Connecting you to God’s work through Cru
About Us
Welcome to the website of Worldwide Challenge, the award-winning, bi-monthly publication of Campus Crusade for Christ.
The mission of Worldwide Challenge is to show how God is directing the hearts and hands of Campus Crusade for Christ staff members around the world and to challenge our readers to join with us in making Christ known.
Join us as we travel around the world. Share in the struggles and joys of people you meet on the way. As you explore our site, we hope you’ll be challenged to grow closer in your devotion and service to the Lord. You’ll find encouraging, faith-strengthening stories and inspiring photography from across the globe, along with useful ways to share the gospel of Christ.
We also hope that you'll take some time to interact with the magazine and our team through our "Connect" page. We'd love to hear from you! Please visit our Fan Mail and Awards page to see what people are saying about Worldwide Challenge.
Team portraits by Ted Wilcox
Meet the Team
Mark Winz
Editor in Chief
Where you’re from:
Holdredge, Nebraska
How long have you worked for Campus Crusade?
25 years.
What actor would play you in a movie about your life?
Harrison Ford.
Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy photography, especially taking photos of my kids in their sports and activities.
Yesika Cancel
Editorial/Marketing Assistant
Where you’re from:
Born in Puerto Rico, raised in the U.S. (Army brat)
What was your favorite game growing up?
I can be very competitive, so my favorite games were Checkers and Connect Four.
If you weren’t working for Campus Crusade, what would you be doing?
I would probably have my own business–something in the line of fashion or interior decorating.
Jessica Fong
Writer
Where you’re from:
Boston, Massachusetts
You’re given an island to make into a new country, what do you call it?
I don’t have a witty answer to this, but instead I’ll tell you that since high school I thought those “Name-A-Highway” programs were great because I wanted to buy a highway in each state, name them after my family, and literally put us on the map.
Your favorite game growing up was…
Hungry Hungry Hippos. There’s something immensely satisfying about four kids slamming their fists into little pastel hippos and calling it a “game”.
Becky (Hill) Thomton
Editor, Writer
Where you’re from:
Newton, Iowa
Your favorite game growing up was…
Flood, which consisted of nothing more than gathering up all my stuffed animals and toys and putting them on my bed, then pretending it was a boat.
Any interesting hobbies?
I love collecting napkins–they’re free and serve as memories from a wide variety of places. I have more than 1000 from probably 30 or 40 countries.
Stephanie Reeves
Senior Copy Editor
Where you’re from:
Oakland, California
Do you have any hobbies?
I'm a scrapbooker, avid baseball fan and reader.
If you didn’t work for Campus Crusade, you would…
Hopefully I'd be writing the great American novel.
You are given a talk show to discuss any topic you'd like, what would it be about?
The importance of family.
Terri Oesterrich
Graphic Designer
Where you’re from:
Woodbine, Kansas
What is something people don’t know about you?
I learned to drive trucks and tractors before I learned to drive a car.
You're driving down an empty highway in the middle of nowhere with the windows down, what music are you listening to?
If I want to be in worship, I'd listen to Hillsong United. If I want to be mellow, I'd listen to Norah Jones. If I want to stay awake, I'd listen to Dave Matthews Band.
Jan Stewart
Assistant Managing Editor
Where you’re from:
Originally Minnesota, moved here to Orlando from Idaho
What was the first job you ever had?
Putting lids on Cool Whip containers in Minnesota (age 14) as a temp job.
If you weren’t working for Campus Crusade, what would you be doing?
Attending a university of choice and getting my Master's in Creative Writing, then working on a PhD.
Rich Atkinson
Writer
Where you’re from:
Cleveland, Ohio
Why did you choose to work as a writer for Campus Crusade for Christ?
I am creative and a visionary and felt it was the way God was leading me.
Favorite movie… and why?
The Last of the Mohicans is my favorite movie. I enjoy that period of history and it is an exciting action/adventure movie.
Sherry Cumpstone
Director, Marketing & Advertising
Where you’re from:
Baltimore, Maryland
What is something that people don’t know about you?
I owned my own sailboat and sailed Tampa Bay for years before I moved to Orlando.
Why did you choose to work as a marketer for Campus Crusade?
Because the Lord knew my gifts and interest would be most useful when applied to helping Worldwide Challenge share the Campus Crusade story.
Conda De Vries
Photo Administrator
Where you’re from:
Armour, South Dakota
You’re driving down an empty highway in the middle of nowhere with the windows down, what music are you listening to?
I’d definitely be driving in South Dakota with all the nice, wide-open country and listening to contemporary Christian or 50’s music. Something lively.
What is something people don’t know about you?
If I tell, then I can’t use it as an unknown fact anymore!
Greg Johnson
Director of Operations
Where you’re from:
Michigan
What was your favorite game growing up?
Kick the can.
Why did you choose to work for Campus Crusade?
I wanted to use my life to help people, who had never heard the Gospel before, hear it for the first time.
Do you have any hobbies?
Running and fishing.
Christy Adams
Managing Editor
Where you’re from:
Princeton, West Virginia
You are given a talk-show to discuss any topic you’d like, what would it be about?
Practically eliminating extreme poverty.
What is your favorite book?
Growing up, my favorite book was Heidi. Whenever my mom and I went to the library, I always checked it out. I also love On the Road by Jack Kerouac.
Bryn Gunning
Writer
Where you’re from:
Palatine, IL
What was the first job you ever had?
Some of my first jobs included pool attendant (minion of lifeguards), daycare counselor, aerobics instructor,
and a cheerleading coach.
Do you have any hobbies?
Anything involving people, dancing, creativity, color, depth, exercise, humor and/or outdoor adventure.
Ted Wilcox
Photographer
Where you’re from:
Orange County, California
How long have you worked for Campus Crusade?
8 years.
What was the first job you ever had?
I worked at Piping Hot Surf Shop and basically was paid with plaid shorts and surf t-shirts.
Do you have any hobbies?
Cooking/healthy eating, tennis, mountain biking, rock climbing, reading, swimming, and travel.
Katie Croft
Writer
Where you’re from:
Bozeman, Montana
Favorite book… and why?
I love the book Hinds Feet on High Places. I’ve read it at least 12 times. It’s an allegory that has shaped how I respond and relate to Jesus-the Good Shepherd, in the mountain top times when things are bright and cheery as well as the difficult, dark days in the valley.
You’re given an island to make into a new country, what do you call it?
Is it a small island? Because if so, I wouldn’t name it. That way it would be a private island just for me, my family, and friends. We would travel there by latitude and longitude coordinates only… maybe that could be the name- I’m sure no one would ever figure it out.
Diane Dakin
Subscriptions Manager
Where you’re from:
Birmingham, Alabama
What is something people don’t know about you?
I was a beekeeper. I took fencing lessons from Chinese Olympic fencers.
What is your favorite movie… and why?
Sound of Music, because it makes me feel good, I get to sing along, the main characters in it do not compromise their beliefs, and they stay true to their selves and escape oppression in the end.
Guy Gerrard
Photo Manager
Where you’re from:
Southern California
Why did you choose to work at Campus Crusade for Christ?
We don't get in trouble for sharing our faith.
You are given a talk show to discuss any topic you'd like, what would it be about?
Making cool stuff in my garage workshop.
Amber (Kinneer) Wiley
Writer
Where you’re from:
Florida
What is something people don’t know about you?
I collect children’s books.
If you didn’t work for Campus Crusade, you would…
Teach piano full-time or own my own business (Piano studio or massage therapy).
Tom Mills
Photographer
Where you’re from:
Torance, California
How long you've worked for Campus Crusade for Christ:
34 years, all as a photographer for Worldwide Challenge
What is something people don't know about you?
I enjoy SCUBA diving.
Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy learning about history, art, photography, astronomy, and woodworking.
Erik Segalini
Editor, Team Leader for Writers Team
Where you’re from:
New Hampshire
You’re driving down an empty highway in the middle of nowhere with the windows down, what music are you listening to?
80’s pop, which I’m likely singing at the top of my lungs, or I’m listening to swing/Big Band music, with my hand beating out the drumline on the steering wheel.
What was the first job you ever had?
A bagger at Purity Supreme grocery store (I won the much-coveted “bagger of the month” award–yeah, you’re impressed.)
Rich Wiewiora
Copy Coordinator and Copy Editor
Where you’re from:
I grew up in Chicago. (I was born in England.)
What is your favorite book, and why?
The Polish-language edition of “The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom. I love the descriptions of her family’s daily lives before World War II spreads to her native Holland.
Do you have any hobbies? I play guitar, swim, and enjoy visiting museums and listening to (free) live concerts.
