CRUview Autumn 2020: The Leadership Edition

CRUVIEW Autumn 2020

p i h s r e d Lea O THE

EDITION

Where there is

vision, the 2-3 nopeople perish

4-5 Learning to lead

CRU 6-7 Dear Camp leaders

love 8-10 Leadership, and lots more

Contents 1 2 4 6 8

The Big Picture Where there is no vision, the people perish Learning to lead Dear CRU Camp leaders...

Leadership, love and lots more – advice from a CRU Camp veteran

11 12 14 16 17

I don’t do burnout – caring for our souls CRU® Ministry & Property Updates Lake Mac Update Thank You CRU Community

Upcoming Events Lake Mac Open Day & Dedication Service Date: Saturday, 22 August 2020 Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm Location: CRU Lake Mac (transport can be provided) Celebrate with us as we dedicate the newly redeveloped Lake Mac campsite to the Lord!

CRU Business Breakfast Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2020 Location: QVB Tearoom Are you a young professional? Please join us for breakfast, fellowship and an update on how God is working to transform young lives through CRU. For more info and to RSVP, please contact Matilda Slade on 02 9188 9717 (opt 4) or at cru.edu.au/events

These events are correct at the time of writing. CRU is committed to following all Government Health Advice which may require events to be postponed, cancelled or changed.

Prior to each event, please contact us at info@cru.edu.au to confirm the most current details.

COVID-19 has left CRU with a $1.1 million shortfall Future camps are in jeopardy...

DONATE NOW: cru.edu.au/cruviewcamps

The Big

Picture Pictured: Gary Hill, Executive Director

The Leadership Edition Christian leadership is an enigma.

Every single Christian leader, at some stage in their life, has been opposed to the message of the Christian faith. It may not have been blatant hostility like Saul/ Paul's breathing fire (Acts 9:1), but every person has been a rebel, and rejected God's rule (Rom 3:23).

leader looks past the earthly transaction to recognise the spiritual truth. "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else."

(Acts 17:24-25)

The exception, of course, is Jesus. Rather than disobeying God, Jesus always honoured His Heavenly The humble leader will therefore be prayerful as we Father. And this is where the exception makes such a recognise our dependence on the sovereign God. As difference. In 2 Corinthians 5 such we will seek His will and we read "God made he who His glory and not be distracted had no sin to be sin for us, so from this.

So how do we approach that in him we might become leadership? We need to approach the righteousness of God" In times of plenty, the it with an overwhelming sense (v.21). Those who trust in Christian leader will remind of humility.

Him are reconciled to God, people to trust in God’s made a new creation, and are character and not be commissioned to carry the seduced by things which message of reconciliation are fleeting. In times of (vv.17-20). uncertainty, the Christian leader will again point to God as the one who can be So how do we approach leadership? We need to trusted in all circumstances. approach it with an overwhelming sense of humility.

Despite past failings, we have been called into Royal CRU is blessed to have so many people being willing to service. And not only have we been called, but we serve wholeheartedly as leaders. As a young Christian have also been equipped by the Holy Spirit with gifts I know that I grew enormously from involvement in to employ as a blessing to others, and continually CRU's training programs, and through older CRU refreshed for this role as we walk with Him. leaders who invested in me, and I was able to take these lessons back to my church, youth group and This is a challenge in a society that confuses pride with onto the Uni campus. leadership. Admittedly, a number of secular writers will note the value of the servant leader, and applaud the Please pray for all involved in Christian leadership at one who displays humility, but it is often couched as CRU, that they would never lose sight of the goal: to a tool to win followers' affection. The Christian leader see God receive glory as we share the wonderful news will reject such manipulation. Instead, the Christian of new life in Jesus.

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Page One

Where there is no vision, the people

perish O

Dr. the Reverend Howard Guinness Founder of Crusaders, 1930 Where are the men of vision today?

Where are the young men and women…who will hold their lives cheap, and be faithful unto death?

Where are those who will live dangerously, and be reckless in His service?

Where are the adventurers, the explorers, the buccaneers for God who count one human soul of far greater value than the rise or fall of an empire?

Where are the men who are willing to pay the price of vision?

Excerpt from 'Sacrifice' by Dr The Rev Howard Guinness, pg. 62

Page Two

G

odly leadership is essential for ministry growth and requires a strong vision. We are forever thankful to the countless Christian men and women who, over the last 9 decades, have given up significant time and energy to see CRU’s vision realised.

By God’s grace, their faithful service has resulted in millions of children and youth hearing the gospel, and seeing it modelled each week.

In this our 90th year, we particularly thank God for the visionary leadership of our founder, Dr. the Reverend Howard Guinness, who arrived in Sydney in January 1930 on the invitation of J.B. Nicholson.

As he travelled through the British Commonwealth establishing evangelistic ministries in universities, it was hoped that he would extend that gospel work to the Australian universities. However, Dr Guinness soon recognised that a new strategy was needed. The key to reaching the young people of Australia was to minister to the students in the independent schools. For this purpose, CRU was founded and fully operational by September 1930, during the Great Depression. What vision he had to look beyond worldly struggles to see the priority of the spiritual!

It is thanks to his foundational and visionary leadership that CRU today supports over 200 independent schools in NSW, WA and the ACT; reaches thousands of students on CRU Holiday Camps and Educational Camps; and serves tens of thousands of guests at our campsites each year - praise God! Strong leaders protect against mission drift and we give thanks that over the decades, successive CRU Boards have stayed faithful to the foundational truth found in God’s Word.

To pave the way for CRU to continue ‘on mission’ into the future, a special Trust has been set up in our founder’s honour, titled the ‘Howard Guinness Leadership Trust’ (HGLT).

The HGLT aims to keep CRU true to its mission by creating a sustainable, long-term funding base to attract, retain and train faithful and effective CRU leaders for generations to come.

Your Opportunity O

Through God’s amazing provision, a generous Foundation has pledged to match donations made to the Howard Guinness Leadership Trust*, up to a total of $2.5 million!

We need your help to unlock this $2.5M in funding for the eternal benefit of countless Australian young people.

Unlock a $2.5 million match to train future CRU leaders.

Your gift will be used to train and develop CRU leaders who will share the gospel with over 9,000 students on CRU Educational Camps each year – the vast majority of whom don’t yet know Jesus.

This amazing match opportunity expires at the end of next year, so we urge you to take up this visionary opportunity before it passes.

We would love to chat with you about the HGLT match opportunity. Please call Anna Burke on (02) 9188 9711, or email anna.burke@cru.edu.au, to express your interest.

Page Three *This generous match is valid for the ‘Holt Summit sub-fund’ within the Howard Guinness Leadership Trust only.

Learning to

lead O

J

ames Carroll is the Director of CRU Educational Camps. He’s a committed Christian, on fire for God, and managing a team of godly young leaders with integrity and grace… but he wasn’t always like that.

In fact, it wasn’t until a CRU Holiday Camp when James was in Year 11 that he decided to give his life to Jesus. He didn’t grow up in a Christian family, and though he attended a church school the message had never really sunk in.

sounded like heaps of fun and a cool chance to hang out with his friends. But what James didn’t know was that his friend who invited him on camp, Tim, had a motive beyond just having an enjoyable week together.

“The packing list said to bring a Bible on the CRU Camp, but we didn’t own one at home. So, I went out and bought a Bible! And I started to read it for the first time on camp,” James recalls.

“Years later, Tim referenced the fact that “We'd go to church on Christmas morning he and another one of my friends, John, Pictured: James on because that was the done thing. But had been praying for me and trying to Adrenaline Rush (far left) then we wouldn't touch church at any get me along to Christian stuff for ages,” other point in the year,” James says of his family.

James explains. “I had learned about Jesus and the gospel story all through school, but that camp was James initially wanted to go on the CRU Holiday the transition from something I knew to something Camp, Adrenaline Rush, because he thought it I believed."

Page Four

As so often happens when people become Christians, God turned James’ life around completely, and within a few short years James was considering a career that he never would have thought of before coming to faith: joining the Summit staff team at CRU.

message from CRU and clear guidance from CRU that our relationship with God matters more than anything. And if you're going to lead well, you need to be anchored in the Scriptures.”

Nate McElveney, CRU's Director of Ministries, also had a significant role in developing James as a leader.

James reflects, "One of the first things I did when I joined Summit was a session called ‘Characteristics of Good Leaders’, and it centred around integrity.”

Initially James moved to Newcastle to study IT, and later transferred to Business Marketing and Management. But in the summer, James worked as a casual for CRU and he was volunteering on five or six CRU Camps every year.

Then, James remembers, “Someone said to me, hey, you realise that what you're volunteering to do a few weeks a year, you can do as a full-time job? I was so excited.”

“CRU instilled in me a high value of integrity and character more than skills. And I think that's one thing that has flowed on to what we do now. 12 years later, we look to hire people based on character more than

“

Our relationship with God matters more than anything. And if you're going to lead well, you need to be anchored in the Scriptures.

“

In 2009, James joined CRU’s training and ministry program, the Summit Fellowship Program (now known as the Summit Program), and since then he has progressed through a number of roles to where he is now - leading the program.

It’s been a big couple of decades for James – from not even following Jesus, to now working full-time in a ministry leadership role!

Thankfully, along the way, James has had a number of opportunities to deepen his understanding of Christian leadership and prepare him for his important role. He attended January Leadership Camp, now known as CrossTrain, in Year 12 and notes this as an important step in owning and committing to his faith and helping others understand the gospel.

He’s also had many role models to look up to. He mentions Rob Warner and Dev Blair, directors on camps he led on, as influential in his walk with Christ and his understanding of leadership.

James also looks up to Gary Hill, CRU’s Executive Director, as a great teacher of Christian leadership.

“At the start of every year, Gary always talks about how Christian leaders first need to be in the word and be led by God. There was, right from the get-go, a clear

skills. And we've turned away some really skilled people because we weren’t certain that their character was where it needed to be.”

James is convinced that becoming a good leader isn’t something that happens overnight – it took him time to develop the character he needs for his role, and he knows that he is still growing in character every day.

Thankfully, he’s also certain that the Summit Program helps people flourish in leadership. “Summit is so important. Yes, it teaches skills but it also develops people and instils in them a passion for ministry. It instils in them a reliance on God. Summit develops their character in a way that people don't naturally do themselves. You can develop character in a bunch of ways but I think doing that in community and serving together is a massively effective way of developing the type of leaders that the Church needs."

Know someone who would love to get equipped for ministry, share Jesus on camps, and grow in godly character?

Tell them about the Summit Program!

Applications are now open: www.summitprogram.com.au

Page Five

Dear CRU Camp

leaders...

O

CRU is so thankful for the dedication, time and energy that our volunteer leaders invest into CRU Holiday Camps. Here are a handful of camper quotes from the recent summer holiday camp season.

“The leaders are legends – they’re great! They were great from the first time we met them.

Shout out to Liana for being such a great discussion group leader. She’s been so amazing in helping me keep my faith and encouraging me to love God even more.”

“I’d like to say thank you to Johnny. He’s been a huge help with helping me understand the Bible and what Christianity is all about.”

- Andrew

- Marissa

“Thanks to my leaders, Pete, James and Mitchell, for being my friends and helping me become a Christian.

They’ve been really supportive.”

- Ben

“I love how the leaders are just so kind and will answer any questions you have. They’ll hang out with you and help you have a great week on camp. Thank you to Lara for being there for us, for chilling with us, for teaching us more about God, and helping us have a fabulous week!”

- Isabelle

“Thank you to my group leaders, Jess and Eliza. They’ve led really great discussion groups and they can understand where you’re coming from in whatever situation you’re in. They really don’t judge you and are really supportive.”

- Charlotte

“Thank you, Adele and Andrew, for directing Sail Mania for so many years. It’s been such an amazing time and I’ve loved every 5 years of coming here!”

- Lorna

Page Seven

Leadership, love and lots more Advice from a CRU Camp veteran

Emma Cutmore, Deputy Head of Primary at Northern Beaches Christian School, is an experienced CRU Camp volunteer leader and camp parent. She shares her story of coming to faith, learning to lead and love kids, and her tips for current Christian leaders.

CRUview: Emma, how did you become a Christian?

Emma Cutmore: I grew up in a non-Christian family. I had an awareness of God, but when I tried to speak to my parents about it, it was met with a “That's nice dear.

Glad you feel that way.”

When I attended Abbotsleigh, a friend of mine loved the school CRU Group and dragged me along. I kept going because of the singing - I loved to sing. Then I went on the Crusader House Party that year and heard the gospel for the first time and it was literally one of those conversions that happened straight away!

she asked me and I said yes, and I kept coming back!

When we needed more leaders, I stood up at church and made an announcement. My now husband, heard the announcement and was like, “Ooh! Jesus, dirt bikes, pretty girl. I'm in!” So, he came along and we volunteered on dirt bike camps for a very long time.

CV: Who were your role models in leadership at that point in your life?

CV: What happened after you became a Christian?

EC: Peter and Rowena Bragg, who started the dirt bike camps, were incredible role models to us as far as godly living. They really welcomed us into their lives and you could just see they were people who really live out their faith.

EC: My parents were very upset with my decision, so CRU Group was my only church for a very long time.

CRU is what grew me as a Christian and taught me about the Bible - that I could read the Gospels and find out about Jesus, who He was, and who He is.

There are so many kids that just need to know that somebody loves them. God showed Dylan that at a CRU Camp.

EC: In Year 12 I became a leader at my school CRU Group. That certainly made me consider things more deeply because I had to be able to answer questions in my cell group and mentor younger students. I also felt the weight of responsibility of the Word because by then I understood that teachers will be judged more strictly and you've got to be responsible about what you say about God and represent Him properly. That was a big learning curve for me - stepping out of my comfort zone and being a leader in something that I felt quite new in.

CV: How did your involvement with CRU continue after you finished school?

EC: When I finished school one of my friends needed help with cooking on dirt bike Holiday Camps. So,

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CV: How did you continue to grow in your faith?

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CV: Do you have any stories from your time leading on camps that stand out to you?

EC: When I was 19, there was one kid on a camp whose name was Dylan, and he was just not engaged or interested in anything… and every time he swore, I'd make him go and hug a tree! We'd end up having a chat while he was hugging his tree. At the end of camp, there was a big piñata. And all the kids hit the piñata, the lollies went everywhere and all the kids dove in. And this little boy, Dylan, came up to me and said, “Can I have your hat?” And I was thinking, “Oh, what's he going to do with it? Was he going to wipe it in the mud or throw it in a tree?” He was that kind of kid. But then I honestly think I received a word from God. He said, “Give him your hat.”

So, I gave it to him and he went away and then came back about five minutes later - it was full of lollies! And then Dylan said, “I want you to have these.”

Page Nine

He just wanted someone to talk to and care about him.

There are so many kids that just need to know that somebody loves them. God showed Dylan that at a CRU Camp.

brings you. That is hard because camp can be tricky, and kids can be tricky, so you need to be having your ‘Gethsemane moments’, like how Jesus went off to pray.

“

I also think it's really important to touch base with God every day on camp, to just make sure that you are showing the love and the joy and the peace that Jesus brings you.

“

CV: What is your best advice for CRU leaders?

EC: It's really important to listen to your mentors - your director and older leaders who've done it before. I also think it's really important to touch base with God every day on camp, to just make sure that you are showing the love and the joy and the peace that Jesus

Keen to share the gospel with kids on a CRU Holiday Camp?

Page Ten

But also, don't be afraid to ask for help. I remember wanting to impress the Braggs. You really want them to think that you've ‘got it’. But nobody ever has ‘it’ in the beginning. So, go to the other leaders, go to your director, go to your camp parents and talk. Ask for help because that's why they're there.

Email cruleaders@cru.edu.au to find out more about becoming a volunteer leader and serving on a camp.

I don’t do burnout – caring for our souls

By Edward Vaughan, former Coach at Arrow Teaching Faculty “I don’t do burnout.” I think it’s the scariest thing I’ve ever heard from a team member.

The context in which my team and I minister is extremely challenging. We deal with people who experience homelessness, have mental health issues, live with addiction and suffer from social isolation. I am desperately keen that we look after ourselves and not crash and burn. So, I teach often on the imperative of self-care to ensure our health in the face of the massive demands of our ministry.

But on this day, one of our staff members pushed back hard. They didn’t need to worry, they said, because “I don’t do burnout.”

When we set ourselves up with heroic images of our capacity, we set ourselves up to fail. No matter how talented, enthusiastic or dedicated we are, we are all human beings. We are more frail and fragile than we would often allow ourselves to admit.

If you have ever seen a colleague genuinely burnout, you will know that it is a devastating experience, one which you never want to see repeated. Ruth Haley Barton describes it as the difference between ‘good tired’ and ‘dangerous tired.’1 So how do we develop a resiliency in the face of the daily ministry challenges we face?

A recent Australian study tracked one thousand clergy and church workers to find out what may lead to burnout and how it can be avoided.2 The study also focuses on ‘Well-being in ministry,’ effectively the opposite to burnout. The authors ask the question, ‘What can church workers positively do which will enable them to function at their best over a long period of time?’

If you had to guess, what would be the one most powerful contributor to clergy well-being? The answer is ‘being able to develop robust spiritual resources’.

In the world of Arrow Leadership, we would use the language ‘developing Spiritual Disciplines’.

The study is rich and intriguing, and worth reading, but boiled down it’s saying that if you want to do one thing which will have a significant impact in enabling you to cope with the sometimes head-wrecking and heartbreaking challenges of ministry, then develop rich spiritual disciplines in your life.

The right response is to acknowledge, with humility and wisdom that we are each vulnerable in our own ways to unhealthy practices and sin. We are vulnerable to attitudes which can cripple our ministry over time. We are vulnerable to an experience of ministry which is toxic.

It really should be no surprise that our best defence against the challenges of ministry life is to develop regular healthy spiritual practices that nurture and sustain our soul.

This is so easily said and so hard to do. It is an imperative for all of us in ministry, an imperative that exceeds all the other demands upon our time, no matter how worthy they are. Everything we do, and everyone that we do it with, will benefit if we invest the time in regularly coming before the Lord and replenishing our souls.

We act as if we don’t have time for this, but in fact it will be the one thing that will keep our minds sharp, our bodies healthy and our hearts pure. Those we love the most will benefit and those we minister to will be blessed if we develop daily rhythms of grace in our lives.

There was once a time in your life when you experienced the ‘streams of life-giving water’ of which Jesus speaks. When was that time? And what were your daily practices then? Rediscover that time and those practices which fill your heart with joy, in the midst of all the assaults upon your soul. Be filled with Him again.

To find out more about Arrow Leadership and their work in developing Christian leaders, visit www.arrowleadership.org.au

Page Eleven 1 Ruth Hayley Barton, "Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation", (Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press:2006) 2 “Well Being In Ministry” by Grant Bickerton, Maureen Miner-Bridges, Martin Dowson and Barbara Griffin. The study can be accessed at https://www.buv.com.au/documents/item/182

CRU® Ministry & Property Updates We are thankful for the great work God is doing through CRU®. Stay up to date with everything that is happening in our various ministries and properties.

“ “More than comfortable and a lot of options for activities, the gym a BIG plus.”

St John's Park Baptist Church, guest at CRU Galston Gorge

HOLIDAY CAMPS

“Thanks so much for sowing into our students and taking the time to get to know them and build relationships with them. I love how you guys run camp - the care you have for our kids and the genuine desire you have for them to grow as people - both in themselves and in the Lord.”

Andrew, teacher at Medowie Christian School, on a CRU Educational Camp

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EDUCATIONAL CAMPS

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Page Twelve

“CRU is amazing. It has made such a difference in my life for many years. Thank you so much!”

CRU Group attendee, Barker College

Praise God for the 3 new camps that ran in January: CRU Sports, CRU Frenzy (our first Canberra camp) and a rebirthed January Leadership Camp (JLC) – our new annual CRU Camps Junior Leadership Camp.

Praise God that over 100 campers indicated a commitment to following Jesus from our summer camps. Pray that these young people will continue to grow in their faith and be supported by churches and school groups.

We are saddened that, due to COVID-19, we were unable to provide the CRU Camps experience for campers in autumn or offer our services to parents, who value our support for them and their children. We look forward to being able to provide our camps to you again, before too long. We’re thankful for your ongoing partnership and support.

Despite a COVID-19 interrupted Term 1, CRU Educational Camps still had the opportunity to run 25 school camps. Praise God that 2,121 campers came on camp and heard the gospel – we are incredibly thankful that, by God’s grace, we saw 46 students make a commitment to follow Jesus for the first time!

Ten new Summit Program trainees joined the Summit team in January. We praise God for bringing them to CRU, for sustaining them through a very busy initial training period, equipping them for ministry. Although our ministry context is different at the moment, we’re very thankful that they’re all still able to be serving God through CRU at this time.

We are incredibly thankful for our schools that, like us, see the value of camp and the positive impact it can have, so have sought to postpone camp to later in the year rather than cancel entirely in the midst of these difficult times. With so many camps being postponed, God willing and if safe to do so, we are preparing for our busiest 2nd semester ever that will then lead into our biggest ever Term 1 in 2021.

GALSTON GORGE

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SCHOOLS MINISTRY

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DAY CAMPS

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As part of our energy efficiency and solar projects, we are in the process of replacing fluorescent lighting with LED technology. Please pray that the installation of the lights goes smoothly.

Praise God that solar production has been exceeding expectations and we’ve been welcoming the sight of smaller energy bills.

During the COVID-19 restrictions, we have been grateful for the way in which our staff have been willing to serve in different areas of operations and for the work carried out by the bookings team to manage cancellations and bolster bookings for future years. While many conversations have been challenging we have also had many messages of support and encouragement from groups. We are thankful to God for His provisions.

In January, the Schools Ministry team were delighted to have Bailey Dodds and Jason Todd join the team as Schools Ministry Workers, and Laura Harvey and Naomi Andrews join the team as Schools Ministry Associates. All four new members bring a range of skills and gifts to our team and we are looking forward to God using them to minister to students in schools and on camps.

We are thankful that despite huge interruptions to schools and the removal of our school visitation program during this COVID-19 period, many CRU Groups are able to keep meeting online and whilst we can’t physically visit, we still have the opportunity to support teachers, chaplains and students with digital resources and other ways.

Praise God for our Day Camp partners. We’ve been encouraged by the support they’ve shown to the ministry and their prayers for us through this challenging time for CRU. Please pray for our school and church partners as they themselves prepare to do ministry remotely where possible.

We’ve recently developed a new ‘Lost and Found’ teaching resource based on Luke 15. It has been really exciting to see how children have responded to the message of God’s unconditional love for them. Pray that God will continue working through the Bible teaching we do on Day Camps in the future.

Our recent camps in Sydney’s North West have all reached capacity. Praise God for the high demand we see for camps in this area and pray that God will continue to work to grow His kingdom in these local communities through Day Camps once we are able to run them again.

COVID-19 has left CRU with a $1.1 million shortfall and future camps are in jeopardy

Please DONATE NOW: cru.edu.au/cruviewcamps

Please turn over to view Lake Mac updates Page Thirteen

Lake Mac

Update O Praise God that, despite the current pandemic, construction continues at the Lake Mac site - on track for completion in July!

“I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1 The vision to expand the Lake Mac campsite, to enable thousands more young people to learn about Jesus each year, will soon be realised!

Praise God that Stage 1 of the Lake Mac redevelopment is on track to be completed by July featuring: • A NEW 350 seat dining room

Earn up to 2.5%* Interest Don’t miss the opportunity to invest in CRU Debentures.^

• A NEW Conference room for over 350 campers

CRU Debentures are loans which enable you to reach thousands of kids for Christ whilst:

• A NEW Boathouse with a top level meeting room

Retaining your capital and

• NEW ensuite accommodation for over 250 guests

Earning up to 2.5% interest* *Contact CRU for the latest rates and terms

• A NEW rock climbing and abseiling tower • And much more!

We look forward to celebrating the opening of the site with you at the 'Lake Mac Open Day & Dedication Service' scheduled for 22nd August, God willing.

Lake Mac bookings in 2021 are already filling fast in anticipation that the pandemic will be over by this time.

Book now to getaway and give your church, school or community group some long awaited together time!

Visit crulakemac.com.au.

Your loan will help support the Lake Mac redevelopment so that an extra 20,000 kids can be reached for Christ each year and you can earn a strong return on your investment!

Contact Anna Burke today at anna.burke@cru.edu.au ^ Investing in CRU Debentures is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support CRU’s charitable purposes. It is not comparable to investments that are issued by banks, finance companies or fund managers. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when they expect to or at all.

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

Page Fifteen

Thank You 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:

KYLIE WILSON

MATT CRETHAR

ROSEMARY ABRAHAMS

Kylie came to faith during high school and has been working at St Catherine’s School for over ten years, where she is the Chaplain.

She meets many students with little experience or understanding of the Christian faith.

Matt attends Emmanuel Baptist Church in Glenwood and became a Christian when he was 17.

Rosemary grew up in a Christian family, but it was going to a Billy Graham Crusade at the age of 11 which made her faith come alive.

Witnessing students gather at Inter-CRU events has been a highlight for Kylie, as the students gather with other Christians from nearby schools and encourage each other.

Kylie has served as a volunteer leader on the leadership training camp, CrossTrain, and found this particularly helpful for the St Cath’s student leaders.

The CRU Schools Ministry team are preparing an 8 week digital resource, changing the format of one of our current resources on 1 Peter. It will be online friendly for teachers and Chaplains, like Kylie, and help them run their CRU Groups digitally this term.

Thank you, Kylie, for your many years of faithful service to the Lord in partnership with CRU.

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Matt has directed Beach Blitz for the past 2 years and shares, “We’ve seen dozens of campers come to Christ and recommit their lives through the faithful teaching from camp speakers and discussion groups.”

“Camp has given our leaders a deep passion to share the gospel of Jesus, and also been a practical and spiritual training ground for new leaders,” he continues.

Matt also shares, “I loved attending VOLT (CRU Camp volunteer leader training). It’s such helpful training for leaders and camp directors to share ideas.”

Thanks so much, Matt, for your faithful service as a volunteer camp director on CRU Holiday Camps.

Rosemary first became familiar with CRU when she was Deputy and Head of Senior School at Abbotsleigh. She attended CRU Educational Camps at Galston and shares, “I have seen the impact that the CRU Study Camps can have on students who are fearful of HSC exams.

They leave with a calmness in knowing that everything is in the hands of the Lord.”

Rosemary also supports CRU by attending fundraising events and functions. In 2018, Rosemary was honoured to become the first female chair of The King’s School Council.

Thank you, Rosemary, for your faithful support of God’s work through CRU in the midst of your busy education roles.

Community

HOOKED • Adriana Kanjian & Christopher Gates • Courtney George & Josh Greenwood

HITCHED • Natica Benitua & Tim Vernon - 4 October 2019 • Cristyn Freeman & Josh Sloan – 7 December 2019 • Louise Cowley & David Warner – 14 December 2019 • Bec Li & Matthew Scott - 21 December 2019 • Camilla Vernon & Mark Jamelo - 4 January 2020 • Ash Lambert & Lachlan Bunn – 8 February 2020 • Emily Harrington & Frasier Bailey – 15 February 2020 • Bri Barltrop & Samuel Parsonson - 29 February 2020 • Sammy Lewis & Mike Lihou – 29 February 2020 • Eleanor Burton & Michael Clarke – 14 March 2020 • Jessica Seal & Jordan Shanks - 23 March 2020 • Emma Bennett & Damon Pesavento – 2 May 2020

HATCHED • Chelsea & Tim Sillar - twin girls, Lyla Rose & Willow Joy, born 26 November 2019 • Jessica & Marco Keryaks – a boy, Matteo James, born 1 January 2020 • Heidi & Andrew Gombossy – a girl, Arabella Glenna, born 6 February 2020 • Kate & Brian Snell – a girl, Lydia Anastasia, born 10 March 2020

CRUVIEW

TEACHERS ON THE MOVE • Melissa Brown has moved from being Principal at Orange Christian School to being Principal at Covenant Christian School.

• Rebecca Hall has been appointed as Principal at Tyndale Christian School, she was formerly Deputy Principal.

• Len Hedges has moved from William Clarke College to St Philip’s Christian College, Newcastle.

• Stephen Webber commenced as the new Principal at Redlands. He has moved to NSW from WA, where he was the Headmaster of Guildford Grammar School.

• Luisa Maxwell has moved from teaching at Knox Grammar School to teaching in the secondary school of Barker College.

• Rev Pete Tong has commenced as the new Chaplain at Barker College.

HOME • Enid Watt – 21 January 2020 • Catherine Hamlin - 18 March 2020 • Don Williams - 30 March 2020

Keep us posted

If you have any news, updates, or stories that you would like to share with the CRU community, let us know by emailing cruview@cru.edu.au

Page Seventeen

ready O

We're getting

Restrictions won’t last forever, so we are busy getting CRU Lake Mac ready to open in July! We’ll be here, ready and waiting to welcome your church, school or community group as you enjoy some long-awaited time together.

Book now - dates are filling fast www.cru.edu.au/lakemac We’ll be ready when you are.

The Crusader Union of Australia PO Box 590, Eastwood NSW 2122 (02) 9874 8933 www.cru.edu.au ABN 90 213 359 332