Cru Church Movements is a ministry of evangelism, discipleship, leadership development in partnership with established churches and helps start churches nationwide.

Joseph has been partnering with church planting networks and church denominations for the past 11 years to help start churches locally, regionally, and nationally.  Part of his role as the National Field Director is to mobilize church planting in the different regions he oversees.  Mark lives in Ohio (pictured first person on the left (above).  Mark’s regional director in the Midwest is Angela (4th person back on the right) and Todd (not pictured). Angela and Todd are part of the regional team that Joseph leads.  

In our desire to reach every tongue, nation and tribe, we partner with church planting networks to train them in evangelism and discipleship and church planting.  Joseph helped start our church planting residency CFCM (Cru Fellowship for Church Multiplication)  https://www.churchmovements.com/fellowship/

Joseph has been one of the main trainers and helped design the residency.  Mark has gone through and graduated from CFCM and has now started an African church planting network. Mark recruited Amos to help plant a Nigerian church in North Carolina.  Amos (pictured in the middle with Joseph below) is a church planter from Nigeria and is now going through CFCM, our church planting residency.  Mark and Amos recently did an evangelism training with our tool, called Co-Journer.  They held a virtual training with 20 Sudanese church planters to help them mobilize people in their church to share the gospel regularly.  It’s exciting to see that what we are doing in the US can reach people globally as we continue to pray for God to use us to reach every tongue, nation and tribe. 

In a few short weeks we will have our 3^rd annual in-person alumni event for the amazingly strong women we serve who have experienced human trafficking.  These survivors are a true inspiration of strength and hope and we want to bless them!  Michelle and her team will be hosting a time to come together in person (as so much of their services are online nationwide) for encouragement, laughter, yummy food and gifts to bless these women. We are still in the process of raising funds for the gifts for them and transportation costs (uber) for those who do not have a way to get to our location. Here is our amazon link if you would desire to help: Alumni Event Wish List

Please be praying for this event. That these women would feel the tangible love of Jesus through Michelle and her team and continue to have hope for the future and healing.

Family Update…

May is a whirlwind month!  Our youngest, Aleeya, graduated from 8^th Grade and is now an official High Schooler!  How did that happen so fast?  We were just reflecting last month her 10 year Forever Family day when we adopted her and it feels like just yesterday.

Jessica has returned home from college for the summer – but is about to leave for her mission trip overseas for 3 weeks.  She will be using her passion and giftings in ASL to reach out to the deaf community in Southeast Asia. Please be praying for her – for safety, growth in her relationship with the Lord and for Him to use her to share the love of Jesus with the deaf community.

Thank you for your continual prayers and support to us here as we minister withing Los Angeles and nationwide.  Helping to train and disciple leaders, plant churches and serve trafficked and exploited women through sharing the love of Jesus and providing resources and hope. 

As the National Field Director, Joseph connects regularly with staff around the nation to encourage, train and develop them within their ministries.  During a training Joseph was doing with all the regional directors, the Midwest regional directors shared how Becky and Zak in Wisconsin, who work with international students, were applying the evangelism and discipleship training we utilize in Cru Church Movements.

Becky was recently reconnected to a local high schooler named Jovanna. In middle school she was bullied terribly which led to her to self-protecting, stuck in isolation and struggling with anxiety. Becky also discovered that six months ago she was battling demons, depression, drugs, and suicidal ideation. She even had her suicide note written. But by the grace of God her mom found the note and got her the help she needed at a Christian conference. Jovanna had been set free, learned to forgive her enemies and was now looking for discipleship. When she heard of Becky’s group, she felt comfortable and compelled to push through her fears and join.

Becky shared that recently Jovanna brought her friend, Clara to their prayer group. Clara was not shy. She announced she had never been to a youth group before and asked what to expect. During the bible study, she was the first to share her insights. She also acknowledged how open and honest everyone was as a group about struggles, which made her open up about her anxiety. Then by the end of the night, after wrapping up the bible study, she told Becky with a big smile on her face, “I’m not a Christian. You probably noticed I don’t use the same words as you… but I like to learn. I felt something different here. For some reason, when Jovanna invited me, I felt eager and drawn to come and I don’t know why.” Returning her smile, Becky said “I know why… and I know who else was drawing you here.” She smiled back. Clara then expressed her thankfulness for Jovanna inviting her and what a joyful light Jovanna’s been at work. And without skipping a beat, her friend Jovanna leaned over- “And that light is Jesus.”

The Spirit is moving! Clara has tasted and seen something good within the community. They are   continuing to pray that Clara will continue to come and open her heart to the true Light, who not only rescued her friend from darkness, but now is pursuing her.

Walking alongside human trafficked survivors, such as *Emily, is such a privilege as these women are unbelievably strong in all they have endured. As Michelle partners with Every ONE Free as their case manager she is committed to walking with survivors of human trafficking on their journey to freedom and empowerment. She provides support, community, and resources to help survivors recover, heal, and thrive.

Michelle has worked with *Emily for over 2 years and coming from a place of unbelievable pain being trafficked, losing all her family and support systems, addictions, legal needs and feeling hopeless *Emily is now thriving!   Michelle has been able to help *Emily connect to legal help to clear her record of charges due to being trafficked, increase her credit and be able to sign a lease for an apartment, find trauma informed therapy, enroll in college and begin working towards a degree, receive scholarships for her education and find new support and encouragement from people who care for her and experience the Lord’s never-ending love.  “A big HELLO and big hugs! I received a confirmation from the scholarship, and they will be taking care of my tuition. I couldn’t have done this without you. I appreciate everything you do, and it helps to know I am seen, supported and loved.”

*Emily is a joy to connect with and it is because of the prayers of so many that she is truly thriving.  Thank you for praying for these women. Because of your support and prayers these women truly feel seen for the first time.

Family Update…

We just celebrated 27 years of marriage!  We praise the Lord for these years together, serving the Lord side by side together, being blessed to raise 4 amazing children, and building a life together in the good and hard times.  Thank you for your prayers for our marriage and family all these years.

Thank you for your continual prayers and support to us here as we minister withing Los Angeles and nationwide.  Helping to train and disciple leaders, plant churches and serve trafficked and exploited women through sharing the love of Jesus and providing resources and hope.  We are so thankful.

As the National Field Director Joseph connects regularly with staff around the nation to encourage, train and develop them within their ministries.  One couple (Magdy and Rima) work here in Southern California reaching out to to Muslim refugees who have come to America through the diversity immigrant visa program. The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (Lottery Visa) makes up to 50,000 immigrant visas available annually out of over 20 million applicants globally, drawn from random (lottery) selection among all entries to individuals who are from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.

Joseph met recently with Magdy and Rima and they shared with him about their monthly gatherings in their home.  In addition to the families who attend regularly, they had two new Muslim families come into their home; a mother and her daughter with two little children and an Egyptian family with three teenagers who came from Dubai. After the dinner Magdy shared more about the gospel with everyone in attendance and  two young men came up to them. One of them started the conversation by asking Magdy and Rima who Jesus was for them. This was a perfect time to share the Gospel and share with them that they are always available and open for discussions.

After they explained Jesus’ love and all He did for us and it is a gift to every person, he asked, “Didn’t Jesus tell you that there was someone coming after Him? (They were hinting that it was    Mohamad their prophet.) Magdy answered, “YES! Jesus told us and sent His Holy Spirit who will stay with us forever and he added, “no human or prophet can stay with us forever!!!” They were    silent. Magdy continued, “If we believe in Jesus and accept Him in our hearts as our savior we are saved and will have eternal life with Him.” 

Magdy was invited to lunch with the young man, and he initiated a conversation about the holiness and the love of God and about our sinful nature which separates us from God. He challenged him to search for the solution. Magdy and the young man continue to meet and have deep conversations.  Please pray he would come to know Jesus as his Savior.

Cru Church Movements West Cohort

In the years past, Joseph was the West Regional Director and oversaw the West Cohort. Now as the National Field Director he oversees Doug Meyerdirk (Left Middle square), who is the new West Regional Director. We are located in several cities as we partner with churches to reach people for Christ. 

Please pray …

· Pauline—she has many relationships with Muslim women and serving in the Huntington Beach area. Pray for relational evangelism as she continues to share Christ with the Muslim community.

· Keith & Susan—they are working with a couple of Filipino churches located in Northridge and Long Beach. Their heart is to partner with the churches to reach the Gen Z in the local high schools and colleges. They are seeing people come to Christ as God is working powerfully across the US with the Gen Z generation.

· Darren & Alicia—they are Cru missionaries from China who have come back to the States to work with Chinese Churches in the Denver area. Pray for them as they transition back to the states and     partner with the churches in evangelism and discipleship.

Steve & Becky—they go to Saddleback Church and are part of the Missions team. They are reaching out to the city of Santa Ana with multiple church plants in the Hispanic community. Please pray for the church plants as they reach out to the under resourced, urban communities

Family Update

So thankful for the Lord’s steadfast love and care.  We recently celebrated Jessica’s 21st Birthday, Aleeya is finishing up 8th grade and we are in prayer and decision for High School! We are thankful for the continual prayers for us and our family as everyone continues to grow!

 Thank you for your continual prayers and support to us here as we minister withing Los Angeles and nationwide.  Helping to train and disciple leaders, plant churches and serve trafficked and exploited women through sharing the love of Jesus and providing resources and hope.  We are so thankful. 
 
 

This past month was Human Trafficking Awareness Month and we were blessed to be a part of a pinstriping charity event at the fairgrounds to help raise money for Every ONE Free.  Over $70,000 was raised and we are rejoicing over this blessing.  As Michelle partners with Every ONE Free as their case manager it is amazing to see the ways she can continue to serve the women seeking help and hope—educational scholarships, hotline resources, Pathways to Freedom program curriculum, workshops, in person alumni events, etc…  Thank you for your support and prayers for women seeking healing and new lives.

It is estimated that at any given time, 6.3 million people are in forced commercial sexual exploitation globally. This number is likely higher due to the hidden nature of the crime and the threat of criminalization for victims, preventing them from coming forward.

Escaping trafficking and exploitation is hard…staying out is even harder.

I just wanted to write to you while I am on break from class. I started the class for the community health worker course that you connected me with. I wanted to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation for sending me this resource. I am loving this class, and it truly is everything I love that made me want to get into healthcare in the first place. I am feeling so inspired, grateful, elated, elevated, hopeful, and just happier in general. I am truly seeing a brighter future for myself within healthcare from this class.

 I feel so ready for the future and I can not wait to make changes for all our disadvantaged communities and survivors. You and everyone at Every ONE Free have truly helped me come into my own and put me into a position where for once I feel I have direction and hope. I am so thankful for all of you amazing beautiful people and I can’t wait to see all the changes we make to this world together. Sending you many blessings and much love. I hope you have a great end to your week and an excellent weekend! Thank you again for being the fantastic resourceful blessing that you are! 

With much love and gratitude!   *Yvette

Five Generations of Multiplication: A Movement Fueled by Cru Church Movements in Jacksonville, FL

 At 83 years old, Ben Goldsmith shows no signs of slowing down. A full-time missionary with Cru Church Movements in Jacksonville, Florida, Ben radiates the kind of joy and faith that only comes from decades of walking closely with Jesus. His smile tells the story—five decades of ministry and still multiplying.  Joseph has known Ben and Diane Goldsmith for almost 10 years.  As the National Field Director, Joseph is coaching Dan with our Lost to Leader process, so that field staff are well equipped to partner with churches and church plants.  Dan is the Southeast regional director, who oversees Ben.

“In 50 years of full-time ministry,” Ben shares, “this is the first time I’ve seen five generations of leaders investing in other people in my own discipleship chain.”

That kind of multiplication is at the heart of Cru Church Movements’ mission—to help every follower of Jesus live out the Great Commission and ignite gospel movements everywhere. Through Ben’s faithful obedience, that vision is becoming reality across Jacksonville.

As of 2025, Ben is partnering with 14 churches who have implemented Cru Church Movement’s Lost to Leader process, and he’s boldly trusting God for 90 churches by 2026. With one of Ben’s first partners, church-planter Paul Scott, the early results tell a powerful story of transformation and growth:

Through  2 ½ years, Paul planted a healthy church (beginning with just 3 people)

· 46 people have come to Christ

· 11 believers have followed Jesus in baptism

· Multiple neighborhood groups launched to make disciples

From one man’s obedience, Ben’s story is living proof of what happens when ordinary believers are equipped to multiply.

Thank you for your continual prayers and support to us here as we minister withing Los Angeles and nationwide.  Helping to train and disciple leaders, plant churches and serve trafficked and exploited women through sharing the love of Jesus and providing resources and hope.  We are so thankful. 

“The training and support I received through CFCM (Cru Fellowship for Church Multiplication–Church Movement’s residency fellowship for church-planters) has helped us build a church with a clear movement mindset,” says Drake. “We’re seeing that DNA already come to life as we reach neighbors, form discipleship communities, and equip leaders who carry the gospel wherever they go.” (Pastor James Drake, Christ Church Miami)

Multiplying the Gospel in Miami: How Cru Church Movements Is Powering a New Church Launch

When Christ Church Miami opened its doors, it wasn’t just another church plant—it was the beginning of a multiplying gospel movement in one of America’s most diverse and dynamic cities.

Cru Church Movements has been a vital partner, investing deeply in the vision, leadership, and DNA of this new congregation. Senior Pastor James Drake and his team have been equipped to launch with a clear, movement-minded focus—one that’s committed to winning people to Jesus, building them up in faith, and sending them out as everyday missionaries into Miami’s neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools.  Last year James Drake went through our Cru Fellowship for Church Multiplication Training which was a yearlong national church  planting residency (Internship).  Joseph was a part of the design,  planning the residency and served on the speaking/training team for Pastor James and 38 other leaders around the nation.

The steps of faith that Christ Church’s team and community took led to 30 people indicating decisions to receive Christ on launch Sunday!

That movement mindset—to multiply disciples and leaders rather than simply gather attenders—is at the core of Cru Church Movements’ vision. By embedding this DNA from day one, Christ Church Miami is already living out a vibrant expression of the gospel in community, embodying the idea that every believer is a missionary in their everyday context.

“We are so thankful for Cru’s continued investment in our launch and in shaping the heart of our ministry. We instilled multiplication DNA from the very beginning. We truly believe the best is yet to come.” (Pastor Drake) 

Partnering with Every One Free as their case manager Michelle was a part of celebrating the graduation of their 100th survivor this past month! Survivors join a 2-hour class every week for 24 weeks called Pathways to Freedom. We also offer a weekly support group, and survivors meet with Michelle regularly to receive support and resources. 

Every ONE Free started as an outreach to women being exploited. Now, our Pathways to Freedom Program offers survivors a way to heal and rebuild lives outside of exploitation.  It is such a blessing to walk alongside these strong women as they find new hope and rebuild their lives. 

Here is a testimony of one of the women Michelle is working with—Praise God for her new life!

Family Update…
Michelle celebrated her 50th Birthday, Aleeya turned 14 years old, and we had a wonderful Christmas season with much needed family time together!  Aleeya has completed her second book “The Shattered Journey” and she is in the process of submitting to literary agents to hopefully have it published! We are trying to cherish each day…

Thank you for your continual prayers and support to us here as we minister withing Los Angeles and nationwide.  Helping to train and disciple leaders, plant churches and serve trafficked and exploited women through sharing the love of Jesus and providing resources and hope.  We are so thankful. 
 
 

“I’ve got new deepening relationships that encourage me.  CFCM has given me a way to communicate I did not have before- your approach has given me a roadmap.  I am getting my team together. CoJourners blew my people away ! They really enjoy it ! It is turning us around.  The Evangelism Planner has helped our team put plans into Cycles of Momentum.”  (Duane Grant, Lead Church Planting Pastor of The Body Dayton

Cru Fellowship for Church Multiplication
 

This past month Joseph was part of the kick-off for our next Cru Fellowship for Church Multiplication (CFCM class)!  We had our first in person gathering for the Fellowship in Southern California. CFCM is for church planters or mission team leaders who desire to plant churches that will begin other churches.  It is a 10-month church planting residency/internship for those who desire to plant churches, their core team, and any church planting networks or denominations that want to partner with us in evangelism, investing in others spiritually and developing new leaders.

Some of the topics covered are:

· Vision

· Mission

· Values

· Your Calling to Church Planting

· Decoding to Understand Your Ministry Context

· Missional Engagement Plan

Joseph was part of the team that developed the curriculum for CFCM. He created multiple CFCM sessions and training, as part of his experience in working with church planters locally and nationally.  He is also part of the teaching team that leads the in-person classes and the online sessions.  This year there are 16 participants nationally. 

One of the main foci for the September Summit was helping the participants in learning how to journey with someone in their spiritual journey using a training called CoJourners and the four roles within it: Explore, Guide, Builder, and Mentor.

During the training we also had a Day of Outreach into the community to practice the CoJourner evangelism process. We partnered with 3 churches in the area who would then follow-up with those we spoke to.

The group was able to initiate 104 spiritual conversations, shared the Gospel with 36 people and saw 2 people trust in Jesus for the first time!

This Saturday we are part of a fundraising Gala for Every One Free, whom Michelle partners with as a case manager serving sex trafficked and sexually exploited women.  Please pray for the event as they are working hard to secure additional funding to continue to serve women across the nation finding freedom and beginning new lives.  To help and/or learn more feel free to see here:

A Faith Family on Mission

A New Church Started!

“At Christ Church Miami, we exist to glorify God by helping people know, love, and serve Jesus.”

This September Christ Church Miami has begun! Pastor James from Florida is a part-time Cru staff with us and a part-time church planter of a new church that has recently begun!  Last year James went through our Cru Fellowship for Church Multiplication Training which was a yearlong national church planting residency (Internship).  Joseph was a part of planning the residency and served on the speaking/training team for Pastor James and many others around the nation.

After graduating from the residency this past June, Pastor James and his wife launched their first church in Miami, Florida!  In some highly urbanized districts, like downtown Miami, church attendance can be as low as 2-3% among adults, especially in younger populations and secular neighborhoods. On their first Sunday 782 people packed the church, 115 + kids joined the children’s ministry and over 30 people gave their lives to Jesus for the first time!

National Leadership Team Planning Time Together

This September Joseph met with the National Leadership Planning Team of our ministry in Kansas City to pray and plan for the year ahead.  It was also a time to come together as a team and set goals for this coming year.

They reflected on all the Lord has done in the last 8 years.  We have been so encouraged to see 4,379 people around the nation come to know Jesus through partnerships with churches in evangelism!  We saw 12,496 small groups started in partnerships with churches in discipleship!  And 499 churches planted in partnerships with denominations and church planting networks! 

We are humbled to see the Lord move in this way as we serve churches nationwide and we are so thankful for the prayers and support from each of you through the years to be able to be a part of this!

Church Movements Progress Report 2017-2025

· # new relationships (since 2021) — 18,773
· # of gospel presentations— 93,092
· # of decisions for Christ—4,379
· # of people going through basic follow-up—16,050
· # of discipleship groups started—12,496
· # of churches planted—499
· # of training events hosted—3,896
· # of participants at those training events—48,051

Family Update!

A few family highlights!  Aleeya has begun 8th grade homeschool and classes. Jessica is now a junior in college and working as a Resident Advisor overseeing 18 freshmen on her floor! She is LOVING it! Daniel and Maya continue to thrive in their marriage and careers, and Luke has begun a new job at State Farm Insurance! We are thankful for the Lord’s provisions over our family and cherish every time we can all come together in their busy lives!
 

Cru 25 Conference

Thank you so very much for your prayers and financial support for us to attend the Cru25 Conference in Wisconsin this past month.  It was such an amazing time of refreshment, vision, training and encouragement as we continue into our 27th year of full-time ministry with Cru!  We cannot believe the blessing it has been to serve full-time all these years with Cru and are so humbled by all the Lord has done in and through us here in Los Angeles these past 27 years.  Thank you for your support and prayers that make it all possible. 

At our Cru Conference we heard great speakers, worshipped the Lord with over 4,000 others, had training days for our specific ministry with Cru Church Movements, attended a Heritage Night honoring those who have been on staff for so many years and connected with so many other staff around the nation and even world! Aleeya loved the kids camp and Jessica worked as a counselor this time for 5th graders! Some of our personal highlights are below!

Divine Opportunities…

*Maria was sitting on the ground next to the Milwaukee River Walk, alone and hungry with no phone or place to go.  She had been lured into a sex trafficked situation from her group home in Washington DC and taken to Wisconsin, where she was abandoned on the side of the road.  Cru co-workers of ours called Michelle and asked her to come to where they had come upon Maria at the Riverwalk and as Michelle sat and spoke to her God was moving.

Maria shared how came from an abusive foster home.  She had been living at a group home after turning 18 and  was recently trafficked by a man she thought loved her.  She shared that as she was sitting on the ground someone approached her and handed her a “How to Know God Personally” booklet.  She began to read it and when she came to the page in the booklet that explained how to ask Jesus into your heart she said she prayed the prayer and began to cry out to God for help.

Right at that moment our co-workers approached her and began to initiate a conversation with her and learned that she needed help.  Maria was in complete awe how the Lord had immediately answered her prayers and was so excited to meet Michelle and find resources and help.  She had no idea there were resources available to help her find hope and healing.  Michelle had brought a bracelet with her that had a hotline number engraved on it – feeling the Lord prompting her to bring it to Wisconsin “just in case she met someone who needed it.”  Maria was the answer to that prompting. 

Michelle and her co-workers were able to sit and talk with Maria, pray with her, encourage her in her new relationship with the Lord and pay for her to take a bus back to her group home to find safety.  Please pray for *Maria.  When she arrived in DC, she called the hotline number on the bracelet and began to find help—pray she would continue to heal and grow in her relationship with the Lord.

Thank you so very much for your continual prayers and support to us over all these years.

 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” Ephesians 3:20-21

Urban Church Planting

This past year Joseph has been partnering with a friend, Chad, a regional director from World Impact. They have been praying and meeting together to form a partnership to train church planters in the urban areas of Los Angeles and Las Vegas. They recently held a 2-day training event with church planters from throughout Los Angeles and Nevada. They are starting an LA/Urban Church Planting Network to reach out to the under resourced communities.  They are beginning in Los Angeles and then plan to begin more urban church planting networks in Las Vegas, Oakland, Houston, Portland and Seattle. These are metropolitan cities that have very little gospel initiatives in their neighborhoods.
 

After the 2 day training in May Pastor Chad and Joseph will lead a 12-month cohort beginning in June.  They had desired to have 2 cohorts—one in English and one in Spanish, but the lack of Spanish trainers means they will instead do a bilingual church planting cohort in English and translate it into Spanish. The   purpose of the cohorts is to coach the church planting teams as they create their mission, vision & values; how to engage the culture; plans for discipleship; plans for engaging their community missionally and their plans to develop leaders in their church plants.
 

Partnering with EveryOne Free as a case manager Michelle and her team recently graduated another set of survivors from their 24-week program. It was so encouraging to hear the words of the survivors as they shared how much they have grown and healed. “On the weeks that I needed something inspiring to work on, I received it. This class changed my life. It gave me more openness about learning. This journey is not linear. There are ups and downs. Some days we felt good and other days we felt bad. But this class changed my life. I came in with anger. A lot of my charges hindered my nursing licensing. Michelle was helping me through that process. She gave me a great resource to seal my record. I want to encourage everyone that no matter what is holding you back, you can get through it!” (recent graduate)

Please pray for the 2 new classes we have running for survivors—with over 50 new survivors enrolled in the program. Pray for Michelle as she connects with each woman and alumni to support, encourage and serve.

Thank you for your continual prayers, support and encouragement to us! We are so very thankful!
 

Healthy, Reproducing Churches

This past month Joseph took part of the Exponential Global Conference to join together with thousands of church planters and denominations. The vision is to see an expanding number of movements of healthy reproducing churches around the United States and the world!  Joseph was part of a panel during a networking/recruiting lunch for Cru Fellowship for Church Multiplication    https://www.churchmovements.com/fellowship This lunch was to recruit new church planters into our national church planting residency/internship.  This residency prepares church planters to start churches across the US.  We had 42 participants this year and hope to see more take part in the church planting training next year.

African Church Planting

Globally, 281 million people live in a country other than their country of origin. In the US that amounts to 60M people – 18% of the population.

During the Exponential conference we were able to a workshop on reaching out to these people groups here in the Unted States by:

… consider ways to awaken the church to the mission field

… connect with church planting networks that focus on reaching different people groups

… explore partnerships to reach more people groups in the US

Thank you for your continual encouragement, prayers and support to us and the ministry here in Los Angeles and around the nation. We know all the blessings we see are because of the prayers of so many. Thank you!