Perspectives at Rice University
* Name changed for privacy
For five days each fall, Cru® staff members and students at Rice University in Houston, Texas, engage students, faculty and campus employees passing by with an invitation to share their perspective on five key spiritual topics.
A large banner displays one topic each day, such as the nature of God, the meaning of life, the identity of Jesus, human nature, and the source of spiritual truth, with various responses illustrated below it. Participants place a sticker on the statement that best describes their perspective, paving the way for a spiritual conversation to emerge. This outreach strategy is based on Cru’s Perspective Cards®, a deck of playing cards that jumpstart spiritual conversations by inviting others to share about their worldview.
For Julia*, a student leader at Rice, the Perspectives outreach opened doors with people she’d known for years. When a friend from freshman year passed by the outreach table, her arms full with her saxophone, Julia didn't just wave her friend along. Instead, she took a chance, trusted God, and invited her friend to engage with that day’s banner topic.
“I’d always wondered where she found her motivation and drive,” Julia said. “She’s like most Rice students who are incredibly passionate about really specific causes and ideas. I wanted to ask her about it before, but always got scared in previous interactions and thought it would be awkward. But then you’re at Perspectives with this big old banner behind you with a deep spiritual question on it — so it’s kind of hard to ignore the opportunity.”
Julia’s curiosity launched an hour-long conversation outside a café on campus. Her friend shared openly about what brings her peace, what motivates her, and the hardships she’d faced — things Julia had never known despite seeing her almost every day. Because Julia was asking honest questions, her friend began to reciprocate. This gave Julia a natural opportunity to share how she seeks comfort in prayer, Scripture, and her Christian community.
“Perspectives didn’t end with that one conversation, it opened a door,” Julia said. “In the weeks that followed, we kept talking — sometimes at random times and in unexpected places. She didn’t suddenly decide to follow Jesus, but now she clearly understands what I believe about the gospel and why. Faith is no longer a vague, hazy idea to her. And as she continues to see my life, my patience, and my imperfect attempts to love well, she knows exactly where that comes from — and who my source of life is.”
Perspective Cards and outreach events are effective because they reach the spiritually curious while strengthening believers. The power of God is shaping college students into confident witnesses through their obedience to share their faith in him with others. Order a set of your own Perspective Cards and consider how you might use them to start spiritual conversations with those around you.
