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A cool breeze off the Pacific Ocean brought balance to another warm, sunny day in San Diego. Zoe Mukendi and her friend Mackinsey Darrough scanned the coastline. They weren’t looking for a place to sit; they were looking for someone to talk to about their faith. 

It was the last week of Cru’s 2023 San Diego Summer Mission, Zoe and Mackinsey’s last chance to have a spiritual conversation in a San Diego neighborhood called Old Town that had become familiar over the last nine weeks. 

Mackinsey spotted a man sitting by himself. They approached and asked if he’d be willing to share his spiritual beliefs and hear about theirs. The man, named Chad, agreed. 

Zoe, Mackinsey and Chad talked for about an hour. 

They walked Chad through the Knowing God Personally booklet, which shares the gospel. At the end of the booklet is a prayer, offered to anyone who wants to begin a relationship with Jesus. When Zoe and Mackinsey got to this page, Chad looked up at the sky.

“You guys are the fourth group of people to talk to me this week,” Chad said. “So, I feel like something’s pursuing me here.”

Zoe and Mackinsey joined Chad in prayer that day to begin his relationship with Jesus.

“I saw outreach and evangelism as going to talk to people to convert them,” Zoe said of her outlook before the summer mission. “Now I practice [the tools we learned] today in conversations. You show God through you — your actions, your words and your mindset.”

Students learned how to talk about Jesus in a variety of settings during the San Diego Summer Mission. Some days these conversations happened on local campuses, other days while they were on the clock at their part-time jobs. 

No matter the setting, by the end of summer, students counted more than 500 spiritual conversations in San Diego.

Of the 42 stateside summer missions offered by Cru, San Diego Summer Mission is among the oldest and most established, dating back to the 1970s. Each year, students develop a strong foundation of faith by engaging in regular evangelism, discipleship and personal reflection.

Weeks after returning to Southern Methodist University, where she studies civil engineering, Zoe said she’s more confident in asking people what they believe and looks for ways to bring what she learned last summer into her daily rhythms on campus.

“People are a lot more open than we think,” Zoe said. “I feel like I put people’s ‘nos’ in their mouths before they even have the chance to be asked a question. People who look like they’re the most busy or like they don’t even want to talk [might] happen to be the most open people.”

A Legacy of Changed Lives in San Diego. Sarah Wontorcik. March 2024.

https://storylines.cru.org/lang/en/stories/2024/03/legacy-of-changed-lives-san-diego.html

The summer heat in South Asia is relentless. Temperatures soar, dusty streets grow quiet, and for many children living in the slums, summer can feel long, difficult, and isolating. But this summer, hundreds of children from our Genesis of Hope centers will step into something very different.

They will walk into a place filled with laughter, music, friendship, and hope.

For many of these children, life is marked by poverty and hardship. Yet during Vacation Bible School, they will have the opportunity to leave behind the challenges of their daily surroundings and enter a safe environment where they are known, valued, and loved. They will make crafts, sing songs, play games, share meals, and build friendships that create lasting memories.

Most importantly, they will hear about Jesus.

In a nation where many children grow up with little or no exposure to the Gospel, VBS becomes much more than a summer activity. It is an opportunity for children to encounter the love of Christ, learn biblical truths, and discover that they are created with purpose and dignity by a God who knows them by name.

Behind the scenes, volunteers and teachers are working tirelessly to prepare every lesson, activity, meal, and gathering space. They are praying that each child who attends will not only have a joyful week but will also experience the transforming love of God.

As you look at the photo, notice the smiles, the excitement, and the anticipation. These are not just children preparing for camp. These are young lives being given the opportunity to hear the Good News, perhaps for the very first time.

"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 19:14

We are continuing our series on getting to know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Chris Willadsen, who has rejoined our Elder Council. 

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

I was born at Merritt Hospital in Oakland, California. I grew up in Alameda and Oakland which was home. I now consider the East Mountains, after 45 years, to be home.

What did you want to be when you grew up – and is that still a dream

When I was kid, I wanted to be healthy, wealthy and wise.

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

When I was very young, Nanue, my maternal grandmother was my caretaker, as my parents both worked. She was a godly woman, who taught me to love the Lord as she did.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

My parents taught me to want to follow Jesus, and I felt called to commit myself to follow Christ in my senior year of high school. I was baptized as a believer that year.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

I often share with others the verse 1 John 1:9, as it encourages me to recognize God’s faithfulness and perfect justice, as I acknowledge my total unworthiness be cleansed and made fit for heaven with my Lord for eternity.

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

My most special answer to prayer is how God has preserved our lives through hardship to be married for 57 years. I’ll never get over his grace in our lives together.

What will be a blessing and what a challenge you see as serving on the Elder Council? 

I believe a blessing will be to interact with our church elders. A challenge will be to know our congregational body.

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

I enjoy music, having played my clarinet for 70 years now. Practically, I don’t have hobbies anymore, though I do like playing Wordle, competing with my daughter every day.

What is your favorite family tradition?

My favorite family tradition these days is to celebrate birthdays with everyone.

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

I enjoy puttering on my day off, which is most every day. I’m retired!

What is the perfect meal?

My favorite/ perfect meal is at our kitchen table together.

Who or what never fails to make you laugh?

I laugh at old slap-stick movies.

We asked Kay the following questions: 

What is your favorite trait of Chris?

I so appreciate his faithfulness and perseverance. I thank God every day I'm able to count on Chris, and for his determination to ask the Lord for guidance, strength, resources and to obey His calling. He often searches scripture for answers to his questions. I thank God for his faithfulness to me and our girls, especially in the 55 years I have dealt with MS. This has meant more and more as my "job description" has been given to him. Chris now knows how to wash clothes and windows, vacuum, grocery shop, etc. He pretty much does everything but making the grocery list and the cooking.

What does Chris do that can always make you smile? 

Chris is pretty good with his "dad" jokes, although I've heard most of them many times. (Like "insanity is hereditary. You get it from your kids.") I often call Chris "Puddleglum", from the C.S. Lewis book, The Silver Chair. He may start out gloomily declaring all the reasons why he can't do something, but he ends up as a loyal servant, doing it anyway. He does it, and it makes me smile.

We are continuing our series on getting to know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Brittany Wendland, our new church Administrative Assistant. 

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

I was born in Sacramento, CA, but I consider San Luis Obispo, CA where my parents live home now.

What did you want to be when you grew up – and is that still a dream?

I had many dreams, from horse veterinarian to lawyer. Now I mostly want to be a hobbit and enjoy my garden.

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

My parents were my first spiritual influence, and they still provide wonderful godly guidance in my life.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

I was 5 when I knew that I wasn’t cutting it and needed Jesus to help me. My Mom was the person I told, and she explained salvation to me.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

Mark 9:14-29. The father’s cry of “Lord I believe, help my unbelief” to be very comforting when my heart and brain don’t quite sync up.

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

When Mitchel and I were first married, money was very tight. In a time of particular need, I found some gift cards from the wedding gifts after I thought all had been spent.

What will be a blessing and what a challenge you see as serving as church secretary?

Getting to know my church family and serve them better will be a huge blessing. I just need to remember not to spend my whole day chatting.

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

I love cooking, gardening and canning. My grandmother was very into them so she taught me to love them too.

What is your favorite family tradition?

The day after Thanksgiving, Mitchel and I go into the Manzano mountains to cut down a Christmas tree. We listen to Christmas music and watch Christmas movies while we decorate it that evening.

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

Getting coffee with friends or going to brunch with Mitchel.

What is the perfect meal?

A ribeye steak cooked medium rare with a baked potato and grilled artichokes as sides. Preferably from The Hitching Post in Casmalia, CA.

Who or what never fails to make you laugh?

My nieces. Those girls say the craziest things.

We asked Mitchel the following questions: 

What is your favorite trait of Brittany?

I really appreciate the heart she has for studying God's word and wanting to understand it better.

What does Brittany do that can always make you smile? 

Brittany always gives me a hug when I get home from work and that always makes me smile. 

Danial was baptized last Sunday. Here is how he shared about his trust in Christ, and how the Lord brought him to faith…

I was raised in a secular home, with my church experiences so limited they could be counted on one hand. In my youth, I sinned in countless ways and broke most of God's commandments, living far from the path He intended. 

The summer after high school graduation, I had a front-row seat to two tragedies that shook me to the core.  My best friend Dustin drowned during a camping trip, and less than a month later, my friend Matt suffered a devastating fall that left him comatose for the next 20 years. 

These events forced me to ponder the deeper questions of existence and gave me an intimate view of how Christians respond in crisis. I watched Matt's family pray, their unwavering love for the Lord shining through.

I saw their community rally together providing them with a superhuman strength that defied explanation.

Throughout my life, the Lord has strategically placed people around me to guide and influence me toward Him. Looking back, I can clearly see His hand at work in those moments. 

When my family moved to the East Mountains, it was my wife who insisted we find a church home. By then, I considered myself a Christian, though my knowledge was shallow—mostly from courses I'd taken at university. As we joined Mountain Christian Church, I experienced the body of Christ firsthand, surrounded by a supportive family of believers. 

As I continue to grow in my faith and surround myself with Godly men, I witness the Lord actively at work in my life. I still battle with sin, but through His strength, I've found the power to overcome what once seemed impossible. Five years ago, I walked away from drinking, and this past fall, I gave up gambling. In the past, I knew these were vices I needed to eliminate, but now, with the Lord's help and the encouragement of this community of believers, I've broken several chains that once held me captive. 

Only through the power of Christ can I find peace. 

I am a great sinner, but He is an even greater Savior.

Praise be to God.