CRUview Summer 2019: The Generations Edition

CRUVIEW Summer 2019

includes:

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

s n o i t a r e genO THE

EDITION

Inside this issue:

2-5

Stories Spanning 80 Years

6-8

For the Sake of the Next Generation

9-11

Pursuing God, Always

12-14

The Power of Community

SUMMER 2019

CONTENTS

PAGE 1

PAGE 2-5

PAGE 6-8

PAGE 9-11

PAGE 12-14

PAGE 15

The Big Picture

Stories Spanning 80 Years

For the Sake of the Next Generation

Pursuing God, Always

The Power of Community

A Life of Service

PAGE 16

PAGE 17-23

PAGE 24-25

PAGE 26-27

PAGE 28

PAGE 29

Guest Article: Moore College

The Annual Report 2018

CRU® Ministry & Property Updates

Lake Mac Update

Thank You

CRU® Community

UPCOMING EVENTS Crusader Women's Fellowship

Crusader Business Luncheon

CRU® West Partnership Dinner

18th February 2019

15th March 2019

13th May 2019

Enjoy lunch and conversation with a group of ladies who faithfully meet to pray for CRU® twice a year. For more information and to RSVP call Philippa McCredie on 02 9874 8933 (opt 4) or email philippa.mccredie@ crusaders.edu.au

Meet with friends and colleagues to hear about what CRU® is doing and how you can support this important work among young people. For more information, call Matilda Slade on 02 9874 8933 (opt 4) or visit www. crusaders.edu.au/cbl2019

Are you living in Perth?

Join with the CRU West Committee for an evening of fellowship and encouragement, to hear the work God is doing in young hearts in Western Australia. The ministry is growing quickly and needs your support! For more information, contact Sheridan Raston on sheridan.raston@crusaders. edu.au

Lake Mac Redevelopment Events

Would you like to know more about the Lake Mac Redevelopment? Various small events are being held in supporters’ homes from February to April this year.

Please contact Damien Wang on 02 9188 9718 or email damien.wang@crusaders.edu.au

CRUVIEW

THE BIG PICTURE Gary Hill, Executive Director

The Generations Edition “Current research reveals that we are realistically in

receives is directly linked to their spiritual growth: a

danger of not passing on Biblical Christianity to the

Christian book or DVD, or a CRU Camp are among

next generation.” This sentence opened a recent

their options. But the absence of Christian parents in

article issued by the highly regarded US Christian

many households and the benefit of complementary

Research Institute. With fewer than 5% of Aussie kids

ministry means that organisations like CRU, which

attending church2 this will not surprise us either.

focus intentionally on reaching and growing young

1

Christians, are vital. So many parents tell me how Psalm 78:4 provides us with a great reminder of

much they value the partnership with CRU in

the importance of sharing the message of God with

investing in their kids.

young people so that they too would trust in Him. It’s an appropriate verse for CRU: “we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy

“

stresses the challenge inherent

We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power and the wonders He has done.

in this. Despite God’s awesome

—Psalm 78:4b

and the wonders he has done”.

Yet the remainder of the Psalm

acts of mercy, His people fail to give Him the honour that is due. “They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them” (v. 11).

“

deeds of the Lord, his power

We need to relate the stories of God’s mercy and power.

CRU is often praised for our outstanding programs in schools and on camps, but it is what underlies this which is of most importance in sharing God’s truth. The heart attitude of teachers, leaders and parents is both essential and compelling.

And it‘s no surprise for the reader of Psalm 78. Those How do we reach the next generation? Clearly

who don’t shepherd as God desires are marked by

parents need to be active in sharing their faith, and

unfaithful hearts (vv. 8, 37) but God’s true shepherd

encouraging growth. Various routines can support

features “integrity of heart” (v. 72).

this. Discussions at home, weekly church, modelling prayer and generous living are all vital. I know of

Lord, give us hearts that long for you, so that your

one couple who each Christmas and birthday ensure

goodness is known from generation to generation!

that one of the presents that each of their children

Page One 1 2

Chris Sherrod, Christian Research Journal 2009: Equipping the Next Generation McCrindle Research, https://mccrindle.com.au/insights/blogarchive/church-attendance-in-australia-infographic/

SUMMER 2019

80 years O

S T O R I E S S PA N N I N G

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F

or almost 80 years, the Steele-Smith family

Having seen CRU work so well, we were pleased to

have been involved in CRU®. Here are their

send our own children on CRU Camps, and we were

stories – from the grandparents to the

so glad to see our children helped in their faith by

grandchildren – showing why they love CRU.

the leaders.

John and Alice Steele-Smith: Our first contact with

Our grandchildren are now involved, and it’s

CRU was when, while at university in the 1940s, we

just wonderful to see younger people coming to

met people who had been involved in CRU in their

know the Lord – especially your own children and

high school days, who got us involved.

grandchildren. CRU shares the message of the gospel with such clarity.

In the 1950s, we helped construct the CRU site at Galston. It must have looked like a ridiculous

Janet Cooper: CRU really challenged and

exercise because there was this scrubby land and

encouraged me in my personal growth. After going

a whole heap of people with practically no tools,

on camps, I understood so much more of what I

dressed in ordinary skirts and shirts and things

believed. I’m still involved now because everyone

like that. No jeans or anything sensible! But we

needs Christ. CRU provides a wonderful avenue to

understood that it was going to be something great.

bring friends to a place where they can hear about Him and then be nurtured and encouraged.

Meetings in our home. Forty kids would come and play wide games on the tennis court then have a talk and share some supper. Some of the speakers were just excellent.

At the same time, we also had a property at Yarramundi and the first mini bike camps were held there. We didn’t lead on the camps, just hosted

“

Many of my dearest Christian friendships started with fellow campers or leaders.

“

Later, in the early 1970s, we hosted Saturday Night

them, but a few years ago, a man came up to me

Andie Steele-Smith: My first contact with CRU was

[John] at a Crusader Business Luncheon and said,

attending Strathfield Saturday Night Meetings at

“I remember you! I was converted on a camp at

our house as a six-year-old. My first camp was at

your property.”

Galston when I was eight. Back then, I remember

Top row (left to right): David Steele-Smith, Sue Steele-Smith, Sue Steele-Smith, Steph and Matt Steele-Smith, Bettie and Will Steele-Smith, Graham and Janet Cooper Bottom row (left to right): Andrew and Rachel Steele-Smith, Naomi Cooper and Jemima Steele-Smith, John and Alice Steele-Smith with Gabriel Steele-Smith, Anna Cooper, Barnabas Steele-Smith, Matilda Steele-Smith

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CRUVIEW

we used to play flaming football on camps, no

Naomi Cooper: At first, lunchtime CRU Group

matter the fire risk! As a 15-year-old boy, I was

meetings were fun and encouraging to attend. As I

asked to be a junior leader on a junior boys sailing

grew older, I realised the value of CRU Groups and

camp. I developed a life-long friendship and prayer

Interschool CRUs as a non-threatening and effective

partner on that camp. Many of my dearest Christian

way of introducing friends to Christianity during the

friendships started with fellow campers or leaders.

school day. In senior school, the JLC camp and SALT trained and equipped me to lead others in their faith

Sue Steele-Smith: It is so easy to grow up in a

throughout Years 10-12. CRU encouraged me to be

Christian environment and not understand it really

active in my faith, when it would have been easy to

well. You can see faith more as something you do

be complacent. That lesson has laid the foundation

rather than a relationship with God. But CRU helped

for my faith journey since leaving school.

me understand the gospel better. When I became a school teacher and led a CRU Group at my school, I

David Steele-Smith: On a CRU Camp at

realised how much I could impact these young girls

Tumburumba in the winter of 1972, I realised that I

spiritually. I loved showing them to see that Jesus

knew and trusted Jesus. God used CRU to help me

could help them deal with the stresses they had

know Jesus ‘for myself’ and to get me involved in

to handle.

witnessing to others. My wife Sue was converted on

“

It’s just wonderful to see younger people coming to know the Lord – especially your own children and grandchildren.

“

Anna Cooper: CRU, particularly during high school,

a CRU Camp, and we also met on a CRU Camp at

had a huge impact on my faith. I loved learning from

Lake Mac! And we have been delighted to see our

the older students in the school, and spending time

son Matt be a part of the really strategic ministry

with the other Christians in my year - friendships

in schools.

which are still important today! Over the last year, God has been reminding me again and again that His

Matt Steele-Smith: I was involved in CRU mostly

love is tangible and that His grace is real. In grade

through holiday camps, until, a couple of years out

7, the CRU Group at Abbotsleigh ran an extended

of school, Nigel Vaux (CRU Schools Ministry Staff

series on grace. This made a big impact at the time,

Worker) emailed me about the Schools Ministry

and over this last year when I have needed gentle

Associate position. I thought it sounded like a great

reminders from our Father, it has been amazing to

opportunity. I loved the opportunity to get to know

look back and see how God has been trying to teach

Christian students, and see them multiple times

me this gentle lesson about grace for so long. God

on camps or at school. I was encouraged by their

used CRU to plant so many seeds in my life - at

faith and willingness to live out their faith at school.

the time I certainly didn’t expect that the fruit from

Being a Schools Ministry Associate was also a good

some of these lessons would start to appear 15-plus

opportunity for training and mentoring, which has

years later!

helped me in my walk with God.

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SUMMER 2019

FOR THE SAKE OF THE NEXT

generation O

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If you’re a follower of Jesus, do you remember how

Christian. He counselled me and gave me one of

you became or Christian? Or the moment when you

John Stott's little pamphlets and then, that was the

first decided to own your faith for yourself, rather

beginning of the journey.”

than just copy what your parents did?

From then, Bruce was heavily involved in CRU. For Bruce and Glenys York, their faith

He led on camps, and as an amateur

journeys began, independently, on

filmmaker, made short movies on the

CRU® Camps in the 1950s. Since then,

camps which he then took back

for the rest of their lives, they have

to Newington once he’d finished

been firm advocates for CRU,

school in order to promote camps.

and passionate about helping the next generation find faith through

Glenys’s CRU journey also began

camps and school groups.

with camps. She attended Meriden, and was invited to her first camp, at

In 1954, Bruce, who attended

Wyong led by Robyn Claydon, with

Newington College, was invited by a

120 other girls from all across Sydney.

teacher to attend a CRU Camp in the Blue

Before camp, Glenys recalls, “I knew that

Mountains. Bruce’s father had been killed in World

Jesus was King. I knew that he was the powerful

War II, and though his mother and step-father were

almighty God, but I didn't know that He could be

sympathetic to Christianity, Bruce had never made a

my friend. I didn't know that I could walk with Him

personal decision to follow Jesus.

and talk with Him along life's narrow way. I think that's what impacted me through CRU, that I could

Things began to change on the camp. Bruce

actually relate to Jesus, who died on a cross and

recalls, “I remember going to bed one night and

gave His life for me.”

the director used to come around to say goodnight to everybody. There were a number of boys, who I

A few years after both Bruce and Glenys first

could hear in the rooms nearby, saying they wanted

encountered CRU, they met at the CRU Christmas

“

I think that's what impacted me through CRU, that I could actually relate to Jesus, who died on a cross and gave his life for me.

“

to become Christians. I really wanted to, as well, but

Camps Prayer Meeting held at Bruce’s home. Bruce

I thought, "No, I'm not going to. It's just emotional,

remembers with a chuckle, “I'd been praying, and I

you know, at night and all that." So, I said, "I'll just

believe the Lord revealed to me that the girl I was

sleep on it and forget about it."”

going to marry was going to knock on the front door, and come in the front door.”

The next morning, Bruce says, “I had a tremendous feeling of pressure from God. I went around to the

One Saturday afternoon, Glenys, who had heard

director’s loft room and I climbed up the stairs, very

about the meeting, put on her CRU badge and

gingerly, and told him that I wanted to become a

knocked on the door of Bruce’s house. “I walked in,

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SUMMER 2019

and of course, yes, it was an excellent meeting, and that’s also when I met Bruce. He rang the next day, and asked me out.”

The rest, as they say, is history.

Having experienced the powerful way in which God used CRU® to draw them to Himself, the Yorks continued their affiliation with CRU following their marriage, playing a significant part in the development of the organisation from small and volunteer-led to professional, large and self-funding.

Bruce was secretary of the Crusader Council from the mid-1980s and Chairman from 1987-1990, which was the period in which Summit Educational Camps were started and when Gary Hill was appointed.

“

Helping the next generation find faith through camps and school groups.

Pictured: Glenys York holding her Crusader Badge with fond memories of their long involvement with Crusaders.

“

Bruce was also chair of the Galston Redevelopment Committee in the early 2000s.

are critical years to hear the gospel and respond,” Bruce shares.

They still meet regularly with other Christians they became friends with through CRU. The ladies call

Bruce and Glenys are enjoying an active retirement,

themselves the ‘Steel Magnolias’, and the men, the

teaching Scripture, spending time with their families,

‘Rusty Nails’.

and Bruce is the president of a small non-profit called Zambia’s Child.

Bruce and Glenys remain convinced of the effectiveness of the camps at helping young people

But while their days of leading on camps and serving

become Christians – just as they did. They sent

on committees are over, their legacy is significant.

their own three sons Jono, Malcolm and Richard,

Hundreds of people who became Christians on

on camps, and now are encouraging the next

CRU Camps in the past 50 years were directly and

generation to follow the same path.

indirectly impacted by the ministry and Bruce and Glenys, and their passion to see the next generation

“We had a policy that we would send our grandkids to

– both their own family and other children – know

a CRU Camp in Year 5, 6 and 7, because we know those

and follow Jesus.

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PURSUING GOD

always O

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P

ursuing God has its challenges, especially

turning point in her faith, “Getting to know Christians

when the opportunities He presents you with

outside of my church and school context was

don’t seem to align with the earthly hopes and

encouraging and eye-opening.” It was also where she

dreams of our society.

experienced the unique joys of fellowshipping with other Christians and says, “The small-knit community

Born in far-north Queensland, Helen Buchholz grew

built over the five days was a glimpse of heaven.”

up not attending a church. As a young child, she was very close to her grandma who was a Christian, but

When Helen was in her final year of high school, she

did not realise the important influence she would be

always thought she would take a gap year travelling

until years later as a young adult.

in England before studying at university, but she soon discovered that God had other plans for her.

After a number of relocations, her family settled in Sydney where Helen started Year 9 at Abbotsleigh.

During her HSC trials, she received a recruitment

Being new to the school, Helen didn’t have many

email about the CRU Summit Fellowship Program,

friends, so she was excited when a friend invited

something she had never heard about before. After

her to a youth group at Christ Church St Ives.

some counsel from her assistant youth minister and

Admittedly, she initially continued attending just

a Summit Fellow graduate, she was prompted to

because her new-found friends kept her going. But

apply and see if God would open doors – He sure

eventually, bit by bit, her heart was softened to the

did. After her first trial camp in the recruitment

gospel and she kept attending the youth group of

process, Helen was certain Summit was what she

her own accord.

wanted to pursue, exclaiming, “I was sold!” Now that Helen was convinced, it was time to convince her

Jesus was, that He’s real, and that He’s a personal saviour for me. And if that’s all true, then that means really big things for my life, now and for eternity.”

At school, Helen began attending the CRU® Group and felt particularly welcomed by those in the older grades. She speaks fondly of her CRU Group, “By the end of my time at Abbotsleigh, we had over 40 students attending CRU Group. The cross-year

parents that her decision was wise.

“

The small-knit community built over the five days was a glimpse of heaven.

“

Helen shares, “Eventually, I came to realise who

relationships were really great.” She continued,

Her loving parents had worked hard as accountants

“Every now and then, Clare Wimble (CRU Schools

to provide the best opportunities for Helen and her

Ministry Staff), would visit my school and run

sister, ensuring that they could live a comfortable

training on how to do bible studies and how to teach

life. This also meant that their hopes for Helen after

the bible to other people.” Helen recalls this training

school was to pursue similar goals of studying,

as being one of the most helpful things in her walk

earning a stable income, and having a career that

as a Christian. She also believes CrossTrain was a

would enable Helen to one day provide for her

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CRUVIEW

own children. To her parents, doing the Summit Fellowship Program seemed like a waste of time.

Out of love and respect for her parents, Helen set out to provide them with confidence about the Summit program. It was the formal qualifications in outdoor recreation she would receive at the end of the program which reassured them and gained their support. She also believes her grandma’s outward declaration of following Christ greatly softened her parents’ hearts to accept the decision – for this, Helen was thankful to God. The Summit experience for Helen was “phenomenal”.

She says, “Summit equipped me in ways I didn’t know I needed to be equipped. It prepared me for a life living for Jesus.”

“

Seeing people’s lives transformed by Jesus and seeing them come to an understanding of who He is, definitely gives me hope.

“

It also gave her clarity that she had a heart for kids

of who He is, definitely gives me hope.” Having

(plus she thinks they’re hilarious!). She recognises

mission-minded friends praying for her also helps

that she’s gifted at teaching and has been blessed

her feel supported, “It’s good to be surrounded by a

with having the capacity and energy for it, and this

[spiritual] family who believes”.

is also why she decided to study Primary Education at Sydney University once she graduated from

While speaking to Helen, you can see that her

Summit in 2016.

passion for teaching kids about Jesus is infectious and tangible, and that it brings her great joy. She

When asked how she perseveres in her faith, Helen

sums it up, saying, “I know that God has blessed me

shares, “Seeing people’s lives transformed by

with a huge amount of joy in Christ. And I love using

Jesus and seeing them come to an understanding

that as a witness to other people.”

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THE POWER OF

community O

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W

hen John and Kath Driver met as co-

The intensity of the camp community made a lasting

leaders on a study camp, Kath recalls,

mark on John and Kath. Having seen each other’s

“We saw, in each other, a zeal for telling

passion for kids to know Jesus, they began dating,

people the gospel.”

and were married by the time the same study camp rolled around the next year. They didn’t lead that year though, as they were on their honeymoon!

Neither had grown up going to CRU® Camps, but as young adults, both were invited to try leading on camps, and were excited about the opportunity.

CRU Camps also made their mark on them as they

Little did they know that on camp, they would meet

saw the incredible ways in which God worked

their future spouse!

throughout camp. “We would pray and ask God for kids to become Christians, and He would answer

John and Kath are by no means the only CRU

those prayers,” John recalls joyfully. “A child on one

couple. In fact, CRU knows of at least 37 married

of our study camps became a Christian and the

couples who met on a CRU Camp – and there are

excitement of the leaders was just amazing. One

undoubtedly many more.

leader was crying with joy!”

It’s no surprise, really, that young single Christians

"Another amazing thing was seeing the Christian

often find their match while leading on a CRU Camp.

kids who brought their non-Christian friends on

Camps are a unique community, in which friendships

camp become so excited when their friends became

“

Being in a Christian community with the other leaders is a powerful witness, standing shoulder to shoulder as you share Christ's gospel.

“

– and relationships – deepen quickly and powerfully

Christians, because they now had someone to share

as Christians unite around a common goal. Friends

their faith with," shares Kath.

become more than just friends in a short time – in more ways than one.

Marriage wasn’t the end of camp leadership for Kath and John. When their daughter, Brynn, was one,

"Being in a Christian community with the other

they returned to be Camp Parents, and to provide

leaders is a powerful witness, standing shoulder to

support and care to the other leaders.

shoulder as you share Christ's gospel,” John says.

“It helps, as Christians, to do ministry together. On

Now 17, Brynn is in complete agreement with

camp, we could be like Paul, Timothy and Barnabas

her parents about the unique nature of the

to each other."

camp community. Each year, Brynn attends CRU

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SUMMER 2019

Brightwaters camp, which she has been doing since Year 8. This summer will be her final camp before she finishes school at the end of 2019.

“It’s an amazing community of Christians who reconnect each year,” Brynn says.

“The relationships we form are so powerful.”

Brynn’s younger brother Calin has also been going on Brightwaters.

“At first I didn’t want to go,” Calin shares, “until I found out a friend from school was going. But once I was there it was so good. All the people in my group were in a cabin together, spending time together all week and we became so close.”

The whole family can see the impact that this warm and welcoming Christian community can have on non-Christians. “CRU® has been significant in every generation, but particularly now when there

“

The friendships you make on a CRU Camp aren’t just friends for life, but friends for eternity, because we’ll be together in heaven as well.

“

is a longing for community, CRU fills that need and gives people a taste of Christian community which is so attractive.” Kath says.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for kids to come and hear about the salvation offered by Jesus, then see that lived out by the leaders,” John adds.

Page Fourteen

“Camp is a place of belonging where people fit in,” Brynn says in summation. The whole family nods in agreement.

The CRU Camp community may have helped coleaders John and Kath become ‘more than friends’ in one sense, but as Calin insightfully notes, every person who attends camp as a Christian – or becomes a Christian on camp – is also more than just friends with the other members of God’s family that they meet.

“The friendships you make on a CRU Camp aren’t just friends for life, but friends for eternity, because we’ll be together in heaven as well,” Calin says.

Now that’s a powerful community.

service O

A LIFE OF

R

ob Mackay was one who recognised the

After retiring from Council, Rob continued as a

responsibility of providing for the next

Member of the Union and served in a variety of

generation.

roles, most recently as part of the team seeking to raise funds to redevelop Lake Mac. He also served

A student of The King’s School, Rob came to

the wider community passionately. This included

understand the Christian faith at school and

involvement in various roles at local churches, most

responded to God’s mercy, committing himself to

recently at Christ Church, St Ives, and also serving

Jesus as Lord. A well-rounded student with great

as a Board member and Chairman at both Robert

athletic ability, he began attending CRU Camps

Menzies College and The King’s School, where he

®

and the school CRU Group, recognising the value of this in his spiritual growth, and provided to talk with others.

Rob saw in CRU an incredible vehicle for

“

Rob Mackay was one who recognised the responsibility of providing for the next generation.

advancing Christian faith.

Post-school, he was a CRU Holiday Camp leader and director; a CRU Saturday

“

the opportunities that this

had a huge impact.

In March 2018, a persistent cough was diagnosed as lung cancer. Despite great care and active treatment, Rob passed away less than six months later.

Rob was determined to stand for what was right and recognised the priority

Night Meeting leader; Chairman of the Senior

of “guarding the gospel”. He committed himself to

Crusader Fellowship Committee; a Member of

providing for the next generation so that they would

Camps Committee and Chairman of Senior Easter

have opportunities to hear the gospel and his work

Conference which was CRU’s largest annual event

is continuing to bear fruit in the lives of those who

through the 1970s and 1980s. He became a member

were impacted by his witness.

of Crusader Council in 1985, served as Deputy Chairman from 1988 to 1992, and then Chairman

A dear brother and a great friend, we thank God for

from 1992 to 1997.

him, and pray for his wife, Helen, and for his adult children, Alex and Emma, in particular.

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B I B L E - C E N T R E D E D U C AT I O N FOR A LIFE OF MISSION IN AN EVER-CHANGING WORLD

By Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore Theological College

W

e live in a world that is changing fast. We

Yet God is still on His throne, His purpose is still

used to watch movies on VHS (or Beta)

unstoppable, and His gospel is still the only hope

tapes, then on DVDs, then BluRay and

for all human beings. None of these changes have

now there’s Netflix. Letters have been replaced by

taken Him by surprise. He has always known the end

email and then by social media. We’ve moved from

from the beginning and He has always known them

filing cabinets to hard disk storage to the cloud. But

thoroughly. What He declares is true and good, is

that’s just the technology. Our culture is changing

always true and good, because God never needs to

fast too. Things we could count on just a decade or

change His mind. So how do we hold fast to God’s

two ago are disappearing at an astonishing rate, and

truth and pass it on to a new generation with grace

it is not yet clear what will replace them and what

and clarity?

the future might look like.

The critical factor is the consistency between our One significant change is the loss of the ‘background

words and our lives as those who speak those words.

Christian consensus’ of previous generations. In times

It must be the biblical gospel that we pass on,

past, you could count on people knowing some of the

the message of forgiveness and life offered in the

basic story line of the Bible, to agree in general terms

midst of the mess we’ve made for ourselves. Only

with biblical principles of truthfulness, the sanctity

the message of Christ crucified and risen, with its

of life, the importance of the family, and it is ‘more

summons to repentance and faith will save people.

blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35).

Yet our lives must be so clearly impacted by that Today in our schools, and more generally in our

message that its truth is seen as well as heard.

society, that ground has shifted. Christians cannot

Both our words and our lives matter. If our lives

expect to always be given a fair hearing. It doesn’t

don’t reflect the gospel we preach, if our personal

always feel as if there is the concept of a ‘free

priorities don’t reflect the gospel we preach, those

market of ideas’, where arguments are weighed,

who hear us will notice. As Paul said to Timothy,

and differing opinions expressed and received with

‘Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.

equanimity and respect. We’ve all become less civil

Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both

and many of us refuse to listen to those with whom

yourself and your hearers’ (1 Tim 4:16).

we disagree.

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

Page One

SUMMER 2019

2018 AT A GLANCE CRU's financial year is from Sep 2017 - Aug 2018.

HOLIDAY CAMPS*

68

3,368

1,059

92%

of CRU® Holiday Campers indicated they grew in their faith / understanding of the Christian faith

Holiday Camps

campers

volunteer leaders

94%

of Holiday Campers said they would recommend CRU Camps to a friend

401

campers indicated that they either became a Christian or recommitted their faith on camp

537

campers indicated that they would like to start attending church after camp

576

campers indicated that they would like to start attending a school CRU Group after camp

SUMMIT

114

8,879

30

Summit camps

campers

ministry fellows trained

693

campers took a Bible or Christian resource home (211 Bibles, 333 devotional books, 175 Q&A CDs)

114

campers indicated a commitment or recommitment to faith

41%

of campers indicated that they were more likely to attend church or CRU Group as a result of camp

680

students trained at CRU Schools Ministry leadership events (FIT & CrossTrain, not including in-house school training)

629

students attended CRU Schools Ministry’s Inter-CRU events

94,191

students reached on school visits

SCHOOLS MINISTRY*

226

944

310

schools supported

school visits made

resources sold this year

LAKE MAC

GALSTON

DAY CAMPS

4,518

66

14,249

200

14

641

224

campers

camps

campers

bookings

Day Camps

campers

volunteers

30,054

meals served

96,487

meals served

camp types:

49% 18% 33% Summit

Holiday Camps

guest groups

Average rating from guest groups:

4.3 out of 5

Page Eighteen * Please note that statistics from our CRU® West ministry have been incorporated into this section.

29%

130

increase in registrations (from 2017)

campers indicated they wanted to start attending church after camp

86% 99%

of kids said they’d tell their friends about camp of kids said they either liked or loved camp

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

GOVERNANCE CRU® is blessed to be served by a group of dedicated and prayerful men and women who oversee this vital ministry. In 2018, we give thanks for the service of:

VICE PRESIDENTS Roger Corbett AO, B Comm, FAICD The Rt Rev. Dr Paul Barnett BD, ThL, ThSchol, MA, PhD, ASTC

CRUSADER COUNCIL Chairman Dr. Timothy Wright PhD, DipEd, BSc(Hons), FACE, MRACI, CChem Headmaster, Shore School

Deputy Chairman Helen Burgess

Galston Property & Development David Attenborough (Chair) Gary Hill Alice Rees Andrew Reeves Matthew Seidl Garry Tenkate Lake Mac Taskforce James Ward (Chair) David Attenborough James Carroll Gary Hill Lisa Houghton Nathan McElveney Matthew Seidl David Wood

BA, LLB(Hons), FGIA, FAICD Legal and Governance Executive

Hon. Treasurer Santino Dimarco BEc, CA Executive Pastor, St Andrew’s Roseville

Members David Attenborough Dip. Management, Dip Property Services

Rev. Patrick Benn BSc (Hons), BTh EU Graduates Fund Senior Staffworker (Evangelism) & AFES Sydney Area Director

Nathan Brown BHM CEO, Christian Media Australia

Jennifer George MEnv P BLArch, PTC, PhD (Candidate, MPIA) Community and Planning Strategist, Comcorp International

Rev. Alexander Koch

Strategic Planning Paddy Benn (Chair) Anna Burke (née Wood) Peter Crawford Gary Hill Nathan McElveney James Ward Annette Ware RTO and Summit Annette Ware (Chair) James Carroll Gary Hill Alex Koch Frank (Michael) Leonarder Nathan McElveney Alice Rees Nicole Schabort

BSc (Maths), BEd, BDiv. Chaplain, St Catherine’s School, Waverley

Sarah Lancaster M Teach, BPsych, BTh. Children’s and Families’ Pastor, Christ Church Anglican Gladesville

Clare Pendlebury BComm, CA, GradDip CA Manager - Business Services, CIB Accountants and Advisers

James Ward MABus, BADes, MDIA Director, NBRS+PARTNERS

Annette Ware BEd, DipTh, MACE, Head of Senior College, Abbotsleigh

FURTHER OFFICE BEARERS Hon. Solicitor Mr. David C Ford BA LLM(Hons)

Hon. Secretary Rebecca Carritt BSc, Cert. Lang. (German), Grad. Dip. Div., Cert III Cons. & Land Man. (N.A.R)

COMMITTEES Thank you to all who helped govern CRU® by serving on committees and providing strategic direction to increase our impact as we share the gospel with young people.

These committees are formed by, and report to, either the Crusader Council or the Divisional Heads management team.

COUNCIL COMMITTEES Finance Santino Dimarco (Chair) Ian Bucknell Nigel Glasby Gary Hill Clare Pendlebury Matthew Seidl Governance and Risk Management Helen Burgess (Chair) Paddy Benn Jennifer George Nigel Glasby Gary Hill Matthew Seidl Tim Wright

PBI Tim Wright (Chair) Gary Hill Nathan McElveney Annette Ware HGLT Investment Garth Rossler (Chair) Santino Dimarco Michael Evans Anna Burke (Secretary)

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES Lake Mac Fundraising Committee David Braga (Chair) Sam Allen Nathan Brown Ian Bucknell Anna Burke (née Wood) Roger Corbett Heather Henderson Gary Hill Karen Kightley Rob MacKay (dec. Sept 2018) Cassandra Matthews Damien Wang Tim Wright Camps Nathan Gale (Chair) Iain Aitchison Melissa Bell Polly Butterworth Emma Gray David Krebs Sebastian Lane Louisa Macourt Philip Rawnsley Daniel Sawyer Stephanie Semler Annika Williams

IT Steering Committee Dave Czapala (Chair) Anna Burke (née Wood) James Carroll Daniel Cummings Nigel Glasby Gary Hill Nathan McElveney Phil Rawnsley Matthew Seidl

CRU Safe Rebecca Carritt (Chair) Zane Garratt Brooke Linton Jessica Seal Kate Stace Garry Tenkate David Wood CRU West Scott Rowland (Chair) Kim Chin Nathan McElveney Nicola Naoum Clare Potts Sheridan Raston Dougal Steven Peter Smith Michelle Underwood

PERMANENT STAFF (SEPT 2017 – AUG 2018)

Executive Director Gary Hill Divisional Heads Anna Burke (née Wood) – Fundraising Rebecca Carritt – Assistant to ED James Carroll – Summit Peter Crawford – Schools Ministry Dan Cummings – Marketing Nigel Glasby – General Manager Nathan McElveney – Ministries Phil Rawnsley – CRU Camps Andrew Reeves - Galston Matthew Seidl – Properties Dave Wood – Lake Mac Schools Ministry Thomas French Anna Owen Dan Perrott Kate Stace Kellie Thomson Nigel Vaux Clare Wimble Jacquie Woods

CRU West Hannah Killow Sheridan Raston CRU Holiday Camps & Day Camps Calum Henderson Jessica Mullen Jessica Seal Stephanie Semler Lauren van der Merwe Finance & IT Dave Czapala Alice Henderson Sue Lay Anne Murray Karl Winter Fundraising Elisabeth Carter Roslyn Harvey Philippa McCredie Linda Newman Matilda Slade Damien Wang Marketing Elizabeth Baumgart (née Hung) Campsite Staff - Galston Gordon Brice Roby Budyman Andrew Fahey Tania Hawkins Dave Herrington Jenny Keighley Kanesh Narayan Megan Strachan Garry Tenkate Madeline Tenkate

Campsite Staff - Lake Mac Adam Houghton David Wood Summit Educational Camps Emma Bennett Zane Garratt Andrew Garven Emma Gray Adam Houghton Lisa Houghton Kristy Kinene Brooke Linton Bethany May Heather-Rose Newcombe Alice Rees Harry Roberts Hayley Roberts Aaron Rootes Nicole Schabort Dan Shaw Kathryn Swaisland Victoria York Training Michael (Frank) Leonarder Stephen Rawls Jeremy Cooks

TRAINEES 2017 Iain Aitchison Frasier Bailey Sofie Dowling Emma Duggan Wellen Fu Joshua Gazzard Sarah Gillman Hannah Grimwood Thomas Groves Peter Jeavons Emily Jones Adriana Kanjian Meredith Kendrew Michael Lihou Rob Maiden Bonnie Mason Benjamin Matthews Heather-Rose Newcombe Natalia Raso Harry Roberts Hayley Roberts Simon Shead Mitchell Wall Jonnie Wintle Victoria York 2018 Iain Aitchison Luke Alexander Frasier Bailey Samuel Buckley Aiden Cowell Sofie Dowling Emma Duggan Isaac Elliott Jacob Franklin Wellen Fu Sarah Gillman Emily Jones Adriana Kanjian Meredith Kendrew Samantha Lewis Michael Lihou Lachlan Macdonald Rob Maiden Benjamin Matthews Joshua Sloan Andrew Stanford Ashley Thompson David Thomspon Mitchell Wall Tim Wallace

KEY:

= Started during the year = Finished during the year = Holiday/Day Camps Intern = Schools Ministry Associate = Ian Holt Memorial Fellow

Page Nineteen

SUMMER 2019

WHO ARE WE REACHING?

KEY

Praise God for the schools we are reaching in NSW, ACT & WA, through the work of CRU Camps, CRU School Groups and CRU Summit Educational Camps.

Students attending CRU® Camps

Students attending CRU® Training events

Lunchtime CRU® Group

Regular support by CRU® Staff

Summit camp program run

Partners with CRU® Day Camps

Abbotsleigh - Junior_______________________________

Green Point Christian College - Junior________________

Abbotsleigh - Senior______________________________

Green Point Christian College - Senior________________

Abbotsleigh - Boarding____________________________

HopePoint Christian School_________________________

All Saints College - Junior__________________________

Hunter Christian School - Junior_____________________

All Saints College - Senior__________________________

Hunter Christian School - Senior_____________________

Arden Anglican School - Junior______________________

Illawarra Christian School - Junior____________________

Arden Anglican School - Senior______________________

Illawarra Christian School - Senior____________________

Arndell Anglican College - Junior____________________

Inaburra School - Junior____________________________

Arndell Anglican College - Senior____________________

Inaburra School - Senior____________________________

Australian Christian College - Junior__________________

Kambala Girls School - Junior_______________________

Australian Christian College - Senior__________________

Kambala Girls School - Senior_______________________

Barker College - Junior_____________________________

Kinross Wolaroi Preparatory School__________________

Barker College - Senior____________________________

Kinross Wolaroi School - Senior______________________

Belmont Christian College - Junior___________________

Knox Grammar Preparatory School___________________

Belmont Christian College - Senior___________________

Knox Grammar School - Senior______________________

Berowra Christian Community School_________________

Kuyper Christian School - Junior_____________________

Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College - Junior_______________

Kuyper Christian School - Senior_____________________

Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College - Senior_______________

Lakes Grammar - Junior____________________________

Blue Mountains Grammar School - Junior______________

Lakes Grammar - Senior____________________________

Blue Mountains Grammar School - Senior______________

Macarthur Anglican School - Junior__________________

Brindabella Christian College - Junior_________________

Macarthur Anglican School - Senior__________________

Brindabella Christian College - Senior_________________

Maitland Christian School - Junior____________________

Broughton Anglican College - Junior_________________

Maitland Christian School - Senior____________________

Broughton Anglican College - Senior_________________

Mamre Anglican School - Junior_____________________

Burgmann Anglican School - Junior__________________

Mamre Anglican School - Senior_____________________

Burgmann Anglican School - Middle__________________

Medowie Christian School - Junior___________________

Burgmann Anglican School - Senior__________________

Medowie Christian School - Senior___________________

Calderwood Christian School - Junior_________________

Meriden School - Junior____________________________

Calderwood Christian School - Senior_________________

Meriden School - Senior____________________________

Calrossy Anglican School - Senior____________________

Methodist Ladies' College - Junior___________________

Canberra Girls Grammar School - Junior_______________

Methodist Ladies' College - Senior___________________

Canberra Girls Grammar School - Senior______________

MLC School - Junior_______________________________

Canberra Grammar School - Junior___________________

MLC School - Senior_______________________________

Canberra Grammar School - Senior___________________

Mosman Church of England Preparatory School________

Cedars Christian College - Junior____________________

Mount Annan Christian College - Junior_______________

Cedars Christian College - Senior____________________

Mount Annan Christian College - Senior_______________

Charlton Christian College - Junior___________________

Mountain View Adventist College - Junior_____________

Charlton Christian College - Senior___________________

Mundaring Christian College________________________

Christ Church Grammar School _____________________

Nepean District Christian School - Junior______________

Claremont College - Junior_________________________

Nepean District Christian School - Senior______________

Coogee Boys' Preparatory School____________________

Newington College Preparatory School - Lindfield______

Cornerstone Christian College ______________________

Newington College Preparatory School - Wyvern House__

Covenant Christian School ACT - Junior_______________

Newington College - Senior_________________________

Covenant Christian School ACT - Senior_______________

Northcross Christian School ________________________

Covenant Christian School - Junior___________________

Northern Beaches Christian School - Junior____________

Covenant Christian School - Senior___________________

Northern Beaches Christian School - Senior____________

Cranbrook School - Junior__________________________

Northholm Grammar - Junior________________________

Cranbrook School - Senior__________________________

Northholm Grammar - Senior_______________________

Danebank - Junior________________________________

Norwest Christian College - Junior___________________

Danebank - Senior________________________________

Norwest Christian College - Senior___________________

Emmaus Christian School - Junior____________________

Nowra Anglican College - Junior_____________________

Emmaus Christian School - Senior____________________

Nowra Anglican College - Senior_____________________

Georges River Grammar - Junior_____________________

Nowra Christian School - Junior_____________________

Georges River Grammar - Senior_____________________

Nowra Christian School - Senior_____________________

Greenacre Baptist Christian Community School - Junior__

Orange Anglican Grammar School -Junior_____________

Greenacre Baptist Christian Community School - Senior__

Orange Anglican Grammar School - Senior____________

Page Twenty

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

Oran Park Anglican College - Junior__________________

St Philip's Christian College (Gosford) - Senior__________

Oran Park Anglican College - Senior__________________

St Philip's Christian College (Newcastle) - Junior________

Oxford Falls Grammar School - Junior________________

St Philip's Christian College (Newcastle) -Senior________

Oxford Falls Grammar School - Senior________________

St Philip's Christian College (Salamander Bay) - Junior___

Pacific Hills Christian School - Junior_________________

St Philip's Christian College (Salamander Bay) - Middle__

Pacific Hills Christian School - Middle_________________

St Philip's Christian College (Salamander Bay) - Senior___

Pacific Hills Christian School - Senior_________________

St Stephen's - Carramar____________________________

Penrith Anglican College - Junior____________________

St Stephen's - Duncraig - Junior_____________________

Penrith Anglican College - Senior____________________

St Stephen's - Duncraig - Senior_____________________

Penrith Christian School - Junior_____________________

Swan Christian College ____________________________

Penrith Christian School - Senior_____________________

St Ives Preparatory School__________________________

Penrhos College__________________________________

Sydney Grammar School - Senior____________________

PLC Sydney - Junior_______________________________

Tara Anglican School for Girls - Junior________________

PLC Sydney - Senior_______________________________

Tara Anglican School for Girls - Senior________________

Presbyterian Ladies' College________________________

The Anglican School Googong (ACT) - Junior__________

Pymble Ladies College - Junior______________________

The Illawarra Grammar School - Junior________________

Pymble Ladies College - Senior______________________

The Illawarra Grammar School - Senior________________

Queenwood School for Girls - Junior_________________

The King's School - Preparatory School_______________

Queenwood School for Girls - Senior_________________

The King's School - Senior__________________________

Radford College - Junior___________________________

The Scots College Preparatory School________________

Radford College - Senior___________________________

The Scots College - Middle_________________________

Ravenswood School for Girls - Junior_________________

The Scots College - Senior__________________________

Ravenswood School for Girls - Senior_________________

The Scots College - Boarding_______________________

Redlands - Junior_________________________________

The Scots School Bathurst - Junior___________________

Redlands - Senior_________________________________

The Scots School Bathurst - Senior___________________

Regents Park Christian School - Junior________________

Thomas Hassall Anglican College - Junior_____________

Regents Park Christian School - Senior________________

Thomas Hassall Anglican College - Senior_____________

Richard Johnson Anglican School - Junior_____________

Toongabbie Christian College - Junior________________

Richard Johnson Anglican School - Senior_____________

Toongabbie Christian College - Senior________________

Roseville College - Junior___________________________

Trades Norwest Anglican Senior College______________

Roseville College - Senior___________________________

Trinity Christian School - Junior______________________

Rouse Hill Anglican College - Junior__________________

Trinity Christian School - Senior______________________

Rouse Hill Anglican College - Senior__________________

Trinity Grammar Preparatory School__________________

SCEGGS Darlinghurst - Junior_______________________

Trinity Grammar School - Junior_____________________

SCEGGS Darlinghurst - Senior_______________________

Trinity Grammar School - Senior_____________________

Scotch College___________________________________

Trinity Grammar School - Boarding___________________

Scone Grammar School - Junior_____________________

Tudor House School_______________________________

Scone Grammar School - Senior_____________________

Tyndale Christian School - Junior____________________

Shellharbour Anglican College - Junior________________

Tyndale Christian School - Senior____________________

Shellharbour Anglican College - Senior________________

Wahroonga Preparatory School_____________________

Shire Christian School - Junior_______________________

Wenona School - Junior____________________________

Shire Christian School - Senior_______________________

Wenona School - Senior____________________________

Shore Preparatory School__________________________

William Carey Christian School - Junior_______________

Shore School - Senior______________________________

William Carey Christian School - Senior_______________

Southern Highlands Christian School - Junior___________

William Clarke College - Junior______________________

Southern Highlands Christian School - Senior__________

William Clarke College - Senior______________________

St Andrew's Cathedral School - Junior________________

Wollondilly Anglican College - Junior_________________

St Andrew's Cathedral School - Middle________________

Wollondilly Anglican College - Senior_________________

St Andrew's Cathedral School - Senior________________

Wycliffe Christian School - Junior____________________

St Catherine's School - Junior_______________________

Wycliffe Christian School - Senior____________________

St Catherine's School - Senior_______________________

Wyong Christian Community School - Junior___________

St George Christian School - Junior__________________

Wyong Christian Community School - Senior___________

St George Christian School - Senior__________________

St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls___________________

St Luke's Grammar School - Bayview_________________

St Luke's Grammar School - Junior___________________

St Luke's Grammar School - Senior___________________

St Mark's Anglican Community School - Junior_________

St Mark's Anglican Community School - Senior_________

St Mark's Coptic Orthodox College___________________

St Mary's Anglican Girls' School______________________

St Paul's Grammar School - Junior___________________

St Paul's Grammar School - Senior___________________

St Peter's Anglican Primary School Campbelltown______

St Philip's Christian College (Cessnock) - Junior________

St Philip's Christian College (Cessnock) - Senior________

St Philip's Christian College (Gosford) - Junior__________

315 students representing 127 NSW, ACT and WA state or Catholic schools also attended CRU Holiday Camps or CRU Summit camps.

8 students representing 6 NSW and WA state or Catholic schools also attended CRU leadership training events (e.g. CrossTrain, Spring Leadership Camp WA).

233 students from disadvantaged backgrounds attended CRU Camps.

Please note that this list is sourced from Sep 2017 - August 2018.

Only schools that have two or more students attending CRU Camps are listed.

Page Twenty One

SUMMER 2019

THE STATE OF THE UNION THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Thanks to God’s generous provision through faithful people like you, over 105,000 young people attended CRU® programs on camps and in schools across NSW, the ACT and WA in 2018! We can’t thank you enough for your time, prayers and gifts which helped make this possible.

We are also deeply thankful to those who sacrificially contributed toward Stage 1 of the Lake Mac campsite redevelopment. While not yet fully funded, we praise God for the distance covered to date and trust that He will supply what is still lacking through His people.

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Year ended 31 August 2018

Year ended 31 August 2018

2018 ($)

2017 ($)

2018 ($)

2017 ($)

REVENUE AND OTHER INCOME

8,531,695

9,898,608

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

9,011462

4,729,038

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN INCOME

6,480,733

319,985

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

11,373,745

10,728,594

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SCHEME

(5,045,293)

(4,730,291)

TOTAL ASSETS

20,385,207

15,457,632

CAMP EXPENSES

(1,533,396)

(1,536,088)

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

3,993,794

4,584,654

ADMINISTRATION & IT EXPENSE (636,740)

(729,439)

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 521,371

626,380

CATERING EXPENSE

(600,312)

TOTAL LIABILITIES

4,515,165

5,211,034

(861,999)

NET ASSETS

15,870,042

10,246,598

(536,056)

DEPRECIATION & AMORTISATION EXPENSE RENT, UTILITIES, INSURANCE, REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

(651,704)

MEMBERS' FUNDS

(571,131)

(552,303)

RETAINED SURPLUS

15,745,042

10,121,598

FINANCE COSTS

(52,619)

(83,846)

GENERAL RESERVE

125,000

125,000

MARKETING & ADVERTISING

(362,045)

(297,806)

TOTAL MEMBERS' FUNDS

15,870,042

10,246,598

CURRENT YEAR SURPLUS

5,623,444

826,509

INCOME

EXPENDITURE 22% SUMMIT CAMPS 32% GALSTON

18% HOLIDAY CAMPS

26% SUMMIT CAMPS

17% GALSTON

12% DONATIONS

Income* $8,531,695

Expenditure $9,388,984

18% HOLIDAY & DAY CAMPS 8% LAKE MAC

7% SCHOOLS MINISTRY 7% DEPRECIATION & AMORTISATION

4% OTHER

(INCLUDES SCHOOLS MINISTRY, TRAINING, WA CAMPS & INTEREST INCOME)

6% LAKE MAC 4% FUNDRAISING

1% CRU WEST

*Does not include Capital Campaign Income

11% ADMIN, IT & GOVERNANCE

3% LAKE MAC REDEVELOPMENT

3% MARKETING

LAKE MAC REDEVELOPMENT & CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Year ended 31 August 2018

CAMPAIGN REVENUE ($) CAMPAIGN COSTS ($)

CONSULTANTS & PRELIMINARY CAPITAL COSTS ($)

2018

6,480,733

306,906

805,968

PROJECT TO DATE

6,800,718

852,200

2,884,424 (INCL. 100 ACRE PURCHASE)

Page Twenty Two CRU’s Finance Committee supports the Crusader Council in providing financial direction and oversight to the organisation. This includes regular meetings to review and approve the accounts.

The 2017/2018 Full Year Financial Statements were audited by Thomas GLC in accordance with statutory requirements.

THANK YO U

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT OVER THE PAST YEAR. PLEASE PARTNER WITH US IN 2019 AS WE SEEK TO GLORIFY GOD AND REACH A NEW GENERATION OF AUSSIE KIDS WITH THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS, AND HELP THEM TO GROW IN THEIR FAITH.

SUMMER 2019

C R U ® M I N I S T R Y & P R O P E R T Y U P D AT E S We are thankful for the great work God is doing through CRU. Stay updated with everything that is happening in our various ministries and properties.

HOLIDAY CAMPS • • •

Give thanks that in spring, we hosted our largest ever cohort of HSC students at our Galston campsite (342 campers over 2 weeks).

Thank God that this summer saw over 1200 campers and 400 leaders on 31 camps.

Praise God for a great CRU® Ball (our annual thanksgiving event for CRU leaders), which happened again on 27th Oct and saw 180 leaders celebrate what God has been doing through CRU Camps.

GALSTON • • •

Praise God that the new waste water treatment system has been running so successfully.

Praise God for the construction of a new indoor high ropes course and for the generous support of donors which enabled this.

Thank God for new enquiries turning into bookings.

SCHOOLS MINISTRY • •

•

Page Twenty Four

Praise God for CRU® Teachers’ Day, where we saw 130 people gather together to be encouraged and spurred on to do ministry in schools.

Give thanks to God for the students who attended CrossTrain, CRU’s annual high school leadership camp. The campers spent an amazing week together growing in their knowledge of biblical theology and in their leadership skills. Pray that God will be using these students as leaders in their schools this year.

Praise God for the new FIT (Followers in Training) program, ‘Know and Show Jesus’. FITs are attended by hundreds of Year 5 and 6 students in NSW and ACT each year. Give thanks for the students who made a new commitment to follow Jesus in 2018, and pray that God will equip these students to serve in their schools in 2019.

CRUVIEW

LAKE MAC •

• •

SUMMIT

•

•

•

Please give thanks for the successful work done to prepare the site for the building project, including the moving of some of the existing cabins and the installation of some temporary buildings.

Praise God for the delivery of 2 new sailing boats in time for the busy summer holiday camps season.

Praise God for the dedication and service of the site team at Lake Mac to support the ministry of the site.

During Term 1 2019, Summit is expected to run a total of 42 camps for over 4000 campers. Please thank God for the opportunity to share the gospel with every one of these students as they come on camp with us, and praise Him for our partnership with these schools who bring their students.

Praise God that the Summit team has just had their latest intake of Ian Holt Memorial Fellows join the team! It is exciting to have some fresh faces on board, young people who are ready to share the gospel as camps begin; and we very thankful to God for His provision of our energetic staff.

Our bookings staff at Summit are incredibly excited by the progress of the Lake Mac redevelopment, and in Term 1 will be in the process of booking schools into the redeveloped stage 1 buildings. Please join us in praying that more schools will bring their students to our new site, in order that we have the opportunity to share the gospel with them.

CRU WEST •

•

•

We give thanks to God that CRU® West’s high school leadership camp ran for the second time last year, and grew from 15 campers in 2017 to 39 campers in 2018 (it's second year).

We ran our first Inter-CRUs in WA in 2018, with only a handful of students coming to the first event, but around 50 attending the second. Praise God for those students who were able to attend.

We thank God for a generous donor whose support has enabled us to expand our staffing positions in WA by an additional day per week, allowing us to further develop this ministry.

Page Twenty Five

L A K E

M AC

O

Redevelopment Update AIM: Redevelop Crusaders' Lake Mac campsite so that an extra 20,000 campers can be reached for Jesus each year!

PROGRESS: • • •

Over 94%* of the Stage 1 funding cost has been pledged - praise God! Stephen Edwards Constructions has been appointed as the project's builder Stage 1 building work is scheduled to commence in early 2019 ACTION: • • •

Give a generous gift: www.growlakemac.com.au Attend the next prayer night in February 2019 Find out more about the project by contacting Anna Burke at anna.burke@crusaders.edu.au

*As at 6 December 2018.

CRUVIEW

Y O U R

L A K E

M A C

memory i

For many, Lake Mac evokes fond memories of fun, adventure, friendship and faith. We have been collecting as many stories as possible to capture the impact Lake Mac has made on lives over the years.

KARL WINTER

KAREN KIGHTLEY

RUSSELL CLARK

I was asked to be a 'camp

I was asked by my sister and

Meeting a vivacious blonde

mother'. I was amazed at how

brother-in-law to be a camp

surrounded by admiring men

the campers always responded

leader at Lake Mac in 1973. I

changed my life - she agreed

to their leaders, and how Jesus'

was 18 at the time, just out of

to marry me! The campsite may

love was shared. We had to

High School and a keen sailor. I

not have benefitted greatly

walk in the dark down to the

enjoyed helping run the sailing

from my contribution to the

bathrooms so I will be very

activities and seeing the joy it

work effort but I did!

excited to see ensuites!

brought to many school age boys and girls. What surprised

Year of memory: 2001

Year of memory: 1966

me was how much I enjoyed the Bible talks and discussion groups. My Christian faith grew strongly in the years following this camp.

Year of memory: 1973

What's your Lake Mac memory?

We would love to hear about your Lake Mac memories! Please fill out the Lake Mac memory card included with this issue of CRUview and send it back to us, or take a photo of your completed card and email it to Damien Wang at damien.wang@ crusaders.edu.au. Alternatively, visit www.growlakemac.com.au/ hear-camper-stories to submit your Lake Mac memory online.

This project is funded by the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund

SUMMER 2019

T H A N K

you i

CRU® is so thankful for those who faithfully give their time, money and efforts to support our ministries. We want to say thank you to these three people, who have played a vital role in the work of CRU over many years:

LISA HALL

DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

Lisa loves seeing how God uses the different CRU® ministries to bring young people into His kingdom.

“Whether it’s learning about Jesus at a CRU Group, taking part in amazing activities on a Summit Camp, or having an awesome time on a CRU Holiday Camp, the gospel permeates everything CRU does.”

David’s a true camp ministry allrounder and we are very thankful for the wealth of knowledge and experience he brings as he serves on The Crusader Council, the Galston Property and Development Committee, and the Lake Mac Redevelopment Taskforce. David is selfemployed in residential property development and currently serves at Horizon Church in Sutherland.

Lisa is a Technical Officer for Nambucca Shire Council and attends Nambucca River Presbyterian Church with her husband, Dave. While she worked as Gary Hill’s Executive Assistant in the 1990s, Dave worked casually on Summit Camps and they co-directed a number of holiday camps. Now, Lisa’s association with CRU involves giving, praying and proofreading CRU Resources.

Her prayer is that, “God will keep using CRU long into the future so that all generations will know the amazing love, compassion and righteousness of God.” We join her in that same prayer.

Thank you, Lisa, for your many years of serving with CRU, and for your heart’s desire to see future generations come to know and love Jesus as their personal Saviour.

Page Twenty Eight

David gave his life to Christ at the pivotal age of 12 when he “realised the truth, power and grace of the gospel message.”

This was the time when he first came to see and experience the unique ministry opportunities that Christian camps had to offer. He was able to witness first-hand, “the power of a temporary community in camping ministry that establishes a great opportunity for gospel outreach and discipleship to take place.”

Thank you, David, for your dedication to camp ministry and your passion to see kids come to know Christ. We are so thankful for your support and service at CRU in recent years.

VICTORIA SWAN

The CRU® community extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Victoria (Vikki) Swan, who passed away suddenly in September this year. Vikki was much loved by her family and by her CRU friends.

Vikki was introduced to CRU Camps by a friend in Year 6 and attended many camps as both a camper and leader, including Junior CRU, Sail Mania and Study Camps. Her father, Graham Swan, describes how CRU camps impacted her life, “She went on a camp around Year 9 and when she came home she boldly announced it had been life-changing.”

When Vikki started leading on CRU Camps, her dad shared, she “came alive with joy” when she had the opportunity to share the gospel with kids. Her affinity with young people was a thing to behold.

We thank God for Victoria’s boundless joy and commitment to sharing the gospel with children on CRU Camps.

CRUVIEW

CRU® COMMUNITY

HITCHED

HOOKED • Erina Smith & Dan Sawyer • Jacinda Castelijn & Rees Wilson • Anna Szabo & Charles Freeman • Helen Buchholz & Mark Lovell

• Charlotte Holmes & Joel McElveney – 10 November 2018 • Kirralee Elliott & Ben Hillier – 5 January 2019

HATCHED • Naomi & Tim Murnain – a girl, Emmalyse Anne, born 4 July 2018 • Bethany & Pete May – a girl, Aria Joy, born 2 September 2018 • Jess & Seb Lane – a boy, Arthur Paul, born 14 October 2018 • Sal & Kjartan Aano – a girl, Lily Lois, born 18 October 2018 • Sherin Leung & Kevin Yeung - a girl, Aneilia, born 7 November 2018 • Sarah & Tim Wearne - a girl, Elke Lace, born 14 November 2018

HOME • Elizabeth Lilley – 14 August 2018 • Rob Mackay – 3 September 2018 • Victoria Swan – 4 September 2018 • Donald Robinson – 7 September 2018

TEACHERS ON THE MOVE • Maryanne Davis has announced that she will be retiring from her role as the Principal at Danebank Anglican School for Girls at the end of 2019.

• Judith Nealy has been appointed Head of The Illawarra Grammar School.

• Lynne Guthridge has resigned from Principal of Northholm Grammar School. Christopher Bradbury will commence in this role in January 2019.

• Valerie Williams is retiring from Abbotsleigh Junior School.

• Brett Steinwede has moved from Assistant Chaplain at The Scots College to Trinity Grammar.

• Victoria Small is leaving Abbotsleigh and moving to Tasmania.

• Ellen Algeo is leaving her position as a Youth Worker at Tara Anglican School to study at Sydney Missionary and Bible College.

• Tim Wright has announced that he will be retiring from his role as the principal of Shore School at the end of 2019.

• Tony Cummings has announced that he will be retiring from his role as the Head of College of Shellharbour Anglican College at the end of 2019.

• Craig Tubman has moved from being the Assistant Minister at Church Hill Anglican to Head Chaplain at St. Andrew’s Cathedral School.

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