Ministry with Leslie & Mike

Highlight of the Year

2026-05-25T09:57:05.697-04:00

March 31st was a highlight in Leslie’s ministry career. Five months of planning, praying, and preparing, she and a team crafted a full-day MPD (Ministry Partner Development) workshop for U.S. Capacity. It is the department Leslie and Mike have served since they moved to Orlando. U.S. Capacity consists of behind-the-scenes roles that give foundation (think Human resources, technology, communications, operations) to Cru so that staff can share the Gospel. This full-day workshop wove Leslie’s MPD coaching/coordinator role and wisdom, production (AV, Technology) experience, and event planning. There were about 150 people from Central Florida who met at Cru Headquarters and 40 who joined remotely from across three time zones (6:30 am for our West Coast staff).

The morning session began with a leader in Cru who gave a pastoral devotional. We then dove into table discussions revolving around lies and truths we believe about: Ourselves, Others, MPD, and God. That was a monumental moment for some of our staff to verbalize deep-seated thoughts. The afternoon session included times of sharing the latest tools and resources in MPD (ie, how to communicate your ministry) as well as coming up with personal next steps. The feedback from this full-day workshop was INCREDIBLE! Staff felt seen in their behind-the-scenes roles, equipped with new tools after being reminded of truths and their calling to serve the Lord.

I… equip, mobilize, and send missionaries, who are fully funded and financially faithful, so that lives are changed because of the Gospel.
I get to be a part of the mission in sending laborers into the harvest for the Gospel.
I get to be a part of building disciples in their faith and propel them in their trust in the Lord.
I get to point staff to their identity in Christ.
I get to remind staff of the importance of their behind-the-scenes roles in the Kingdom.
I get to remind staff of their calling from God.

Finding Jesus at Disney World

2026-03-19T12:53:00.000-04:00

We hope the story below encourages you. The Disney Team story is one example of how Cru teams are reaching the world. Your support is helping to change lives globally as people encounter Jesus, grow in faith, and are mobilized to share His good news.

Cru has a unique and powerful ministry team dedicated to reaching thousands of college-aged young adults from around the world who work at Disney World. Here is one recent story:

Jia* (name changed) moved from East Asia to the US and was connected with a Cru staff member for two years. When she relocated to Orlando for a job at Disney, she was connected to Cru’s Disney ministry team (picture of the team to the right).

Though open to Jesus, Jia had not yet made a decision to follow Him. One evening, frustrated, she confessed, “I don’t know how to connect with God. I’m trying, but I can’t.”

A staff member shared how Jesus alone restores our relationship with God. Jia read the prayer from Honor Restored (a version of Knowing God Personally). When asked if she meant it, her emphatic reply was, “Yes!” Tearfully, she added, “I’m so emotional, and I think it’s because I’m feeling God’s love.”

It is a joy to see the world reached through Cru, right here in Orlando.

Prayer Requests:

For the Lord to move mountains in two coaching situations Leslie is overseeing.
Continued wisdom and the Lord's strength as Lelsie is planning an all-day MPD workshop (March 31st) for staff in behind-the-scenes roles. Pray God would be glorified and the staff encouraged. She'd continue to see that God is bigger than her planning and human efforts.

Our work impacts a believer in Central Asia

2026-02-07T08:25:00.001-05:00

Thank you for your continued prayers and partnership. As you know, we serve in the Capacity Ministries of Cru. While "Capacity" sounds technical, it simply means we provide the systems, structures, and healthy leadership that make ministry possible in complex environments.

But systems don’t run themselves—people do. And that is where our specific roles come in.

The End Result:

Sasha’s Story: To understand our work, look at the impact on the field. Sasha (name changed), a young man in Central Asia, lives in a region where sharing the gospel is dangerous. After seeing an online ad and watching segments of the JESUS film, he drove five hours to meet a team of believers. There, he heard the Word of God in his heart language and believed.

Despite being beaten by his clan for his new faith, Sasha refused to renounce Jesus. He returned to the believers who led him to Christ, finding discipleship and care.

Our Role:

Sasha met a missionary because that missionary was sent and sustained. That is the work you enable us to do every day within Capacity.

Sending (Leslie):

Before a missionary can reach someone like Sasha, they must get to the field. I (Leslie) am responsible for the Ministry Partner Development (MPD) function for missionary staff in Capacity. I coach, train, and equip these staff members to be fully funded and financially faithful. My goal is to ensure they are mobilized quickly and effectively so that financial lack never hinders the gospel.

Sustaining (Mike):

Once on the field, staff need resilience and healthy leadership to survive difficult environments. I (Mike) serve to lead care initiatives for U.S. staff. By developing training for supervisors and creating systems for staff care, I help ensure that the missionaries supported by our infrastructure are resilient, cared for, and spiritually healthy.

The Connection

We may not meet Sasha face-to-face, but our fingerprints are on his story. Leslie ensures the staff member is funded to be there; Mike ensures the team is healthy enough to stay.

When you partner with us, you are not just supporting "operations." You are fueling the engine that sends and sustains laborers for the harvest.

Prayer Requests

Leslie and a group of leaders are planning a MPD training day for all of US Capacity (200 staff). Pray for wisdom as there are many facets (virtual-technology- and in person), Content would be well received and applicable to our staff.
Praise & Praise: February Leslie will be going from a marriage retreat with Mike to a MPD Coaches week long training. Pray for Mike as he single parents as Leslie is away.

Praise:

In December a staff woman of 50 years has reported back to her assignment after a season of raising support being coached by Leslie.