If you keep up with college sports, you’ve probably heard of the Florida International University Panthers. They’ve got 17 NCAA teams, and their Miami campus is home to a huge student body of 56,000, representing 142 different countries! What’s pretty cool is that FIU breaks with tradition by letting freshmen start college in the summer, right after high school.
So, who better to welcome this massive group of 18-year-olds than a Cru summer mission, right?!
That’s exactly why NYC-based staff members Thomas and Erin Rodrigues, headed south earlier this summer. They, along with a few other staff members and 22 Cru students from all over the U.S., set up opportunities to connect with these new freshmen.
“Together we had 700 spiritual conversations, shared the gospel 379 times and saw 32 students place their faith in Christ,” Thomas reports, “breaking every one of our goals.”
What was especially exciting was seeing the growth in the Cru summer mission students themselves. These young adults not only picked up ministry skills (like new evangelism tools, asking great questions, Bible knowledge, and a basic understanding of world religions…), but also some valuable life skills: living in community, sexual wholeness, working through conflict, and managing their time. And yes, they managed to have lots of fun throughout!
This fall, the local Miami Cru staff will take over shepherding these new believers at FIU. As for the Cru student disciples, they’re heading back to their own campuses much better equipped to win, build, and send their fellow students. Their FIU summer has really helped spark in them a vision for the cause of Christ, inspiring them to promote His love in their communities, jobs, and churches, both at home and abroad, for years to come.
Thank you for your partnership in reaching students and trusting the Lord to raising up leaders that will proclaim His name to every tribe, every tongue, and every nation! He is worthy!
Highlight from the Other Side of the World
In His kindness, the Lord gave us a glimpse of how He has been working over the last 3 decades. While at our Cru National Staff Conference in Milwaukee this July, Becky had the amazing joy of reconnecting with some friends from Central Asia! One she had not seen in 30 years. Becky met her as a new believer student in Kyrgyzstan in 1995. She is now the director of global student-led ministry for all of Cru in North Africa, the Middle East, and “stan” countries!
AND the other is a couple she met in Kazakhstan in 2000 on summer mission, again in 2002, & 2004 with Scott. They are now leading the ministry in a closed country in the Middle East and giving leadership to that whole part of the world. We wish we could share pictures with you, but because of where they labor, we will not post it here, but feel free to ask us!:)
Prayer Requests & Family Update
Praise the Lord for His faithfulness in raising up global national leaders!
Pray for students applying for summer missions 2026! We opened applications 9/3!
Pray for placement of staff leadership for summer 2026. Summer Missions 2025 outcomes coming next month!
Ethan has started his 2nd year at Biola and Sarah is continuing her grad studies, as she works at our church.
THE SLAMERS 