Urban Immersion™ Chicago

Cru® Inner City - Chicago is excited to be able to host Urban Immersion™ once again! Participants will spend time on Chicago campuses doing evangelism and meeting students as well as serving with Cru Inner City partner ministries and churches to serve the needs of children, teens, and the poor throughout Chicago. You'll have great opportunities to both minister cross-culturally and engage in cultural learning.

Dates and Registration:

Week 1: March 10–15

Week 2: March 17–22

Cost: $210

This covers housing, breakfast, most dinners, materials, supplies, and outings. This also covers a Cru background check, which is required because you will be ministering to minors as a part of this trip. (Not included in the cost are several dinners, all lunches, and transportation around the city.)

COVID-19 Safety:

As you may know, things have been challenging over the past several years. We desire to do everything that we can to keep everyone safe on the trip. We will keep up to date with the city regulations to see if we need to wear masks. There will probably be at least some ministry sites that require masks while serving. We will be sure to send out emails with information prior to the trip to keep you updated. 

NOTE: If a participant contracts COVID-19 during the trip, it will be necessary to secure other housing (e.g., a hotel) to help ensure that others won't get sick. This additional cost will not be covered by Cru Inner City.

Location:

The Agape Community Center is owned by Cru. It is our central meeting place during Urban Immersion. Most of our meetings, trainings and celebrations will take place there. Some campus groups will be housed there. Many groups will have the opportunity to minister there throughout the week. For more about the Agape Community Center visit click here.

Food & Housing:

We are once again opening up the Agape Center as a housing facility for college groups. Men and women will be separated in various rooms and the Agape Center will provide sleeping mats for individuals to sleep on. There are also bathrooms and showers that will be available. The Agape Center will also provide continental breakfasts in the morning, and most of the dinners at night. Participants will be responsible for bringing money for all lunches while they are out on ministry assignments and for one dinner.

Transportation:

You are responsible for your own automobile transportation during Urban Immersion. Groups should either coordinate rides using their own cars or plan to rent vehicles upon arrival to Chicago via plane or train.

Schedule:

Participants will need to arrive on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The last meeting for the trip is Thursday night and housing ends Friday morning. The trip will be a mix of ministry and evangelism on college campuses and urban ministries and churches. You’ll also get teaching from Chicago pastors, training from Cru Campus and Inner City staff, and chances to explore and have fun in Chicago! Our detailed schedule is still in the works, but if you want to get a feel for what it will be like you can look at this schedule from a past trip.

Things to Bring:

Bible, sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, towel, gym shoes, work clothes, casual wear, money for lunches, gas and other minor expenses.

Campus Ministry Activities:

Primarily you’ll have the opportunity to share your faith with Chicago college students. You’ll have the opportunity to use surveys, Soularium, and the Perspectives tool to engage students in spiritual conversations.

Urban Ministry Activities:

• S.A.Y. Yes!® — It’s a biblically-based, holistic after-school program. Those who serve at a S.A.Y Yes! center will have the chance to help with the program by helping lead Bible lessons, helping students with homework, and by being a friend to some of Chicago’s youth. (S.A.Y. Yes stands for “Save America’s Youth — Yes!”)
• Roseland Outreach — If you participate in Roseland Outreach you get to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of those in the neighborhood where you’ll be staying. Included in this is distributing food, and sharing your faith with those who are your neighbors for the week.
• Pacific Garden Mission — Since 1877, Pacific Garden Mission has been a refuge. Millions weary of struggling through life’s storms, have come to the “Old Lighthouse” seeking food, shelter, clothing, medical, and dental care. At this ministry site you’ll have the chance to prepare and serve food for hundreds of Chicago’s homeless population as you partner with this ministry that seeks to bring people to faith in Jesus!
• Pui Tak Center — Located in the heart of Chinatown, the Pui Tak Center offers programs for youth, recent immigrants, and those trying to learn English. Those who serve at Pui Tak could help in any of the variety of programs that the center has.
• Roseland Good News Day Care — Help out with the day-care children. Feed, recreation, teach Bible stories, etc. Also do odd jobs for the ministry.
• By The Hand Club for Kids — Help with the after-school ministry. Teach Bible lessons, tutor, mentor, etc.
• Restoration Ministries — Helping in their clothing resale shop, mingling with men and women in recovery.
• Roseland Christian Ministries — Hang out with the homeless, playing cards, games, serving snacks and sharing testimonies, etc.

What Others Have Said:

At the Harold Washington College cafeteria Ian and I did a survey with an African-American guy named Robert. He wanted to know more, so we went through the gospel tract and spoke with him for a while — good discussion. He received Christ into his life! He's now planning on attending Crusade services.

This was my first time experiencing anyone coming to Christ — very unexpected and encouraging. God showed me what he can do when I am feeling incapable and inadequate.

— Andrea from Truman State University

We were out on the town for our free time. We met a homeless man named Roland outside of Dunkin' Donuts and bought him some food and talked to him. He asked us to pray with and for him. We believed him when he told us he was a Christian and loved the Lord. And now he spends his days telling young people to stay in school and put God first in their lives.

He had so little but still loved the Lord and claimed that his residency is in heaven, not here. It really made me realize how much I take for granted everyday when God's the most important thing.

— Maryann from James Madison University

Questions:
All questions can be directed to Andy Brandt.