HISTORY
HISTORY OF CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL (CCCI)
Starting with Bill and Vonette Bright
In 1951, as a student at Fuller Theological Seminary, studying late one night for a Greek exam, Bill Bright receives a unique impression from God to invest his life in helping reach the entire world, starting with college students. A professor friend suggests “Campus Crusade for Christ” as the name of the new ministry. In the fall, Bill and his wife, Vonette, start Campus Crusade (now known as Cru in the U.S.) at UCLA with the backing of a 24-hour prayer chain.
In 1952, more than 250 UCLA students receive Christ, including the student-body president, campus-newspaper editor, and many athletes, like Rafer Johnson, later an Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon. CCC spreads to other schools, and to meet the need, the Brights accept their first six staff members.
1956, Bill Bright writes “God’s Plan for Your Life.” This 20-minute evangelistic presentation, required memorization for staff members, sets the tone for the development of CCC’s revolutionary training in evangelism and discipleship.
1956, Bill Bright writes “God’s Plan for Your Life.” This 20-minute evangelistic presentation, required memorization for staff members, sets the tone for the development of Cru’s revolutionary training in evangelism and discipleship.
1958, Campus Crusade for Christ becomes international as Dr. Joon Gon Kim launches the work in South Korea. Over the next 40 years, South Korea moves from being a missionary-receiving nation to one that sends them, with 271 Korean Campus Crusade for Christ staff members and disciples serving in 23 other countries around the world today. 1959, The first Lay Institute for Evangelism takes the evangelism and discipleship training from the campus ministry and adapts it to a church context.
By the end of the 1950s, Campus Crusade for Christ is active in three countries. Currently, the ministry is active in over 190 countries
HISTORY OF NEW LIFE MINISTRY, SOUTH SUDAN
The New Life Ministry of South Sudan started in 2004 when a STINT team from America partnered with the Campus Crusade for Christ in Trinidad to launch a Student-led movement on our main university, the University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus.
Since then, the ministry has seen many students join and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ while learning to share their faith with others. The national ministry has added other strategies such as Leader Impact, Family Life and Digital Strategies.
In the year 2024, we joyously commemorate two decades of God’s unwavering faithfulness in establishing and nurturing the New Life Ministry in South Sudan.
