crossroads

Back to the Windy City

by Ryan on 4.26.11 · 1 comment

Chicago Summer Project

Last summer, we had the incredible opportunity to live in downtown Chicago for 7 weeks, working with 50 other students and staff during the Chicago Summer Project.
Ryan led the Crossroads Project, an internship for operationally-minded students and Rachel had the opportunity to develop relationships with the students and was able
to share the Gospel at the UIC campus. One UIC student, Natalie, for the first time truly understood the Gospel and was able to get connected with the ministry there.

Once again, we get to pack our little family into the minivan and “move” into the Automatic Lofts across from UIC’s campus. We are so excited to be a part of the Chicago and
Crossroads Project. We are looking forward to meeting our next group of students, investing in them personally and professionally. This year, Ryan is sorely outnumbered with
2 guys and 8 girls. There will be an additional 70 students with the Chicago Summer Project, plenty for Braden and Logan to win over with their charm.

One student from last year, wrote about her experience with Crossroads and we wanted to share it with you.

Rachel Small - Crossroads

“When I was deciding to do with my last summer in college, I felt stuck. I had always wanted to do a summer project with Crusade – I loved the idea of spending a summer
learning how to reach people with the love of God in actions and words. But I also have a passion for writing, and with a job search looming, I really needed an internship.

God brought me from that crossroad, pulled between two choices, to Crossroads. Not only did I get to experience the amazing community of the Chicago Summer Project and
share the gospel with college students in the city, but I also got to use my love of writing for God’s purposes. During the day, we worked on projects for Crusade,
including planning the theme and promotion for the Indy CC winter conference. We got to see how members of Crusade’s design staff used their passions in unique ways
for the Lord. Ryan and Rachel opened up their lives to us, whether it was making delicious home-cooked meals for us when we were far from home or letting us play with
their adorable kids.

It was an incredible summer that taught me the incredible value of working passionately with the talents we have for God’s glory. The crossroads in my life is no
longer about a choice between serving God and doing what I love with writing – it’s about finding the place where those intersect.”
- Rachel Small [click to continue…]

May 10 – Things will be great when we’re Downtown!

by Ryan on 5.20.10 · 0 comments


CSP | Chicago Summer Project

Students that engage in this project can expect to develop practical ministry skills and the tools necessary to be a strategic leader both in Chicago and back on campus. We’ll be partnering with the campus ministry team in Chicago to help them pioneer and establish new ministries on university campuses. Another focus will be to reach out to the ethnic groups that exist in this diverse city and on these diverse campuses.

Crossroads allows students the opportunity to build deep relationships and serve the ministries of the Great Lakes Region of Campus Crusade for Christ, including campuses in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana.

Crossroads is an internship with the ZeroCanvas Design Team. Students work side by side with ZeroCanvas on projects that directly effect ministry as well as develop the theme and identity of IndyCC, a conference that brings thousands of college students from the Midwest together to strengthen and share their faith in Christ.

Moving the Crossroads Project from Indy to Chicago is a huge step for us. The students on this project will have the opportunity to use their skills for ministry AND get the experience of a larger summer project, with more opportunities for growth and evangelism.

The students that participate in the Chicago Project this summer will be working at various locations, practicing their skills in initiating spiritual conversations with their coworkers, while the Crossroads students will be working with Ryan, on regional and local projects for the Great Lakes Region. All the students will be disciples by staff, each having the opportunity to spend an afternoon on a nearby campus, sharing their faith with the students there.

Here’s how you can help:

  • We will have 40-50 students that need jobs for the summer. If you know of an opportunity for one of these students, please let us know. They will not have cars, so it will need to be accessible via public transportation.
  • The lofts we are moving into do not include lamps or dishes. If you have a lamp or pots and pans that might be making their way to Goodwill sometime soon, please let us know. These will help to provide for the students and staff.
  • We still need about $2000 to help cover out summer project expenses. If you are interested in giving or partnering with us, you can do so at Our CCCI giving website with your credit card or checking account. If you would prefer to write a check, please let us know.
  • Some of the Crossroads students are still needing to complete their support. If you are interested in giving to help them meet their goals, please contact us.

Thanks so much for all that you do for us! We are looking forward to our summer in the Windy City and what the Lord has planned for us.

Please Pray

> Please pray for the many families that will be staffing this project. It looks like the kids will be outnumbering the staff! This presents some unique dynamics and challenges for the staff team.

> Please pray, as the staff and students finish up the support raising process. This is the first time most of these students are raising support. And as many of you are well aware, living in the city is not cheap.

← Previous Entries