Fifty Years Serving with Cru

“God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” This is the opening sentence in Dr. Bill Bright‘s booklet, “The Four Spiritual Laws.” I finally grasped this truth in February 1973, while a student at Arizona State University. Since then, I’ve been living out God’s wonderful plan through fifty years on staff with Cru.

God fashioned me to be who I am and guided me in what I was to do.

As a pre-teen, I wanted to be a writer. As an adult, I put that dream aside until God started opening doors for me to learn better writing skills. I’ve been writing on four blogs since 2007. I began my current role in Women’s Resources in 2009. My official job title is writer.

When I joined Cru staff in 1975, I was willing to report to headquarters first. I was assigned to the Computer Services department as a receptionist. After two years, I began considering a transfer to a field ministry. My supervisor challenged me to learn programming. I accepted even though I had no computer background. I taught myself COBOL and enjoyed being a computer programmer for eight years.

Mike reported to the office in 1980. We married in 1982 and started our family in 1985. I loved being a mom and homeschooler. After Ben, Josh, and Jenny left home for college, I asked Judy Douglass, the wife of Cru’s president, if I could work under her to equip our missionary staff with understanding technology.

In 2009, I created the blog, eQuipping4eMinistry.com. Through blogging, I’ve helped many missionaries worldwide with their ministries. I enjoy presenting tech help in an engaging and understandable way through writing. I’ve also provided training sessions, created helpful tools, gathered writers together, among other activities.

God stitched together all these little pieces, and more, over the years.

Two Unexpected Thanks from Cru Staff

God has also encouraged me by showing me the impact I’ve had on Cru staff and their ministries. Many of our missionaries often express their appreciation to me. Two of these surprised me recently.

We were talking to Mike R., National Director of US Staff Care. He thanked me for the medical reimbursement spreadsheet I created in 2021, while I was undergoing numerous medical appointments for my A-fib. I had no idea Mike R. was using that spreadsheet all these years. He explains:

“Sus, with her remarkable ability to bring clarity to complex processes, developed a tracking spreadsheet that has been an absolute game-changer. I not only personally use it, but I also recommend and train others to use it in supporting our staff in medical crises. This spreadsheet empowers our people to diligently track the details of their medical bills, identify potential billing errors, and monitor what is owed to them. 

“Sus’ work has provided exponential care and immense relief for our staff, especially during their most vulnerable and overwhelming moments. Her strategic contributions are vital to the mission of Cru, enabling our staff to navigate a complex process with ease and confidence, ultimately allowing them to focus on their ministry and recovery.”

The other surprise was from Deanne R. I mentioned in our last prayer letter that she offered to organize the 2025 writers’ meetup at Cru’s National Staff Conference. (I have co-hosted these since 2011.)

I learned that Deanne attended our meetups in 2019 and in 2022. She was astonished to discover that God was drawing her to write. By 2024, she had published a book and won an award for it. I was encouraged that all the hard work of organizing that particular gathering in 2019 had a significant impact on someone. Deanne explains:

“The mentoring conversations with other Cru staff members encouraged my growth as a writer and provided me with practical next steps and resources. I am so grateful for Sus Schmitt and others on staff who invest in those around them and help us walk the paths God has for us.”

These thanks are for you, too! You make this ministry possible.

You share in this journey as well, because your prayers and financial participation make you a valued and integral part of the ministry God has called Mike and me to. Together with us, you have supported the work of Cru’s global missionaries who are seeing millions won to Christ.

Thank you for joining us on this adventure. It’s not just a journey, but an honor and a privilege to walk with you on this road God has marked out for us.

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