Speakers

Pastor Jerome serves as the Lead Pastor of Teaching and Vision at Vision Church in Raleigh, NC. Jerome has a vision to see Gospel-centered churches and leaders raised up within an urban context and sent out to plant other Gospel-centered churches. Jerome is married to Crystal, and he is the father of Jamari and Jerome Jordan Gay III. He is the author of four books: Church Hurt: Holding the Church Accountable and Helping Hurt People Heal, Talking to Your Children About Race, The Whitewashing of Christianity: A Hidden Past, a Hurtful Present and A Hopeful Future, and Renewal: Grace and Redemption in the Story. Jerome is also the founder and president of The Urban Perspective. Jerome has his Master’s Degree in Christian Studies and Ethics from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Ben grew up in Eastern Kentucky and attended Marshall University. After graduating, he served as an international intern from June 2000 to Sept 2001 in Slovakia, and he joined full-time staff in January 2002. His first assignment was Western Kentucky University, where he met his wife Jill. They moved back to Slovakia in 2006 and returned to WKU in 2007. In 2016, he transitioned into an international sending role and moved to Raleigh. He currently works as an International Sending Coordinator for Europe.

He received his MDiv in 2014 and completed his Doctor of Educational Ministry in Biblical Spirituality in December 2023--both from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. 

Ben and his wife Jill live outside of Raleigh, NC with their three kids.

After receiving his BS in Mechanical Engineering from NCSU, Chad worked as engineer for a few years before going into full-time ministry with Cru. He has served with Cru for 20 years at various locations including UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Wilmington, UNC-Charlotte, and East Asia. After completing his MA in Counseling from Gordon Conwell in 2014, he left staff to pursue his dream of starting a private practice. He still works there as a licensed clinical therapist with clients both locally and around the world. His passions include his wife Kristy and two boys (Griffin & Parker), cars from the 80s, and his golden doodle, Jack. 

Kevin grew up in Florence, KY, and he graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2012 with a degree in Psychology. He became a believer during his freshman year of college, and then he joined full-time staff with Cru in 2013. He has been married for nine years to his wife, Jen. They have a three year old son and a baby girl due this fall. He has served with Cru and The Impact Movement at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC since 2015. He also helps hire new applicants interested in joining staff with Cru. Kevin has a passion for teaching God’s Word, cross-cultural ministry, and overseas missions.  

Cameron Hodge holds a BA in Global Affairs and International Development and Masters of Public Administration. In response to the call of God, Cameron earned a Masters of Divinity in Christian Apologetics from Liberty University. In 2021 she received her ThM in Ethics from North-West University (SA) and she is currently pursuing a PhD of Theology in Ethics at North-West University (SA). Cameron also has studied French, Spanish, Latin, Greek and Hebrew.

The subject of biblical sexuality is important to Cameron because she struggled with same-sex attraction in her past. Now, Cameron speaks at churches, conferences, colleges campuses and public forums, desiring to be a voice that gives godly wisdom, and guidance on this issue. Her main purpose is to point people to Jesus Christ.

Vimal's life was changed forever as a freshman at UNC when Cru knocked on his door. After graduation, Vimal served with Cru internationally for a year (where he met his now wife, Tabatha) and then spent the next 9 years on staff with Cru, leading locally and as a Regional Director. Vimal moved into the business world and a variety of sales roles. He's been in the banking software sector including companies such as Abrigo, Sageworks, and eCino. He is always a top performer and also manages sales teams. He is also a favorite speaker at a variety of Cru events.  He, and his wife, Tabatha, have 3 daughters and live in Apex, NC. They are active in their local church and other local nonprofits.