[REFORMATION CHARLOTTE] Reformation Charlotte along with other ministries has been running a series of exposés on Cru’s gospel compromise through its promotion of social justice, feminism, and even homosexual activism. Cru, formerly Campus Crusade for Christ, has taken a sharp turn toward progressivism over the last few years. Two of Cru’s most prominent speakers have been relentlessly promoting the normalization of homosexuality within the ranks of Christianity.
The first one, Matt Mikalatos, is a Cru leader out of Portland Oregon who refers to himself as a “male feminist,” and teaches that homosexuals don’t need to repent of homosexuality when they come to Christ. The other is Rachel Gilson. Gilson is not only a highly sought-after Cru speaker and leader, but she is also a contributor to The Gospel Coalition. Gilson teaches that homosexuals who are married — and come to Christ after they are married — can stay married because “God hates divorce.”
Both Gilson and Mikalatos have taught that homosexual attraction — the desire for men to sodomize one another — is not in and of itself sinful.
Mikalatos, however, is apparently well-versed in fence-riding and walking both sides of the aisle. Mikalatos is also upset that some within his own ranks at Cru are concerned with his behavior and willing to expose his behind-the-scenes work. After our series of articles exposing Mikalatos’ agenda, he took to social media to complain to his peers at Cru and also instruct them on how to brush aside any concerns that anyone may have.
Below is his complaint:
As you can see, instead of dealing with the concerns that are raised by the “fringe theological websites,” he instead complains about the whistleblower who leaked their secret agenda, gaslights him by attempting to paint him as some mentally ill shtick, and instructs the rest of his peers on how to brush these concerns off.
You can rest assured that the whistleblower is not someone who is “hurt,” but rather, concerned with the unbiblical direction that Cru has taken.
Below are the “talking points” Mikalatos references and sends his peers to brush off concerns from supporters and alumni when they come to them with questions.
First, Cru does not hold to a biblical view of human sexuality — Mikalatos, as we’ve clearly documented, teaches that homosexuals can come to Christ now, get saved, and then sometime down the road, maybe repent of homosexuality. Further, Rachel Gilson, who is being referenced in the “Use # 3 if Needed” heading, was not taken out of context — the entire statement was quoted and the entire “sermon” she preached was there for everyone to hear.
And below, in #4, Cru instructs people to nuance their perspective on same-sex attraction and refuses to take any solid stance — allowing people, like Mikalatos and Gilson, to espouse whatever views they want with no accountability.
Above, Cru insists that they don’t promote a political agenda — except they did promote a political agenda — and we exposed it. In this video, you can see that practically the entire conference centered around social justice, Critical Race Theory, and feminism. In another video, you can see Cru speaker Latasha Morrison preach an anti-white sermon, then have the entire stadium — predominantly white — get up and denounce their whiteness. It’s really surreal to watch — and Cru calls this a gospel message.
They say they invite a variety of speakers who are “involved in proclaiming the gospel to the world in a variety of ways.” Really? Would that include the Roman Catholics Mikalatos invited? Would that include the self-described pagan Native American mystic — one who doesn’t even claim to be a Christian? Are these the ones Mikalatos believes are involved in proclaiming the gospel to the world in a variety of ways?
Something tells me it does. And something tells me the “vetting process” is broken.
Cru has absolutely strayed from the mission of God and has traded in the gospel of Jesus Christ for a gospel of inclusion, social justice, and social activism. Whether it be preaching a message of division and hate towards white people, teaching kids that it’s okay to be gay, platforming pagans and Roman Catholics, partnering with homosexual activist groups on campus for social justice work, or outright laying the gospel aside and calling it evangelism, it’s clear that Cru has departed the realm of biblical Christianity, a gospel focus, and a mission of proclaiming the truth and instead practice cunning and use underhanded and disgraceful ways to try to coax people into whatever religion they hold to.
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2
[Editor’s Note: This post originally appeared at Reformation Charlotte.]
