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.
We all have a story. Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith.
Everyone has their own spiritual journey with the Lord. How can we help you move forward in yours today? Take the next step in your faith journey with devotionals and other resources for spiritual growth.
If you were created for community, why can relationships — family, dating, co-workers, neighbors — be so hard? 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.
Sharing your faith is one of our most important callings as followers of Christ. 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.
Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others.
Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage.
Advancing the Great Commission using digital tools.
Engaging around sports to help athletes think and live biblically.
Teaching life skills for making right choices
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.
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.
Learn about Cru's global leadership team.
“God, let me get home alive.”
When I was deployed, I was always praying small prayers like that: “Please don’t let us get shot down,” as I transported patients from the combat zone; “Don’t let this patient die,” as I tended wounds.
After I came home from active duty, I realized I was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. I started isolating myself more and more.
When I felt like shutting the entire world out, my therapist at the veterans center mentioned that Rahnella Adsit with Cru Military, Cru's ministry to servicemen and women and their families, was researching PTSD.
Rahnella tried asking questions, and I refused to let her in. Instead, I let her have it. I had been burned by pastors and church leadership. I was angry and bitter with the church. I assumed I wasn’t going to hear back from her.
Then I got an email from Rahnella about how Cru Military wanted to produce a video highlighting the problem of PTSD to distribute to churches. She asked if I would be interested in participating.
I answered questions about coming home, about how the church helped and about how it didn’t. Cru Military put my interview on the DVD, “Bridges to Healing.” I didn’t think anyone would want to watch it because no one had wanted to listen to me before.
I went to a training at a church in New York City on how churches could set up a ministry for veterans using this video. If I didn’t like what I saw, I was going to pull my name and face.
People could see how angry I was, but it was OK. They invited me to sit with the pastors. I saw their tears, and I listened to why they felt it was important to set up this ministry. The armor I had built around myself began to fall apart.
They invited me back for Easter. For the first time, someone presented Jesus to me in a way that I could understand.
I stayed for all three of the church’s services that morning. Each service had a common theme of Christ as King. Their focus was on being called to battle. Jesus, because He has been there, has the right to lead.
As a soldier, I have more respect for officers who have gone through the ranks. Soldiers want to follow a leader who has that experience — someone they can trust. That’s what I started to see about Jesus. He went through the ranks as a man even though He was God.
I responded by praying, “God, I want to follow Your leadership.”
The pastor came to talk with me after the service and He said, “Now you serve a new Commander in Chief.” Once I made this decision, I started telling my story.
Andrea Westfall is a veteran of the Oregon National Guard and the United States Army Reserve. She works part time with the post-traumatic stress disorder task force of Cru Military, Cru’s ministry to servicemen and women and their families.
If you are reading this and for some reason you hate God, and you feel alone, know that He is constantly loving you. He will turn the situation around. Therefore, choose God as He chooses you.
It could be said that I grew up in the church, however, my heart was not entirely in it.
©1994-2020 Cru. All Rights Reserved.