The University of New Hampshire has more than 200 organizations on campus. Greek Life, student government, political groups, and religious organizations are just a few genres. Out of these organizations, six of them are devoted towards religion and spirituality. Cru, formally known as Christian Impact, is the largest on campus, boasting 150 members.
Cru is a part of what was known as Campus Crusade for Christ, a worldwide movement of college students who follow Jesus Christ. Members are committed to deepening their own relationships with God through community while exposing others to the benefits of Christianity and “accepting” Christ as their savior.
Cru provides time to reflect, question, and strengthen faith. The organization welcomes newcomers to explore what Christianity is and what it looks like in college. Smaller groups are available for those who want to be involved in more intimate discussions, such as Bible studies, and smaller more personal groups, called Life groups. Members also meet at events such as bonfires, Frisbee, or movie nights.
Weekly meetings take place in Horton Hall in room four on the basement level. The auditorium fills with over a hundred people, with seats to spare. The meeting starts with an opening hymn. Everyone sings with their arms outstretched singing about the glory of Jesus, love, and life.
Various speakers stand up in front of the crowd and explain different events that Cru puts on. God is always a part of the message, and people cheer for one another. It is a lively room filled with music, joy, friendship, and bonding.
The student leader of the group is sophomore Sarah Gilman. She became involved in Cru after getting involved in a life group, where she found satisfaction and fulfillment from Jesus. Gilman loves the community of those in the group.
Tim Schuman is the adult advisor to Cru. Although he is not a faculty member of UNH, he has been working with college students as a ministry advisor for over 30 years.
“I love doing campus ministry with college students,” Schuman said. He has been on and off the UNH campus with campus ministry activities since 1985. Schuman said that Cru is a safe place to learn whatever anyone is interested in learning. “We try to explain Christianity as simply and clearly as we can,” Schuman said. The group tries to address three basic issues: what it means to have a relationship with Jesus, why Jesus died on the cross, and learning the message of the Christian faith.
Cru also is involved with other on-campus spiritual organizations, such as Chi Alpha Campus Ministries and Greek Inter Varsity.
Riley Doenges, a 21-year-old social work major at UNH, joined Cru because she wanted to have a relationship with Jesus. She loves the community and has made many lifelong friendships. “I think it provides a different outlet for some people who don’t enjoy partying and going out,” Doenges said. “It’s still like having relationships with people and being involved on campus without having to give in to social pressures.”
Melissa Ryan is a second year genetics major from Gilford, NH. Ryan joined Cru because she was searching for a community. As a freshman, she had a hard time fitting in with others.
Ryan gets a God-centered community where members push each other closer to God in their faiths. “I think that spiritual things are not normally talked about, and if people are wondering, they can feel really intimidated just asking anyone about it,” Ryan said. “Cru provides a safe place to learn about spiritual things and not be judged for what you believe."
Ryan, who grew up Catholic, never talked about God with her family at home. Cru taught her to have a relationship with Jesus, and the community itself reached out and cared for her, as they do with others. “It’s on God’s love and not their own,” Ryan said.
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