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.

Mission Trips

Volunteer abroad this year on a short term global missions trip offered by one of the best, most-reliable Christian missions organizations in the world.

1-Year Full-Time Internships

Internship opportunities with Cru's ministries.

Careers

If you're looking for the best Christian jobs and careers, check out Cru's ministry job openings for full- and part-time missionaries and professionals.

Go International

Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact.

Volunteer Opportunities

Would you like to give your time to work with Cru? We need you.

Events

Find a Cru event near you.

Explore Your Interests

Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve.

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

Putting Faith First

Baseball powerhouse Albert Pujols has won many awards over his career in Major League Baseball. But of all his accolades, the Roberto Clemente Award he won in 2008 is most precious. Given to a player who combines outstanding performance on the field and work in the community, the Clemente Award is special to Pujols as he has taken seriously the New Testament mandate to care for “the least of these.”

Through his Pujols Family Foundation, started in 2005, Pujols has been able to improve the lives of children and youth with Down syndrome or other debilitating illnesses as well as underprivileged children in his native Dominican Republic. To Pujols and wife Deidre, the foundation is a perfect way to live out their faith in Christ and show God’s love to others.

Pujols began practicing baseball as a child, using limes for balls and a milk carton for a glove. The family immigrated to America when Albert was 16, and he was named All-State twice in baseball. After graduating high school, he earned a scholarship to a community college, where he played shortstop and displayed impressive batting skills before opting to enter the MLB draft. He was picked up in the 13th round in the 1999 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.

After a few seasons in the minor leagues, Pujols made his major league debut in 2001, playing a variety of fielding positions. That season won him several monthly rookie awards, the NL Silver Slugger Award for third base, and NL Rookie of the Year. He had strong seasons the next decade, earning All-Star honors nine times; the NLCS MVP for 2004; three NL MVPs and four ESPY Awards for Best Baseball Player; two NL Gold Gloves for first base; five Fielding Bible Awards for first base; five more Silver Slugger Awards; Sports Illustrated Player of the Decade (2009); two Hank Aaron Awards; and two World Series rings (2006, 2011).

He signed a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim before the 2012 season and saw steady success after a slow start. His home run on Sept. 12 was his 30th, making him the first player in major league history to hit 30 home runs in his first 12 seasons. The season also saw his 500th double.

Pujols and wife Deidre have five children and live in St. Louis. Albert earned his American citizenship in 2007. The family also owns a restaurant in Maryland Heights, Mo., and he worked with a group to bring a major league soccer team to St. Louis. The franchise bid was unsuccessful but a minor league team was created.

Pujols began his relationship with Christ in 1998 and the family lives out their beliefs through service and outspoken faith.

“My life's goal is to bring glory to Jesus,” he says. “My life is not mostly dedicated to the Lord, it is 100% committed to Jesus Christ and His will. God has given me the ability to succeed in the game of baseball. But baseball is not the end; baseball is the means by which my wife Dee Dee and I glorify God. Baseball is simply my platform to elevate Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.”

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.