Maria Cruzat attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC). She graduated with International Studies, Public Health, and Spanish degrees, and planned to work overseas. Her graduation coincided with the global pandemic, and her plans required an adjustment. The Campus Outreach Charlotte area director suggested she shift focus to building laborers who could one day accompany her overseas. Maria arrived back on the UNCC campus in March of 2022. She was ready to see how God would use her passion for the world on the campus in North Carolina.
Committed to showing students God’s heart for the world, Maria’s plan focused on the 2000+ international students on campus. Still, traditional US students are in her discipleship group. She believes they will “catch what she cares about,” which has proven true. Each has shown interest in the international world: studying abroad, going on cross-cultural projects with Campus Outreach, and ministering alongside Maria on campus. They never lack opportunities to meet and build relationships with women from other countries.
75% of the internationals at UNCC are from the 10/40 window and have never had the opportunity to know about Jesus. Maria recently wrote about how God opened doors for her among students from Bangladesh:
“I’m in a bridal suite, wearing traditional Bengali clothing and jewelry, listening to the beautiful Bengali language while I watch Minnie prepare for her wedding ceremony. I take it all in, awed by the beauty of Bengali culture. Friends, family, and ‘aunties’ help ensure she looks presentable, comfortable, and respectful of her Bengali culture. Minnie started her journey of learning more about Jesus while doing her master’s degree elsewhere. Now she is doing her PhD at UNCC.
In Bangladesh, 90% of people are Muslims, 8% Hindus, and followers of Jesus make up 0.4%. During the two days of wedding festivities, God opened opportunities to connect with nine Bengali students—seven getting their PhD and two getting their Bachelor’s. Four of them live in the same condominium area as me, and one is the president of the Bangladesh Student Organization.”
Please join us in praying that Maria will not grow weary in doing good. Pray for these relationships. Ask the Lord to reveal Himself to students from Bangladesh and beyond. And pray for laborers to be built on the UNCC campus for the lost world.
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