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Hi! My name is Beth, and I am so excited that you are interested in learning more about my ministry work with Cru (the college ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ).

College is a time where students are searching for meaning and purpose in their lives. The world offers many enticing and tempting solutions - most of which often leave us feeling unfulfilled and empty. As Christians, we know that only a personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ can fully satisfy. Our mission at Cru is to win students by showing them the love of God and presenting the gospel; to build up Christians in a community marked by acceptance and vulnerability where students can grow in their walk with God; and to send  students out on mission for the Kingdom of God. 

I know this model is effective because it has worked in my life. I grew up thinking God was distant and uninvolved - holding out a list of rules and expectations that I had to meet. I received my worth and identity from my accomplishments in the classroom and on the athletic field. When I attended the University of Maine, my identity was stripped from me. I was starting over. A blank slate. And boy....was I terrified. My sister was on staff with Cru, so I started attending the weekly meetings only because the staff invested in and loved me. Later my freshmen year, I went to the Northeast Cru Winter Conference. Here, I learned that God wanted a personal relationship with me - something I had never heard before. I accepted Jesus into my life as my Lord and Savior, and my life has never been the same. Through my involvement with Cru and the local church, God has shown me a more fuller perspective of the gospel. I know that the Lord is not mad or disappointed in me; that He became my sin on the cross, so I could be set free. Truly, Jesus is now the treasure of my heart.

In John 21:17 - Jesus asks Peter for the third time, "Simon son of John do you love me?" Peter responds by saying "Lord you know everything, you know that I love you." Jesus asks him to "Feed my sheep."  I feel like the Lord has placed a similar calling upon my life. God has given me a passion to help students have a real and fulfilling relationship with Jesus Christ. I want them to tangibly experience God's love through the Holy Spirit and through the family of God by being fully known and fully accepted.

I work with Cru's Lifelines ministry here in Portland, Maine. Lifelines is the outdoor and experiential ministry of Cru. We take college students on adventures like rock climbing, hiking, or whitewater rafting—not just for adventure sake, but also to help them grow in character, leadership, and in healthy relationships with themselves, others, and God. Through process learning and group activities, students have the opportunity to better understand themselves and the impact they have on those around them. Cru's ultimate goal is to launch spiritual movements everywhere, and Lifelines is a great way we can do that. That is why we run outdoor trips for students all over the Northeast. In addition, our staff team is working to coach and launch new student led, spiritual movements on the seven different campuses in southern Maine. 

I have been on staff now for ten years (since 2015), and I have thoroughly enjoyed my work with Cru. I got married to Jonathan Burke in May of 2022. Jonathan works at Car Max in South Portland and also volunteers with Lifelines as an outdoor guide. We have one little girl, named Ava, who is almost two years old. 

Thanks for your time to read part of my story and to hear more about my ministry with Cru. For more information on different ways to give and/or about our ministry, please see the links below. 

Warmly in Christ,

Beth Burke 

For more information on...

Our Local Cru/Lifelines Ministry

Lifelines as a National Ministry

How to Give Through a Donor Advised Fund

How to Give Through a IRA Charitable Roll-Over

How to Give Through a Stock/Non-Cash Gift