By now you’ve probably heard that Campus Crusade for Christ is changing its name to Cru early this year.

Here are some questions you may be asking.  These are our answers:

Why the name change?

    Of course, Jesus is the name above every name.  We care tons more about His Name than any other name.  Our mission and calling to make Him known has not and will not change.  Yet we want to do all that we can to be more effective and engage with more people.  Changing the organizational name in the USA will be a step in this direction.

Unfortunately, some of the news media response has created the opinion that we changed our name simply to “drop Christ.”  This is not true.  We’re more committed and more passionate about introducing people to Christ than ever before.  Years of painstaking research and much prayer has revealed that we’ll generally be more effective in communicating the gospel with the new name.  Actually, only after one final late hour prayer session did the name “cru” emerge as a possible choice out of 1,600 name suggestions.  The Lord chose the new name.

Go here to see a lot of new details about the name change and even see a video from co-founder Vonette Bright speaking in favor of the new name.

How do we feel about now serving with Cru?

  Although any change of this type will require time to get used to it, Shannon and I are fine with the name change to CRU.  This decision has been bathed in prayer for years.  We’ve known that a change was coming for almost 3 years now.  Even 20 years ago, Bill & Vonette Bright discussed changing the name.   Here in the U.S. – particularly on college campuses – there were just too many negative connotations with the word “crusade.”  And the word “campus” does not represent us well either, because of our huge ministry presence outside the campus today.  For example, it’s been difficult for our Military Ministry (especially in recruiting contexts) to explain that they were “Campus Crusade” staff when their ministry had nothing to do with the campus.  Same is true for our Inner City ministry and dozens of others.

What does “Cru” mean?

   Just like Nike and Starbucks chose a company name ambiguous to their product line, yet highly rememberable, our research showed strong positive sentiment amongst a large cross section of people towards the short name “cru.”  It is simply a coined term.  To those familiar with us already, it connects us with our past and yet is forward looking.  For those that we will connect with in the future, the name will be filled with all of the experiences and meaning of who we are and what we have to offer.

Why is Cru only for the USA?

  Good point.  Yes, just to clarify, the new name Cru is only the name for the USA organization.  In each country where we have a ministry presence, the indigenous ministry leaders in that particular country get to decide their own organizational name.  Several countries will keep the name Campus Crusade for Christ.  Other countries have never chosen this name.  We’re named Agape in France, LIFE Ministry in Kenya, Power to Change in Canada and Tandem Ministries in New Zealand.

Can we still make checks payable to Campus Crusade for Christ?

Yes.  Either name will work.

More details:  http://www.ccci.org/about-us/donor-relations/our-new-name/index.htm

Want to see a short glimpse of how the Lord multiplied your partnership in ministry with us this year?

Here’s a video that says Thank You from all of Campus Crusade for Christ.
(Click the Play arrow below or click here to play video in a separate window.  If you’re viewing this post in your email, be sure to choose ‘Download Pictures’ or ‘Enable Links/Images’ in your email program.)

As you can see, there’s LOTS to celebrate.

But right now we celebrate and give thanks for YOU!  Words can not describe how grateful Shannon and I are for your friendship, commitment to us through your prayers and financial partnership, and simply your love.

Our ministry is impossible without you.  If you haven’t yet given a special year end gift, would you prayerfully consider it?    All gifts given by midnight on December 31 are fully tax deductible for 2011.

2011 was a great year of ministry.  Yet, in order to properly launch into 2012, we do certainly need significant financial investments and your faith filled, persistent prayers!

You may give safely and securely online – any amount welcome – via one time or monthly credit card or electronic bank account transfer.   If you prefer not to give online, there are also several other ways you can give.

THANK YOU for being on our team!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

My reflections on the Christmas story Luke 2:8-20  (read it OR listen to it here on YouVersion.com)

Shepherds!  Why is Luke – a careful, meticulous doctor – telling us about shepherds?  They don’t seem a very likely lot to be included in the story of the King of Kings.

Yet, boom!  They get THE NEWS!  They get an angel!

Amazing?  Joyful?  Picturesque?

Frightening. Dreadful. Overpowering light.  “This could mean our death!  We have seen an angel of the Lord!”

Stories told of angels visits in the past – stories transmitted generation to generation even amongst shepherds – would have provided further incentive for fear, angst and desire to hide.

Contrast this encounter with Joshua 5 and Exodus 3

* The angel attempted to calm their fears.  (This did not often happen with angelic appearances in the Old Testament.)
* Angels appeared to common folk – even mere shepherds, mere scoundrels.
* No urgent admonition to remove shoes
* No command to go and do something brave for the Lord
* No prompt to go DO anything at all -  just a hint of how to find Jesus

12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Whoa!  WHAT? What is this that we’re seeing and hearing?

This announcement signals a brand new way to encounter God:

* You can get close to God and live to tell about it!
* Yes, we’ve a deep need to revere Him but we, even we as scoundrel shepherds, are invited to come and touch Him!
* Walk right up to the King of Kings and talk to Him.

Through this announcement we are given great confidence to enter the most Holy place and actually live to tell about it. (Hebrews 10)

It’s even better.  Perplexing a bit, yet incredible, fascinating news:  We enter the most Holy place because of the gift He brings us – not because of the gift WE bring.

Big news.  Good news.  Not so frightful, yet awesome.  And humbling.

Spread the news.

Among the many rich items in American history is the origin of Thanksgiving.

The first official Thanksgiving holiday for our country was cast into history by a proclamation given by President George Washington during his first term.  GW = George Washington of course.

This is an amazing piece of writing along with the story of hardships and victory witnessed by Washington during the Revolutionary War.  You can read it on Wikipedia. I find his perspective admirable and humbling.  Here are a few observations from Washington’s proclamation of 1789:

According to Washington:

It is the duty of all nations – all people – to do several things as an act of Thanksgiving …

• Recognize that God superintends all life
• Obey God’s will
• Be grateful for the benefits which belong to Him, yet are enjoyed by us
• Humbly and respectfully ask and seek God to provide protection and favor

Thanksgiving is a day which should be set aside and devoted to …

• Making sure our hearts are grateful
• Openly acknowledging the specific ways God has blessed us
• Especially acknowledge the great blessing we have in a peaceable and democratic government
• Serving God Himself, who is “the Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.”
• Unite together with other people to give thanks to God

We should make special care to be thankful for specific blessings in our land …

• Protection from war
• The great degree and length of peace under which we have prospered
• Civil and religious liberties
• The specific opportunities we have to share our prosperity and knowledge to help others

In our prayers we are encouraged to …

• Humbly ask “the great Lord and Ruler of Nations” for forgiveness
• Ask for our government to be a blessing to all peoples
• Ask for strength to be able to carry out our civic duties properly and punctually

- Paraphrasing all mine.  Take a look at the original document to gain a clearer picture.

This encourages me to be slow and careful to recognize the overflowing goodness of God poured out to me every day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

About a week ago a few families in our neighborhood organized a food collection for Central Florida Children’s Home.

It was a great pre-Thanksgiving way to share food before we feast!  And it was a great way for our kids to catch a vision for serving other kids with kindness and love.  Kindness and love can come in the form of a box of cereals and canned goods along with encouraging words.

Over 100 grocery bags full of items were collected from our neighborhood.  See above.

Kids in Costume Collect Food Items & Donations in our Neighborhood

What’s with the costumes? Was this a re-run of Halloween? No. Along with the food drive, the kids in our neighborhood had a costume contest.  The costumed superheroes and heroines went door to door collecting the donations.  Lots of fun!

After returning home from our U.S. staff training conference and being at home for a couple of weeks, I’m on the road (and the air) again for a week or so.   This time it’s a trip to Bangalore, India with 3 of my teammates to conduct a training for several of our tech leader staff in India.

Shannon cranked up homeschool with the kids last week and they are ramping up to a fall full of activities.  She’d appreciate your prayers this week as well.  Mommy + schoolteacher + cook + activity chauffeur + everything else = overtime work, even when I am at home!

This is my first time to India.  Bangalore is a major city in the south part of India where our country office and training center is located.  If you’ve ever had to call customer service to get assistance with your malfunctioning computer, TV or DVD player, chances are the person who answered the call was located in Bangalore.  It is one of the world’s major technology centers and also where a lot of North American firms place their call centers. 

I’m a little nervous about conducting a technical training for Indians.  They’re very smart!  India has more honors students than America has students (total).  And they all grow up speaking English and other languages, using computers and have a breadth of international experience.  As usual, I’m sure I’ll learn more from them than they’ll learn from us.

Prayer Requests …

~  Safe travel August 15-16 and returning Aug 21-22

~  Lift up Shannon and the kids holding down the fort.  Pray for peace, strength and the Lord’s presence.

~  Pray that I’ll be able to connect with Shannon and the kids via Skype or video call at least once while I’m there.

~  Pray for the training meetings:  11:30pm – 8am eastern time on both Aug 17 & 18.

~  Pray that all our training materials arrive safely in India.

We returned from Colorado where our all U.S. staff training conference is held every two years.  The whole Hand clan really enjoyed the time.  The kids participated in a Christ-focused kids camp during the week and Shannon and I attended seminars and gathered with our teammates during the day.

Some of this years speakers included: Francis Chan (author of Crazy Love); Dan Allender and Pastor David Platt (of Birmingham, AL)

You can watch the videos here.

The Lord refreshed us and sharpened us during this time.  We pray you will be too as you watch this:

Recently I finished a time of sabbatical.  It was about giving my soul a quiet place.  Being still. Reading the Word. Listening.

Every four years, missionaries with Campus Crusade are allowed 30 days to step away for spiritual renewal.  Although I knew I had this rare privilege, this is the first time in 18 years with CCCI that I’ve taken advantage of it.  I followed the advice of Ken Cochrum and others who gave excellent tips for planning a successful sabbatical.

Two Things I learned:

These hardly seem radical.  Basically, it was just really good to be reminded of some key things.

#1  Rest is a very good thing

God invented rest.  Not because He needs it, but because He knows we do.  I had to convince myself that it’s ok to radically step away from the hectic pace of life.  Yes, it required planning.  In my case I had to postpone a few projects I was working on and hand off others work to coworkers.  The Lord provided space and time to read His Word and rest.  Those were the two things I did at length.  But were there distractions?  Well, the reality is that you can be distracted in an empty room in the middle of a desert.  So, I had to turn off my email, social networks, cell phone, etc.  (Ah, now you know why I haven’t been in touch for so long!)  It took about 3 days before I felt free to fully disengage from my world of real-time communications.  Yes, it felt like I was going through withdrawal of some sorts without a digital life, but after a short time… I didn’t miss it at all! I felt more focused – like my brain was actually functioning better.  Also I felt more in tune with my family and immensely enjoyed spending time with them.  So, in short, I was reminded that SLOW DOWN is a Biblical command to be heeded at regular intervals.  It did me much good in terms of physical, mental and spiritual rest and renewal.

#2 God’s Word speaks

Yes, His Word is living and active and is always busy accomplishing His work.  The treasure of His Word is ready to dwell in me richly every moment of every day.  Yet my tendency sometimes is to try to force His Word to speak – to emphasize it on His behalf – especially when I am facing a decision point or pressing needs in my life.  And, true, at some busy points in my life a particular Bible verse has grabbed my attention with vigor, leading me to a certain path or plan.  He does bring emphasis at busy or critical times.  But when my soul is quiet, and I spend time with Him at leisure, His Word seems to float up and around every thought.  The things He seems to say are much more relational and always draw attention to Him.  During my time of rest, He seemed to say through His Word: “See, I am rich in time.  I have time for you and I love you.  My agenda is Me.  Believe in Me and simply walk with Me no matter where I lead or what the circumstances are.  Only I can truly satisfy.  Only I can do true work.  Only I can love you perfectly.  Rest in Me.”

Trusting God

Shannon and I started reading this book by Jerry Bridges.  We also purchased the Discussion Guide that comes with it and made time to talk through some of the questions there.  We’ll hope to continue to talk through it.  Several of the chapters deal with God’s control over events or circumstances in our lives and dive in to many Scriptures on why it can be difficult to trust God, even when it’s somewhat easy to obey God.  Excellent book!

So, all in all I highly recommend a sabbatical rest.  Whether it be for 30 days or whatever length of time.  May He meet with you richly there!

It’s a flat out gorgeous Palm Sunday here in sunny Florida. Wanted to share two sets of photos with you.

In the first set, drum roll please, enjoy our most recent Hand family portraits! These come courtesy of our friend and talented photographer Kristina, taken shortly after Thanksgiving last year. Notice the slight hint of fall in these scenes – it’s as much fall as we get here in central Florida.

See the complete album (6 photos) here.

I’d hoped to share this second set of photos with you sooner, after I returned from my ministry trip to Thailand in March. These were captured at the Global Technology Leaders (you might notice the misspelled ‘GLT’ welcome banner created by the hotel) conference my team helped to facilitate. About 25 of our missionaries representing over 11 different countries gathered for worship, leadership development, technology training and problem solving sessions.

The three pictures at the top (clockwise from top left corner) show some remarkable leaders from around the world. It is truly a privilege to work with and serve these men:

~ Ephesians from East Africa. (Yes, his name is Ephesians and his life story is a true example of Ephesians 3:20)

~ Mishel from the Middle East / Russ from Canada / Me with Ephesians / Miheret from Ethiopia

How we wish you could meet each one of these talented people! The Lord has brought them into His service and is using them to accelerate the Great Commission. Thank Him with us for them.

It’s always a rush trying to get ready for an out of town trip.  So I’m grateful to be able to post this shortly before I fly out.

My team from the Global Technology Office here in Orlando is hosting a meeting in northern Thailand this weekend through next Wednesday.  This will be a gathering for 27 Campus Crusade missionaries serving in about a dozen different countries.  We host this meeting twice each year.  For the last two times, we’ve met in Thailand.

Rather than tell you about the meeting I’ll just list some prayer points so you can lift these up:

Pray for …