips

Explore domestic and global mission trips with Cru—serve, grow, and make an eternal impact. Opportunities for students, families, and professionals.

Internships

Explore Cru's internship opportunities—serve globally or locally, develop your skills, and make an eternal impact. Apply today!

Careers

Explore full- and part-time ministry careers with Cru—use your skills to impact eternity. Apply today!

Volunteer

Explore volunteer opportunities with Cru and use your skills to impact lives for eternity.

International

Explore global mission opportunities with Cru—serve, grow, and make an eternal impact.

What We Do

How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus.

Donor Relations

Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Cru’s annual report and more.

Our Leadership

Learn about Cru's global leadership team.

Cru Partnerships

When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen.

Storylines

Showing God in action in and through His people.

Press

Access Cru's latest news releases, media contacts, and background information on our global ministries and leadership.

0

Mary Petersen

Mary Petersen’s life was transformed during her freshman year at the University of Michigan when a fellow student shared the message of Christ with her. After graduation, she joined the staff of Cru. She spent five years working on university campuses in Pennsylvania and Delaware, engaging students in meaningful conversations and challenging them to live with eternal purpose. It was at a staff retreat for singles that she met her husband, Scott. They soon discovered their shared passion for bringing the gospel to unreached people groups, leading them to move to Paris, France.

For the next 21 years, Mary and Scott focused on ministering to people from North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Mary built relationships with international students in Paris, served on a regional leadership team overseeing 22 countries in the region, developed expertise in crisis management, and coached national ministry leaders and teams.

In 2010, Mary and Scott returned to the U.S. with their four children. Mary became an assistant to the Chief of Staff of the President, continuing to be involved in crisis resolution efforts around the world. To deepen her expertise in crisis care, she earned a degree in counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. Following her graduation, she led the Global Crisis Management team, helping leaders prepare for crises, conducting trainings, and managing ministry response to a wide range of situations, including natural disasters, cyber-attacks, and the COVID pandemic. She also played a crucial role in strengthening the organization’s crisis care capacity.

Prior to her current role, Mary led a team focused on providing leadership development and human resource support to global leaders, while continuing to provide crisis debrief training and care around the world.

Appointed Chief of Staff in 2024, Mary remains passionate about using her gifts to fulfill the Great Commission while living out the Great Commandment. She enjoys hiking in Colorado with Scott and spending time with their four adult children and grandson.

Since 1951, Cru has helped individuals who grapple with integrating faith into daily life by offering practical steps and community support. As a result, countless people in over 190 countries have been empowered to move from passive belief to active faith.