CCAs of NTU 25’: NTU Cru
Written by: Joylynn Goh, Deputy Vice-President
NTU Cru is part of a global Christian community that builds up students in their faith in Christ Jesus so that they can be sent to reach more with the good news of the Gospel. Our vision is for everyone in NTU to know someone who truly follows Jesus. I remember seeing this ‘DNA’ very vividly in the weekly activities that the CCA conducts.
Every week, students of the same academic year and gender meet in small groups (called Discipleship Groups (DGs)) to study the Bible and share their thoughts, experiences, and struggles with each other. DGs are led by a DG leader who guides the group through each session and meets personally with each member throughout the year. It’s in these hospitable settings that I’ve grown in understanding God and deepening my relationship with Him through learning from the experiences of my DG-mates and leader!
On Thursday evenings, NTU Cru gathers together for Crossroads meetings! Activities vary from deep dives into topics such as biblical unity and hospitality, celebrating festivals like Chinese New Year and Good Friday, to blessing the NTU student community, and even guys and girls’ times once. Last academic year, we distributed bubble tea during Finals season and had many life-giving conversations with students about their lives and beliefs! Cru also loves to have fun and eat together—Crossroads is always followed by supper, and we regularly host Family Days during 1-week semester breaks to play together and deepen friendships.
Cru also provides powerful opportunities to grow in Christ-centred leadership, evangelism, and discipleship via workshops outside the regular ‘school hours’. Students can also embark on Beyond Borders (BB) mission trips during summer and winter break together with students from NUS and SMU Cru to partner with Cru ministries in neighbouring countries to reach their campuses for Christ.
My favourite part about NTU Cru is this CCA is for anyone; we welcome students at any point in their faith journey. We are greatly committed to journey both with students curious about the Christian faith and students seeking to grow in Christlikeness and in confidence in sharing their faith, so that they will discover the abundant life that Jesus gives and the exciting destiny that He has for the rest of their lives. I have always loved Cru's culture of inclusivity and selflessness in showing hospitality to newcomers.
If you are curious about Christianity or seeking to find purpose in your life, we are more than happy to journey with you through an 6-week miniseries called Christianity Explained, that takes you through the story of the Gospel and what it means for us. If you are a Christian, we invite you to join a DG to grow in a spiritual community with like-minded Christians! All are welcome to Crossroads every Thursdays at the Arc! You can contact Amanda Cheng at @butterykwassont (Telegram), and follow us on socials (@ntucru on Telegram and Instagram). NTU Cru will be at Welcome Week, so come talk to us at our booth!
Looking back, Cru’s DNA was obvious from the moment I joined. There was something so captivating about the vibrancy with which my peers lived their lives, the passionate purpose in meeting each week to grow and journey in the faith together, and a tenderness in the way they loved one another and the student body outside the CCA. I hope you will come and see the goodness of God for yourself through this community, just as I have! :)
