volunteer_activism
arrow_back

Select A Region

arrow_back

Erin and JaLynn O'Brien

#0449073

"Reach the campus today. Reach the world tomorrow." - Bill Bright. 

Texas State University has of enrollment of 45,000 students. These young people are tomorrow's teachers, nurses, business leaders, coaches, and neighbors.  Our short term desire is to build spiritual movements all across our this campus so that every student will know someone that truly follows Jesus Christ. But as young people are trained in ministry skills and grown in their faith journey, the long range desire is that Texas State is a launchpad for sending Christ-centered laborers all over the world. 

I became a Christ-follower in 1988 when someone with Campus Crusade shared the good news of Jesus Christ with me. After we taught school for two years, my wife, JaLynn, and I joined with Campus Crusade in 1995. In 2000 I became the Campus Director at Texas State University. Today, we continue to share the gospel on the front lines of spiritual battles. 

Ultimately, we do all of this to see lives changed! Students are looking for hope.
- 44% of students experience symptoms of depression.
- 1 in 5 college students contemplate suicide every year.
(Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among college students.)
- Students don't believe there will be a job for them post-college.
- Many students come from broken homes.
- 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted during education career.
- Students tend to view truth as relative and unattainable.
- Less than 4% of the Y Generation attend church.
(Compare that to 15% of Gen X, and 35% of Boomers, 65% Builders)

However, even in the midst of depair, Jesus Christ is changing lives everyday on campuses everywhere. We want to be the first to greet students as they leave home and transition into the adult world, where they will make critical decisions on their own that will impact the rest of their lives. At the center of all these important decisions is the their decision about God.

Have you ever considered giving in the most tax-smart way?

Many generous partners like you are discovering how to maximize their kingdom impact —not just for Cru, but also for their local church and other ministries— without ever touching their checking or savings accounts. Here are three powerful ways to give smarter:

Stock Gifts – Avoid capital gains and give more.

Donor Advised Fund – Streamline your giving with tax efficiency.

IRA Giving (age 70½+) – Reduce taxable income while advancing the gospel.

Cru Foundation is a ministry of Cru designed to serve you with strategic, tax-smart giving solutions at no cost to you. Our mission is to help ensure more of your generosity fuels the Great Commission, not taxes. Click here to learn more and explore your options.


JaLynn and I have six wonderful children: Will, Ty, Claire, Jake, Grace, and Kate.

Because college students are worth it.
Erin O'Brien

Start a New Gift

Or Search by:
Missionaries | Ministries | Featured

Need Help?

Call us at (888)278-7233 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday, or email us at eGift@cru.org.

Get help 24/7 from our FAQs.