What is Cru?

We like to say "Cru is a caring group of people that is passionate about helping students connect with Jesus."  We are people who are friends, family, and focused on a mission all because of Jesus.  We are an interdenominational Christian ministry/movement that started in 1952 at UCLA.  Click on these links if you want to learn more our history and our doctrinal beliefs.  

Cru has been involved at Rice University/Institute since the late 50’s.  In the 90’s & 2000’s, Rice Cru was the largest student ministry on campus sending dozens of transformed students into postgraduate programs, the workforce, and full-time ministry.  We simply want to be a place where students discover Jesus, have dynamic Christian community to grow in, and have opportunities to use their gifts for God’s kingdom. 

In Cru, you will find anyone and everyone who desires to learn about the God of the Bible and life through Jesus.  Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, Catholic, Lutheran, and non-denominational students all find loving community to discuss and discover God in Cru.  That does not mean our belief system does not draw distinctions between beliefs that we believe to be true Christianity and distortions of Christianity.  It does not mean that our beliefs fits, affirms, or agrees with all the beliefs of everyone involved in Cru on some level.  It does mean many students from many Christian backgrounds, and some from non-Christian backgrounds, find a safe place to learn about Jesus with us.  We hope we are all shaped and refined by God no matter what background we are coming from.    

We can ask honest, hard questions about ourselves and what we  believe. We strive to live authentic lives that elevate the work of Jesus in and through us, not our own accomplishments. We are learners and want to create ways to have safe, respectful inter-faith conversations. We seek to honor ethnic identity and build bridges cross-culturally. We are not the church, but the the extension of many local churches in Houston on Rice's campus. 

We desire to be a community that passes on a culture of:

• bold faith and intentionality

• care and compassion

• excellence and not perfectionism

• foundations of faithfulness

... so that students are equipped with the heart and skills to walk with God for a lifetime.