What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? Learn how you can know God personally.
Learn the basics of what Christians believe.
Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices.
Explore answers to life's biggest questions.
We all have a story. Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith.
Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth.
Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God.
Find resources for personal or group Bible study.
Learn to develop your skills, desire and ability to join others on their spiritual journeys and take them closer to Jesus.
Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring.
Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are.
View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages.
Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others.
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.
Internship opportunities with Cru's ministries.
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.
Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact.
Would you like to give your time to work with Cru? We need you.
Find a Cru event near you.
Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve.
Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others.
Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city.
Partnering with urban churches to meet physical and spiritual needs.
Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation.
Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage.
Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school.
Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide.
How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus.
Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Cru’s annual report and more.
What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation.
Learn about Cru's global leadership team.
When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen.
Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit.
Because ethnicity is part of the good of creation, we seek to honor and celebrate the ethnic identity of those with whom we serve as well as those we seek to reach.
Showing God in action in and through His people.
Hear what others are saying about Cru.
Your gift today will ensure no teen will be denied an opportunity to attend a Christ-centered camp.
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
(Luke 1:1-4, New International Version)
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
(John 20:30-31, English Standard Version)
Why is it that family stories so often grow into unchecked tall tales?
My family boasts of a 12-fingered great-great-grandmother who played the piano like Mozart. There’s also a tale of a mother whose baby was snatched out of her arms in the Wild West. According to my family lore, though the child was safely returned in exchange for food, the mother caught the first train out of Nebraska and never looked back. These stories help us feel connected to a shared past, but it’s difficult to know what’s fact and what’s fiction — because nobody took the time to write the real history down.
In the introduction to his account of Jesus’ earthly ministry, Luke states his reasons for writing. He wants to give Theophilus, who is likely a Gentile (non-Jewish) Christian, a reliable record of everything that serves as the foundation for his faith. Because of Luke’s care, many of the particulars of Christ’s birth, life and earthly ministry are recorded in great detail. Read the other three Gospels — Matthew, Mark and John — and you’ll notice significant overlap with Luke’s account. These accounts are a vital part of our spiritual “family history.”
Because Luke took the time and effort to write down everything he learned from the apostle Paul and other eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life, even now, 2,000 years later, we can be certain that these stories are reliable accounts of real people and actual events. And what Luke may have only intended for Theophilus, you have access to today. Thousand-year-old prophecies fulfilled and eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ actions and teachings — all investigated by a careful student — serve us well.
And unlike your odd family stories passed down through the generations, these are stories you can take to the bank. They’re written “so that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Join us in meeting Jesus again — or for the first time — as you read through the Book of Luke, one chapter a day, starting tomorrow and ending on Christmas Eve. You won’t be disappointed with what Luke wrote down for you.
How can we rely on the Bible? Learn more about commonly asked questions concerning Scripture.
Melissa Long serves as the Writers Team Leader for Cru® U.S. Digital Strategies. Originally from Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Melissa currently resides on the edge of a mysterious swamp in Florida with her husband, Philip, and two lively teenagers who remind her daily that we’re all on a journey.
Get some ideas to turn holiday conversations — from Christmas to New Year's Day — toward Jesus.
©1994-2023 Cru. All Rights Reserved.