It all began in the Fall of 1999.  A small group a freshmen and sophomores met together weekly for a Bible study in North Hall. Their desire was to form a campus ministry committed to spreading the gospel to others and growing though conversion. With the aid of staff from Campus Crusade for Christ they launched a student-led chapter at Drexel University... and the rest is history. As they began to share the gospel and invite others out God quickly added students to the group. By the end of the first year the small Bible study grew into a large group meeting (Cru) and eventually small groups began meeting around the campus (Growth Groups). Thus "Cru" and "Growth Groups" were born.

The Summer of 2001 marked some exciting changes within the group.  First off, a group of 4 of the founding guys began renting a first-floor apartment together off-campus. The address: 3500 Hamilton Street. This apartment was utilized in many fun and strategic ways: outreaches, parties, socials, meetings, and more. It became a social hub for much of the ministry's endeavors. Slowly, one unit at a time, the entire house was taken over by Crusaders, which is how it remains to this day. Another significant turning point that summer included a new emphasis on the local church.  The students began to realize that they had subtly allowed their passion for campus ministry to eclipse their passion for Christ's church. So beginning the Fall of 2001 they began to place a new emphasis on seeing students not only saved, but added to healthy local churches. And out of this conviction a number of church-carpools were birthed.

Though a number of classes have passed through Drexel Crusade since those early days, the core values of the group remain. A commitment to rich friendships, sound doctrine, and a love for Christ and his church. But most importantly, the original reason for which the group was launched remains the same today: "Turning lost student into Christ-centered laborers." And all for the glory of God.