Cru celebrated its 75th anniversary on Oct. 6 with its World Wide Day of Prayer, a global livestream that invited the ministry’s more than 16,000 team members, along with partners and people whose lives have been shaped by Cru in 190 countries, to join together in prayer, worship and celebration.
The program reflected on the past 75 years and looked ahead to the continued vision of the ministry. It featured stories from students and staff across Cru’s ministries, worship performances by Cru Worship and messages from leadership, including Cru President David Robbins.
“The global Church looks different than it did 75 years ago, but the mission of Jesus has not changed,” said Robbins, who first encountered Cru at the University of Mississippi. “The Great Commission was our call in 1951, and the Great Commission is our call in 2026.”
Cru’s story began when a former businessman-turned-theologian decided to start telling students at the University of California, Los Angeles about Jesus. Bill Bright, with his wife, Vonette, shared God’s love with the people around them, and those students in turn did the same for others.
Cru’s growth now spans a family of ministries that did not exist in its early decades. Athletes in Action works with athletes and coaches. FamilyLife focuses on marriage and family discipleship. Jesus Film Project translates and distributes film versions of the Gospel. Unto serves people facing poverty and humanitarian needs. City-focused teams carry the same relational approach into urban neighborhoods.
While Cru continues to innovate its ministry strategies to deepen its impact in a rapidly changing world, Robbins says Year 76 will start the way Year 1 did: Find the next person, walk with them and point them to Jesus.
About Cru
Cru (known globally as Campus Crusade for Christ International) is a Christian evangelism and discipleship ministry committed to giving people everywhere the opportunity to know and experience God’s love and plan for their lives. Founded in 1951 by Bill and Vonette Bright, Cru offers spiritual guidance, resources and programs tailored for people from all cultures in every walk of life. Cru has become one of the largest Christian organizations in the world, with more than 16,000 team members serving in 190 countries. Cru is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and is led by President David Robbins. For more information and a complete list of Cru’s ministries, visit cru.org.