In a school day packed with classes, activities and deadlines, Cru Bible Club gives students a space to slow down, connect with others and ask deeper questions about life and faith.

The club is led by main sponsor Jake Loftis and supported by faculty sponsors Rebecca Pitts and Lucy Ball. While students lead discussions and activities, sponsors provide supervision and support.

“As a sponsor, I mostly open my classroom and check in,” Pitts said. “The students really lead the club.” Ball added that her role as a building sponsor is to ensure the club operates within school guidelines.

According to Loftis, Cru’s mission is to create a welcoming environment for all students.

“We want to create a safe space for people to connect with God and each other,” he said. Meetings typically include snacks, games and open discussion. “We ask questions, talk about life experiences and hear from each other” while emphasizing that Cru is interactive rather than lecture based.

Cru attracts students from a variety of backgrounds and faith experiences.

“We have students from several different faith backgrounds,” Loftis said. Ball believes the club’s biggest impact is relationship-building. “It brings together students with similar values or gives them a place to talk about common teenage struggles,” she said.

Both sponsors emphasized that Cru is inclusive and optional, allowing it to align with school policies while maintaining its religious identity. “There is nothing about our club that is a requirement for anyone to attend,” Loftis said. Pitts added that the club’s welcoming atmosphere helps students feel comfortable. “All people are welcome,” she said.

Beyond weekly meetings, Cru encourages student leadership and personal growth. Students can lead games, prayers or discussions and may also take part in citywide events or summer mission trips. According to Loftis, the conversations often leave a lasting impact.

“Students begin thinking about their purpose and meaning in the world,” he said, noting that this can influence both mental health and how students treat others.

For Pitts and Ball, the hope is that more students simply know the club exists and feel welcome to attend.

“Students shouldn’t be afraid of what they believe in,” Ball said. Cru Bible Club, they agree, is one of many ways students can find community and connection during their high school experience.