Ministry with Leslie & Mike

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.

December 2025 Greeting

2025-12-31T15:02:00.001-05:00

Amidst the rush of Christmas, I’ve been meditating on one simple, powerful word found in our carols: Come.

From the deep longing of O Come, O come Emmanuel to the joy of O Come, All Ye Faithful, this word is a profound invitation—an expectant, personal welcoming of our Sovereign Savior.

God’s coming to earth as a baby, Jesus, changed the trajectory of humanity forever. His arrival was the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, offering us freedom, deliverance, and rescue. This miracle of Christ coming down to us is the center of our hope and the driving force of our ministry.

May you experience the full joy and expectant peace of Jesus this Christmas season.

Thank you for your faithful partnership.