Campus Crusade Co-Founder Prepares to ‘Fall Asleep and Wake Up in the Arms of Jesus’

Cru Co-Founder Vonette Bright is preparing to “cross the finish line,” her adult children say.  

According to a release from NRB, Bright’s blood disease has morphed into acute leukemia, which she is not expected to survive.  

Though the family is asking for prayers, it isn’t for earthly healing: “Her prayer is that she will simply become weaker, fall asleep and wake up in the arms of Jesus. Please join us in praying she does not contract pneumonia or any other illness.” 

Bright founded Campus Crusade for Christ with her husband, Bill Bright, in 1951. The organization changed its name to Cru in 2012, Charisma News previously reported.  

Campus Crusade for Christ is a worldwide, interdenominational Christian evangelism and discipleship organization. Since its founding, Campus Crusade for Christ has become one of the largest Christian organizations in the world. Campus Crusade currently is served by more than 25,000 full-time and part-time team members in 191 countries around the world and is comprised of 29 different ministries. 

Bill died in 2003 at the age of 81, according to the Cru website.  

“Bill was considered a major catalyst for the modern-day resurgence of the disciplines of fasting and prayer in the Christian church,” the site reads.  

As for Vonette, her “commitment to help reach the world for Christ has fueled a passion for a prayer and desire to help others develop a heart for God. She serves as Chair for The Bright Media Foundation and maintains an amazing schedule from her home in Orlando,” the site reads. 

Vonette received numerous honors and recognitions, as well as six honorary doctorate degrees from universities such as Colorado Christian, Taylor University and Liberty University, according to her biography. 

She founded the Great Commission Prayer Crusade and National Prayer Committee in 1972, according to the website. She is currently chair of the Bright Media Foundation, is the chair emeritus of the National Prayer Committee and honorary co-chair of the Mission American Coalition.

Now as Vonette approaches the end, the Bright children say NRB hospice is on call, but the elderly woman is still up for some socializing.  

“She is able to have visitors (and she wants them!),” they say. “We ask that you please schedule a visit through her office and not directly with Mother. We want her to have the joy of being with friends as long as possible but need to manage the flow so she doesn’t become exhausted. Also, if you schedule directly with Mother, there is a strong possibility she will forget. More than one person has arrived for a visit only to find Mother isn’t at home because she forgot and didn’t tell anyone about the visit! 

“Our desire is to shower her with love and give her the peace of knowing that everything is taken care of.”