Steve and
Serving At Cru City
Welcome to our website, and thank you for taking the time to visit. We hope that this site will help you stay connected to what is going on with our family and at Cru. We really appreciate your interest and we hope this site will help you get to know us a little better!
After residing in Topeka, Kansas for fifteen years we moved to to Little Rock, AR to work at the FamilyLife headquarters. Along with over 400 staff at FamilyLife, we ministered to hurting families around the world from 2010-2020. In 2020 we transferred to Cru City supporting over 700 staff who minister in the U.S. and Internationally.
We hope your time spent on our website will be helpful to you and that we will be a resource that will help you reach out to people in your life. We invite you to join us as we Win Build and Send through ministry at Cru around the world!
In His grip,
Steve & Lila Bayer
Steve and
Lila Bayer
Serving At FamilyLife
Family is the fiber that holds our society together, but it is under attack more than ever. Traditional values, God-ordained roles, and parental influence have all but vanished in our culture. Along with over 400 other staff at FamilyLife, we minister to hurting families around the world. Our heart’s desire is that your marriage would not just survive but thrive, and that children would never have a home without both mom and dad!
About Our Family
We are native-born Kansans, Steve being from St. Marys and Lila from Moran. We met as students at Kansas State University. The Lord has given us a passion for stewardship and helping people be free of financial bondage. We are especially aware of how the burden of debt impacts marriages and families.
We served as supported staff at Crown Financial Ministries from 2004 to 2010. When they eliminated their missionary staff, God led us to join FamilyLife, a Cru ministry, as a way to address issues that often underlie financial stress in marriages. We found our sweet spot helping train new and existing missionaries with the principles & skills needed to trust God for their financial provision. We also provide Biblical stewardship education . Our purpose is to help missionaries report to their assignments quickly and to equip them for longevity.
In 2019 FamilyLife announced a move to Orlando, but God had other plans for us. We transferred to Cru City to continue in our same roles, but reaching a larger audience with missionaries all across the U.S. and Internationally
We have been married for 38 years and have four children. Ansen is married to Dri and resides in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. They have three children. Our daughter Arielle and her husband Andrew reside in Springdale, Arkansas, and they have one son. Marshall lives in Little Rock while Madeleine and Brandon live in Springdale too.
About Our Ministry
As missionaries with Cru, we are totally dependent on God to lead us to others who share the vision of changing our culture by restoring families to the values that make them strong. Without people to stand with us as prayer and financial partners, our ongoing work at Cru City would not be possible.
Cru does not generate central funds to pay our salary. We rely completely on the financial support of families like yours for our living and ministry expenses, allowing us to accomplish together what neither of us could do alone.
Our work is made possible by a team of ministry partners who share our desire to see marriages and families strengthened by the truth in God’s word. By providing support to our family, you become a vital part of the team that makes our work possible. Our partners send their contributions to our individual staff account at Cru. Cru in turn pays our salary, ministry expenses, and benefits out of that account.
The financial support we receive allows us to help FamilyLife fulfill its mission statement, “Effectively developing godly marriages and families who reach the world one home at a time.”
How You Can Support Us
Pray For Our Ministry
First and foremost, we need your prayers! Please pray that all we do will further the mission of reaching couples and families for Christ.
Monthly Financial Support
We need Ministry Partners who will support our mission financially. You can give online from your checking account, debit card, or credit card; or give by check by mailing to our home address.
Other Types of Giving
It is also possible to give non-cash gifts like stocks, mutual funds, or property. There is even a way to increase your giving power through Matching Gifts. Contact us to get started!
Lives Being Changed
A few comments from people attending FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember…
A Really Great Experience
We separated last week. We are re-committed to each other now and we made huge progress this weekend. We plan to get back together.
Amazing Weekend
I almost did not come. I thought we were at a point of no return. I thought we were done. I was wrong! I look forward to what is to come!
Life Changing
This opened our eyes to the need of Christ in our relationship. My fiancé accepted Christ as Lord and Savior for the first time this weekend!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Steve and Lila’s Staff Account Number?
#0634047. Click here to donate.
Why do staff members raise support instead of being paid by Cru?
We are a nonprofit organization and have no central funds. Staff members, including the president of Campus Crusade, raise support to cover salaries, benefits, and expenses. Then each staff member has a team of partners who pray for him or her. Central fundraising would limit the number of staff members. As a result of our many staff members, hundreds of thousands of people hear the good news of God’s love.
How is your salary determined?
Salaries are determined by age, number of children, and geographical location. In addition, a staff member may raise funds for a retirement plan.
How long am I expected to support a staff member?
That is a decision between you and the Lord. Our desire is that you would support us for as long as the Lord enables you to do so.
Why do I need to make out my check to Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ)?
Cru is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization and we follow IRS regulations for contributions. Steve & Lila Bayer’s name should not appear on the check. Contributions are sent to Cru with a slip with our staff account number ensuring your gift will be used as you intend.
Does all my support go to the Bayer Staff Account?
All contributions designated for our ministry go into our staff account. Then 7 percent is used for administrative expenses, such as processing payroll, benefits, and other services. Another 5 percent helps fund Cru ministries in places overseas where national staff find it difficult to raise support in their home country.
Get In Touch
Call, text, or e-mail us at:
Steve
Phone: (785) 249-7566
Lila
Phone: (785) 221-4027