PERFORMANCE. ISOLATION. TOTAL EXCESS.
It doesn’t take much for college students to give into the long list of things competing for their hearts and minds; academic success, athletics, jobs, parties, acceptance from peers, relationships, etc.
Even though I grew up in a churched family, my time spent at the University of Connecticut was like so many others' - spent searching for meaning and purpose in all the world had to offer.
GOD IS AT WORK.
In the face of these competing forces, God is bringing students within and outside of the Church to Himself. Not just to know the Gospel and know about Christianity, but to experience the Gospel and to live out the transformed, abundant life that Jesus promises.
My nominal walk of faith was transformed as I sought the truth away from home. As I asked questions, God met me and graciously introduced me to true community in the form of a group called Cru (and a unique ministry of Cru called Lifelines).
OUTDOOR & EXPERIENTIAL MINISTRY
Lifelines is strategy designed to teach the Gospel through shared experience and to facilitate conversations, relationships, and experiences to “make easy" the truth of salvation.
We are striving to lessen the labor of the lost as they attempt to cope with a fallen world, misplaced expectations, a shortage of hope, a loss of morality, and a lack of relationship. We do this by pointing the lost toward the truth and the love of Jesus Christ.
New England, specifically Greater Portland, is one of the least churched areas in the United States. Our team is strategically placed in Southern Maine to reach lost students, build up leaders in their faith, and send them on mission in response to Jesus' Great Commission.
Jesus walked with his disciples from city to city, through the wilderness, over multiple days - almost sounds like backpacking, right? Or how about on the boat in the Sea of Galilee during the storm - white water rafting? What we do is fun, but it's not just for adventure's sake. It's because throughout history we see God teaching His people in a similar way; through shared experience.
Cru - Campus Ministry
Cru is a global missions organization with 25,000 + staff around the world in over 190 countries.
Started in 1951 at UCLA (Campus Crusade for Christ), Cru's vision is to see movements everywhere so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus.
Lifelines is one of Cru's many specialized ministries. We have 25+ staff around the country in four locations (ME, NC, CO, OR).
REACH. BUILD. SEND.
Not only do I get to lead trips for colleges all across the Northeast (NY to ME), I also lead on local campuses in Southern Maine, leading Bible studies, outreach events, and discipling young men in their walks with Jesus.
University of Southern Maine | University of New England | Southern Maine Community College | Bates | Bowdoin | ...
ONE TEAM - TWO ROLES
Our Lifelines Northeast & Cru Southern Maine team spans generations, combines specialized skillsets, and shares decades of ministry experience.
We simultaneously resource ministries throughout the Northeast with our Lifelines strategy and serve as the local Cru movement in Southern Maine.
MY SPECIFIC ROLE
TEAM LEADER
I have the amazing privilege of providing leadership to our team of ministry staff as we lead trips for colleges all across the Northeast (NY to ME) and strive to reach the local campuses with the Gospel in Greater Portland. Some roles include:
leadership & staff development | discipleship | backcountry, climbing & whitewater guide | campus outreach events | weekly meetings & study groups | marketing & promotional design | technical support
We invite others to partner with us to reach people for Christ.
Like many other missions organizations, Cru depends upon the consistent financial support of concerned individuals and churches.
These contributions are used to fund the ministries of our staff members.
MY COMMITMENT TO MY PARTNERS
- To work diligently to touch the lives of people for Jesus Christ.
- To regularly let you know how God is blessing the ministry.
- To be financially faithful with the funds given for my ministry.
- To share prayer concerns with one another.
Ways to partner...
PRAYER
The essential backbone of our ministry on campus and in the outdoors.
CONNECTIONS
friends at church | neighbors | family | coworkers | small groups
I would love to connect, share more about the ways God is using this ministry, and invite you to join me in this adventure to share the Gospel with students around the country and the world.
Please reach out to me at nick.topor@cru.org or 860.951.5728 to continue the conversation.
nick.topor@cru.org || +1.860.951.5728 || crusouthernmaine.com