Pray for Ukraine

One March 30, 2025, we asked folks to register soon so we can organize food and treats.

Agenda

  • 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM – Check-in, grab dinner plate, find your seat
  • 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM – Dinner and viewing short film “Outpost Ukraine”
    This moving short film highlights important history and spiritual reasons for Russia’s war against Ukraine.
  • 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM – Prayer program followed by Ukrainian dessert treats

Details

The situation in Ukraine is certainly highlighting the news cycle and there is loads of conflicting information about what is really happening and what are the solutions to bring lasting peace. We gather to share first hand accounts from Ukrainians on the ground and in the know, and want to provide an inside look for the purpose of prayer. You will hear from a Ukrainian military chaplain and from a pastor of a church in Russian-occupied territory.

  • We will unite as followers of Christ and pray to our almighty God and the Prince of Peace for topics such as the peace, security, and future of Ukraine.
  • We will lift up political leaders, pastors, churches, and Ukrainian citizens like widows, orphans, soldiers, military chaplains.
  • In addition, we will pray for persecuted Protestant believers and churches in the occupied territories as well as for those suffering as a result of the war.
  • Lastly, we will pray for the well-being of our Ukrainian refugee neighbors, a number of whom you will pray alongside.

The people of Ukraine need comfort, support and hope. And the Ukrainian refugee community will be blessed as followers of Jesus come alongside and show the love of Christ to them in tangible, transformational ways.

We will enjoy worship in English with a few verses in Ukrainian to help fix our eyes on Jesus.

Enjoy the opportunity to meet some of your Ukrainian neighbors.

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Some information about the Ukrainian community in Austin:

Over 5,000 Ukrainians live in the Austin area. The majority have arrived since the full-scale invasion began three years ago. They’ve come to the U.S., not seeking a better life but safety for their families and a future for their kids.

Ukrainians are hard-working, well-educated, with strong moral and family values. Imagine starting from scratch in a new country with limited language while dealing with grief, loss, trauma, and your home country devastated by war?

There are a handful of local churches and organizations reaching out to help Ukrainian refugees. We will have information available for those interested to learn more.

Hill Country Bible Church – Lakeline in partnership with Cru City Austin, Texas4Ukraine, and Austin Bible Church

Not at all. While we may pray for political leaders, we are gathering in clear recognition that we are addressing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and asking Him to do do what only He can do to grant peace, justice, and eternal hope to those who seek Him.

 

Ukrainian friends gathered in Austin to cheer on their boxing champion, Oleksandr Usyk in his successful rematch over Tyson Fury.

Support group for Ukrainian refugees in Austin called Finding Home Again covering topics like transition, grief, loss, trauma, parenting, and identity.

Emotionally Intelligent Leadership Women’s Lunch and Learn Workshop

The Emotionally Intelligent Leadership Lunch and Learn Workshop was an amazing event at which attendees were able to discuss managing emotions in leadership positions when the pressure is on. We also discussed leveraging personality types to achieve success in different relationships.

Featured Speakers

Darci Harris

Darci Harris has thirty years experience as the Supply Chain Vice President for Mars Wrigley Confectionery North America. Darci’s faith and deep experience in talent development throughout her corporate career
has aided her in training and coaching emerging leaders to integrate their personal purpose and emotional intelligence with their choices, habits and actions to achieve their goals.

Leslie Samara

Leslie Samara is founder and owner of Cornerstone Education Group, a leader in sales enablement through customized learning experiences. She has helped many luxury goods clients such as Christian Louboutin, L’Oréal, Remy Cointreau, Yves Saint Laurent, and Laura Mercier reach their goals. A Certified Human Behavior Consultant and Master Trainer in the DISC Model of Human Behavior, Leslie also holds certifications in artistry, e-learning development, communication, management, and facilitation skills training.

Finding Home Again Welcome Event for Ukrainian Refuges

The Finding Home Again welcome event was a wonderful family celebration!

We hosted 46 Ukrainian families including over 30 kids at Hill Country Bible Church.  These families enjoyed yummy Ukrainian and Texas food as well as music from different artists in Ukrainian and English.  The information tables provided essential tools and advice and the kids enjoyed fun crafts and an entertaining science show.  Each family received a welcome box with practical items, Texas and Ukrainian treats, and valuable resources to help navigate this difficult transition, addressing emotional, relational, and spiritual needs.

The Finding Home Event received news coverage from the Austin Statesman as well as KVUE news station.  Here is the KVUE link.

Our Cru City Austin team continues to explore ways to bless the Ukrainian refugees settling in our city. Our volunteers indicated different ways they might be willing to serve, and we plan to match them with the needs indicated by the Ukrainian families who attended the event.

Our key partner in these events helping Ukrainian refugees is Texas4Ukraine, of which our Cru staff, Brad & Anya Hopp are a part.  Check out the Texas4Ukraine website to get a taste of what they are doing to encourage and resource sponsorsorship and help Ukrainian families navigate this difficult journey of transition to their new home.

We are grateful to our ministry partners who have supported these efforts through giving financially, donating tea kettles, or volunteering their time and talents to bless our Ukrainian neighbors.

 

 

Welcome Box Project Packing Party

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Hope for Homelessness – Interview with Matt Freeman, the spiritual director Community First! Village

While most simply ignore the problem, one dynamic organization is doing everything possible to mitigate the problem of homelessness. If you’re not familiar with Mobile Loaves & Fishes and their development Community First! Village you will be fascinated to “meet” them and hear about the hope and transformation they are providing to those experiencing homelessness.

We interview Matt Freeman, the spiritual director Community First! Village, a development of tiny homes and trailers providing housing, work, and community to its residents lifted out of chronic homelessness. Matt has a compelling personal story and highlights the work of this vital, transformational community.

Overcoming Stress

Struggling to keep up with life?

Watch this 1-hour video for practical tips and tools on Overcoming Stress.

You will learn to:

  • recognize stress-inducing habits,
  • apply principles for greater productivity, and
  • change and improve your home and work routine

 

Meet the Presenter

David Wright, CEO, Dale Carnegie Training of Austin, Houston, San Antonio.

Dave’s formal studies are in Business Management, Coaching, and Adult Education. He received his MA in Adult Education and Workplace Learning from Texas State University. Dave is a dynamic speaker, leader, and entrepreneur.

At the age of 22, Dave was the youngest Dale Carnegie® Instructor ever certified. Over the past 30 years, Dave has been the Dale Carnegie® Sales Manager for Vancouver, Canada; Regional Manager for Oregon/SW Washington; and he is currently the President of Dale Carnegie Training of Austin/Houston, Texas.

Since arriving in Texas, Dave Wright has led the organization to unprecedented growth, and he achieved the “Founders Club” award from Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc. for the fastest growing office in North America. He received ongoing international growth awards resulting in a tenfold revenue increase since 2008.

During his time with Dale Carnegie®, Dave has received ongoing international recognition as a premier trainer, including the prestigious “Global Trainer of the Year” award (out of 3500 Dale Carnegie trainers worldwide).

Dave has conducted over 5000 sessions throughout North America, and has been a featured speaker at the Dale Carnegie® International Convention five times.

Dave’s clients include a variety of industries and organizations, with programs delivered to both the employees and management of numerous companies, including: Dell, Texas A&M, Crane, Marathon, CITGO, VMWare, & Electronic Arts (EA).

Dave also sits as a board member for Independent Petroleum Association of America as they continue to expand their
commitment of education outreach.

Craig and Jen Ferguson

Follow-up Q&A with Craig and Jen Ferguson – Courage in Crisis: When Trust is Broken

Craig and Jen Ferguson

Courage in Crisis: When Trust is Broken

Cru City Austin interviewed an Austin couple, Craig and Jen Ferguson who have weathered the breakdown of trust and intimacy in their marriage due to the use of pornography. The Fergusons told their story in a live interview format of how they found hope and healing through biblical counsel and understanding the root of addiction. They have encouraged others as they provided practical tips to developed healthy and fulfilling relationships, experienced forgiveness, and rediscovered oneness and intimacy in their marriage. They even wrote a book on the subject entitled, “Pure Eyes, Clean Heart: a Couple’s Journey to Freedom from Pornography.”

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