Luke Middendorf was named president and CEO of FamilyLife in February 2025. In his role, Luke helps oversee FamilyLife’s initiatives, which help families grow together and impact their corner of the world. Previously, Luke served with Athletes in Action, a ministry of Cru, as the National Director of Training & Development.
Luke joined Cru’s staff in 2009 after graduating from the University of Minnesota. In addition to serving Cru and its ministries in various roles, Luke was also a chaplain in the University of Minnesota’s athletic department for nearly a decade.
In his first role with Cru, Luke and his wife Kristina served three years with Cru’s campus ministry at St. Cloud State University, focusing on reaching international students and athletes with the gospel. In 2013, Luke and Kristina joined Athletes in Action and returned to serve at their alma mater. As a local team leader with Athletes in Action, Luke helped build a staff team and spiritual movement in the Twin Cities, which grew to disciple more than 300 athletes and coaches annually. He also developed a new ministry partnership with the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) team. Luke pioneered a national training program that has since equipped more than 40 Athletes in Action staff teams. In 2021, Luke began formally serving with Athletes in Action’s National Campus Team and the Athletes in Action Executive Leadership Council.
Whether building relationships in his local community or serving as a family to establish global partnerships, Luke has a history of equipping teams and families to follow Jesus and serve others with purpose wherever they are.
Luke received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota and a graduate certificate in theology from the Institute of Biblical Studies. He and Kristina married in 2009, have two children, and have served on short-term trips with Cru in Italy, Puerto Rico, Australia, Turkey, and France. They’ve spent 12 years raising their family in Minneapolis and are excited to move to Orlando, where Cru and FamilyLife are headquartered.
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