Argentina
1. Current spiritual condition
Our country is crying out for justice. There is a lot of corruption and insecurity and all of Argentine society is tired and hopeless. We need, as the Body of Christ, to intercede and share the love and forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ to change the reality and generate a socio-spiritual transformation.
2. Celebration
We thank God for the missionary projects that we have carried out, merging the strategies and participants from all over the country, in the northwest of Argentina (July 10-24) and in the province of Mendoza (September 3-10), for the impact and influence of these places and the follow-up of the spiritual fruit and the ministerial alliances.
3. Looking forward
* Care and healthy finances for the entire Staff team.
* Expand our network of volunteers, associates, churches, alliances and other organizations that are committed to fulfilling the Great Commission throughout the country.
* For the 11 cities that we want to reach in the National Strategic Plan through the different strategies, resources and ministerial tools.
Barbados
1. Current spiritual condition
Barbados is at a point where violence, crime and immorality are on the rise. Many people have heard about God; however many of them are not living according to His principles.
We ask forgiveness for making alliances we shouldn’t, for choosing selfishness, and for not looking after the homeless and the sick among us.
2. Celebration
Emergence of student leaders during a time of pandemic. Students who are highly motivated to reach others for Christ. The re-opening of the University to face to face classes and student organizations.
Praising God for the pilot phase of the “Move” training partnership with churches in Barbados.
3. Looking forward
Looking to train over 100 persons using the “Move” platform and thus forming partnerships with multiple churches across the country.
The formation of between 10 - 15 missional communities on campus and in home groups.
Bolivia
1. Current spiritual condition
There is a blindfold over the eyes of most people in relation to sins; also idolatry, corruption in the different levels of government, corruption in the justice system, in the police. May God remove the blindfold in relation to gender ideology and cultural Marxism.
2. Celebration
We are resuming the student ministry, after having lost almost everything during the pandemic. We have, in different cities of the country, some disciples committed to return to form movements in their universities.
3. Looking forward
1.- To have victory over the cultural Marxism that comes to steal, kill and destroy the families and hopes of the youth.
2.- For the multiplication of leaders in the different areas of society (students, families, professionals, businessmen and churches).
Costa Rica
1. Current spiritual condition
The population, in general, has a softer heart for the Lord after the last 2 years of pandemic. We have seen great openness in our recent outreaches in different campuses outside of the Metropolitan Area. However, the Metropolitan Area and the campuses located there continue to be a challenge. The relativistic way of thinking continues to be the way most university students and faculty think.
2. Celebration
During the last quarter, three young people have joined Cru staff as a result of the work and partnership with SLM Korea. Please pray for their support-raising process and for many more workers for the harvest in Costa Rica.
3. Looking forward
We pray to God for more workers to join full-time ministry and for support-raising not to be a reason to leave the ministry.
We pray for Cru Costa Rica to have a greater impact on the educational system of the country through programs such as the Jesus for Children project and the school for parents.
We pray for stronger movements of university students, faculty, and professionals that have a relevant influence in the context where God has put them.
Curacao
1. Current spiritual condition
People on Curaçao are more concerned about socio-economical progress/status than pursuing/seeking God. Disunity among the body of Christ. Students, professionals and families who profess to be Christians reluctant to engage in sharing their faith and prefer to be neutral. LGBTQ are implementing curicula in schools.
2. Celebration
*A volunteer form Ecuador will be arriving on Sept 6 to aid us with the Campus Ministry. She would be
staying for 3 months.
*On August 24 we were invited to present the Student Ministry at the University of Curaçao, to about
70 freshmen, and about 7 students indicated they wanted to be part of a Bible study.
*The Art of Marriage Event material has been translated into Papiamento and will soon be sent off
to be designed and printed/published.
3. Looking forward
We would like all staff to have 100% support and local sustainability.
A more trusting networking atmosphere as we partner with churches.
República Dominicana
1. Current spiritual condition
Idolatry, corruption, violence and ignorance of the Word of God.
2. Celebration
It is a great cause for celebration, the great progress we have had with the youth movement. The youth movement is a fundamental pillar for the city movement. We trained more than 400 young people who are willing to win and reach their neighborhoods and communities in the country.
3. Looking forward
Church planting in all provinces of the country, evangelism and transformation of neighborhoods.
Ecuador
1. Current spiritual condition
Such a great challenge that we have is that, as a result of the pandemic, our leaders have stagnated in their growth. Everything has been done routinely. Perhaps there are no new challenges and projects — also the fact of not understanding that the world has changed and that it requires other dynamics of evangelism and discipleship. The greatest sin we have today is that we have stagnated. But little by little we are renewing our previous plans to meet the challenges.
2. Celebration
We thank God, during the last year we have seen that God in His mercy has increased the number of volunteers. Today we have a large group of volunteers who are taking leadership, and many of them are already being empowered to lead different strategies or ministries of CRU Ecuador. This has allowed the movement to grow. It is true that we have a reduced number of staff members but in volunteers God is giving us the grace to grow more and more.
3. Looking forward
For two or three years, our challenge looking to the future has been to look for empowered leaders who walk freely in the ministry, exercising leadership and influence. We also want to see local sustainability, the generation of local resources, less dependence on external resources and more dependence on local resources through our ministries, disciples who generate resources for the kingdom.
Haiti
1. Current spiritual condition
After the assassination of the President on July 7th 2021, there has been an unprecedented increase in crime, gang violence, kidnappings and a general sense of insecurity. Instability “seems” to rule on a day to day basis. Inflation has caused food prices to escalate where even fuel is hard to come by and getting basic necessities is a cause for concern.
We plead and ask God that we would focus on Him and seek Him as our only source for a solution. We confess that idolatry and the spirit of fear will be null and void and replaced with faith.
2. Celebration
We want to celebrate the leaders God has given us. They are hopeful and remain vigilant and purposeful in fighting for the Haitian people, helping them to persevere in spite of the present crisis we face.
3. Looking forward
Unity between our leaders
Election
A plan for the economy
Create jobs for the families and the young people
Additional student leaders who would commit to fulfilling the Great Commission in Haiti.
Full financial support for all team members.
Jamaica
1. Current spiritual condition
Many Jamaicans grew up attending church and identify with Christianity. Our annual surveys of first year students show that over 95 % of new students identify with Christianity. However, many Christians do not live Spirit-filled lives and have not learned to share their faith. Neither are they trained in personal evangelism and discipleship. Pray that pastors and church leaders would gain a vision of equipping their members in personal evangelism and discipleship and encouraging them to make it a lifestyle. This will accelerate spiritual multiplication. Please pray with us to this end.
2. Celebration
Over the past year we have strengthened our relationships with key pastors as well as our partnership with the Call2All Caribbean movement. We have developed a new partnership with Filter of Hope. As a result more church leaders are opening their doors to allow us to conduct training in personal evangelism and discipleship for their congregations. Praise the Lord.
Also student leaders from one major campus have received training and have requested training in how to share their faith on campus. We are also receiving several requests from the clubs, dormitories and faculties to help them develop the spiritual aspect of their students' lives. Praise the Lord!
3. Looking forward
1. Training in Evangelism, Discipleship and Movement Building.
Please pray for us to be able to train as many church members and students as possible virtually and in person, in personal evangelism and discipleship, and movement building. We will be recruiting them for participation in reaching the campus and mission trips with Filter of Hope’s initial one-month project in March 2023. Hopefully in the summer and beyond, we will also recruit them to help with Athletes in Action ministry strategies, FamilyLife couples’ ministry training and couples’ small group outreach strategies. (Praise God for the staff couple in the process of applying for FamilyLife staff.)
2. Approval for Youth at the CrossRoads to be once again implemented in our nation’s high schools.
Pray that the minister of education approves Crossroads to be implemented in a number of high schools across Jamaica as well as for solid influential connections with school principals, Parent-Teacher Associations and key businessmen, as we respond to the Prime Minister’s call for a curriculum from the church that teaches character for the youth of the nation. (Our Prime Minister and our Governor General are both practicing Christians.)
Panama
1. Current spiritual condition
- Our society is increasingly secularized. They are increasingly indifferent to God.
- Corruption affects different levels of justice, investments, etc.
- The church is not prepared for these changes in society and to share the message.
- The new generations tend more towards secularism and the older ones more towards religiosity.
- Cultural Marxism.
2. Celebration
During the last year, the greatest advances in our country in terms of spiritual multiplication (win, build, send) have been:
- Transition of new leadership.
- God raising up new workers (missionaries, associates, volunteers).
- We thank God for a new city and campus explored with the Student Movement.
- New partnerships.
- New transformation center in Panama and Cru offices.
- Many stories of discipleship from Cadaestudiante.com and I face. social media campaigns.
3. Looking forward
Pray for:
- New workers, especially a good recruitment structure for volunteers and associates.
- Expansion to other provinces.
- For being self-sustaining.
- That we can be a country in stage 3.
- Healthy team that loves God and loves people.
- For direction, wisdom in our leadership transition for the entire team.
Peru
1. Current spiritual condition
- Much idolatry and customs of ancestors, it is difficult for people to leave many things behind. Some say they believe in their own way.
- The corruption of the political government itself, our rulers are involved in various cases of corruption, which are being investigated. Debates legalize abortion, gay marriage.
- The insecurity in the streets due to a lot of violence, robberies, sometimes murders.
- We cry out for our country to change its reality, have more mercy, be challenged, for a great change from our president and all the ministers, there needs to be forgiveness for a transformation in the following generations.
2. Celebration
We thank God, it has not been easy these two years of pandemic, however, evangelization has not stopped. The strategy of the “JESUS” film and the “Magdalena” movie has been a great blessing. We used technology through virtual platforms like Zoom, but now being able to travel to different places within the country, we are showing the films in different churches and small groups, which are multiplying and opening new groups. Even in indigenous areas where there are not many economic resources, people are thirsty to know and learn about God.
God in His infinite mercy has been helping the volunteers. We trust that more workers will join the work.
3. Looking forward
- Pray for more volunteers committed to the different strategies — actively involved servants, willing to be trained.
- Pray for revival in educational centers and universities; for many young people to come to the feet of Jesus.
- Pray for families, for more united families, love between parents and children, teaching and advice for children. Today there are so many negative things that can draw your attention. Pray for use of the Family Life resources.
- Pray for the finances of the volunteers of each strategy.
Suriname
1. Current spiritual condition
Currently our nation is suffering an economic crisis, inflation and corruption in all the different spheres. People are becoming more and more impatient and selfish and will do anything to the point of harming others just to get what they want. Theft, murder and robberies are high. Suicide among teens especially is rising. The education system is greatly lacking, because of no vision. People are stressed, depressed and unmotivated. Our healthcare system is lacking. People are scared and do not know how to make ends meet.
Christians need to repent and take back their God-given position and do what needs to be done as the body of Christ.
2. Celebration
1. Praise the Lord for 40 years of ministry in Suriname among students, professionals, families and churches and for everyone that has been impacted through this ministry.
2. Praise the Lord for the new student and potential student leaders. Praise the Lord for the hearts that were touched and mended through a spiritual conversation or a Student Led Movement camp.
3. Praise the Lord for the training of small group facilitators past and present. Praise the Lord for the launch of the Art of Parenting video series.
4. Praise the Lord for committed partners in the ministry of LeaderImpact, for the strength to continue His work with professionals and for all the professionals who were impacted through our LeaderImpact sessions and group communities. Praise the Lord for the start of LeaderImpact ministries in new locations.
3. Looking forward
1. Pray for more staff for each ministry, for committed volunteers and more multiplying disciples.
2. Pray that we can become a self-sustaining ministry.
3. Pray for more faithful students this upcoming year. We want to reach more students with the gospel. Pray for our potential student leaders and their availability for ministry work and making disciples. Pray that this new school year all the activities we have planned will be a success.
4. Pray for multiplying leaders of the Homebuilder small groups. Pray that the FamilyLife ministry will be in all strategic districts of our country. Pray for the FamilyLife movement for young couples. Pray for strong examples of healthy marriages for our young people. Pray for leaders to create a movement for single and dating young people.
5. Pray for the upcoming community groups for LeaderImpact, for multiplying leaders in LeaderImpact and open doors in churches and other sectors to introduce LeaderImpact. Pray that LeaderImpact truly continues to make an impact in the lives of professionals.
Trinidad & Tobago
1. Current spiritual condition
Currently our nation is facing a challenge with crime, increased fights in schools and the comprehensive sex education agenda. The body of Christ needs to confess and ask God for forgiveness for not going into the communities as before.
2. Celebration
- Praise God for a dedicated team of campus student leaders and helpers and staff. Thank God that 15 persons were trained on13th August in how to share their faith using THE FOUR. We celebrate the re-opening of the university to face to face classes and ministry.
- Praise God for the digital evangelism trainings that we have had between last year and this year in order to equip over 100 persons to win, build and send using digital tools.
3. Looking forward
- Please pray for a smooth transition back to face to face ministry at the University of the West Indies and for God’s provision for additional resources and laborers needed.
- Pray for effective follow-up of students who did surveys during orientation week so that we will be able to set up evangelistic meetings with new students and for boldness to share the gospel in person.
- Pray for our Leadership Training Institute 13th-14th January 2023, for students to be equipped to share the gospel and for a team of dedicated volunteers to plan the conference.
- Pray that God will give us wisdom as to how we can better integrate the ministries in order to have a greater impact in our spheres of influence.
Uruguay
1. Current spiritual condition
At the moment the most challenging part is the need for laborers. We are praying for God to send workers into the harvest. May God give us the grace to involve more people in the ministry, who have a true call from God and commitment to the ministry.
2. Celebration
One of the biggest advances we have seen is with the Jesus and Magdalena Project. More than 20 churches involved in the project have done a great sowing. Specifically in the city of Durazno, a congregation started discipleship with Magdalena with about 15 women. After finishing all the discipleship lessons, they began 5 new groups. This Sunday they are finishing the lessons with the 5 groups, and having a celebration in the congregation. In a very short time there are already 2 generations and a third one is being prepared.
3. Looking forward
- First, we plan to focus on ministry to families. In Uruguay, we have more divorces than marriages. Therefore, we long to promote and further develop Family Life's resources.
- We plan to improve the area of Operations and Finance, implementing and developing resources such as PowerBI, God in Action and other tools for this work, as well as infrastructure.