You are helping tell the story in Asia.

This morning I sat with Mark, the director of StoryRunners, a part of Cru (storyrunners.org).  I am helping their small team of 25 with a project to help them clarify their roles to tie more directly to their plans and goals.  With a small team and a large task, it’s crucial that everyone’s contribution is strategic.  What is StoryRunners?  They help make stories like this possible:

In an Asian village, a ritualistic healer stopped to listen to a man telling stories on a street corner.  He listened to the story of a man called Jesus, who claimed to be God, healing the daughter of a man called Jairus. 

“This is a living God who’s involved in the lives of his people,” he says, astonished.  “I need to learn about this God because my god is dead and doesn’t answer me.”

A crowd of around 20 people had also gathered, some perched on nearby rooftops.  The storyteller, Rajendara, belongs to the Awadhi people.  Few Awadhis follow Jesus, but in this village that’s changing.  Rajendra is a church-planing pastor with little formal training, passionate about sharing God’s story with his people.  StoryRunners, a ministry of Cru (in partnership with TellAsia Ministries) helped Rajendra learn 42 different short stories from the Bible.  He learned how to ask questions about the stories, so listeners could understand who God is and what He’d done for them.

Rajendra returned to the same street corner for several weeks, telling Bible stories.  A group of people formed, interested in exploring God.  Hallie Miller, a StoryRunners staff members says, “A house churched formed with one Christian and about 25 nonbelievers.  Rajendra has since seen 20 people choose to follow Christ.

It’s fun to see, even in a ministry as large as Cru, “startups” like StoryRunners are pioneering new approaches to reach the world.  You and we are a part of that!

Thank you for investing in our lives and ministry.  We love serving with you.

Lost in Armenia

This year we are recalling some memorable moments in our 30 years with Cru.  

Working in crisis management with Cru, sometimes we had the feeling we were spies, doing secret stuff.  During one crisis management training in Armenia, we “lost” Bob, our trainer, when we were out at a local market.  

Jim, the other crisis manager and I got worried and finally decided to make an expensive phone call with our cell phone to see if we could locate Bob.

Our fears were relieved when he answered the phone sounding fine.  We told him we’d been searching for him and could not find him. 

Bob responded, “I’m right here at this cafe drinking coffee watching the two of you scramble around the market.”

Being a part of God's plan

We enjoy watching Luke pitch this spring season

Isaac is a passionate follower of Christ.  I called Isaac last Tuesday night to talk about his application for an internship with Gain, Cru’s humanitarian relief ministry.

Isaac works as a mechanical engineer, but his passion is helping people know Christ.   As he has sought God, he decided he wanted to give a year of full time service to Him.  He thought that it would probably be through his musical interest and talent and pictured himself coming alongside missionaries overseas and using his music talent.  He had some relationships with Cru staff, so he contacted Cru about how he could serve.

As our team interacted with him, they noticed that his skills as an engineer, and his desire to assist local ministries overseas fit perfectly with our work with Gain.  He learned that he could help with several projects to bring clean water and open doors to reach people for Christ in those communities.

We love seeing how God has a place for all kinds of people with all kinds of skills and talents.  It’s great being a small part of Isaac’s journey and the impact He will make.  

As I’m consulting with various parts of Cru about team building, strategic planning, or coaching, it broadens my vision about all Cru is doing.  I also see how a bit of my time or attention can be a big blessing to those I come alongside.  Cru can be a fast paced, demanding place.  

It’s often surprising to me that something I do that seems kind of minor to me can be a huge help to a leader.  Last week I spent an hour with one of our staff who interrupted 3 times to say how helpful it was to have someone ask questions and listen to what he was trying to accomplish.

Thank you for making a lifetime of difference in our lives, and the lives of all that are touched by those we serve.

With love,