Kimberly Buck

#0544354

In early March of 2022, several days after war broke out between Russia and Ukraine, I left the place I had called home, where I had fulfilled my ministry calling for 16 years. Now I watch from afar as loved ones face struggles and adversity, and those I have ministered alongside for over a decade seek to continue to bring the Gospel to the lost and hurting people of Russia. I did not want to leave, but I did not have a choice. Now my ministry in Russia is one of prayer. I don't know what the future holds. What I do know is that I serve a God who loves me, who loves Russian people, who loves Ukranians, who is not blind to the pain and suffering we each are going through in our own ways. He is there, right alongside us. I continue to trust that His ways are higher than my ways.


Cru’s main strategy for reaching people for Christ can be summed up with the words, WIN, BUILD, and SEND. We WIN students to Christ through spiritual conversations and a variety of evangelistic tools and methods. We BUILD students in their faith, helping them to grow into mature disciples of Christ. Then, we SEND them to their campus, to their friends, to their coworkers, to the world, to be a part of WINning others to Christ, BUILDing others up in their faith, and SENDing others out to make disciples. It is the beautiful ministry of spiritual multiplication. 

 As an International Sending Coordinator, I’m most focused on the SEND aspect of our strategy. But all of these work together so that more people can come into a relationship with Jesus. I help mobilize and send students, interns, and Cru staff internationally to reach people for Christ. My 16 years of international missionary experience is a huge benefit as I mobilize, coach, care for, equip, help, and support the next generation of international missionaries so that they don’t just survive, but thrive in their life and ministry overseas - physically, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and cross-culturally. 

 There can be many reasons that a missionary leaves the mission field: medical problems, family issues, stress, difficult team relationships, poor emotional health, language learning difficulties, lack of adequate support from the sending organization, and more. It is my hope to invest in and support the missionaries we send so that they can thrive for many years, just as I did. I’m so excited to get to continue pouring into all the things I care about - the Great Commission, college students, the world, and using my gifts for His glory. I have loved doing ministry internationally myself for 16 years. 

 Now I am in the unique position to spiritually multiply even further than before. It’s exciting that God is expanding my influence and reach for Christ even further. I started in Moscow in 2003 with influencing Moscow students for Christ. I eventually moved to St. Petersburg and was part of the national campus leadership team there, where my influence spread to students all over Russia. Now, through this unique role, I’ll be able to influence young people literally all over the world in hard to reach places to know Christ and make Him known! 

 You and I are co-laborers in reaching people with the hope of Jesus Christ. Thank you for playing such an important part of not only this ministry but also in my life. I love to think about and pray for the people that will begin a relationship with Christ in the coming year in places like the Middle East, Central Asia, and yes, maybe even Russia and the former Soviet Union, because of your generosity and prayers. I am grateful for you! It is because of you, that many will hear the Gospel, perhaps for the very first time. Thank you for your partnership in reaching the world with the Gospel!

Love in Christ,
Kim


"How then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?" Romans 10:14

Website: https://kimbuck.epistle.org/subscribe

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