|
Campus Crusade for Christ is an interdenominational Christian organization, focusing on evangelism and discipleship in over 190 countries around the world. Its stated mission is "to win people to Christ, build them in their faith, and send them out to win, build and send others." Campus Crusade was started in 1951 at the University of California, Los Angeles by Bill Bright as a ministry for college students. Campus Crusade has since expanded its focus to include adult professionals [1], families [2], athletes [3], high school students [4] and more. The World Headquarters is located in Orlando, Florida, and the current president of the organization is Steve Douglass. Campus Crusade owns worldwide distribution rights for the 1979 film Jesus. They are also the publishers of The Four Spiritual Laws, also known as the "Knowing God Personally Booklet" [5]. In many parts of Europe, Campus Crusade is known as Agape Europe [6]. The collegiate ministry is known in some parts of the world as Student Life (Poland, New Zealand and Australia) or LIFE Ministry (southeast Africa). The Christian Embassy is a Campus Crusade ministry with offices in a number cities around the world. Its United Nations office is accredited as a Non-Governmental Organization. Another office located in Washington, D.C., is geared towards the needs of the diplomatic community, including presidential employees, members and the staff of the United States Congress, and workers in The Pentagon. Its alleged influence among the military and in national politics has attracted attention from the media. See: Washington Post Editorial and Christian Embassy Letter to the Editor
Statistics
- Largest evangelical organization in the United States, according to USA Today (1996)
- Originator and distributor of The Jesus Film, the most widely translated film in history (more than 1000 languages and dialects [1] and viewed more than 6 billion times)
- Employs over 27,000 full-time staff and has trained 225,000 volunteers in 190 countries around the world
- Composed of over 60 different ministries, including Athletes in Action, Campus Ministry, FamilyLife, Josh McDowell Ministry, Student Venture, and The Jesus Film Project.
Timeline
Chronology of events in Campus Crusade's history[2]:
1950s
- 1951 - Campus Crusade for Christ is founded by Bill and Vonette Bright on the UCLA campus.
- 1952 - The Brights accept their first six staff members.
- 1958 - Campus Crusade becomes an international organization, forming a ministry in South Korea.
- 1959 - By the end of the 1950s, Campus Crusade is active on 40 U.S. college campuses and in three other countries.
1960s
Campus Crusade begins new ministries to high school students, military personnel, and athletes, as well as a new prayer ministry.
- 1962 - Campus Crusade purchases their headquarters for the next three decades at Arrowhead Springs, a resort complex in San Bernardino, California.
- 1965 - Bill Bright writes Have you Heard of The Four Spiritual Laws?, likely the most widely distributed religious booklet in history, with more than 2.5 billion printed to date.
- 1966 - Campus Crusade begins The Music Ministry (now called Keynote), using music to communicate the gospel around the world.
- 1969 - By the end of the 1960s, Campus Crusade is active in 25 countries.
1970s
- 1972 - EXPLO '72, a conference featuring evangelism and discipleship training, premiers in Dallas with 80,000 in attendance.
- 1974 - EXPLO '74 premiers in Seoul, Korea, training 300,000 in evangelism and discipleship.
- 1976 - "I Found It!", an evangelistic billboard/bumper sticker campaign, is launched. 85 percent of all Americans are exposed to the campaign, and by 1978 campaigns are established in more than 100 countries. As a result, more than 3.5 million people become Christians.
- 1979 - Jesus, a film based on the Bible's Gospel of Luke, is first released in 250 theaters across the United States.
1980s
- 1982 - Campus Crusade's campus ministry sends its first team of students to the Soviet Union.
- 1988 - The first Thursday in May is officially declared the National Day of Prayer. Vonette Bright serves as co-chairwoman in its first year.
- 1989 - By the end of the 1980s, Campus Crusade is active in 93 countries.
1990s
- 1990 - Delegates from 102 countries attend New Life 2000 in Manila. During the six-month period, the gospel is shared with more than 3.3 million Filipinos.
- 1991 - Campus Crusade celebrates its 40th anniversary. Its world headquarters moves to Orlando, Florida, from California.
- 1996 - Bill Bright is awarded the $1.1 million Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion, and donates the money to promote the spiritual benefits of fasting and prayer.
- 1999 - Campus Crusade for Christ International's Lake Hart campus is dedicated in Orlando, Florida.
2000s
- 2000 - Bill Bright announces Steve Douglass, executive vice president and director of U.S. Ministries, as his successor, effective August 2001.
- 2002 - Jesus, the most watched (viewed more than 6 billion times[3]) and translated film of all time, is translated into its 800th language.[4]
- 2003 - Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ International, dies from complications due to pulmonary fibrosis.
- 2006 - Led by Steve Douglass, Campus Crusade for Christ International comprises some 60 different ministries and projects in 190 countries around the world.
- 2007 - CM2007: Campus Crusade for Christ held a global missions conference in Busan, South Korea from June 30th thru July 5th. The conference focused on three primary themes: Christ Magnified, Connected Movements, and Completing the Mission. CM2007
Fundraising
- Top religious charity in the United States according to U.S. News and World Report (1995)
- Chronicle of Philanthropy rates Campus Crusade for Christ the top religious charity in the United States (2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998).
- Most efficient religious group according to Money magazine (December 1993, page 134) which goes on to state, "Campus Crusade for Christ International, which spends an average of 84% of its income on programs, has long since moved from college out into the world."
- Charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountablity.
- Ranks #46 in total revenue for all U.S. charitable organizations, according to Forbes magazine (2005)
- The top salary for any Campus Crusade employee was $57,466 in the fiscal year ending August 31, 2004
Staff members
Campus Crusade for Christ staff members raise funds for the organization to pay their salaries and ministry expenses. Salaries are not based on the position one holds in the organization, as all staff have the same base pay adjusted by tenure, life situation (single, married, children, etc.), and geographic cost of living (from CampusCrusadeforChrist.com). Married staff members are considered a missionary team; balancing family life with ministry is a significant priority for Campus Crusade. Mothers with young children may have flexible schedules to accommodate the needs of the family. Some mothers spend a great majority of time at home, while others choose to continue their ministry at or near full-time status (from CampusCrusadeforChrist.com).
Significant publications
- The Four Spiritual Laws
- Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life?
- Transferable Concepts
- 10 Basic Steps Towards Christian Maturity by Bill Bright
- Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
- More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell
- The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers by Josh McDowell
- Worldwide Challenge - the magazine of Campus Crusade for Christ
External links
Official sites
Around the world
- Campus Crusade for Christ International
- Campus Crusade for Christ International Newsroom
- Argentina
- Australia
- Canada
- Ecuador
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Korea
- Korea Campus Crusade for Christ in America
- Malaysia
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Singapore
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Venezuela
Major ministry divisions in the U.S.
- US Campus Ministry - Campus Crusade ministry for college students; find a local ministry with the Campus Locator
- Athletes in Action - Campus Crusade ministry for athletes
- FamilyLife - Campus Crusade ministry for families, marriage
- The Christian Embassy, Washington, D.C.
- The Christian Embassy to the United Nations
- Josh McDowell - Campus Crusade author (Evidence That Demands A Verdict; The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers; more), speaker
- Jesus Film Project
- Here's Life Inner City - Campus Crusade ministry for urban inner cities
- Priority Associates - Campus Crusade ministry for adult professionals
- Military Ministry - Campus Crusade ministry for military personnel, including active duty and ROTC cadets & midshipmen
- Keynote - the music and creative arts ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ
Media coverage of Campus Crusade for Christ
- CBS News: Eye to Eye With Katie Couric (MP4) - Some college kids are finding Christ and a sense of belonging (December 2006)
- American Executive - Profile of Campus Crusade president Steve Douglass
- CNN's Anderson Cooper - Campus Crusade participants help with hurricane Katrina relief (March 23, 2006)
- Good Morning America "Faith on Campus" - Segment featuring Campus Crusade for Christ (December 2005)
- International Herald Tribune - A New Breed of Evangelicals Joins the US Elite (2005)
- Los Angeles Times - Crusading iPoders for Christ (Diane Winston commentary on spirituality among college students from the iPod generation, 2005)
See also
References
- ^ Jesus Film Project Translation List
- ^ Campus Crusade for Christ Newsroom
- ^ PBS: The Jesus Film Project
- ^ The New York Times, July 22, 2003 Page 1AR, "1979 Bible Film is the Most-Watched Movie of All Time" by Franklin Foer
