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

Laurie Hernandez Inspires at the Olympics

On Tuesday night, “The Final Five” tumbled their way into history.

In a sport often determined by tenths of a point, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian and Simone Biles won the Women’s Gymnastics Team All-Around gold medal by more than 8 points – the largest margin of victory in Olympic gymnastics history.

Dubbed The Final Five because they are the last team that legend Martha Karolyi will coach – these ladies will be remembered as some of the sport’s all-time greats.

Laurie Hernandez, the youngest member of the team at only 16, exuded determination and joy throughout the team finals. She led off the evening’s competition with a solid vault, went on to perform an almost flawless beam routine and then brought down the house with her crowd-pleasing floor routine. As she walked off the floor, she spotted her parents in the crowd and held up her medal to them with a grin as big as her personality.

And what a personality she has.

She draws you in both on and off the floor. Her big eyes can move from wide-eyed seriousness to twinkling with mischief in the blink of an eye. Even as a junior-elite gymnast at just 12 years old, Laurie was very charismatic and wise beyond her years in her interviews. She is quick to smile and laugh, always entertaining her friends and family.

“I’m still a goof, I’m really silly,” said Laurie after a long morning of practice. “Even though I’m goofy, I’m still very spiritual and one with God.” Quickly turning serious, she went on to say, “God is really important in my regular lifestyle and my gymnastics lifestyle.”

Laurie takes her relationship with God very seriously. She seeks to first and foremost be a Christian – a person of faith who will glorify God in all that she does. She explains, “I feel that everyday God molds me into someone that he wants me to be. So if that means just, like talking to teammates and helping them out or like every so often I’ll post a Bible verse on Twitter. And my mom is always like, ‘I like that one, I like the one you posted today.’”

Laurie hopes that her platform in gymnastics and her success will give her more opportunities to glorify God. She says that what makes all the sacrifices and long hours of practice worth is two-fold. “I think it's just a mini battle with myself. I think I want to prove to myself that even on the rough days when I thought I couldn't do it I did it anyways. And also being at such a high level posting about God and trying to get the word out there.”

A photo posted by Laurie Hernandez (@lauriehernandez_) on Aug 9, 2016 at 6:40pm PDT

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.