About Us

Trent serves with the global technology team for Cru. His team addresses the critical needs of communications for our missionaries around the world. He is the global Google administrator, which puts him in the exciting position of navigating constant change and progress. A path is being cleared for the Gospel to go forth more broadly and effectively by a small group of geeks.

Tara has always focused on evangelism and discipleship with college students. The French are best at reaching the French. Now as a mom, her primary ministry is to our children and our neighborhood. She will also have the opportunity to minister to young French mothers, of whom 1 in 4 are raising children alone. Please pray for opportunities to come alongside these women!

Lydia, Rachel, Tessa and Elise joined our team between 2013 and 2021. Their present occupations include school, eating, sleeping and charming the neighbors. We pray that they will walk with Jesus all of their lives. Other missionary kids in France serve as a vision for us. They are fluent in the language and not seen as foreigners, so they fit the idea of “French reaching French.” We pray that God will use our children in this way, too, bringing the Gospel to more French families!

About Trent

As a kid, my attitude toward God could have been expressed like this: "I believe in Jesus, now let me live my life and slide into Heaven." I wanted to live for me. In high school, however, I became more involved with my youth group at church in La Crosse, WI. Through missions trips and working at Arrowhead Bible Camp, I found that I really enjoyed being used for God's eternal purpose. But I still wanted to do things my way. In college, I found tremendous opportunities to serve God with my technical skills (or dumb luck when skill failed). But I really questioned the idea that God would want to use something I truly enjoyed for His purposes. That all changed when I talked to Steve, a director in Cru. He told me that IT (Information Technology) was one of the greatest ministry needs- both in our region and worldwide. I was sold. I jumped tracks and studied Computer Networking and Security Technology, with full intent to let God use me the way He made me.

So my story really comes down to this: I wanted to live for me, my way. Then I wanted to live for God, but still my way. Now all I want is to live for God, and do it His way. I find more fulfillment in His plans than I ever did in any of mine.

About Tara

The biggest turning-point in my life happened at age 17 as I got to know Jesus as my Savior. I was shocked to discover that God saves us by His grace rather than our own works (Eph. 2:8-9). I then moved from Platteville to Madison, WI, for college, and I immediately noticed Cru at the UW. Surprisingly, they were the largest student group on campus! My friends were going to the Christmas conference in Minneapolis that year, so I went too. The speakers were missionaries from around the world who told numerous stories about what God was doing. My eyes widened as I learned that there are millions of people who have never heard the name of Jesus. One speaker expressed the need for laborers in France. Though it's a developed nation, they are considered "unreached." God was whispering, "You've studied French for 5 years, you've been there, and now you know Me. Will you go, Tara?" I almost fainted. Me?! I couldn't believe that God had been equipping me for so long, but He's smart like that.

So I went to France in the summer of '05 and began treating Jesus as Lord. I wanted to be fully-obedient. And He blessed me. For example, I met a student who had had a dream about Jesus the night before! One student wanted to read a Bible, but there were no Christian stores in the city, so we provided a French Bible for her. The nation is less than 2% Christian, and most people have literally never heard anything about the Good News. The visible churches were museums, and it's taboo among French to talk about God, much less religion. But we weren't French, and they all had spiritual questions bottled up inside. So we were the safest people that many French students got to talk with, and that was quite rewarding! I feel very called to work with college students wherever He places us-- they are so ripe for the harvest!

About France

We are currently serving in Rennes, France to do our part in fulfilling the Great Commission. Most missions organizations consider the French to be an "unreached people-group." It is one of the most spiritually-dead places on earth, and they certainly don't know it.

• In 1950, 80% of French people regularly attended church. Today it is 5%.

• Less than 1% are evangelical believers in France.

• By contrast, 41% of Americans regularly attend church and 23% are evangelical believers.

• Most French have never met a practicing Christian.

• France consumes more antidepressants than any other country in the world.

• There are more full-time practitioners of the occult in France than there are Christian workers.

• 60% of French people would be willing to have a spiritual conversation with someone they trust.

About Cru

Cru exists to help fulfill the Great Commission by reaching people with the Gospel, building believers up in their faith, and sending them out to reach others in the power of the Holy Spirit. We also help the body of Christ to do evangelism and discipleship. In France we are known as Agapé, and the mission and vision remain the same. We want everyone to know someone who truly follows Jesus Christ. What do we believe that means? Here is a quick Gospel message.

To learn more about the minstries, you can check out their web sites.

cru.org for our English speaking friends

agapefrance.org pour nos amis français