Steve PierceSeptember 30, 2013Volume 21 Issue 5

steve.pierce@cru.org 321-229-5702 10862 Norcross Circle Orlando FL 32825

missionaries can file all their receipts online and get approval to receive their funds as quickly as possible without having to rely on international snail-mail. With the advent of touch screen devices, smart cameras and touch pads, we are also looking for the best solution for signing contracts, waivers and releases for various things, and testing is underway.One big one is the tools and apps we provide to missionaries, both within Cru and in other ministries, as well as ministry partners. We’re building some great solutions to make the lives and work of those we are in touch with as effective as possible using technology. As part of this, we’re doing another round of ethnographic research of current practice and needs that will help us figure things out. If you recall from when we did some research like this about 5 years ago, ethnography is a research method adapted from anthropology that is designed to discover the real-world needs and behaviors of real people. Ethnographic methods can spot latent user needs that are hard to discover using typical market research methods such as surveys and focus groups. Some of the changes and tools we’ve worked on since that study came from what we learned then.

The big difference this time is that we’re examining every system or service we provide and will make all necessary changes as a result. So this is a big deal. Some of you may be contacted for this, and your feedback would be immensely helpful.I look forward to telling you more about all these endeavors I’m involved in. Please pray that God would guide me and the others leading us through these changes, that we would strive to find the solutions and make the changes that God desires. Thanks again for your prayers and financial giving that keep me going in service to our great God!

After being away from home for three months this summer, traveling through over 20 states, living in CO for most of it, and in almost a different bed every night while on the road, it has been a blessing to my back to sleep in my own bed for the month I’ve been home. I never thought it would make that big of a difference, but I’m thankful that my lower back is well supported while sleeping. It also seems to take so long to catch up on life and work when one is away for so long. I still feel like I’m doing things to catch up, but not really getting ahead, although I realize that is just a perception, while the reality is that I am almost caught up.

Within Campus Crusade we’ve been making changes this year in how the technology groups work and are organized. The goal is to serve our field missionaries, partner ministries, students and others well. Starting in April my team leader, Paul, took over directing the new U.S. Digital Strategies group. The headquarters IT department, Campus Ministry IT department, Web team and App development team were all combined. In wanting to care for those involved and affected by this, our leadership has been carefully working on the new structure and changes and how we’ll all work together. I’m excited to see these changes, as I believe it will be a huge boon in providing more effective, cutting-edge solutions for the field.

I’m continuing to direct a number of projects. Our videoconferencing solutions are always in flux, and we want to provide the best solutions to increase the collaboration and effectiveness of our staff globally. So I’m working with a team to assess regularly how these systems are working, as well as any changes which are needed. I’m also overseeing a few separate projects in partnership with other departments within Cru. We’re making progress, for instance, on changes to our reimbursement system so that international

U.S. Digital Strategies